Labor Day – Fast, Easy & Cheap Table Decor

Whether you’re having company over for a Labor Day barbecue or you just want to add some festive flair to your home for the holiday, you don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to whip up some red, white, and blue fun.

FOR THE DINING TABLE –

You can pick up bandanas at the Dollar Tree (2 for $1.00,) to use as napkins. Wrap some white plastic utensils in the bandanas, tie with a ribbon, and you have a fun setting guests can easily grab. (And you can wash the bandanas for future uses.)

Or simply use your own silver in place of plastic.

Another fun way to offer your guests “napkins” and silverware. And the mason jars can double as their drinking glass. I pick up my mason jars at Discover Goodwill or the Dollar Tree (but I always check at Goodwill first since I can pick them up cheaper there, and they don’t all have to match.) Flags add a patriotic touch and you can reuse them for future holidays or send home with your guests.)

It doesn’t get any easier or cheaper, but still fun and cute, than this. From the Dollar Tree: napkins 20 count $1.00, cups 12 count $1.00, plastic silverware 48 count $1.00.

Wrap your plastic utensils in a paper napkin, tied with a ribbon and place in a basket. Easily accessible and everything can be tossed in your recycling container for easy clean-up.

ADD SOME GLOW…CANDLE IDEAS –

I love using candles to create a special mood when we entertain. Whenever I can talk my husband into going to Ikea, I pick up the huge bags of tealight candles (100 unscented for $3.50,) but if I’m out of them, I’ll pick them up at the Dollar Tree (16 unscented for $1.00).

This is just fun, easy and cheap to do and something the kids can help make if they want.

Now when I made these I was out of rubbing alcohol, too lazy to run to the store right in the middle of my photo shoot, and therefore, only used food coloring. Using the alcohol really makes a difference in the color and how the dye coats the rice.

To dye the rice…Add uncooked instant rice to a plastic bag. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol and food coloring. Close bag and shake. If you want a deeper color, add a few more drops and shake. Let dry.

I always pick up my votive candle holders at Goodwill where I can find them from 29 to 59 cents usually.

Or use white ramekins as your candle holder.

Or stack your colors…

Or add a few drops of food coloring to water and fill votive holders, juice glasses, or even glass bowls and then float your votive candles. Easy “impact.” (I snip the metal container the candles come in off, which makes the candles float easier.)

FUN FLOWERS –

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make an impact with flowers. Mini carnations and daisies are usually pretty inexpensive, or pull greenery and flowers from your yard. You can make a statement with lots of mini arrangements displayed together or use one large vase with a stick flag added in. And you don’t have to actually have a vase for your arrangements. Look around your house and use anything that fits a theme and holds water.

Even plastic cups work…

And a bit of food coloring.

Just a few ideas to help you create some fun holiday flair without spending a ton.