Hipsters to the Rescue: How Do YOU Have a Frugal and Fun Fourth of July?
This Hip2Save.com Deal was hand-posted on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 at 5:17 pm.
Photo Credit: Simply Creative Insanity
Wow! I cannot believe that June is just about over and July 4th is right around the corner?! The summer is going to be gone before we know it! 
Since July 4th is one of my personal favorite holidays, I thought that it might be fun to learn what all of you do to celebrate Independence Day.
Here are a few fun and frugal suggestions for July 4th Activities:
* Help your kiddos make stars out of red, white and blue construction paper and then ask them to write why they are proud to be an American.
* Head to your local town parade (or even better, host your own neighborhood July 4th Parade and have the kiddos decorate bikes and wagons)
* Buy a few fireworks (one “hip” tip is to wait until the evening of July 4th to purchase any fireworks as you can usually snag a sweet deal!) or plan an outing to watch the local fireworks in your town. Check out how to make Individual Sparkler Holders (which make great party favors) over at Simply Creative Insanity... super cute!
* Host a Block Party or a Potluck
* Make a Wave Your Flag Cheesecake or make Red and Blue Jello Jigglers cut into star shapes.
* Make simple Firecracker crafts with kids using toilet paper rolls and placing bubble wrap inside, making a great popping noise maker!
* Make a 4th of July Wall Hanging using patterned papers in red, white and blue to become a lovely star wall hanging for a homemade 4th of July decoration.
…and more! Head on over here and enter your email address to sign up to receive free craft & recipe ideas, as well as download the free FaveCrafts 4th of July eBook!
How about you? What traditions does your family have? How do you celebrate July 4th in your household?
Susan says:
If you do buy fireworks please be extremely careful. Also check in your area to see what the drought conditions are and if you even should be using fireworks. We have had so many fires around us lately; last week our whole city was so covered in smoke that people were advised to remain indoors because the air quality was so bad. With that being said I wish everyone a GREAT 4th:)
Lisa says:
Haha! Move to AZ! The summers never end here! Here we are waiting for some monsoon showers!
Thrifty is Nifty says:
The way we have a thrifty 4th of July party is that we have kind of a street party. We get together with neighbors and friends and everyone makes a dish or throws some dogs or burgers on the grill and we put all the fireworks together and we have a great time. Those who are able always bring more food or fireworks and those who are a little more strapped financially bring what they can but becuase of the way we do it nobody ever feels bad about what they bring or don’t bring. It is just a good ole’ time for everybody!!
Alea says:
4th of July is our most frugal holiday – I love it!! Free parade in the morning, city-wide picnic at the township park where everything is 5 cents (Hot dogs, ice cream, cans of pop, bags of chips, bottles of water, etc) plus lots of free fun the kids! They also have a great fireworks show. I LOVE my city
Rebeka says:
That sounds AWESOME! Where do you live? Jealous.
Amber says:
Yes AZ has been muggy and hot today, would love to have a Monsoon storm soon
I live in a small town just outside of Phoenix and the community always has a free firework show at the local park. There is also booths with games, etc. but we have the most fun just speading out the blankets playing card games and talking with neighbors. Best part it is free and Super fun!
ketsy says:
My favorite holiday is Fourth of July too. I got married that weekend 9 years ago and belive me been divorced and all, nothing will ever compare to that weekend. Anyways, I live in Florida now and unfortunately most of the counties have banned fireworks due to drought and fires
We can sit around and wait for the city to decide fireworks show by the river (weather permitting). As for me, I might be going old school and just heading to Disney World. At least it will be fun fireworks or not.
Chrystal says:
Take the free shuttle downtown and watch the parade, then go park at the harbor and watch fireworks for free in the evening!
Sarah says:
Patriotic French Toast for breakfast (decorate french toast with powdered sugar, blueberries & strawberries) then Extended Family Potluck in the late afternoon
Julie says:
We normally hang at the neighborhood pool and have activities for kids. Here is the finale that is really fun. The “greased watermelon chase”…fun for adults and then kids. Grease up a big watermelon with crisco and dunk in the pool adults and kids (separatley) can fight over who gets it out of the pool. Once out and every age group has has a turn wipe down and cut to enjoy!!! Happy fourth!
Amber R. says:
Well heres my fave frugal tip for the 4th. I go to the dollar store and buy glow stick necklaces and light up toys stuff like that. Its way cheaper than buying the same stuff for 2 or 3 times the price at the fireworks show. I also pack homemade snacks and drinks from home, so we dont have to buy them there. Everything is always way overpriced at the parade and firework show!
Amber R. says:
I forgot to mention my kids decorate T-shirts every year as well! We take white t-shirts and cut some potatoes into star stamps, then I set out a plate of red paint and a plate of blue paint and let the kids have at it. We do this on July 3rd and then the kids can wear their shirts to the parade!
melissa says:
Cool idea! Do you use fabric paint or just paint (like finger or acrylic?) I have some star sponges, and the boys have some older tees we can decorate. These would be cute to wear after they get out of the pool.
Amber R. says:
I either use fabric paint or acrylic whichever happens to be in my craft stash at the time
L says:
If you live in south Mississippi, skip buying fireworks this year. The drought conditions have led to two huge fires that have destroyed over 1,000 acres and almost took out the animal shelter.
Leave the fireworks to the professionals on the beach.
Alicia says:
I totally just did a post about this on my blog! It’s July 4th party decor with scraps.
http://allthingsalicia.typepad.com/all-things-alicia/2011/06/easy-and-cheap-4th-of-july-.html
melissa says:
Those are the cutest ideas!! This year, we’re going by my brothers house and I think the “firecracker straws” will be a hit with the kids. I have to go to Michaels tomorrow anyway, so I’ll see what kind of cute scrapbooking paper I can snag to use. Thanks for sharing!
Amber R. says:
I love those straws! I just may use that one this year!!
Lori says:
I just did two frugal thingsl; table centerpiece and candy filled firecrackers. I have an appetizer coming tomorrow but we had fun making the other items. We really don’t do much for the holiday except hang out but that’s perfect to me…me and my family all together.
http://mywoodenspoon.com/diy-4th-of-july-table-centerpiece-for-8/
http://mywoodenspoon.com/4th-of-july-party-favors-candy-filled-firecrackers/
Love the ideas above!
Kat says:
My frugal 4th of July will include working a 12 hour shift at double time (holiday pay!!) and trying to pick up some clearance sparklers the next day.
Mae says:
Make this recipe…
http://www.delawareonline.com/blogs/secondhelpings/2008/06/red-white-and-blue-dessert.html
Yea, sure I normally eat very healthy, but ya have to have a bit of fun now and than, and besides, this looks like fun to make and eat!!
Happy 4th of July Everybody!
Jamie says:
I won the Budweiser 4th of July party that Collin posted if u signed up at the House Party website. thanks to Collin we have a ton of free party favors that were sent to us for our party.
Sarah says:
My husband works with a guy whose family owns a fireworks stand so anyone who works for the company that my hubby works for gets a GREAT discount on fireworks. My husband LOVES it!! He would go overboard buying fireworks if I didn’t remind him about our budget every 5 min while he is shopping….;)
Tanya says:
We will be making our family’s special Mac N Cheese dish (as Thomas Jefferson invented mac n cheese), watching the John Adams series and then doing smores on the grill out back while we watch the fireworks. I really like my kids to understand why we celebrate this day, not just that its a party day. Our family is really into history so its an important holiday for us!
Krystle says:
I saw this really cool idea in a Schwans magazine the other day. They said take mason jars and fill them with different kinds of summer drinks, lemonade, fruit punch, etc then fill with frozen fruit to act as the ice. You can screw the lids on and sink them in ice to keep them chilled till you’re ready but I thought this was a great idea that looks more expensive to make than it is. Plus you can reuse the mason jars afterward!
Brandy at Simply Creative Insanity says:
Thank you so much for featuring my printables on your post! I am honored! I am a frugle mommy myself so, this is fun for me to find a new blog!
Brandy
Collin says:
You are so welcome Brandy! Your site is absolutely adorable…I wish I had that creative knack!