BBQ, fireworks, friends & family these are a few things that make up a 4th of July celebration. I would also add some body of water is required like a lake or a pool to really give off the ‘Merica vibe. In Arizona, the 4th of July is typically extremely hot at 105 degrees and up. So unless you are in an air-conditioned space or in water you are a sweating like crazy. Simple easy décor is my go to for this holiday because to be honest it is so hot and the focus is on the fireworks and food more than anything else.
The 4th of July is fairly simple to decorate for because really all you need to do is add some red, white and blue! I am drawn to pretty paper napkins but never have a good use for them or end up with a bunch of extras after a party. So I came up with this simple, quick and inexpensive DIY paper napkin garland using paper napkins! Below I will share two easy DIY paper napkin garlands you can go and make right now.
SUPPLY LIST:
Paper Napkins
Scissors
String
Tape (optional)
Step 1: Pick any paper napkins that go with your theme/color (in this case Stars and Stripes for America). Keep them folded as packaged placing the folded edge at the top.
Step 2: Keeping the folded edge to the top, cut the napkin vertically. Cut approximately 1/4″ strips almost to the top folded edge. Skinnier strips will achieve more of a fringe look.
Step 3: You can choose to leave your cut napkins just like this and skip to step 4, or you can cut the ends to make different bunting style shapes like a two tip flag or one point v-flag. To create the two tip bunting, find the middle strip and mark the middle point with a pencil. Cut diagonally from the corners to the middle point.
To create the one point bunting style, start from the bottom of the middle strip and diagonally cut upwards to the edges.
Step 4: Cut the length of string you will need to hang in your desired space with about 6″ extra on each side. Lay out your cut paper napkin buntings opening them from the fold. Lay the string along the napkin fold line (secure with tape if you need them to be extra secure). Close the napkin over the string.
Another option to the paper napkin garland is to create paper napkin tassels. You do not need any additional supplies.
Step 1: Begin the same way as the paper napkin garland above with cut strips from the bottom stopping just below the folded edge.
Step 2: Open the folded napkin.
Step 3: Twist the center of the napkin several times.
Step 4: After twisting the napkin should start to easily bend together so that the fringed edges come together to form to bottom of the tassel.
Step 5: Secure the top of the tassel with a piece of string to form a small loop. This loop can be used to string the tassels onto the hanging string or you can tie the tassels with the tail ends of the string you just used to close the tassel head.
Step 6: Add the tassels to a string. I used about 15 tassels for a 3′ garland. Always remember to cut at least 6″ extra to each end of the overall length of the garland string you need.
And there you have a super simple, quick and inexpensive 4th of July DIY. This is something you can use for any party and now your green light to go ahead and buy the pretty paper napkins!
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Happy DIY-ing,
Jen
the dotted bow 