by Melinda Hines
www.MelindaHines.net
melindaahines@yahoo.com

Beyond BBQ - Family Fun Ideas to Show Your Patriotism
Many of us celebrate Memorial Day and the 4th of July with a yummy bbq, but this year I want to encourage you to go beyond the basic bbq to make your celebration the best ever. From crafts to ways to honor our soldiers and table decorations this is your one-stop idea shop. Whatever you do be sure to end the night with a fireworks display that features music with a military tribute for a special grand finale.
Craft:
My friend Lea Sullivan loves patriotic crafts especially simple ones to do with the kids. She suggests cutting red and blue paper or letting the kids rip paper into pieces. Then basically use white paper already prepared as a flag and have the children fill in the places with the right color. “Then if you want to take it further, you can frame these and put these out each year as a 4th of July decor in your home,” Lea suggested.
A mutual friend of mine has stepping stones in her backyard made from concrete squares painted in red and blue by her mom and then 3 year old son using craft paint.
I love the idea of letting kids make their own version of Betsey Ross flag into a quilt using fabric, chenille straws or beads or by simply weaving construction paper in on top of itself to make a wavy effect.
Make your family t-shirts to wear for this year’s Fourth of July festivities and show off your patriotic spirit and creativity. You will need a t-shirt (preferably white), a large piece of cardboard, wax paper and fabric paint. Simply follow the directions on the paint and let your creativity run wild as you create flags, stars, fireworks or words like “USA” or “proud to be American”. Be sure to practice writing with the paint before decorating your shirt.
Learn:
Have kids put on a play similar to a Christmas pageant where they reenact the signing of declaration of independence, or the Boston Tea Party or whatever historical event your family finds interesting. Just keep it fun and light as you learn together.
Be a patriot year round not just on holidays like D-day or Memorial Day and actually talk to your children about what those Holidays signify, and I’m not talking about just a day off from school or work.
Another friend Susan Metcalf Richardson reminds moms and dads to do a little research into our heritage such as The fourth verse of the poem for the Star Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key which mentions the motto:  “In God We Trust”. “I think it speaks to that as a tradition from the beginning, not just when they added it in the 1950’s,” Susan shared.
Honor:
Write the dates in on your family calendar and honor them. Think of those in your family or circle of friends who deserve to be recognized and send them a card or even a small craft to show them that their service has not been forgotten.
Take your celebration a bit further by sending our troops overseas a care package to let them know we appreciate their sacrifice and hope they will all return home safely soon. When you send out your party invitations, include a note to inform guests about what you plan to do and include a suggestion on what they can contribute. Make sure you cover the basics like toiletries, non-perishable snacks, and even overseas phone cards to connect with loved ones at home. For a full list of suggested items to donate visit: OperationShoeBox.com

Yellow is the official color of the armor branch of the U.S. Army, and displaying a yellow ribbon has become an American tradition that shows you await the safe return of a loved one from war. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply mix yellow fabrics, napkins, even yellow poppie centerpieces and ribbon in with your checkered tablecloth or other red, white and blue patterns. Finally, remember to hang an American flag in your space as well!