9 Dollar Store Finds for a Patriotic July Fourth

3. Yard decor​

Many people celebrate July Fourth outside, so make your yard as inviting as you would your home for a party. Hang patriotic wooden stars ($3) in the trees or post metal yard stakes in rocket shapes around the lawn ($5), available at Family Dollar. ​

For a bit of whimsy in your yard or on your front porch, put up patriotic pinwheels (99 cents to $3.99 at 99 Cents Only Stores) or a red-white-and-blue metal birdhouse in the shape of a camper and printed with “God Bless America” ($6.50 at Dollar General).​

Courtesy of Dollar General

4. Tablescapes​

If you’re picnicking or hosting a lot of guests, it may be easier to use disposable tablecloths and covers. For only about $1 at 99 Cents Only Stores and Dollar General, you can get those that are red, blue or feature a patriotic design. You’ll also find plenty of tabletop decorations — from artificial bouquets to star sculptures.​

5. Dinnerware​

Most dollar stores have everything you need for dining — plates, bowls, cutlery, cups, glasses and napkins — from 99 cents to $3 for sets. They are typically paper or plastic and come in colors like solid red or blue or various patriotic designs.​

Notable items include small glass mason-jar mugs printed with “Let Freedom Ring” or “USA” in red, white and blue, for 99 cents, and 12-inch clear, red or blue plastic-star-shaped bowls for $1.29 at 99 Cents Only Stores; and patriotic paper hot-dog holders (16 for $1.25) and various plastic serving trays at Dollar Tree.​

Cernak, whose YouTube channel has nearly 200,000 subscribers, likes to buy timeless tableware that is reusable at other times of year.​

“If you buy red products [for the Fourth of July], you can tuck them away for a couple of months and bring them back out for Christmas and Valentine’s Day,” Cernak says. To add elegance to a tablescape, consider getting gold, silver, faux wood or blue-and-white buffalo check charger plates at a dollar store that work for July Fourth but also can be used any time, she adds.​

Courtesy of Cindy Medrano, 99 Cents Only Stores

6. Buckets​

OK, buckets aren’t exciting, but they come in handy for filling with ice to keep beverages cold; as a bin for lobster, clam or crawfish boil discards; or to hold large quantities of just about anything. Go to 99 Cents Only Stores for 14.5-inch galvanized metal buckets ($4.99) printed with “Happy 4th of July” or “Celebrate,” or find patriotic tin buckets with ribbon handles ($1.25) at Dollar Tree.​

7. Balloons​

Balloons can add a pop of color to your party while providing fun for the children in your group. You’ll find a variety of small latex balloons (12 for $1.25 at Dollar Tree) and big foil balloons in lots of designs and colors (three for $1.29 at 99 Cents Only Stores). Decorative balloon weights (99 cents to $1.25, at both retailers) keep balloons grounded on a windy day.​

Courtesy of Cindy Medrano, 99 Cents Only Stores

8. Shiny decorations​

Add some bling to your celebration site by hanging tinsel wreaths, garland or streamers in red, blue and silver — from $1 to $5 at most dollar stores. Dollar Tree’s blog features a tutorial on how to create a red-white-and-blue floral wreath for July Fourth that’s made entirely from items purchased there.​

9. Gnomes​

Gnomes are showing up as home decor for an increasing number of holidays, including July Fourth. Decorate fireplace mantles and table tops with them to give guests a chuckle. Dollar Tree offers 12-inch soft-bodied patriotic gnomes with tall red-white-and-blue hats for $1.25. ​