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Independence Day in the US is right around the corner. How do you celebrate your patriotism without breaking the bank? Here are 8 ways to have an awesome Fourth of July without spending a fortune.
1. Find free fireworks nearby. Look at surrounding towns too. Often one location does fireworks on July 4th and others celebrate on surrounding days so some years you can watch multiple firework displays by driving only a few extra minutes.
2. Check online to see if a city near you has a parade you can watch. Make sure to bring snacks, water and decorations so you don’t have to buy expensive goodies at the parade.
3. Check your local Dollar Tree or thrift shops for red, white, and blue decorations and toys, especially for the little ones. Fun choices include headbands, flags to twirl, and light up necklaces.
4. Buy a white t-shirt at Dollar Tree or a local craft store and some fabric paint or permanent markers. Have everyone design their own shirt and take pictures to show how they all turn out.
5. Want to turn the decorations up a notch? Make it a costume contest with your friends. Create a $20 limit and see who comes up with the best outfit. Visit local thrift stores, Salvation Army, or Goodwill to create your festive outfit and make sure to take pictures of all the competitors.
6. Hold a bike or wagon decorating contest for the kids (or kids at heart). Look for your decorations at Dollar Tree or thrift shops and make the bike or wagon very patriotic. Take a picture of all the bikes and wagons and each kid who proudly decorated them.
7. Have friends over before the fireworks for a potluck dinner. Have each guest or family attending bring a different food item or dish and you’ll be amazed at the delicious spread. Be sure to coordinate what everyone is bringing so you don’t end up with 10 desserts and no main courses.
8. Pack a picnic with snacks to bring to the fireworks. This picnic blanket folds out to be 5 feet long and can fit the whole family. Fun Fourth of July snacks include yogurt or white chocolate covered pretzels with red and blue sprinkles, strawberries and blueberries in a bowl with cool whip or even pound cake with berries and cool whip or ice cream on top.
Bonus Tip: Make sure that your pets are securely inside the house in their safe spot before the fireworks begin and consider purchasing a thunder shirt for any dogs. Even for low anxiety pets loud fireworks can still cause a good deal of anxiety and stress.
As you read these suggestions I bet you thought about how much fun they sound and didn’t really even think about how budget friendly they are. Fun doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It just requires some creativity. Share these 8 tips on social media so your friends can have an amazing 4th of July too!