Fresh fruit, popcorn and everyday dishware come together to create this fun and affordable July 4th Edible Tablescape and Patriotic Popcorn Recipe.
Creating a low-key July 4th Edible Tablescape
If your community is like ours, most of the traditional July 4th celebrations have been cancelled or altered and perhaps you’re not planning on doing much this year. We typically attend a parade, host a cookout for 25 neighbors and watch fireworks, but this year, none of that is happening. Instead, we’ll cook out as a family, swim in the backyard pool and maybe enjoy some sparklers and s’mores after dark. Since it will be just the four of us I’m not looking to fuss or spend much on decor, but I do plan to add a few festive touches to celebrate the day.
If like us, you are also planning a low-key Fourth of July celebration, you probably aren’t looking to spend a lot on pricey decorations. Even so, it can still be fun to add something festive to your table. This easy July 4th Edible Tablescape uses healthy, fresh fruit, store-bought popcorn and everyday dishware to create a fun, festive and affordable table.
Below please find a few simple, step-by-step ideas for creating a fun July 4th Edible Tablescape. I’ve also included my favorite healthy July 4th snack: Patriotic Popcorn!
How to create a July 4th Edible Tablescape in five easy steps:
- Use Your Every Day Dishes (or eco-friendly white disposables): No need to purchase special dishes for this table. If you happen to have white or blue everyday dishes, simply start with those. My everyday dishes happen to be various shades of speckled blue and white (the Studio Blue collection from Denby Pottery), so they work perfectly in this setup. But plain white or cream dishes or even blue or red would work well too. If your everyday dishes won’t work, plain white compostable plates like Chinet work great too (and eliminate cleanup to boot!). Theses dish towels also make great casual napkins for backyard barbecues…they are inexpensive so if they get stained with barbecue sauce its not that big of a deal. And they serve an everyday purpose beyond the Fourth.
- Inexpensive Dish Towels Make Great Napkins: When I was in culinary school, dish towels were work-horses. A gigantic stack of white cloth dish towels was a standard school supply for every class. From that time on, I’ve always purchased inexpensive white cotton dish towels in bulk for use around our kitchen. We use them more often than paper towels and wash them in bleach weekly. My favorite type are these white towels with blue stripes, sold on Amazon, 15 in a pack, for less than $35.
- Build a Beautiful, Edible Centerpiece: Summer fruits make naturally patriotic (and affordable) decor. For this centerpiece, simply arrange slices of watermelon in a big bowl or platter. I used a large, shallow blue bowl but a white platter would work well too. Next add fresh cherries, strawberries and blueberries in small clumps around the watermelon slices. Finally, garnish with a handful of fresh herbs for extra color and interest. Even better, this centerpiece doubles as a side delicious and healthy side dish at mealtime.
- Add a few inexpensive “extras”: If you happen to get out to Target, the supermarket or a dollar store before the Fourth, consider grabbing a few inexpensive “extras” to make your table feel special. Red, white and blue paper straws, miniature flags, tiny tea lights or even a bunch of red, white and blue carnations cost just a few dollars each, but make the table feel put together.
- Finish with bowls of Patriotic Popcorn: On a day typically filled with candy, hot dogs and s’mores, I love putting out something healthy for everyone to snack on. This Patriotic Popcorn takes less than a minute to make and tastes addictively delicious. Its just a simple combination of store-bought kettle popcorn, freeze dried strawberries and freeze dried blueberries. Simply combine one bag of each in a large bowl and stir until mixed. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Looking for more Fourth of July recipes?
Check out my Pop Rocks Flag Cake, DIY Kabob Bar and other fun ideas here.
