4th of July Traditions Reinvented:: Tablescapes and More

Believe it or not, the 4th of July is just days away! A typical 4th for our family includes a reunion with close to ONE-HUNDRED Henning family members. My dad is the fifth of ten children, so there are a lot of us!

Annual Picture from Circa 1982
(Yes, my Grandpa is holding a pitchfork)

Timeless Traditions

The day starts with a golf tournament, and then everyone meets out at the farm for yard games, including horseshoes, cornhole, and ladder golf until supper is ready, which entails a smorgasbord of BBQ, red kool-aid for the kids, and every dessert imaginable. My personal favorites are my Aunt Jan’s strawberry pretzel dessert, and my Aunt Charlotte’s Rice Krispie treats AKA: scotcheroos.

It brings a simple smile to my face as I see yet another generation of Henning kids rule the roost. They run wild without a care in the world and for a moment on the 4th of July. It feels like time on the clock has stopped ticking, and I think to myself:

THIS is the way life should be, Just living the simple life. 

At dusk, my grandma would hand out mason jars to each grandchild and let us on the farm to catch fireflies. If we ran out of Fla-Vor-Ice popsicles, my Grandpa would run into town to pick up another box. It’s the simplest of memories that I’ll always hold tight.

We always end the evening with a fireworks display, and it’s not a Henning 4th of July without root beer floats followed by sparklers for the kids.

These traditions have been in place for over forty years, until this year, but . . .

The 4th of July Traditions Must Go On

As much as it pains our family to not get together this year for our annual celebration (Grandma’s orders due to the pandemic), I decided to change my mindset.

Why not continue on the traditions inside of our own household if we can’t be with our family on this upcoming holiday? I was reminded by my husband that this will be our first holiday in our new home and voila! My creative juices got flowing, and I began making a list of all of my favorite aspects that encompassed the Henning 4th of July that I plan to bring it into the comfort of our home while adding in a few touches of my own . . .

Tablescape. Tablescape. Tablescape.

The word tablescape to me is like Shiplap is to Chip and Joanna Gaines. Of course, no holiday is complete in the Bullock house without a tablescape design by yours truly.

Can you believe that this entire 4th of July tablescape is UNDER THIRTY DOLLARS?!

Woah. 

4th of July Tablescape

  • Table runner – Target $5.00
  • Chargers – Hobby Lobby in the Spring Shop $2.00 per charger
  • Plates – Home Goods – set of six for $9.00
  • Dessert/Appetizer Plates – Target – Dollar Spot
  • Patriotic Paper Boats – Target – $3.00
  • Silverware – Target $1.00
  • Napkins – Target in the Dollar Spot
  • Paper Straws – TJ Maxx – $2.00
  • Fireworks – $3.00
  • Flags – Target – $1.00
  • Star Sunglasses – Target in the Dollar Spot
  • Pitcher – Garage sale find
  • Toss some Red/White/Blue M&M’s in a bowl you already have.
  • Shop your own home for personal touches.

Favorite Foods for the 4th

It’s proven that food is an effective trigger of deep memories.

We plan to have our favorite foods that make it feel and taste like the 4th of July. 

At the top of the list is BBQ—we plan to order out from our favorite local BBQ joint ahead of time to help support local businesses during this time. Coca-Cola and Kool-Aid are a must along with the Rice Krispie treats and strawberry pretzel dessert.

I have some yard games up my sleeve, and of course, sparklers and root beer floats, because it’s not the 4th of July without them. What is your favorite family 4th of July tradition?

Little did we know that in 2019 we would be where we are today.
Until next year, my dear family.

Wishing you all a safe and happy 4th of July, Omaha Moms! 4th of July

2019 Annual Photo

Meg
Meg is originally from Wichita, Kansas. Go Shockers! She found her passion of real estate management at an early age and has been in the industry for 12 years. Meg is a boss babe, owning her own management firm since 2014. When she isn’t busy running circles around her daughter Norah (2), traveling for work, or accessorizing her outfits, you can find her at Target (almost daily). In her free time she enjoys a scrumptious weekend brunch on a patio, yoga, scouring TJ Maxx for frugal finds, and personal development. Meg is passionate about her family, friends, Nebraska football, while loving and growing her mom tribe.