Holidays

Festive Memorial Day Decoration Ideas (For Delivery & DIY)

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Instacart

Last Updated: May 18, 2022

Memorial Day is a US holiday meant to honor those who have lost their lives in defense of the United States. Celebrated on the last Monday in May, many people take this day off to enjoy family BBQs and neighborly potlucks. Here are a few festive Memorial Day decor ideas to make your long weekend photo- and company-ready.

Memorial Day decoration ideas

Here are 10 adaptable Memorial Day DIY decor ideas for any budget.

1. Flags

Fresh glass of watermelon juice and mint leaf with slices of watermelon in the background

A classic patriotic decoration, you can hang one or more flags from walls, doors, archways, windows, on cars, or even across your roof. Incredibly versatile, use them anywhere you can think of around your house and garden! 

2. Homemade garlands

Garlands are a cheap and easy Memorial Day decoration. While they can be made out of almost anything, we recommend using tiny red apples on a piece of wire and hanging them along the bottom of your buffet table to cheerfully frame it. 

3. Bandana garlands

Create your own bandana garlands with red, white, and blue bandanas. Consider throwing in star and stripe patterns for a uniquely patriotic vibe.  

4. Festive food creations

Get creative with the way you set up your food Memorial Day buffet! Use strawberries, tomatoes, jams, jellies, or candy for the red; cream, bread, or cheese for the white; and get blue from blueberries or candies.

Fill a decorative white bowl with red and white chocolates or candies. Or dip red apples in candy white chocolate coating and then dip in blue sprinkles. The options are as deliciously endless as your imagination!

5. Line the driveway with tealights

Make sure you have something to keep the flame protected for the candle’s safety as well as your neighborhood’s. Use glass storage jars, like Mason jars, and cover the outside with colored tissue paper, stars & stripes, or small American flags that you can pick up from the dollar store. A water-based sealer finish will be your best friend for this project! Once they’re ready to go, pop in your tealight votives and wait for dusk.

6. Paint your lawn

Use lawn-safe spray paint and a cardboard star stencil to paint some stars in your yard. Bonus points for multiple colors and sizes!

7. Paper chains

Paper chains are the perfect craft for kids. Using colored construction paper, make a red and blue paper chain that has a vibrant impact against a white fence, wall, or table.  

8. Tissue fans

Decorations with American Flag fans

Red and blue tissue paper fans are no-fuss, eyecatching crafts. Hang them on walls or above a featured common area to keep your guests in a festive headspace.

9. Ribbons

Buy solid color or patterned ribbon to tie artistically around your tables, chairs, and outdoor entertainment space. You can even tie ribbons into bows for wine glass decor or hang them down from the trees like streamers.

10. Repurpose everything 

Looking to really stretch your creative muscles? Repurpose any kind of planter, pot, or kitchenware with red, white, and blue paint and use it to accent flowers, pinwheels, or snacks. You can get the whole family to help paint or spruce up an old item such as a flower pot.

Memorial Day table decorations

If you’re hosting a Memorial Day celebration at home, your dining table will be the star of the show. Spotlight it with these Memorial Day table decoration ideas.

11. Red, white, and blue tablecloths 

For indoor, outdoor, and buffet table settings, cover your table with a vibrant red, white, and blue tablecloth. Or mix it up patriotic style with a red gingham tablecloth and blue placemats. 

12. Bandana table runner

Just form a straight line of slightly overlapping red, white and blue bandanas down the middle of your dining room table to make it look straight out of a Pinterest board.

13. Red and white in blue for a centerpiece

Welcome your guests to the table with this subtle Memorial Day table decoration idea. Take a blue glass or ceramic vase and fill it with red and white flowers, marbles, or anything you can think of. You can mix up your color scheme too! Try blue and white flowers in red vases and place them all over the house. 

14. Memorial Day napkins

"Picnic table with condiments, utensils and flag napkin"

Take red and blue napkins, tie them with a white ribbon, and lay them at each place setting. You can even match your napkins to your table cloth and plates for an aesthetic your guests are sure to love.

15. Stars and stripes ribbon

Take any vase and generously wrap it with stars and stripes ribbon. Then, simply fill the vase with your favorite fresh red, white, and/or blue flowers.

16. Party pinwheels

Place patriotic party pinwheels in a vase, decorative bucket, or garden to add vibrance to any indoor or outdoor table.

Memorial Day wreath ideas

Use these Memorial Day wreath ideas to create stylish and patriotic wreaths for all over the house.

17. Mini American flag wreath

Use a wire wreath frame to create an adorable flurry of red, white, and blue mini flags.

18. Patriotic grapevine wreath

If you have a large grapevine wreath, turn it into a patriotic marvel by using burlap ribbon, mini flags, and a bow. Wrap red striped burlap ribbon all the way around the wreath and tie on one side, then secure 2 mini flags just underneath the bow to complete the look. 

19. Memorial Day rag wreath

Create a country-style rag wreath by recycling an old pair of jeans. Cut white ribbon, red check fabric, and the jeans into strips and tie them in knots around the wreath, before tying it off with a red and white ribbon.

20. DIY clothespin wreath 

This innovative Memorial Day wreath is a personal favorite and very easy to get started! Attach clothespins to the outside of a metal wreath ring, alternating between colors. Add some white star foam stickers for added pizzaz and, for more of a quality look, spray paint the wooden clothespins red, white, and blue beforehand.

Decorate Memorial Day your way

Whether you’re firing up the grill for outdoor festivities or having an intimate family dinner indoors, you can get all your Memorial Day weekend groceries and decor through Instacart.

Start creating your Memorial Day decorations with party supplies available for same-day delivery. Make your life easier this holiday by ordering your Memorial Day essentials through Instacart.

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