The Patriotic Table

Between Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day there are plenty of reasons to throw a patriotic party this summer, so I’ve created a spread that will do both you and America justice.

Start with a basic white tablecloth (everyone should have one in their entertaining arsenal) and add blue and red to create the palette that we are all so familiar with.  Colored napkins and utensils pop against the white dinnerware and really drive the theme home.

Now get really creative!  Don’t stop at the settings.  Go all out with your color theme and carry it through to the food.

Not only are cupcakes a truly American invention, but these have a fun twist:  they’re meatloaf!   In the true spirit of summer parties, I’ve taken combined the powers of a barbeque with meatloaf.  And they’re of course, absolutely perfect for July 4th – America deserves cake on its birthday too!  Finally, your guests will love these creations topped with mashed potato frosting.  Find the recipe here.

Tip: Add height to your serving platter by setting it on top of inverted bowls.

Wash them down with my berry patriotic red white and blue sangria with blueberry and raspberry ice cubes!  Use a classic white sangria recipe and be sure to add red and blue berries.  Serve in an acrylic wine glass over jumbo ice cubes filled with the blueberries and raspberries – jumbo cubes filled with flavor are a “hot” trend this summer.

And to truly follow through, fill a doughnut vase with colored ice cubes instead of water for a surprisingly colorful centerpiece.

I created Table Chameleon napkin rings so that you can customize your accessories for any occasion.  For this table, add red and blue paper to your napkin rings in the complementary color of their napkins so that each setting is a smaller red white and blue canvas.