Memorial Day weekend signals the beginning of beach season and is also the day when the Indy 500 car race is held. But the true meaning of this holiday is much more significant. It is the day when we honor the high price that our soldiers have paid for our freedom. On Memorial Day we pay respect to members of the United States Armed Forces who have served their country and in some cases made the highest possible sacrifice with their lives.
It is interesting to note that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was that day following the Civil War when citizens of the United States would remember the fallen by decorating the graves. When decorating for Memorial Day it is important to keep in mind the true spirit of the day and honor those soldiers with appropriate decorations.
Here are some ways you can decorate your home for a great Memorial Day party while honoring the memories of our brave soldiers.
It's all about the red, white and blue
On this most patriotic of holidays it is difficult to be too excessive with red, white and blue. Use the red, white and blue theme to create a floral centerpiece for your party. White flowers like carnations and roses for the red make an appropriate festive mix. The red, white and blue theme can also be followed by making selective use of balloons. Buy Memorial Day themed balloons or use a selection in the correct colors. Don't forget to make sure that all of the balloons are sandbagged so they don't float away during the party!
Its the start of summer!
Along with being a day when we honor our soldiers, Memorial Day is also the start of beach season. Add a touch of summer by including leis and hula music. Add beach chairs to give your yard an even better summer feeling. A red, white and blue beach ball and volleyball net make for fantastic beach style fun. Add a tropical water slide from Astro Jump of Chattanooga to which can add to the summer atmosphere.
Set your tables up the right way
Creating the right table setting can go a long way for setting the mood. Use a mixture of red, white and blue cups, cutlery, plates and tablecloths. Add pitchers of water with blueberries and raspberries, and add small American flags to the food that you serve.
Taking time to remember our soldiers
One of the best additions that you can make to a Memorial Day party is to include somewhere that people can reminisce about friends and families that have served in the American Armed Forces. Create a memory book where people can jot down their own sentiments and remembrances of those who have served our country. Alternatively you can use a memory board so that people can easily share with the entire party their own feelings and stories. And don't forget to take a moment to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Memorial Day is the day when everyone can be proud to be an American. It's a fun day which marks the beginning of another beautiful summer. It is also a time that we can reflect on those sacrifices that have been made so that we can enjoy those coming days of sun and relaxation.