Party planning isn’t as tough or as expensive as it may seem. If you take one step into the Dollar Tree, they supply everything you could ever want or need to throw a festive Independence Day party. Beverages
At the Dollar Tree, I was able to find two star-shaped ice cube trays for $1 I filled one tray with water, and the other one with half blue Gatorade and half red Gatorade. Voila! Red, white and blue star ice cubes.
Food
Hot dogs are cheaper than hamburgers, but add buns, cheese and condiments and you’ve got what you might spend on groceries in few weeks for yourself. The best way to go about the main course on a budget is to supply the meat and have each person attending bring one thing — whether it be potato salad, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, mayo or cheese.
Dessert
A box of red velvet cake mix plus the vanilla frosting was a total of $4. I was able to find mini cupcake papers at Safeway along with some blueberries. After baking the tiny red cupcakes, frost them with the vanilla frosting and garnish with one to three blueberries and you have a tasty Fourth of July treat.
Decorations
Decorations are inexpensive at the dollar store. They have everything from streamers, to pinwheels, to colorful paper plates to make your celebration both festive and frugal.