Hi Everyone,

 I love sending holiday theme packages and am putting final touches on one for 4th of July to make sure it gets there on time.  One of my ideas was to make a banner signed by lots of family and friends with short thank you notes that they could hang up.  I went to the dollar store and they have long banners that run length-wise and have a flag print on them.  They are plastic, sort of trash-bag like material.  But the more I think about that, I am worried someone might be offended that we wrote on "the flag" or at least something that has a flag print on it.  Any thoughts on that?  Other ideas?  I haven't had any luck finding banners and doubt one made of regular paper would withstand the elements.  Am I over thinking this?  I don't want to rub anyone the wrong way!

 Thanks,

Amy

 Just a far out thought....(for me...cause I'm not crafty)

Instead of an actual banner - what if you bought a piece of inexpensive white fabric and also a smaller patriotic

one, two or three pieces that you could place inside the area (sort of like our quilts)

Then get that  special sticky back  iron on paper that would work very well

Place them together or in the center or random spots within . This would leave plenty of white border showing

for signing names and notes.

I personally found the iron-on stuff cheaper if you buy it by the foot at the cutting table

rather than in the package. 

Just a thought...

Joy 

I'm not sure the "rules" regarding this, but I have seen posts where deployed units have signed an actual flag and sent it to one of their AS supporters, so I'm thinking that as long as the notes were of support and in good taste (done with a Sharpie so they wouldn't run), your troops would love it. 

Right now at the dollar stores there are lots of decorations for the 4th.  Depending on how large your unit is you could include paper plates and napkins and decorations, small "favors"/toys, and,of course, small flags.  I even found a CD with patriotic music and such.  I've seen that WalMart has those little pop things that shoot confetti, not fireworks for $2 a bag.  How about some good old fashioned "picnic" type activities like red, white, or blue frizbees. 

Perhaps some other things like a string or two of little white Christmas lights (Have also seen them in red, white, and blue).  Have even seen some lightup wall decor that says "God Bless America".  Hmmmm---Am even thinking you could make something like that yourself with those same lights that you could fit in a FRB---Punch holes in large piece of fabric (flame retardant could be nice but as long as the lights don't come in direct contact should be ok) and glue the lights in place from behind with fabric glue.  It could be gently folded for shipping.  Then they could hang your "sign" wherever they could see it, indoors or out....Maybe want to include an extention cord.  Just a thought.

BTW, Oriental Trading Company has LOTS of ideas and candy and such for the 4th, but go to your $1 store first as you may get a better price.  I did on table decorations ($3.98 at OTC, but $1 at the $1 Tree).

That is exactly what I am doing is sending decorations.  I sent a bunch for Christmas and they loved it.  I also sent a bunch of pre-stuffed plastic easter eggs and a set of bunny ears for the distributor to wear, and both were a huge hit.  So for the 4th of July, I hit the dollar store and bought a bunch of the things empress mentioned above...red white and blue christmas lights to string up, decorative garlands, crepe streamers in red white and blue, table clothes, etc.  I'm gonna hit the local party store this afternoon and see what else I can find - they might even have some patriotic-themed games and such.  I'm also going to a hit a teacher's supply store and see if I can find a poster with the declaration of independence printed on it and some other small gifts.  I'd love to send a video of fireworks that could be shown in their recreational area, but am not sure I can find fireworks, record them, and get them there by the 4th.  I may also find some non-alcoholic wine or sparkling apple juice and plastic wine glasses so they can have a toast! 

 I know that closer to the holiday, some snacks, like little debbie's and rice krispie treats will be decorated in patriotic themes as well, so that could be fun if they come out soon.

 I wanted to send those party poppers, etc. but didn't know if the post office would have a fit over something that pops or whether they can withstand the heat -- anyone tried this?

EXCELLENT IDEAS!  Mind if I steal some?  My dollar store didn't have the red, white, and blue Christmas lights, but I think I know where I can get some.  I did see r,w, & b leis which might be fun for the ladies if you have any in your unit, and sme silly "Uncle Sam" type hats for the ment/or unit leader.  I like the idea of sending a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the sparkling cider as well.  Pehaps you can find some DVD's as well, like The Patriot.  Check these lists as well:  http://www.unblinkingeyeonline.com/Top_10_Lists/Top_10_4th_of_July_Movies.htm, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/39852/10_movies_to_help_you_celebrate_the.html

Haven't seen the red, white, & blue snack cakes yet, but I'm guessing any day now...

Steal away - that's what this forum is for!  I did find a floppy uncle sam hat (the dollar store had an inflatable uncle same as well but i passed since it was $11.00 and I wanted to use my money otherwise).  I also saw the lights at CVS if you want to try there (and if they have CVS where you are!) 

For "I'd love to send a video of fireworks that could be shown in their recreational area, but am not sure I can find fireworks, record them, and get them there by the 4th."....

I have sent some music DVDs that I found at Wal-Mart. They have patriotic music on them but also a video that plays. Some show different landscape scenes thoughtout the US, others have fireworks, etc. I think I paid about $8. They may have them other places for less. (You can go to amazon.com and search on patriotic musid dvd to see examples.)

Bonnie

Amy & all,

I have put together several fourth of July packages in the past and they were so well received.  I found quite a few items at our local Big Lots store!   Some of the cute items I sent besides the decorations that have already been mentioned were - gummy hot dogs and hamburgers, watermelon gum & fruit snacks & watermelon flavored Twizzlers.  Our Big Lots store has has at least 3 or 4 different Little Debbie "patriotic" snacks since right before memorial day.

Fireworks - I know a lot of minor league baseball teams (and amusement parks) have fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. 

Best of luck!!

I just shipped Priority Mail box to a new group that has no kitchen facilities, other than a barbeque grill.  They wanted things to keep up morale, and keep the cooking interesting. 

I'm from TX, I sent a TX BBQ theme - I got a load of patriotic decorations, table cloths, napkins, cups, plastic forks, knives, spoons, etc at Big Lots, and some other fun red, white & blue party supplies at Party City.

I also included some Texas style spice rubs for meat and chicken (I hope they have the meat needed to rub!), and also some all-purpose spices and seasonings, some TX BBQ sauce, a basting brush, etc.  Also, the latest issue of TX Monthly, which is the annual BBQ issue, but it also has lots of interesting info on TX.  It might be something different to read, anyway.

To finish it off I included some Crystal Lite powdered drink mixes, and some other misc stuff I had in my Soldier Corner to fill up the box.

I hope it goes over well.... :)


 

I'm sure they'll love it, Moxie!  Sounds like a lot of thought and love went into that package, which is what they'll like the most.

Sounds like this site has also turned many people into "Big Lots" junkies!  Guess I'll have to head over there and see what all the fuss is about.

Another suggestion re: the banner.

My local newspaper gives away the ends of rolls of newsprint. Maybe you could get hold of something like this, glue red streamers to it to make the stripes, and use double-sided tape to tape a square of blue plastic tablecloth to it (for the blue field.). Then cut out large stars (not 50, but enough for all your signers) and write thank you message in each star (one per signer).

 Then send them duct tape or sealing tape so they can hold the whole thing up on the wall.

 LOL!  I'm definitely a Big Lots junkie - you can sign up for their mailing list and get the weekly specials sent to you early.  Of course, nothing beats just going blind and experiencing the thrill of a treasure hunt    I also like the Dollar General and Family Dollar - not always $1 items, but a good mix of products for reasonable prices.