The 4th of July, our Independence Day, is the perfect time to celebrate our country’s freedom with a fun and festive party. Outdoor barbecues are popular this time of year. What better way to dress up your outdoor spaces for the holiday than with red, white (clear), and blue lights? Here are a few ideas to inspire you to jazz up your 4th of July party. You might even be able to use Christmas lights you already have on hand.

1. Liven the front of your home with red, white, and blue bunting swagged across a porch railing. Add red, white, and blue mini lights offset by 1/3 of their spacing across the bunting. You’ll make a statement during the day and after dark.

2. Wrap your flagpole with traditional Opaque C7 or C9 light sets. If you purchase your bulbs and cords online, you’ll be able to buy boxes of red, white and blue bulbs and you can alternate them in the sockets.

3. Outline your front yard with your Christmas Lights but install alternating red, clear and blue transparent C7 or C9 bulbs. Installing your lights with sockets spaced every 12 – 18 inches on commercial stakes will let everyone know you are celebrating Independence Day! Your guests will be in a festive mood as soon as they arrive! If guests are arriving during the early evening hours before the sun goes down, consider the opaque lights. They look great during the day and are stunning when lit at night.

4. Battery operated clear mini lights are easily tucked into centerpieces for a festive 4th of July party. Use standard mini lights with 4 inch spacing where you have access to power on the food or drink table, to encircle meat trays, or snack platters.

5. Run strings of red, clear and blue C7 or C9 transparent lights between two trees and hang paper hanging lanterns along the strands. The lanterns will be the focal point of your decorating during the day and the lights will look great at night, casting light and shadows against the lanterns.

6. Accent trellises and greenery with LED mini lights. The effect in the evening will be one of soft light and create a festive feel. LED lights are perfect for this application since they are low power and don’t create the heat usually associated with incandescent lights.

7. Fill traditional c7 or C9 cords with round red, white, and blue to light backyard spaces. Swag them along a roofline or accent a gazebo or pergola.

Using red, white, and blue lights is a great way to bring patriotism and sparkle to any 4th of July party. Get creative! (And get double duty from the Christmas lights stored in your attic!)