DIY: liberty carnations

Having a Fourth of July cookout? This is a quick, inexpensive and oh-so-easy project that can be used for backyard table centerpieces. And if the party planning has you in a panic, ask the kids to help!

Liberty Carnations

What you'll need:

-White Carnations (find them at your local grocer or florist, be sure to call ahead to make sure they have them on hand. No sense in wasting a trip.)

-Red and Blue food coloring

-Plastic Cups (Like the extra Solo cups sitting in your pantry!)

- Red, White or Blue Ribbon (optional)

The process:

Note: Since this project uses food coloring, it makes for a great outdoors activity, in case of any spills.

24-hours or more before the party starts (feel free to start this project right now), fill 4 plastic cups with water and add red food coloring to two of the cups and blue food coloring to two of the cups. The more food coloring, the stronger the color. Start with 15 drops of each. 

Cut the stems of the white carnations at an angle (this allows the carnation to better absorb water.)

Put half of the carnations in the red dye, and half in the blue. Set them aside until the day of the party.

You should notice the tips of the carnations turning the color of the dyes. If you aren't achieving the color you'd like, add more dye or empty the cups and use less dye accordingly.

When you are ready to add the centerpieces to your set-up, rinse the stems, and arrange in small clear glass vases as centerpieces. Carnations look great in tight clusters, so use extra rubber bands, or even red, white and blue hairbands that you may have on hand to help you achieve the shape and arrangement you are going for.

With any extra time, add red, white or blue ribbon to the vases for an extra patriotic detail. 

Note: Carnations have a great bouquet life and will look flawless for up to 2-weeks, so keep this project in mind for any holiday: all you need are the appropriate dye colors.

What's your go-to party planning project?