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Make Memorial Day Extra Special With These DIY Decorations

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Banner image showing four Memorial Day decorating ideas: a red wagon with watering can and flags, a place setting, floral centerpiece, and red and blue Tootsie Pops in a metal pail.

Heralded as the official start to summer, Memorial Day deserves more than just a passing glance. Often thought of as a time for barbeques and outdoor fun, it’s truly a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by so many of our military.

Let’s honor the memories of these brave men and women and practice gratitude while enjoying family and fun.

To make things extra special, we’ve assembled 12 of our favorite DIY decorating ideas designed to put your gratefulness on full display.

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Porch & Door Décor

Make a statement with some patriotic décor for your front porch or door. We’ve included five eye-catching looks that come together quickly without breaking the bank.

Grapevine wreath with a red, white, and blue bow on a front door

We love this grapevine wreath with flag-inspired bow. It’s simple but makes a big impact and it’s so easy to create one at home. Just pick up a grapevine wreath and some patriotic ribbon (or a pre-made bow) at your favorite craft store and you have the makings of a wonderful wreath.

This one can be purchased ready to go at Etsy.

Grapevine wreath with tiny white flowers and two American flags on a dark blue front door

Using the same grapevine wreath, go a bit softer with some dainty artificial white flowers, burlap bow, and two American flags, like the folks at On Sutton Place. When the holiday is over, simply remove the flags and your wreath can stay for summer!

A bunch of small American flags clustered in a wicker basket and hung on a front door

Another fantastic idea is to cluster a bunch of tiny American flags in a basket or other container to hang on your door. The flags are available at just about any craft, dollar, or big box store and they’re very inexpensive. Bonus: you can reuse them for July 4th and next year’s patriotic celebrations.

Credit goes to Chatfield Court for this look!

A red, white, and blue wreath made from bandanas and hung on a wire fence

Looking for something with more of a down-home flair? Try this fun bandana flag wreath, compliments of the folks at I Save A to Z. It’s a DIY project the kids can handle and it’s lightweight, so you can hang it just about anywhere. I can imagine hanging it on our DIY barn door.

A simple wreath form, some bandanas, and star cutouts is all it takes to get this festive look.

A child's red wagon topped with a piece of wood. A red watering can filled with small American flags and a blue thermos sit on top of the wood. The wagon is parked by a potted fern on a porch.

At House of Hawthornes, a little red wagon with a wood topper makes the perfect base for a watering can full of American flags and a cute thermos. No wood to top it with? No problem. The wagon is fairly shallow, so just sit the watering can (or pail) inside. Add something to prop it up if you want more height (like bricks or plant saucers turned upside down). Park it next to a lush fern and some flowery porch pots for a memorable arrangement.

Table Décor

Carry the patriotic theme through to your table with these inspired centerpieces and table settings. These ideas are so cute, we might try them all.

Three blue glass vases filled with daisies, red carnations, and small American flags.

Long-lasting daisies and red carnations arranged in blue jars make the perfect complement to an outdoor table. Add a mini-American flag to each one and you’re ready to celebrate.

Thanks to Kid Friendly Things To Do for sharing this inspiration.

Red and blue wrapped Tootsie Pops arranged in a metal pail

Everyone will love this centerpiece made out of blue and red Tootsie Pops, brought to us by the Gluesticks blog. Cluster the treats in a galvanized pail and you’ve got a memorable (and edible) display. To keep the pops in place, add a piece of foam to the pail and push the stick ends into it.

Three clear glass jars filled with red, white, and blue gumballs. Small American flags are inserted in each one.

Another edible showpiece is this red, white, and blue gumball arrangement. Kids and adults will love this one and probably dip into it from time to time, so keep extra gumballs on hand. Simply fill clear containers with the gumballs, insert flags, and see how long they last!

Thanks again to Kid Friendly Things To Do for this idea.

Footed glass vase filled with old baseballs and two small American flags on a dining table.
A shallow wooden bowl filled with old baseballs sits next to a white pitcher with white hydrangeas and small American flags in it.

Equally adorable are these two ideas featuring baseballs. Gather up some old ones (or score them at your local yard sale or thrift store) and arrange in a large glass vase or shallow bowl. Accent with flags and make them the focal point of your holiday event.

Thanks to Calypso in the Country for the creativity!

A place setting with a dark blue round placemat, hyacinth charger plate, white dinner plate, blue and white checked napkin and small American flag.

Beautiful in its simplicity, this table setting from the team at Horton Lane mixes everyday items for a spectacular presentation. A navy-blue placemat, hyacinth charger, and white dinner plate sit atop a blue and white checked runner. Complete the look with a blue and white checked napkin and American flag. Mason jars stand in for glassware.

A Memorial Day sign that reads: Take a toy soldier today as you leave to remember the fallen and those who still grieve. Their sacrifice made it possible to be the home of the brave and the land of the free. Remember their families as you sit down to pray and reflect on the reason for Memorial Day. The sign is next to a pail with plastic toy soldiers and a small American flag.

Probably the most reflective of Memorial Day is this farmhouse sign and pail of toy soldiers from the Kids Activities blog. What a wonderful expression of the holiday’s true meaning.

However you choose to decorate for Memorial Day, I hope these ideas ignite some inspiration in you for this year’s holiday!

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