Happy Birthday, USA!              

By Gina Pangione

Every year, on July 4th, our nation commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with picnics, parades, and fireworks — this holiday is a real blast! 

Why not celebrate the birthday of a special person in your life in similar grand style? Here’s an adorable party favor that kids will want to take home and show off, ready-made or as part of the festivities:

Happy Birthday Keepsake Favors

Supplies:   

Tiny, 2” flowerpot

Handful of small round pebbles

Spanish moss (optional)

Paints, glue

Popsicle sticks

Multi-colored foam in assorted shapes, and/or multi-colored beads

Child’s photo(s)

1.      Decorate the flowerpot and Popsicle sticks with foam stars and stripes, train-track beads or any fun paint pattern.

2.      Fill pot with pebbles. (Cover pebbles with moss for a softer look.)

3.      Glue birthday child’s photo onto a Popsicle stick. (Or with a digital camera, capture and print a photo of the birthday gang!)

4.      Insert the photo stick, and many more, and paint them to look like fireworks! 

The favor can be used as a great memento, or to collect future photos of friends, or even as a pencil or straw holder. It’s all in their imagination!