Memorial Day Party Guide: Freebies & Fun

The party guide helps plan a themed Memorial Day event with ideas, tips in the food departments, creative crafts, and clever conversation chats, menus, recipes, cookies, cakes and food labels. Free printable games, puzzles, place name cards and coloring pages.

Memorial Day Party Store

Memorial Day Event Music

Much as its name indicates, Memorial Day is the ultimate holiday for remembrance and reflection; and what better way to celebrate such a special day than with some songs that will make even the most dour party guest cry, dance, and�of course--remember.

A Memorial Day party play list features tunes that explore the magic of memories, especially as they apply to important events in our nation�s history:

Auld Lang Syne by Kenny G
White Cliffs of Dover by Kate Smith
God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood
Times of Your Life by Paul Anka
The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key
When Johnny Comes Marching Home by the Mitch Miller Chorus
Through the Years by Kenny Rogers
Memories by Elvis Presley
I Remember You by Skid Row
Of course, guests will particularly remember a Memorial Day party that boasts a full range of party supplies. A rubber or carved facsimile of a famous memorial, such as the Lincoln Monument, would work well. Memorial Day party colors should be subtle and subdued, and should include black, gold, silver and dark red.

A scene setter that depicts an old town square or historical salon would provide an ideal backdrop for a Memorial Day festivity, which should invite all guests�not only to party hearty�but to remember and reflect. Game idea: take a clear container, then fill with candy, toys or other objects and have the guests guess the number of items inside. Photos provide such lasting memories; take time to designate someone as the photographer at a social occasion. Gather up some leftover brown packing boxes, wrap them in a matching theme color design and place them throughout the event space for instant decorations.

Homemade Memorial Day Party Supplies

Memorial Day homemade party supplies such as American flags, Patriotic t-shirts, banners and red, white and blue streamers are great supplies for a Memorial Day picnic or parade. These homemade party supply items will make Memorial Day picnic or parade very special. Homemade Memorial Day party supplies and handmade party goods should be prepared prior to Memorial Day celebration. Most people find items such as handmade Memorial Day flags, patriotic t-shirts, party banners and red, white and blue balloon bouquets perfect for this special day. Other homemade party supplies and handmade party goods such as handmade Memorial Day signs, colorful red, white and blue party streamers, military uniforms and homemade Memorial Day hats make the Memorial Day celebration even better. Homemade Memorial day centerpieces in red, white and blue make a nice addition to the Memorial day picnic table.

For the most part, Memorial Day homemade party supplies compare to other popular Memorial day items, but are much more unique. These handmade Memorial Day items are most often red, white and blue in color and many times in the shape of a flag. Additional Memorial Day party supplies such as red, white and blue glow sticks, patriotic temporary tattoos, red, white and blue paper products(paper plates, napkins and cups), plus red, white and blue noise makers are great additions to this day.

Cakes for Memorial Day

Try doing something different, but something people will likely enjoy for a Memorial Day holiday cake. For example try an apple spice dump cake, all that is needed is the ingredients and any party supplies. Here is the list of ingredients; package of spice cake mix, 2 cans of apple pie filling, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, white sugar, butter and chopped pecans. Having gathered those items needed to make the cake, it is time for the directions. Consider some toppers for the cake such as; a picture of family members, or some favorite saying they had and write it on the cake in icing. A simple flag on the cake to remember those who have been lost. Now the directions, get the oven preheated to 350 degrees and pour the cans of apple pie filling into a 9 x 13 inch rectangular pan. Next take a small bowl and mix together the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and sugar, take and sprinkle over the pie filling. Ready for the next step, pour the dry box of cake mix over the apples and dot with butter, scatter nuts on top. Bake in the over for 45 minutes to an hour or until the cake is brown on top and shows bubbling on the sides.

Memorial Day Parties

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was set aside each day to honor American Civil War soldiers who had lost their lives in battle, by decorating their graves. The holiday is celebrated the last Monday each May all over the nation, with Memorial Day parties of various types.

In the year 1966, Waterloo, New York was named the official birthplace of Memorial Day, and in current times, the official Memorial Day Celebration is held at Arlington National Cemetery, where the acting Vice President of The United States places a memorial wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier. Though many people still include grave decoration in their Memorial Day Celebrations, many people celebrate in a variety of other ways as well, and various types of Memorial Day Parties are held all over the country.

When families gather together to celebrate what is, for many the first real holiday of the season, this year will be, for most Americans, especially poignant. Consider incorporating flower arrangements into at least a small part of the cook out or barbecue and spending time in the fun and sun, to honor the soldiers throughout time who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and taking them to local cemeteries to place upon the graves.

In the mean time, even if you don't have a grill or a pool, you can still enjoy the health benefits of grilling and the wonderful flavors we all enjoy, by taking large clay or terracotta flower pots, filling them approximately half full of sand, placing a layer of hot coals on top, and laying skewered kabobs of meats, veggies, or fruits that have been seasoned and marinated over the pots until the food it done, and enjoy the taste of outdoors at your Memorial Day Party!

Seasonal Parties

4th of July Parties
Flag Day Parties
Independence Day Parties

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Memorial Day History, Facts and Educational Resources

Add an educational twist to any birthday party, holiday celebration, or theme party. Share the history of the Memorial Day theme to the guests. Play some free printable educational party games. Shhh don't tell the kids that they are learning!

Memorial Day History & Facts

The history of Memorial begins around 1867. It was originally named Decoration Day, and it serves as the remembrance of soldier�s and others who died during their service to our nation.

Over 24 towns claim that theirs is the birthplace of this holiday, so many stories arise as to the actual origin of it. In May of 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. But even with that declaration, it is hard to prove that this is true.

It is believed that there were separate beginnings of the holiday, celebrated in different states at the time. People gathered in various places in honor of the war heroes of the 1860�s, and it became a growing movement . Regardless of its origin, the important thing is that Memorial Day was established. The idea of people gathering to honor the dead soldiers of war and others who served our nation became the important fact to recognize, because it was not about division, it was about reconciliation.

General John Logan officially proclaimed the holiday on May 5, 1868. He was a national commander, and people came from miles around to place flowers on graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers, as well, at the famous Arlington National Cemetery. New York was the first state to recognize this, and by 1890 all the other states followed the tradition.

It is celebrated on the last Monday of May in almost every state. This ensures a three-day weekend for the Federal holiday. Decorations help transform a room into something more for that special day so look forward to learning some exciting and creative ideas. If you specify the type of clothing for a social event like summer causal, give a few examples of what is acceptable and more importantly what isn't. Decorations help transform a room into something more for that special day so look forward to learning some exciting and creative ideas. The history of Memorial Day has different interpretations by each person, so use your own judgement. Share these facts with friends at a celebration.

Educational Memorial Day Resources

The Party Supplies Hut has more free elementary educational teacher resources for Memorial Day to use in the classroom for active learning to create lesson plans with trivia questions, games and fun activities.

History of Memorial Day
More Memorial Day holiday educational teachers classroom resources: