A Post-Parade Celebration
After the inspiring sights and sounds of the Veterans Day parade, gather your loved ones for a heartwarming lunch at home.
From patriotic decor to a delicious menu and thoughtful activities, this celebration will be one to remember.
Swipe through to check the step-by-step process to host a perfect Veterans Day lunch with some patriotic touch.
Planning
Start planning one or two days before the event. Make a guest list and inform your guests in advance that they can join you at home after a heartfelt, high-spirited parade to enjoy some traditional delicacies.
Plan theme and budget for home decor and food. Think about including games and activities that are perfect for honoring veterans.
Ideal Venue for Your Event
Decide where you would like to hold the Veterans Day lunch, indoors or outdoors. If you have a small guest list then indoor arrangements are good.
For large gatherings, you can choose to hold it in the backyard. Just make sure to make it as cozy as possible because it’s likely chilly outside.
While indoors offer a warmer and cozy environment, the outdoors will be more spacious. Plus, the outside flag display will make the lunch more meaningful.
Patriotic Decor
Short on time? No worries. Think about how you can add a pop of color specifically red, blue, and white to your cozy fall setup.
Choose items that symbolize veterans’ pride such as flags, stars, or even vintage military memorabilia.
Keep it tasteful and not too overdone. The decor should reflect the importance of Veterans Day.
Hearty Menu
For food, go with traditional classic dishes that everyone loves such as roast chicken, mac and cheese, or homemade apple pie.
Add more options, such as warm cornbread, green bean casserole, or baked sweet potatoes.
Ask your grandma or aunt for their secret recipes to make the food extra delicious. After all, they know the secrets of classic dishes.
Flag-Themed Tableware and Utensils
Keep the patriotic theme going with flag-themed or red, white, and blue tableware. Paper plates, cups, and napkins in patriotic colors are easy and festive.
Use bamboo utensils tied with red and blue ribbons to keep it stylish yet sustainable. Bonus points for adding a beautiful bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers as the centerpiece.
Seating Arrangement
Arrange seating to promote comfortable conversations. Set up chairs in small groups or clusters so guests can chat easily. Or a large dining table so everyone can sit together.
Whether indoors or outdoors, add plenty of blankets and pillows because it might be chilly. Aim for a relaxed vibe where everyone can feel at ease.
Tribute Playlist
Don’t forget patriotic or nostalgic music to set the mood. Think of a playlist with meaningful tracks that honor veterans.
Include classics like “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful.” It’s an easy way to keep the mood warm and respectful throughout the celebration.
Before the celebration winds down, pause the music and take a moment of silence to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans.
This quiet moment allows everyone to honor those who served.
Patriotic-Themed Food
Why limit the blue, red, and white hues and even stars and strips to decor? Add them to your food as well.
A berry trifle layered with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream is both easy and eye-catching. How about some frosted sugar cookies with red, white, and blue sprinkles?
For a healthy option, you can create a flag-shaped fruit platter with rows of blueberries, raspberries, and banana slices.
Don’t forget to serve red and blue drinks like berry lemonade or fruit punch.
Flag Display
For your flag display think outside of the box. Instead of a traditional flag hanging, try creating a flag design with unexpected materials.
Arrange red, white, and blue flowers in the shape of the flag as a beautiful centerpiece. Or, consider a DIY flag backdrop using fabric strips in patriotic colors for a modern twist.
You could even set up a flag-themed photo wall where guests can pose with small handheld flags for some Instagram click to share your love and appreciation for Veterans.
Veterans Day-Themed Cake
Ditch the old toast ceremony and arrange a Veterans Day-themed cake. While cutting the cake, you can take a moment for a brief speech to thank veterans.
Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be elaborate. A simple acknowledgment in genuine words of appreciation for Veterans.
Encourage family and friends to share a few words if they feel moved. This moment of gratitude will make the celebration feel sincere and special.
Encourage Guests to Share Stories
While kids are doing their activity, the adults can share stories too. Or any genuine words of appreciation they want to say about Veterans.
A storytelling session with some icebreaker games, such as a name card. The person whose name comes out has to share memories about veterans in their lives or stories that inspired them.
It’s a way for guests to connect deeply with each other and with the true spirit of the day.
Keep Things Clean
While veterans serve their lives for the country, as a good citizen you also have some responsibility on your shoulders.
While hosting the gathering make sure to keep things respectful. Avoid blasting music, or throwing waste in the road. Think about the real purpose of the celebration, it is to honor the Veterans.
Place dustbins strategically so everyone can throw away waste easily. It will keep your party space clean, plus you will be able to clean easily afterward.
Budget Friendly Decor
If you’re on a budget, there’s no need to go overboard. Focus on DIY projects instead of stressing over decor costs.
Repurpose old red, blue, and white cloth fabric or flags and sew them to make pillows cover or hang them over the window.
Use your fall fairy lights and decor items and twist them with some red, blue, and white colors to create a quick decor for Veterans Day.
Activity for Kids
Veterans Day is the perfect opportunity to tell kids stories about real-life heroes. Arrange a story session corner where kids can sit comfortably.
After the story ask them to write Thank you cards with the heartfelt messages they want to send to Veterans.
Wrap their thank you notes nicely with small thoughtful gifts and send them to local veterans or mail them to Veterans hospital.
Do check out Fun and Easy Crafts for Kids This Veterans Day, for more exciting crafts ideas.
Veterans Day Special BBQ Party
Instead of lunch, you can also consider a Veterans Day BBQ party. Set up a grill station with essentials like burgers, hot dogs, and veggie skewers to please all tastes.
Don’t forget classic BBQ sides like coleslaw, baked beans, and corn on the cob.
For decor, add patriotic touches with red, white, and blue tablecloths, napkins, and a few small flags around the seating area.
If you are tempted to change your plan from Veterans Day lunch to an evening BBQ party ( or doing both, maybe?) then read this: Hosting a Backyard BBQ? Avoid These 15 Mistakes.