Katie Brown | Simple Firecracker Favor

One sure sign of summer is the start of camp. My daughter marched off yesterday to join the herds of kids itching to play endless rounds of Capture the Flag, sing new camp songs, and braid friendship bracelets of every color combination. Now that she’s in her groove, I guess I should start thinking ahead to 4th of July celebrations. Can you believe the holiday is next Monday?

These Firecracker Favors (via Country Living) could double as really fun place settings at a 4th of July picnic. Round up the paper towel tubes!

What you’ll need…
Paper towel tubes (as many tubes as guests)
Cardboard from a cereal box
Red and blue crepe paper
Americana imagery: Victorian postcard printouts used here
Pipe cleaner
String or twine
Double-stick tape
Pinking shears
Small party favor (a seed packet, sparklers, candy, etc.)

Get started…
1. Wrap crepe paper around paper towel tube in various patterns, leaving both ends of the tube open. Secure with double-stick tape. Leave extra crepe paper at top end of tube.
2. Cut out your Americana imagery and glue or tape to crepe paper-covered tube.
3. Flatten cereal box. Trace the circular end of the tube onto flat side of cereal box. Using pinking shears, cut around the circle so that your cut-out is slightly bigger than the end of the tube. Hot glue circle to bottom of tube.
4. Pinch the top of the crepe paper together and insert a pipe cleaner for the “wick.” Tie with a piece of string.

*Hint: To make the firecracker into a place setting, simply print out return address labels with your guests’ names and stick onto side of firecracker.