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Every school will be waving school banners in Delaware this school year, and CeremonialSupplies.com has the best assortment of colorful banners ready to print with your school's own motto, special message, or a simple "Welcome Students." The start of a new school year is a time of mixed emotions for new, as well as returning students. The carefree and especially, the homework free, days of Summer will be officially left behind and new school experiences beginning. Shop at CeremonialSupplies.com, the best online store on the web for decorative and ceremonial grand opening ribbons, extra-wide (10" - 12") ribbons (banners), and many more products used in ceremonial celebrations. Delaware is one of the oldest, historical states in the nation, starting with New Castle, the first county that broke away from English rule when it became independent from Pennsylvania in 1704. The city of Wilmington was an important embarkation point for the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves, and Thomas Garrett, a white Quaker, was known as a great "station master" as he helped thousands of slaves make it to the northern free states, and reunited countless families. In June of 1868 he penned a famous letter in which he speaks of how he came to know, and work with, Harriet Tubman. After the Civil War, the first African American school in America was Howard High School, founded in Wilmington in 1867 and named after General Oliver Otis Howard. Howard was appointed commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau that helped former slaves by creating schools, negotiating work contacts, and medical aid. Over the years Wilmington's African American business communities flourished. Overlapping into  Wilmington, is Brandywine Valley where the Battle of Brandywine was fought, where the du Pont's established their synthetic chemical company and built their extravagant mansions and gardens at Longwood, Winterhur, Nemours, and Hagley.  The pride in these, and many other historical achievements, make Delaware schools some of the most motivating institutions, and a new school year opens the doors for new advancements, and new opportunities in learning. Welcome the students to the 2019 - 2020 school year with beautiful streaming banners that will inspire students to over-achieve, knowing they are attending school in one of the most historically rich states of the union!

Start the School Year In Delaware On The Right Wavelength With A School Banner!

When the new school year begins, greet your students with a motivating school banner that welcomes new students with warmth and cheer, and returning students with motivation and energy! School banners are a way of livening a learning center and making students feel cheerful. Schools everywhere in Delaware, from the highly rated Rehoboth Beach Elementary School, Dover AFB Middle School, Central and William Henry Middle Schools in Dover, to George Read Middle School, Glasgow High School and Christiana High School in Newcastle to name just a few, students will be once again spending a good chunk of their lives learning, advancing, and directing their lives to worthwhile goals and endeavors. The best way for schools to encourage these students is by reaching them the very first day of school with a message of welcome and support. CeremonialSupplies.com has the most outstanding selection of over sized ribbons and banners that are perfect for customization! And when you talk about color ribbons, we've got them all! If you want school banners to match Cape Henlopen High School colors of light sky blue and gold - we've got them, or the Christiana High School navy blue, red, and gold school banners. Choose the ribbon color that matches your school's colors and get it in an extra wide size anywhere between 8" wide, 10" wide, to 12" wide and customize it in a distinct and personalized way that will make students feel they belong! Some ideas are: "Welcome To Historic Howard High School," or "Christiana High School Vikings Welcome You" - these messages have in them a seed of intrigue that for many, leads to inquisitive research of history. What do Vikings have to do with Christiana High School? And what of the name 'Christiana'? What is it's origin? What's historic about Howard High School in Wilmington?

Shop CeremonialSupplies.com and get your personalized school banner ready in time to welcome new and returning students in schools K-12 across Delaware - and any other state for that matter! Print your school banner with an encouraging word and an intriguing message to raise your student's inquisitive level! Check out all the different colors in our selection, and get your school banner customized. At our budget friendly prices you will want to order anywhere from 20 - 100 yards for your school banner! Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service staff is ready to answer all your questions, and our fast and efficient shipping will put your colorful school banner in your hands in time for the first day of class! Click here for a shipping quote.

There are many events associated with the military and officers' service - from graduation ceremonies to military balls, groundbreakings on new facilities, homecomings and retiring officers' farewells - and CeremonialSupplies.com has all you need for military groundbreakings and official events to stand out and be remembered for a long time to come. From the perfect groundbreaking shovel, hard hats, and carpet runner, to personalized ribbons and banners, and stanchions and rope, this is your one-stop shop for everything military!

Carpet Runners, Stanchions and Rope For Official Military Events!

Whether for a graduating fireman, police officer, or military servicemen/woman, carpet runners create an ambiance of distinction and honor to the ceremony. After a rigorous training and numerous skills and capacity tests, military, police, and fire officers deserve special recognition at their graduating ceremony, and CeremonialSupplies.com is the best place on the web to get a posh red carpet runner, (or Blue carpet, Green, Purple, Pink and Black aisle runners too!) and stanchions and rope to decorate everything from a receiving line, a step and repeat platform, to a VIP area. If you can imagine it, our carpet runners, and stanchions and rope will make it happen with a touch of grandeur!

Personalized Ribbons And Banners For Attention-Grabbing Signs

Use personalized ribbons and banners to complete your event decor with small touches that go a long way! CeremonialSupplies.com has a variety of ceremonial ribbons in beautiful, rich, shades of widths ranging from 4" - 6" and larger, that can be customized with a name, logos, or a special message. The use of personalized ribbons for event decor is one of the most creative ways to add a colorful touch to any service event. Personalized ribbons are the most versatile items for decorating either by draping over the ceiling, hanging down with special messages, or used to liven centerpieces, tables, or chairs. Customizing ribbons with a special welcome message, a commemorative date, or other such memorable notation enhances a decorative ribbon or banner creating a keepsake worth collecting for everyone in attendance. Allow us to guide you with ideas for your next official or military reception on how to make the most of personalized ribbons and banners for attention-grabbing messages.

Military And Official Groundbreakings and Grand Openings

Groundbreakings and grand openings for new or upgraded official or military facilities are traditionally meaningful occasions. CeremonialSupplies.com is proud to be able to offer top quality supplies such as ceremonial groundbreaking shovels of different blade finishes, that can be customized with logos, company name, date, or other commemorative message. Complete with a display stand or display case and take your ceremonial groundbreaking shovel from the ordinary to the exceptional! On grand opening day decorate your event with a wide width personalized ribbon held by two stanchions, and culminate the occasion with a ribbon-cutting using our giant, (and sharp!) handle colored scissors that can be color-coordinated with the personalized ribbon, bow, signs and banners, hard hats, and the carpet runner. We're here to make your official or military event shine with the excellence it deserves. Our ceremonial scissors can be engraved with a logo, or other message for a lasting keepsake.

A Commemorative Plaque For The Hero In Your Life 

Recognition awards, plaques and pins are an elegant touch with which to complete an official or military event. Once the decorative elements are in place, displayed for maximum effect for photos and videos, think of including recognition plaques or trophies and medals that will neatly tie the event's theme and provide a keepsake for the honored guest (or guests). A commemorative plaque, or in the case of a special groundbreaking - an encased small hard-hat, or small groundbreaking shovel replicas that at 26" height and 6" blade are half the size of regular groundbreaking shovels, lapel pins, or a keepsake display case holding miniature items, are just a few of the ceremonial supplies that can be found on our website, especially designed to add the final touches for your military or official event. For additional ideas, items, and our one of a kind customer service, visit us at CeremonialSupplies.com and remember, we ship efficiently and promptly wherever you are! Click here for a shipping quote.

The perfect climate to celebrate a fourth of July is in California and CeremonialSupplies.com has the best assortment of colorful ribbons for all celebrations, so if you need patriotic ribbons and bows this 4th of July in California we are the place for you! Decorating a sparkling Independence Day celebration in the warm, tropical climate of the great state of California is a fun way to honor and celebrate the fight for our independence, and a great way to welcome Summer with the annual company picnic! From decorative patriotic ribbons, red, white, and blue ribbon runners, flags and flag buntings, to lapel pins, and other articles of military pride, CeremonialSupplies.com has everything you need.

California is known for its beautiful beaches, and you can bet these will be busy on the 4th of July with people from nearby towns, decked out in their red, white, and blue swimwear, or relaxing on a chair under a shady umbrella decorated in the flag colors. When it's time for the annual company summer picnic, what better day to share a traditional beach day with plenty of sun, ocean, hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonade, and fireworks? California hosts some of the most well-known global tech companies such as Apple, Google, eBay, and Intel, and state companies like the University of California, Disneyland, and the UCLA Health System. These hip and trendy employers are known for their unique and edgy choices of company venues that will impress, please, and motivate the staff. Here are some decorative ideas for a fun and festive 4th of July beach picnic for an unforgettable company event!

For the classic, California sand and surf experience, there's not better place than LA's Venice Beach to gather the troops! With so many activities, and entertainment, including the annual Mr. and Mrs. Muscle Beach competition, flea markets, biking, roller skating, and people watching, Venice Beach is a great spot to set up the company beach tents. Decorated with the company colors and matching company umbrellas, the spot will be easily recognizable by the guests. To decorate the tents, flag buntings, or patriotic ribbons will work perfectly. CeremonialSupplies.com has a great selection of ribbons in sizes that vary from 2.25" in width, to 12" oversized ribbons - and they can all be customized with the name of the event, date, logo, "Happy Fourth of July" or any other message you would like! Patriotic patterns like the star spangled banner and the red and white stripes add the right touch for decorating as well. Tiki torches, or volleyball net can all include patriotic ribbons as decorative accents.

LA is known for throwing great events, making it a popular destination for people and groups to celebrate Independence Day with a cookout and fireworks, and there is never a shortage of venues where a corporate picnic would fit right in. If your company is a downtown tenant and employees are relatively nearby, the block party at Grand Park is a wonderful place to set up your red, white, and blue ribbons and decorations. Another great little place to hold an event is in the northwest community of Pacific Palisades, where an annual 4th of July parade has been held since 1948. Entertainment starts with skydivers and follows with a concert and firework displays in the evenings. The beautiful Bel-Air Bay Club is the perfect corporate event venue in scenic LA, and you can host a day filled with surf and sun, followed by a lawn set up to enjoy an upscale and trendy barbecue, with a glorious view of firework displays. Versatile and loyal, our ribbons are ready to easily dress up patio umbrellas, cocktail table covers, and many more accent touches of the red, white, and blue. Another wonderful Independence Day company picnic location is the iconic "Hotel del Coronado" in Coronado Beach along Ocean Boulevard. Aside from having been featured in several films, the Hotel del Coronado is a popular spot for sandcastle builders, and it's sandy shore is perfect for a daytime cookout with a red, white, and blue set up in the balmy evening! Finally, just west of downtown LA, the most famous beaches of Santa Monica have numerous restaurants and hotels along the 3 miles of shoreline (popularized by the TV series "Baywatch") and the famous Ferris wheel at the pier leading from the Third Street Promenade.

With so many legendary locations to choose from in California for a spectacular 4th of July company picnic and celebration, CeremonialSupplies.com decorative ribbons, and customized ribbons will add the right splash of patriotic symbolism for a sparkling event. Shop our site for military decorations, flags, flag buntings, souvenir flag pins, presentation plaques, red carpet and stanchions, balloons, bows, and all the trimmings for a grand patriotic theme decor! We ship everywhere in California, from San Francisco to San Diego, LA, and everywhere in between. Click here for a shipping quote.

CeremonialSupplies.com has all the red, white, and blue ribbons you need for a heartland celebration of Independence Day, so who's in for a Kentuckian 4th of July celebration with ribbons and bows? From decorative ribbons of all colors, customized or personalized with a famous patriotic slogan, or your own family motto, to bows, flags, and red carpet, get all your patriotic regalia at the best online store on the web for unique, crafted ceremonial supplies at budget friendly prices, and shipped wherever you are in the Blue Grass State.

The 4th of July is the most celebrated holiday in the US and a time when people like to enjoy the outdoors! Summer is at its peak, and patriotic buntings, water slides, BBQ, hot dogs, and apple pie seem to be a fixture in the neatly manicured lawns of homes throughout the State, from Bardstown, Loretto, and Louisville, to Frankfort and Lexington, the spirit of America is alive and well throughout Kentucky on the country's birthday, and here at www.CeremonialSupplies.com we offer all the necessary trimmings to decorate for a memorable company or family holiday. We are big on ribbons because they are the most versatile tools to decorate a 4th of July, or any other event. Kentucky has big celebrations in Louisville Waterfront Park, Downtown Lexington, and at Barren River Lake State Park, and since many companies and enterprises combine a corporate family picnic with the 4th of July, these are the preferred locations by event planners tasked with organizing a 4th of July company picnic in Kentucky. The following are the essential supplies and basic set up for decorating a company summer picnic, on Independence Day!

Outdoor summer picnics and barbecues are always fun, but there's always a chance that mother nature will shower us with love. Whether the day is sunny and bright, or cloudy and rainy, setting up a tent is an excellent idea. The tent can protect from the sun as much as from the rain. It's here also where the food can be set up, a dance floor organized, and where company VIP's can address the group. A standard, large white tent is a must-have for a 4th of July company picnic, or any other celebration, and decorating it is not only simple, but it offers an opportunity to emphasize the theme. Extra wide red, white, and blue ribbons will do the trick, and www.CeremonialSupplies.com has the best supply of decorative ribbons available online. 8" wide ribbons are the perfect size to drape a tent from the center of the ceiling, flowing outward and gathered at the corners. Table decorations can follow the same color theme of the ceiling ribbons with solid red, white, and blue or with the blue background star spangled banner, the patriotic red and white stripes ribbon, or both combined in the stars and stripes ribbons. This brings together the decor of the entire area in a pleasing manner. A popular idea for table ribbon runners is to personalize ribbons, or customized ribbons with the name of the event, logo, or similar messages. These customized ribbons serve as table decorations and keepsake souvenirs at the end of the event. This reusable, or double-use practice goes a long way in doing our part to keep our environment as uncluttered as possible. For your Kentucky 4th of July company picnic, consider the versatile ribbon for your decorations, and shop at www.CeremonialSupplies.com. You will find our  products are of the highest quality, our prices are friendly and affordable, our customer service attentive and knowledgeable, and best of all we ship to wherever you are in the Blue Grass State - from Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green to Frankfort, Paducah and Owensboro and everywhere in between! Show off your patriotism and love for America this 4th of July and embellish your outfit with a military flag and eagle pin, or love of country pin of red, white, and blue, and celebrate the colonial days with historic memorabilia. For instance, did you know that Stoneware and Co., founded in 1815 is one of the oldest stoneware manufacturers in the country? They've been making stoneware products for home and garden from the company's historic headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky ever since.

No company 4th of July picnic is complete without a good ol' fashioned baseball game, and in Kentucky, you bet the Louisville Slugger will be the bat of choice! Did you know the "Louisville Slugger" bat, the signature product of J. F. Hillerich, registered trademarked in 1894, was the first product ever endorsed by a professional athlete? Honus "The Flying Dutchman" Wagner, superstar shortstop of the Pittsburgh Pirates used the bat made by Hillerich in 1905 and became the first athlete to sign an endorsement contract. Other baseball legends who have swung Louisville slugger bats have included Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, George Brett, Ken Friffey Jr., and Derek Jeter.

This year for an unforgettable Kentuckian 4th of July celebration, count on www.CeremonialSupplies.com for the best quality assortment of colorful ribbons, extra-wide ribbons, and custom printed ribbons available online and check out all our other ceremonial supplies! Shipping is a breeze, and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Fourth of July theme? Personalized ribbon orders? Click here for a shipping quote.

Vermont has a quiet reputation, but not when it comes to growth and development, and www.CeremonialSupplies.com has glowing groundbreaking shovels for special Vermont projects. Whether it's the University of Vermont, headquartered out of Shelburne, breaking ground on a new center, retailer giant Target, completing its 50 state presence with it's new store in South Burlington, or Norwich University's groundbreaking of the historical bicentennial stairs, Vermont's developmental growth is based on quality rather than quantity. We salute this approach because it fits right in with our philosophy of providing the highest quality groundbreaking shovels, hard hats, shovel stands, and groundbreaking kits, at prices that are reasonable and affordable. The small state of Vermont has an interesting history, and along with shiny groundbreaking shovels poised for photo opportunities, these facts add sophistication when included in a ceremonial speech, or a groundbreaking dedication. The last three years have seen a significant number of groundbreaking ceremonies take place in Vermont, and we are all about unforgettable groundbreakings, so we thought a little background in the rich history of our 14th State could be an inspirational way to get a good sod-cutting ceremony started.

Cérémonies d'inauguration dans le vieux Vermont

You guessed it; it's French, just like Vermont's early history, of which the first account of Europeans points to Jacques Cartier, an early explorer of the St. Lawrence River in 1535, followed by Samuel de Champlain, who claimed Vermont as part of New France in 1609. It was from the greenery of its mountains, in French "montagne verve" that Vermont got its name. Before Europeans, the native Abenaki tribe had lived in Vermont for ten thousand years! Caught in the middle of the French and Indian War (which was actually the French fighting the British in North American territory), the land of Vermont was disputed for stake by New Hampshire and New York, with the latter eventually asserting it's rule over the area. Taking advantage of the colonies war for independence from England, Vermont declared it's own independence in 1777 from New York, and the British and became The Vermont Republic. It remained that way until 1791 when it became the first state to enter the Union after the original 13 states. A groundbreaking ceremony in Vermont is a testament to the spirit of peaceful innovation that permeates its lands.

Of all its cities, Burlington, on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, south of the Canadian border and South Burlington, are the largest in population and center of activity, despite Montpelier being the capital. The area is poised for growth and of course, this means groundbreakings and grand openings - we love that! But interestingly, where this state shows the most new growth in construction is on its beautiful mountainous area resorts, catering to exclusive clientele. Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont is about 80 miles southeast of Burlington, nestled in 300 acres of forested land, The Lodge at Spruce Peak, at the base of Stowe Mountain, offering jaw-dropping views of the glistening lakes and towering peaks, and Topnotch Resort, another Stowe high-end resort that boasts a cozy vibe, are seeing a higher influx of peace seekers that find the area suitable for tranquility and connecting with rugged nature. We can't help but daydream about a groundbreaking ceremony in these parts, and this is how www.CeremonialSupplies.com would do it!

It would be a bed and breakfast ski resort in Stowe, breaking ground on September 26. Invitations would be sent out in July to all our family and friends, Stowe residents, and include the Town Manager, the Executive Assistant, the Chief of Police, and even governor Phil Scott! We'd take an ad on the Burlington Free Press, the Stowe Reporter, the Lakes Region Free Press, and The Rutland Herald (just because they're the oldest - founded in 1794!) and we might even go the extra step and invite Canadian friends with an ad in the Montreal Gazette, and le Journal de Québec just for good measure. Next is ordering our groundbreaking supplies on time from www.CeremonialSupplies.com, of course! Not only the best place on the web for quality crafted groundbreaking shovels, colorful shovels, hard hats, shovel stands, and groundbreaking kits, but also the most attentive and knowledgeable customer service and efficient shipping in the industry.

The logo of our resort, called 'Champlain's Dream' is green and gold, and we want that to show prominently on the 6 groundbreaking shovels and the hard hats so that the name is clearly seen on the photos that will appear on the newspapers, (additional promotion for our establishment), and for the photo that will be placed in the museum room next to the main entrance of our resort. www.CeremonialSupplies.com offers customization options to accommodate your budget, and has several styles of groundbreaking shovel to choose from, all of them stainless steel, which means no rusting, no stains, and will keep very well in their display cases that will be given to each participant so they can proudly show them off! There's the Standard Chromed Stainless Steel Groundbreaking Shovel, with all wood handle, the Deluxe Ceremonial Groundbreaking Chrome Head, with a wood and metal handle, the Groundbreaking VIP Mirror Chrome Ceremonial Shovel, also with a wood and steel handle - these handles are called D-style because they look like a letter D, but for a more traditional style of ceremonial groundbreaking shovel there's the Stainless Steel Long Handle Groundbreaking Shovel, and for a look of total high class and luxury, there's the VIP Ceremonial Groundbreaking Mirror Gold shovel which is quite a sight to behold! For the purpose of our sod-cutting ceremony, we want to shout to the world how exclusively luxurious our dream cottage resort in the heart of the mountains will be, and we'll choose 3 groundbreaking gold shovels, and customize our green logo on the blade. Our boss' kids are going to take part in the event also, and for them, we're going to order 3 colorful groundbreaking green mini-shovels. These are 26" tall, with a blade width of 6" across. The size of the regular shovels is 42" with a blade width of 9.5". The groundbreaking kids shovels will be printed with a gold version of our logo, on the green shovel blade. Green hard hats, shovel stands, and big green bows to dress the shovels when they're on the display stand. The shovel stands are meant to hold the sod-cutting shovels when they're not in use, before and after the ceremony. CeremonialSupplies.com also offers the VIP Ceremonial Groundbreaking kit which includes a Deluxe the sod-cutting shovel, the hard hat, and the display stand, or the Groundbreaking Essentials Ceremonial kit that includes the same items and the Standard groundbreaking shovel model.

We would hold the groundbreaking ceremony outdoors, right on the spot where construction will begin, and we would set up a large party tent over the spot. The sod-cutting spot will be designated with a wood frame surrounding it, and next to it will be our groundbreaking shovels, fully dressed, and on display. We find that even with the most elaborate and colorful table dressing items, a white, large tent can be rather boring. To liven things up, we will use 6, 8" wide ribbons of gold and green, flowing from the center of the tent ceiling, out toward the walls. This touch will bring the room decor together. Smaller width ribbons, 4" - 6" will be customized with our logo and our groundbreaking ceremony date of September 26, and we will use these as table runner decorations, and keepsakes of the event for all our guests.

Plaques For VIPs and Guest Speakers At A Groundbreaking Ceremony

We will assign one person to obtain confirmation of all local officials who will be in attendance, and let them know we expect them to speak at the event. The speaking order will be arranged from the most local official, to the highest attending member - in this case, governor Phil Scott. At the end of the ceremony, we will recognize all who spoke and participated by thanking them and presenting them with a commemorative plaque. The order of acknowledgement is different from the speaking order and the highest raking official guest, governor Scott, will be thanked first. There are many different styles of commemorative plaques and www.CeremonialSupplies.com has a large selection of the most original and unique plaques for groundbreaking occasions. There's the cherry wood Key to the City award plaque, which is stylish and classic and always right; the groundbreaking shovel plaque which is specific to the occasion, as well as many other plaques and awards to choose from in the style of trophies, ceremonial keys, and medals.

Groundbreaking ceremonies are special because they make dreams like ours, a reality. The culmination of an idea that is materialized. Shop www.CeremonialSupplies.com when you have to organize a groundbreaking ceremony in Vermont, or anywhere else for that matter. You will find our customer service attentive and knowledgeable, our selection outstanding, our prices budget friendly, and our shipment efficient and flawless no matter where you are, from Newport, St. Albans, Burlington, Stowe, St. Johnsbury and Montpelier to Barre, Rutland, Springfield, Bennington and Whitingham - we get your groundbreaking shovels and supplies to you on time for an unforgettable ceremony. Click here for a shipping quote.

Don't let military protocols scare you. CeremonialSupplies.com has a guide of basic protocol for military ceremonies that, along with our unique military decor items and gifts, will help you organize an unforgettable military ceremony! The Military, which is also referred to as "Armed Forces" is a formally authorized, professional, militia organization with the specific purpose of defending the interests of the people of the state. The US Armed Forces are made up of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard and their primary mission is in fact, defending the citizens of the US. However during times of peace, the military does many other things. It answers to immediate needs in a disaster or emergency by protecting an area or people, participates in parades, and in grand and formal military occasions. Military ceremonies are an integral part of the military and go back to ancient times when these celebrations were opulent and on a grand scale. Today, military ceremonies and honorable military activities such as a promotion, a retirement, or an interment have specific protocols. It's important to have a basic knowledge of these, to avoid uncomfortable awkwardness when participating at a graduation, a promotion, memorial, or other military ceremonies.

Basic Protocols for Military Ceremonies

You may have heard of numerous protocols involved in military ceremonies but actually, these are intended for the military member. For special occasions where a spouse or date is expected to attend any of the various military ceremonies of the Armed Forces, here's a basic guideline that will help you circulate through the event with ease and comfort.

The first rule is: Be On Time. This is an important one. Remember, the military operates with accurate precision when it comes to timing. Military ceremonies are as carefully synchronized as any mission - especially when there is a program of events.

Military ceremonies begin with a flag procession called the "entrance of colors". It may be followed by a sword detail, drums, and the National Anthem. Stay where you are during this part and if you're not sure what to do, look around you and mimic what they do. For example, if you see everyone stand up from their chair, you do the same and so on but, (and we can't stress this enough) don't leave the room - it is crude and bad-mannered.

There will most likely be a receiving line, and perhaps a red carpet. Whether the event is to honor a military member with a promotion, a retirement, a birthday, or even the opening of a military ball, most military ceremonies involve a receiving line. While in the receiving line you will walk in front of your service member. He or she will first introduce you, and then introduce himself or herself to the first person in the line, who is there to act as an aide. The aide will introduce you to the person next to them in the line and, most likely, this person is the guest of honor, or the hosting unit's top officer and spouse. You shake their hand and say something brief and polite like "good to meet you" and keep moving down the line as the military member introduces you to the next people. The receiving line can be a daunting and scary part of military ceremonies, especially if it's your first time, but be brave! You can of course, choose not to go through it without fear of a court martial, but keep in mind it is a tradition to go through it. Just remember it is a quick and brief introduction, and not for swapping stories. If the dining section is open, find your seat before joining the receiving line so you can leave your drink there. It is not appropriate to carry a drink while in the receiving line.

Military ceremonies such as graduations, or promotions may follow with a dinner and dance reception, and a military ball is exactly that - a dance event! These are fun celebrations but still, a work event for the military member. This means that if there's a bar, by all means enjoy it but don't lose control of yourself.

Enhancing Military Traditions with Decorations

There may be other traditions performed at military ceremonies depending on the reason for the event. The entrance and exit of the colors, responsive readings, cake-cutting, speeches and toasts, and even a "grog bowl" ceremony as punishment for breaking the event's protocol rules such as smoking before the smoking light is on, or having an unbecoming appearance are all traditions that can be enhanced with themed military decorations.

From patriotic ribbons of red and white stripes, and the navy background with stars, solid color red, white, and blue silk ribbons of various sizes and lengths, flag buntings, and bows, to red carpet, or blue carpet for a receiving line, brass stanchions and rope, you can find all the necessary trimmings to decorate a room where a military ceremony will take place. A crispy white table cloth decorated with wide ribbon runners of red, blue, or both makes the colors pop up brilliantly. Personalize ribbons with a commemorative date and name and turn the table runner into a keepsake! Streaming solid colors red, white, and blue ribbons sized 10" wide from the center of the room ceiling outward creates a canopy style decor that ties the room together, and flag buntings are perfect for framing a platform stage, or decorating a podium. Highlight the table decor with flower arrangements of red, white, and blue flowers in silver colored vases. The versatility of patriotic ribbon colors and fabrics are the essential elements to create the atmosphere.

Military Gifts, Awards, and Plaques

It's always proper to bring a gift to a military ceremony such as a promotion, a retirement, or a military homecoming. Gifts for military members are visible reminders and acknowledgements of an honorable career, a successful dangerous mission, or that family and friends are joyous and grateful for the safe return home of one of their own. In our Military Ceremony category, CeremonialSupplies.com has a selection of ideal gifts for any military occasion. From medal displays such as the Military and Service Achievement shadowbox, the American Flag engraved display case, the Dedication Display case, the Bald Eagle award plaque, or the Clock and Marine Corps insignia plaque, to lapel pins such as the Shooting StarAmerican Flag design, the United We Stand, and the US Flag, the Copper Minuteman & Scroll award plaque and many others! Shop our Military Ceremony products for the best military gifts on the web available at CeremonialSupplies.com, your one-stop-shop for military ceremonies' decorations and gifts that will assist event planners organize an original, amazing military ceremony! At ease!

When you have to decorate a military homecoming celebration CeremonialSupplies.com is the best online store to find the military decorations and gifts you will need, and with this easy guide you'll be able to create a warm and festive military homecoming. The history of the military goes back to ancient times of pharaohs and emperors when men were trained to defend and conquer. Historical figures like Thutmose III, Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, and Darius were leaders who commanded huge armies to victories and accumulated great wealth for their empires. One can only imagine the lavish and opulent welcome home military celebrations when these armies returned from their conquests! Military homecoming celebrations may not be as richly conducted as in ancient times but they have the same principle of joy for the returning military service member.

Decorating A Military Homecoming Celebration

It's easier than you think. With a little creative talent, and this easy guide from CeremonialSupplies.com, you can equally decorate a living room or a ballroom to create a grand military welcome home celebration. Red, white, and blue are the main colors of the military, and the Star Spangled Banner makes for a symbolic decoration. Either an actual flag, or a projection of one against a blank background can be the perfect peripheral decor for a military decor in a homecoming celebration.

If the military homecoming is taking place in a ballroom and there will be traditional rites included, such as a receiving line, entrance and exit of the colors, responsive readings, cake-cutting, speeches and toasts, or even a "grog bowl" ceremony, you should consider printing a 'protocol' card for each attendee. Outside of military service members not many people know the official procedure for a receiving line, for example.

Table military decorations and centerpieces for the military homecoming celebration can be of red, white, and blue, carnations with any variety of sized flags, together with patriotic ribbons and bows. Consider dressing up folding chairs in plain white covers with giant patriotic ribbons attached to the back. This simple touch can be used for a military homecoming celebration at home, or in a ballroom setting.

To dress up a stage, a podium, or even just the main table, a large red, white, and blue bunting will provide the perfect decoration and maintain the patriotic theme so that the event is clearly distinguished in photographs and videos taken from any angle.

To make the honored military service member (or members) feel welcomed and special, incorporate a red carpet runner either at a receiving line, if there is one, or at the entrance to the event. Classic stanchions and rope would be appropriate in both instances. A red carpet, and stanchions and rope would also be a good idea surrounding an area designated for portraits. A backdrop banner with the insignia of the military branch of the armed force to which the service member(s) belong gives the event an ambiance of military royalty, provides a distinguished background for photos and videos, and adds to the overall military decoration of the venue. Never underestimate the power of a red carpet!

The Perfect Gifts For A Military Homecoming

Whether it's for the attendees, or for the military service member(s) being honored, gifts represent joy, welcome, and peace. Historically, gift-giving has been a way to show allegiance among neighbors, villages, and countries. In a military homecoming celebration, gifts are exchanged between the host/hostess and the guests. Ideally, the gifts for the guests are presented at each person's table setting. A way of ensuring that everyone will feel equally favored, the same gift can be placed on the table setting for everyone. Military gifts and favors for the guests can range from lapel pins, to military plaques, and military souvenir flags in display cases. These gifts can be personalized with the name of the military service member and the date of the homecoming, or with any other special message.

For the guest or guests of honor, there are several options - and whilst all gifts are appreciated, there are special military gifts that honor and welcome a military service member back to his or her home, and country. Often, these are gifts that a group presents as a whole. A meaningful gift for this occasion can be a flag display with a shadow box where a flag flown at a special location, or one representing an important mission is folded traditionally and stored in the upper part of the display, with the shadow box holding special medals and certificates. These flag displays are available with embossed symbols of the Armed Forces, or with the Great Seal, and they can be personalized. Other popular gifts for a retuning service member can be a plaque, a watch, or similar types of gifts. CeremonialSupplies.com offers a variety of quality, US manufactured military gifts, and decorations, at budget friendly prices, to create a joyous military homecoming celebratio! Click here for a shipping quote.

Pennsylvania event planners: This 4th of July get your patriotic ribbons at CeremonialSupplies.com and deck the halls with bows of red, white, and blue! Pennsylvania was a colony founded by William Penn in 1681 with a grant of £16,000 the equivalent as of 2008 of approximately £2,100,000 (adjusting for retail inflation) or two billion, one hundred million British Pounds, which Penn's father, Sir William Penn, an admiral in the English navy, had lent Charles II, King of England. Pennsylvania was named in honor of William Penn. Pennsylvania was established as a place where people could practice freedom of religion. The colony was important in the American Revolution and has been called the "State of Independence" referring to its historical importance in the fight for Independence. It's no wonder that July 4th decorations and celebrations in Pennsylvania are a big deal, especially for community parades, firework displays, and traditional corporate 4th of July picnics. Decorating a 4th of July picnic is easy, and shopping for your red, white, and blue ribbons, flags, military lapel pins and other military and patriotic decoration items at CeremonialSupplies.com makes it fun!

Pennsylvania's July 4th festivities are held all over the state from the northwest corner of Erie, to Point Marion, Harrisburg, Susquehanna, down to the southeast city of love; Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was made. Celebrate your 4th of July company picnic in an epic way and shop CerenomialSupplies.com, the best online store for decorative ribbons, patriotic ribbons, red, white, and blue ribbons in a variety of sizes from 2.25" to 12" and celebrate America's birthday in Philly! For starters, Philadelphia celebrates an entire week of Independence. Need decorative inspiration? Visit some of the museums during the full week of celebrations! Visit Christ Church in the old city neighborhood of Philadelphia and visit the pews where George Washington and Benjamin Franklin sat; or check out the rare books and documents housed on the third floor of the Free Library of Philadelphia; enjoy an ice cream delight during the Philly Ice Cream Scoop, the largest ice cream festival in the country, at the Reading Terminal market; or take part in the special programming of the Museum of the American Revolution. After, you'll be ready to stream red, white, and blue ribbons, banners, and buntings, and decorate with our patriotic products, from flags to awards, and medals!

You'll find the solid red, white, and blue silk ribbons to be the most versatile decorative ribbons. The basic colors are perfect for the formation of any design. For a corporate event, it's best to set up in a park or other outdoor venue that offers canopy huts. This way rain or shine, you're covered. The best way to decorate a canopy is to attach 12 medium size (4" or 6") solid color ribbons, in this case, red, white, and blue ribbons or streamers from the center of the canopy, flowing in a downward curve out toward the sides, and gathering them on each corner of the canopy allowing them to drape down from the corners. Make the table dressing easy on yourself. Use extra large ribbons (6" - 10") of one or two solid colors, again, for this occasion we'll continue with red, white, and blue as table runners. A white table cover will work with red and blue ribbons, a red table cover will work with blue and white ribbons, and a blue table cover will work with white and red ribbons. Liven the tables with touches of Spring flowers. The simpler the more elegant. Think about either displaying them tied in a bunch, in a glass mason jar, or in 12" tall aluminum or metal jug. To embellish the flower arrangements, use patriotic patterns such as red and white striped ribbons and navy blue background and white stars ribbons. Our selection of patriotic ribbons are available in 4" width and 10 yards length, and there's a good reason for this. Party decorations have become more stylish as manufacturing methods improve with technology. Chair covers, which weren't much of a factor a few years ago, are now an indispensable decoration item to embellish your standard folding chairs. If you want to take your July 4th decoration to the next level, think of using simple chair covers in a solid color of red, white, or blue, and wrap a patterned patriotic ribbon striped red and white or star spangled banner around the top of the chair, placing a giant ceremonial spark bow on the back side. For a reversal of theme, you can use the patterned ribbons for ceiling streamers or table runners, and the solid color ribbons for decorating the chairs. Either way you'll have a winning combination.

If there's a place for a band stand, such as a gazebo, the outside can be decorated with the traditional red, white, and blue fan bunting. A fan bunting is a piece of fabric pleated like a fan in a semi-circular shape. The great thing about patriotic fan buntings is that you can re-use as long as you store them with the folded pleats in place. Americans love decorating our homes with patriotic pleated fan buntings. They can be easily hung from porch railings, and patriotic fan buntings in red, white, and blue around the town's gazebo with a band playing John Philip Sousa's marches is the ultimate in a 4th of July celebration! With the decorative ribbons available at CeremonialSupplies.com you can create a memorable celebration this Independence Day, or on any other patriotic holiday such as Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, and the suggestions here can be applied to other ribbon colors and themes for any occasion where you can liberate your creative freedom!

Shop CeremonialSupplies.com for the best ribbon selections available in different widths for the perfect decor, and we can customize too! A personalized ribbon with a commemorative date or message makes a souvenir of the event just by itself. Thinking of 4th of July decorations, a customized table runner using a personalized ribbon becomes a keepsake for guests. With this dual use, we too can do our part in maintaining America beautiful! Wherever you are in the proud and grand Commonwealth State of Pennsylvania, get your Independence Day decorations at CeremonialSupplies.com for the highest quality ribbons and products, at affordable and friendly prices. We ship everywhere in the world. Click here for a shipping quote.