Article

Celebrate Patriotism in the United Kingdom

Celebrate occasions of British pride with a patriotic party using Union Jack decorations.

There is no holiday in the United Kingdom like either Independence Day in the United States or Canada Day, but people who live in the United Kingdom can be very patriotic. Sometimes it is an event involving the Royal Family that needs to be celebrated. The Queen does have an anniversary of her coronation every year, and once a year she does have a birthday. And now, with new members of the Royal Family being born, and some members of the family are still eligible for marriage, there is always an excuse to celebrate. The introduction image was found in public domain at WPClipart.

A Special Occasion

The Signing of the Magna Carta

This year, 2015, has turned out to be a very special year, and not just because a new Royal was born. In 1215, on June 15, an event of high importance occurred, and is the source of pride on many. Eight hundred years ago was the signing of the Magna Carta. This certainly has to be celebrated, and why not just add a party to your calendar for every year on or near June 15? The event is not just to be celebrated once every hundred years, it is an annual day of patriotic pride.

Union Jack Party Supplies

A Universally Recognized Symbol

The Union Jack is universally recognized, and its bold colors really add much to a party. Finding party supplies in the Union Jack design is easy. Unlike party supplies for some countries, the real problem with the Union Jack is limiting oneself from buying too much. The number of items available includes just about everything you could want, plates, napkins, cups, tablecloths, and flag cupcake picks. What more could you want?

Union Jack Party Supplies

Entertaining with Caspari Union Jack Paper Cocktail Napkins, Pack of 20

Union Jack Flag Cupcake Toppers

Party Plates 9In Union Jack

Union Jack Paper Cups,

Union Jack Party Cups, Pack of 20 [Toy]

12 Union Jack rice paper fairy / cup cake 40mm toppers pre cut decoration

Union Jack Decorations

The Variety Is Also Great

Decorations for your party abound, with just about any decorative piece you could want. If you prefer to hang decorations from the ceiling, think about hanging pennants and swirls. And a hanging piece will keep the flag from being on the ground. If you want a real statement, the eighteen inch Union Jack balloon is a must. And, those flag picks can be used as decorations as well.

These things have two things in common, they all have great beauty, and they all are appropriate for a patriotic party in the United Kingdom.

Union Jack Party Decorations

Great Britain Union Jack Hanging Fan Decorations x 5

Union Jack Party Balloon

18in/45cm Union Flag/Jack Foil Balloon

New Union Jack Flag Foil Balloon 27in x22in - Jubilee, BBQ, Party

Decorate Yourself,

And Your Guests

If decorating the room or outdoor location of the party is not enough, consider decorating yourself. Inexpensive bowler hats sporting the Union Jack design are available. And, if you really want to go all out, have enough Union Jack hats for your guests. As your guests arrive offer each one a Union Jack hat.

Union Jack Bowler

Union Jack British Bowler Hat Plastic Budget x Pack of 12

Food and Drink

The Important Part

So, the atmosphere is set. What about the food and the drink? Well, serve what you think will make people happy. It could be cookies and cake, or it might be a meal. If you serve a meal there are the options of a sit down dinner, snacks passed around, or a buffet. And the drink might be determined by the ages of those in attendance. Adult beverages might be nice to serve if the party is for adults, but if there are many children there you might go in another direction. One beverage that is popular in Brittan is tea, but that requires cups that you may not wish to use.

So, what is the right way to have a patriotic party. Eat and drink to have fun, and if you do use the Union Jack on party dishes, remember it is still a symbol that deserves respect. Do not toss used paper plates or other items on the ground. It is not a sign of patriotism if you disrespect the flag of the country you are claiming to honor with the celebration.

This article contains links to affiliate programs fand Adsense advertising. These must use cookies to allow for proper crediting. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Updated July 30, 2018

Comments

blackspanielgalleryAug 21, 2018

There is no current meaning of this in the United States. At the time of the American Revolution there was a meaning associated with a group who remained loyal to the king, but that is now confined to history books.

frankbeswickAug 21, 2018

In the American context what is meant by the term loyalist? Over here in the British Isles the term loyalist is used in Northern Ireland to denote the militant political arm of Protestantism. In the UK loyalists have political allies in the far right, who are becoming a problem.

DerdriuMarrinerAug 21, 2018

blackspanielgallery, Thank you for the suggestions and the product line. Is the equivalent on this side of the pond Loyalist celebrations?

frankbeswickJul 8, 2015

I have a strong sense of identity derived from the communities to which I belong. I see myself therefore as British and English. Take an example, if any member of my family had done wrong, I would not stop feeling for them and loving them, but I would acknowledge the wrong that they had done. Similarly with Britain. We have got up to major imperial misdemeanours over the years, but I still have a bond with the people and I will seek to further their interests and well being.

I think that the truth is that no nation is entirely free of guilt, but no nation is unreservedly guilty. As I said in my article on England and Scotland, there have been no goodies on either side. We have both been baddies, but there have been good things in the history of these nations as well, and we must not over-concentrate on the negatives.

VeronicaJul 8, 2015

A very interesting, practical post and I am glad that you celebrate your nationality. But respectfully, .... I don't. Ever.

I was born in England as were my parents and I feel nothing for England. I feel even less for Britain. I would never celebrate anything British.

I am thoroughly ashamed of the British Empire and what was done to subjugate nations all over the world in the name of "protection" and what was in actual fact, financial, religious, military and political domination and plundering. If Britain did today what they did then, they would be subject to a war crimes tribunal and have a UN order against them. I believe that nations have a right to govern themselves. The world went to war against Hitler when he marched into nations. The Brits got away with it. I would be happy if Britain were a republic with an elected president.

I feel nothing for the royal family. I would not leave the house to see them if they were walking by. In fact, I have never seen any of them. I have no wish to. I wish princess Charlotte well but I have no interest in her same as most Brits have not. She is merely another one of them for us to keep and pay for. As a historian, I know that the royals obtained the throne through murder, rape, torture, stealing and cruelty. The present monarch is descended from a German family who hated Britain so much when they inherited the throne that they refused to learn English. Prince Philip is a Greek prince so Prince Charles, the future monarch if we are unfortunate enough to still have a monarchy then, will be a half Greek, British king of German and Danish descent. Where does Britishness come in?

My views on Magna Carta are well known! It was never intended as a pathway for democracy ; it was a peace treaty between the King and the Church and Barons. If they had any inkling it would be thought of as democratic, they would have changed it instantly and in any case it was repealed and invalidated within 8 weeks by King John. Are we to celebrate something which for example, in one clause states that anyone who dies owing money to a Jew doesn't have to repay that debt because it is only to a Jew? Is that document worthy of a celebration? I would suggest not.

blackspanielgalleryJul 8, 2015

Thanks to each of you for the comments. To Frankbeswick, I once wrote a piece and commented on England, and got a reminder that there were other parts of the U. K. I believe there are some who think of themselves as part of a whole, and some who think of themselves as from only a part. You have explained this quite well. And, I have also heard the monarchy is in and is out of favor, depending on the person. I am learning about England from your articles, and I would recommend them to many others who want an opinion from the source, a person actually there. Thanks again.

frankbeswickJul 8, 2015

In recent years there has been an upsurge of more local identities. While the British still display Union Jack symbols on occasion, the national flags of the four nations tend to be on display. England's flag is the cross of St George, which we wave at international football matches. The anthem God Save the Queen is often now played only at national occasions, or when the British team is playing, but there is a tendency to play the anthems for the four nations. England has no official anthem, but many people like to play Jerusalem at England international matches. "And did those feet in ancient time, walk upon England's mountains green."

Even the southern county of Cornwall now has its own flag in recognition that the Cornish, while in England, do not see themselves as really English. They were a Celtic kingdom absorbed into England in the tenth century.

The issue is whether local patriotism to the four nations will supplant patriotism to the wider UK of which they are a part. I see myself as equally British and English, but also in my identity is an awareness that I have strong roots in Ireland. But I worry that my sense of being equally English and British makes me part of a dying breed. My second son sees himself as primarily English and has only a limited sense of a British identity. My eldest son feels the same as I do.

I must say that I have a strong feeling for each of the four nations that make up the British Isles, but I wonder how representative I am.

The role of the monarch in national patriotism is contentious. Some regard her as a patriotic symbol, but there are people who are anti-monarchy in this country, though republican sympathies are muted and generally not really hostile.

CruiseReadyJul 8, 2015

What fun patriotic items for our friends in the UK. I especially like the hat! On one of our recent cruises, I chatted with a lady Brit who said their family much admired the patriotism of Americans. Sadly, it is on the wane in certain segments of our society. Not all, thankfully!

A Special Occasion

The Signing of the Magna Carta