Make your own fireworks this Fourth of July. (Martha Stewart Living, July 2010)

Close your eyes, picture the Fourth of July, and you’ll probably see fireworks going off. But what happens when fireworks are not part of the celebration? Kerrie Kelly Design Lab has come up with some dazzlingly fun decorations and party activities that can take their place.

Although the sale of fireworks is becoming more widespread overall, some areas remain “fireworks-free” zones. In drought-prone states with a significant fire risk, such as California, many counties ban consumer fireworks outright while others forbid fireworks due to public safety concerns.

Sometimes, the only cherry bomb should be on your party’s music playlist, for which we choose Spotify, however, here are five ideas for a different kind of glittering display.

Create colorful starbursts. Pops of color and glimmering decorations can compensate for a dark sky. Think big, with oversized paper lanterns, paper garlands, and streamers. Dust off the holiday white lights and repurpose them in firework-like sprays. For a retro look, root around on Etsy for vintage bunting and banners.

Dress your table. If it can’t rain sparks, let it rain color! Choose a red, white, or blue centerpiece of flowers or lanterns. Maintaining one color gives it that visual impact. Alternatively, make signature holiday beverage and dress each with a red-white-and blue umbrella or straw.

Images: table setting (Carolyne Roehm), cupcakes (Edmonton), Patriotic napkins (Martha Stewart), Flower Centerpiece (Womans Day),  Red lanterns (Frolic!), Paper garland (Martha Stewart), Drinks (Martha Stewart), Patriotic Pops (Bakerella)

Spray glowing graffiti. If your party is for the 12-and-up crowd, tap their inner taggers with a Glow Graffiti kit. The kit includes a UV-reactive sheet and what looks like a spray can. Push the can’s nozzle and you’ll spray UV light, which glows for about 30 seconds before fading away. For now, the kit is best found online but it will soon be sold at Target.

Make your dessert sparkle. Glittering dessert toppers will brighten up your table. Tops Malibu makes miniature sparklers safe for putting into cakes or pies; up the ante by choosing the sparklers shaped like stars or the number 4. Martha Stewart’s holiday collection for Macy’s (in stores only, not online) includes red-and-blue tinsel sprigs for cupcake toppers. Or get crafty with mini paper pinwheels, either your own or the handiwork of an Etsy artisan.

However you celebrate America this year, make it your own and enjoy your family and friends!