Instructions

1. Watch the video. Follow along with the video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough of how to make your own patriotic mini centerpiece.
2. Remove the Hanging Hardware. Start by taking apart the Dollar Tree patriotic pickup truck decor. Remove the metal banner hanging underneath the truck by bending open the metal hooks. Cut away the twine hanger so you're left with just the decorative truck cutout. Don't throw away the banner—we'll use it later!
3. Create Feet for the Wood Crate. Place the mini wood crate behind the truck to check sizing. The truck should cover most or all of the front panel. Because the truck's wheels stick out, the crate needs a little lift to sit properly. Glue two wood cubes together to create a set. Repeat to make a second set. Turn the crate upside down and glue one set of cubes to each back corner of the crate's base. Allow the glue to dry completely.
4. Attach the Truck to the Crate. Apply wood glue and hot glue to the front panel of the crate. The wood glue provides a strong permanent bond while the hot glue holds everything in place immediately. Press the truck cutout onto the front of the crate and hold until secure. Once attached, the crate should stand upright nicely on its new wooden feet.
5. Add Floral Foam. Cut a piece of floral foam to fit inside the wood crate. Secure it with hot glue so it stays in place while arranging your florals.
6. Create the Floral Arrangement. Trim your faux florals and greenery into shorter pieces using wire cutters. Since the crate is small, you'll want the arrangement to stay fairly compact. Think of the flowers as overflowing from the pickup truck bed rather than towering above it. Insert the stems into the floral foam until you're happy with the arrangement. I chose a softer color palette of blues, whites, and greenery, but traditional red, white, and blue would look beautiful too.
7. Repurpose the Original Banner. Remove any remaining metal hardware from the "God Bless America" banner that originally hung beneath the truck. Insert two bamboo skewers into the floral foam near the back of the arrangement. Angle them slightly outward to create supports for the banner. Trim the skewers to the desired height.
8. Attach the Banner. Position the banner across the tops of the skewers. Use hot glue to secure the banner to each skewer. Add glue to both sides of the skewer where it meets the banner for extra stability. Allow the glue to cool completely before moving the centerpiece.