In Sparta, this NJ realtor goes all out with her Fourth of July decorations

When Fourth of July comes around, some may choose to adorn their homes with a few extra American flags, add some patriotic colored lights or put up some festive signs. But for Elizabeth Morgan, decorating for the holiday comes way before the month of July even arrives.

Morgan, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, decks out the backyard of her Sparta home in red, white and blue at the start of every summer. The tradition began in 1998, when she purchased the home with her husband, John Morgan.

"We've collected things little by little over the years, but I like it because I'm one of those very patriotic kind of people," she said. "We've collected chairs, things that we've found at garage sales or that people were getting rid of. It's just a way for us to say that this is a wonderful place to live, especially in today's environment."

In addition to classic decor like American flags and festive bunting, a tablecloth covered in stars and red, white and blue planters, Morgan said she's spent a lot of time searching for and customizing the items she incorporates into her backyard.

This includes collecting antique items and early American memorabilia, like pitchforks and milk pans; repurposing things like damaged screen doors; and looking out for items that another person might throw away.

"We were in Cape Cod one summer, and we found our red, white and blue lighthouse. It was gigantic and we didn't know how we were going to get it back, but luckily it fit in the backseat," Morgan said. "It was the same thing with our life preserver, which we found because someone was getting rid of it. So it's a little bit of everything, and it's all very personal to us."

As a realtor for 48 years, Morgan said she always gives her clients an American flag as a closing gift. As an ode to that, she said she also has a collection of bird houses in her backyard, all with their own American flags and mini "for sale" signs.

But one of her favorite parts, Morgan said, is a red, white and blue star that connects all of the members of her family. Each of the star's five points point to the American flag, the New Jersey state flag, the New York state flag, the Tennessee state flag and the flag of Germany — signifying each of the places that them and their three kids live.

"When you look at that star and you see all of those little flags, they each represent where we are in the world or the country, and yet we're all Americans with the American flag at the top of the star," she said. "So it has a little story that goes along with it, and I'm very proud of that."

In the end, Morgan said she takes pride in her patriotic decorations. And while some will have to get stored away at the end of the summer for safe keeping, she said she has more inside her home to get her through to the next season.

"I thoroughly enjoy sitting in my backyard, and I have to say that in the evening, it's even more beautiful because I have spotlights going up into my trees, and it almost looks like a resort," Morgan said. "It's really pretty, it makes us happy and my family loves it."

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.