Trying to create one-of-a-kind birthday parties for your kids can prove taxing on both the budget and the brain. Yet great party decor transforms spaces into celebratory wonderlands. For under $40.00, here are some tips to make completely customized party decorations in any theme, that won’t break the bank.
Deciding on your party theme well in advance is important because it will help direct what you purchase. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time so that you can take advantage of sale prices and coupons. It will also give you plenty of time for crafting! Once you have your theme, head to the craft store!
Shopping List: (all items in coordinating theme or complimentary colors)
- 12-16 pieces of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper; if you buy smaller pieces, buy a few extra.
- (1) Skein of yarn
- Two yards of fabric. It can be any type of fabric, but I chose flannel that was $2.99/yard.
- One package of “puff” balls or stickers
- One roll of thin ribbon
- Plates and napkins
The only other supplies you will need are scissors or pinking shears, a hole punch and a glue gun.
Start by cutting 6 x 6 inch squares out of scrapbook paper, cutting as close to the side of the paper as possible so that you can use the leftover paper. If your paper is not double-sided, glue a coordinating paper to the back. You can find templates for making pinwheels on Pinterest or online, and be sure to follow the cutting and folding directions perfectly. Create your pinwheels and glue a sticker or puff ball in the center to cover the glue. You can use these in a number of ways including stringing them on the yarn as a garland, putting them on sticks (they will not spin) or using them in other creative ways.
Next, cut the remaining paper into triangles to be used for a bunting, keeping in mind that you will still have extra paper left. After cutting the triangles, punch two holes about an inch apart at the straight line of the triangle and run yarn through, spacing them out as desired. Write letters on each triangle or use stickers to create a message if you like. You can also use the triangles to create decorative stars for the walls or on the table tops.
With the remaining paper, use a hole punch or scissors to cut out confetti. I prefer cutting slightly larger, square-shaped confetti because it is more impactful and is easier to clean up.
After that, cut your fabric into approximately 10 x 14 rectangles to create placemats. Use pinking shears if you want a decorative edge, regular scissors work fine as well. Patterned fabric will not only be more festive, but will hide spills. Cut leftover fabric into strips and tie them onto yarn to create yet another garland.
These instructions can be used for any party theme or color, so let your imagination run wild. Some possible theme suggestions include cowboy, superhero, Disney, princess, animal print and unicorns. The great thing is that all of this decor can be scooped up and discarded quickly with very little effort. Or it can be used as background images if you scrapbook the occasion. All of this can be done in under two hours, and under $40.00 but will create a whimsical, festive, CUSTOM decor that your kids will love!
Side note: Here is the template for pinwheels:
