How to Make Party Decorations From Household Materials

Use tea lights to create glowing, handmade decor pieces.

A crafty way to make party decorations is by recycling household materials, such as plastic soda bottles. Not only will the celebration decor look creative, it'll be good for your pocketbook and the environment as well. If you're planning a birthday or holiday party on a tight budget, look to your recycling bin for creative inspiration. You can incorporate other household items into the project to create festive, one-of-a-kind lighting decor. The handmade luminaries can enhance everything from walkways to party tables.

Things You'll Need

• Clear plastic 2-liter soda bottle
• Adhesive remover (optional)
• Soap
• Paper towel or cloth
• Sharp knife
• Contact paper
• Scissors
• Acrylic spray paint
• Sand
• 2 small LED lights or tea lights

Instructions

1. Peel the label off of an empty, clear plastic 2-liter plastic soda bottle. Remove any sticky label residue by dipping a paper towel into an adhesive remover and applying it to the bottle.

2. Wash the bottle with warm, soapy water. Allow the bottle to air dry, or dry it with a paper towel or cloth.

3. Remove the top portion of the soda bottle by cutting it off with a sharp knife. Cut a four-inch circle into the back, bottom portion of the bottle.

4. Cut designs, such as flowers, stars or hearts, out of clear contact paper and attach to the plastic bottle in the desired locations. Spray the plastic bottle, designs and all, with spray paint. Choose a color that coordinates with the party theme, such as red for a Fourth of July or Valentine's Day celebration. Allow the paint to thoroughly dry.

5. Fill the bottom of the bottle with sand to help weight it down and to provide support for the lights.

6. Peel the contact paper designs off of the bottle to reveal clear plastic underneath. Nestle two small LED lights or tea lights into the sand to complete the luminary; the light will glow through the designs on the bottle.