Work With a Committee
Step1
Create a decorating committee to support you plan and purchase appropriate homecoming decorations. This will take a lot of pressure off you and will allow other students the chance to get involved in homecoming.
Step2
Delegate the homecoming tasks among the members of your committee. You'll need to make sure you split tasks equally to avoid appearing partial to specific members. You should also make sure each member knows exactly when she is required to have her tasks completed.
Step3
Devise a budget before you begin shopping. This will help keep you on track and may eliminate the temptation to purchase overpriced, extravagant items.
Know Your Theme
Step1
Decide on a specific theme for your homecoming. You can go with a traditional theme, such as "Starlight Splendor" or "Island Paradise," or you can opt for a totally new theme centered around Mardi Gras, popular films or even old Hollywood glamor.
Step2
Brainstorm creative ways to develop your chosen theme's looks and ambiance. Using colored pencils and butcher paper may help get your creative juices flowing and can provide you with a good model of your ideas to show party supply stores.
Step3
Remember that you will very likely have a big venue and a lot of party-goers. It may be a good idea to select many cheap decorations and supplies rather than a few costly ones that will very likely be overlooked.
Buy Supplies
Step1
Head to your local party store or a trusted online retailer. If the previous year's homecoming decorating committee has any suggestions for a good store, it may save you time. If not, you'll most likely find the basics, such as balloons, glitter and streamers, anywhere you go.
Step2
Go to vintage shops and dollar stores to stock up on supplies. A vintage store is likely to have one-of-a-kind centerpieces you can reuse, while a dollar store will have incredibly inexpensive trinkets you can use to decorate walls and tables.
Make Supplies From Scratch
Step1
Consider whether you have enough time, money and helpers to make your own supplies. While homemade supplies can be rewarding, special and visually interesting, they can also be time-consuming, difficult to make and expensive.
Step2
Select books like "Celebration Solutions: 101 Themes and Decorating Ideas for Reunions, Parties, Fund-Raisers, Holiday Celebrations, Anniversaries and Every Other Get-Together" by Dina C. Carson (see Resources below) to help you make your supplies. Learn valuable tips about rummaging up and creating your own decorations without breaking the bank.
