How to Decorate for a 76th Birthday Party

A 76th birthday party is a very special occasion that calls for a celebration. Decorating the party location does not have to be difficult or expensive. Use a few simple touches and lots of imagination to make this day memorable for both the birthday star and guests.

Things You'll Need

• Balloons
• Markers
• Crepe paper
• Ribbon
• Photographs
• Corkboard
• Thumbtacks
• Printer paper or oaktag paper
• Magazines
• Flowers

Instructions

1. Blow up several balloons in different colors. Write "Happy 76th Birthday" on the inflated balloons using markers that won't smudge when touched. Attach the balloons to visible places, such as walls and doors.

2. Drape crepe paper over window sills. Form rosettes in the middle by gathering the crepe paper in a knot and tying it up with decorative ribbons. Secure in place with tape if necessary.

3. Create a collage of pictures on one wall. At least a week in advance of the party date, ask friends and relatives of the birthday person for photographs or copies of photographs related to the birthday person. The photographs can be of different sizes and shapes. Place a corkboard on one side of a wall and use thumbtacks to gently press the pictures on the board to form a collage. Cut out shapes from printer paper or oak tag paper to form the letters for "Happy Birthday." Place the letters at the top of the collage with thumbtacks. Drape flowing ribbons in a color that matches the colors of the pictures around the sides of the collage.

4. Find copies newspapers and magazines that date from the year the birthday person was born. Pull out one page from each that represent the times and have the paper laminated. Use this as placemats when decorating the table.

5. Cut out the numbers 6 and 7 from cardboard or oaktag paper. Draw a design on the numbers and glue it to a fabric. Then place the fabric on chairs with tape. Alternate the numbers so that two chairs make the number 76.

6. Arrange flowers in a decorative centerpiece on the table, selecting colors that the person being honored prefers. Surround the centerpiece with items suggestive of his hobbies such as toy cars or maps showing places where he has traveled.