How to Make Decorations for a Birthday Party from Scratch

Buying party decorations quickly can get expensive. Making your own may take a bit longer, but you'll end up with distinctive birthday party decorations. The age of the party-goers and the theme of the party play a large role in deciding exactly how the decorations will look, but they're basic construction remains the same. Don't just decorate one area of the room. Start at the ceiling and work your way down to create a fun party room.

Things You'll Need

• Butcher paper
• Pencil
• Paints
• Paintbrushes
• Markers
• Glue
• Glitter
• Light strands
• Detachable wall hooks
• Streamers
• Tape
• Cornstarch
• Food coloring

Instructions

Homemade Happy Birthday Banner

1. Cut the butcher's paper to the size you want. The banner can take up an entire wall or be only a few feet long. Lay the paper out on a covered surface (prevents paint from getting onto your floor or table).

2. Draw the banner's designs. Write "Happy Birthday" in large letters; then draw other designs that fit the party's theme. For a pirate-themed party, draw a pirate ship, treasure chest and Jolly Roger flag. Fairy princess parties need a castle, fairies and other princess-related pictures. Don't worry if you aren't the best artist. The banner doesn't need to be absolutely perfect.

3. Color the banner. Use paint and markers to ensure the colors are bold. Highlight certain sections by gluing glitter to the butcher's paper. Be as creative as possible when decorating the banner and add whatever materials you think will work.

Homemade Party Lights

1. Get out your Christmas lights. You can use plain white lights or rainbow-colored ones. Go to the dollar store and buy several packages of self-adhesive wall hooks, the kind that can be removed just as easily are best.

2. Stick the hooks to the wall at random points near the ceiling. Starting with one directly above an electrical socket, place the hooks at random intervals on all four walls.

3. Plug the lights in. Draw the strand up to the first hook directly above the socket then drape it around the room. Crisscross the room from wall to wall, so the lights hang from one side of the room to the other. Attach another strand of lights when your first one runs out.

Homemade Door Decorations

1. Choose multiple colors of streamers that match the birthday party's theme. Select at least two or three different colors.

2. Cut the streamers to various lengths. So that they hang down far enough, each streamer should be between 3 and 5 feet long. Make sure that you have enough to fill the width of the doorway.

3. Tape the streamers up so they hang down into the doorway. Place them side by side with differing lengths adjacent to each other.

Homemade Outdoor Decorations

1. Mix a quarter-cup of cornstarch with a quarter cup of cold water. Stir them together and add a few drops of food coloring to stain it the color you want.

2. Paint your sidewalk, walkway or patio. Make sure it fully dries before anyone walks on it.

3. Remove the paint after the party by spraying it with water.

References

• Easy-party-ideas-and-games.com: Homemade Party Decorations