For me, decorating a party is almost as much fun as the actual party itself. I know some find it daunting, but my approach is that most parties really only need a streamer and a balloon, so anything else is a bonus.
So that’s the pressure switch turned off.
After that, I try to think freely and come up with something fresh and fun to design and make. It’s a way to express myself and try something different. Whatever you do, do something. I think it’s a lot easier to have a fabulous time when the scene is set right. To set that scene, remember to think three dimensionally – celing, walls and floor. For the purposes of this post, I’m focusing on the ‘up’.
To get you started, here are links to some easy-to-follow tutorials for the basics.
Enjoy!
A favourite… we’re all a bit over them really, but the kids just love them and they are just so party. Don’t forget our old friend: the wool pom pom.
Pinwheels are fun as wands and can have a lot of decorating impact strung as a garland or emassed in a vase.
Leah says
What pretty, pretty party things! Might have to try a mobile myself 🙂
Jen R says
Im giddy looking at all that loveliness. Teenage Boy has to do an assignment on planning an entire go to whoa party for 20 x 8yr old for Home Science…soooo showing him this post…He has choosen to go a spiderman theme…he has to design and bake and ice the cake too. Full on assignment for Yr 10! 🙂
MamaJots says
i love reading all of your posts bron, but this one has me particularly excited. thanks so much for the beautiful links. i am definitely trying my hand at some. xo.
Squiggly Rainbow says
Master S and Miss G’s birthday’s are 3 days apart, the Mr DCT and Master J are 2 days apart…. I am worn out from parties! But in my hey-dey (all of 3 years ago) I did so much love the frollicking that goes with making a party come alive! xx
jody says
Great post Bron. I personally like to make my own things rather than buy. I love the multi colour pom poms in the first photo. Lyla’s birthday is coming up and I am in the middle of planning. exciting. xx
Amanda says
What a great collection of images and ideas. I love a pretty garland. How great is that hungry caterpiller!!
Mum on the Run says
How cute are those balloons??
Love the inspiration here.
🙂
Rhonda says
I am going to try some of these for my upcoming birthday brunch! Thanks for all the great ideas.
Kim H says
Loveed, loved, loved that post, Bron. Gorgeousness everywhere! I’m so not over those pom poms – they are dateless. Love them in those multicolours. Girls parties are so much easier to make look lovely than boys, don’t you think? Here’s my challenge to you: I’d love you to do a post on making a 12 year old boys party look lovely but also cool. Can you do it, Bron? x
Lisa @ HomeWorkMum says
What lovely visions! Just may prompt me to do the handmade party this year. Thanks Bron x
nikkijoy says
These are all such great ideas!! (I particularly love the very hungry caterpillar). The hanging bottles look so beautiful. I may just have to see if there’s space for some of these at my wedding this year =) x
Anna @ green tea n toast says
What a lovely collection of images you’ve found there. My kids birthdays aren’t for another few months, so plenty of time to get planning.
Kelly Exeter says
In my head, I am totally going to do something cool from the above for my next party. In reality I know I don’t have the patience for it all. Oh patience, where art though?!
Kelly @ Polkadot Lane says
Thanks for all the link ups. I’m a huge fan of decorations – thinking them up, making them, hanging them…I think I might actually enjoy all those things more than the party (sshhh ;-P..does that make me a party pooper?) xx
Nat - Muddy Farmwife says
I love them all. I’d love to make them all, but I know it isn’t going to happen! I think I’ll just enjoying looking and dreaming.
Madam Bongani says
Oh man….where to start! Some people are just too creative for their own good!! 🙂 Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing…..now I have no excuse for a ‘dull’ party!!
Deb @ home life simplified says
“Party Crafty” is just about my only crafty side. We are working on our first homemade pinata this weekend (party is on the 19th) – i have avoided them until now, but miss almost 7 is dead set on one!
shannolafoodlova says
so many cute ideas! Love!
Emily says
I love looking at them all, but know that my attempts would be a horrible, messy disaster! Thanks for the inspiration, regardless.
Emily says
I love looking at them all, but know that my attempts would be a horrible, messy disaster! Thanks for the inspiration, regardless.
Lisa H says
Oh my wah! Do people actually go to that much effort for party decorations. Gosh… I must be a terrible mother! Lucky no more parties in my house, except for my baby son’s 21st in a few months!
I LOVE those umbrellas… wonder if he’ll go for it… 😉
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
seriously – all those pretty decorations just make me want to have a party for no damn reason!!! I’m like you – the decorating is soooooo much fun. i love the upside umbrella – i haven’t seen that one before x
Michelle says
I love love love those poms my heart actually started to beat faster when I read this post!
I love to decorate for dinner parties, thats my favourite part – the cooking makes me stress out though! Bit of a catch 22!!
Bean's Mummy says
Oh damn you Maxabella! I was going to have an early night…not any more, too inspired, gonna go play with papery goodness now! 🙂
Karen at MomAgain@40 says
Stunning!!!
You actually make me want to try something… 😉
Tony Vacation Rental News says
Oh my! You did this by yourself! I wish I was as handy as you! But i will give it a try!
Vanessa says
Very timely indeed! Busy planning Luca’s 4th birthday here and funnily enough, I’m making pom poms (orange ones no less) and those exact rainbow mobiles! Even more funny is that while I’m comfortable making the decs, I’m slightly nervous about keeping everyone entertained, so am sitting here eagerly awaiting your Games post!
Wanderlust says
Will you come decorate for my next party? Please?
Veggie Mama says
Excellent for VB’s first birthday next month. you’re the best xx
Jenny says
So many lovely things! Lovely things that I don’t think I could ever be successful making.
I think for my son’s fourth birthday party at the end of this year I will aim for the string pull pinata. Anything more than that will be a bonus!
katepickle says
ooooh bunting….
We did the sewn strips of paper as bunting for a rainbow party, was so easy and looked ace!
Kymmie says
So many pretty things here! But all too girly for my boy boys! I have a big party in May, and am collecting ideas.
I wonder if I could some of them for the lads?
Love this party inspiration! You are quite the party planning lover!
xx