Do It Yourself Birthday Decorations

You don't have to be a professional party planner to create great birthday decorations. There are an assortment of birthday decorations you can make using everyday supplies and materials that can be found around your house. The first thing you'll want to do is establish a theme or color scheme so the decorations you make enhance the party. Everything from the decorations to invitations, party goods and favors, goodie bags and table pieces should correlate with the theme.

Purchase balloons and streamers to match your theme or color choice. You can alternate the streamers (by twisting the colored strands) and hang them throughout the room, doorways, curtains, windows and arches. The balloons can be inflated and hung alongside the streamers. You can also write a message on the balloons and string them together as a banner, tie them to chairs or create a balloon chandelier. Balloons and streamers are generally inexpensive and create a festive atmosphere.

Create your own posters and birthday signs using markers, glitter and glue, or print some from your computer. Most computers have programs with clip art that allow you to make various signs and banners. If you have a picture of the birthday honoree, you can enlarge it to use as a decoration or mount it to a poster board and have every guest sign it when they arrive. Cutting out pictures from magazines is another idea you can use to create a birthday collage.

Dress up the birthday table so it has a celebratory appearance. The tabletop can be simple or intricate, depending on your goal and the amount of time you have. The tablecloth, plates, napkins and utensils should match your color or theme. The place settings can be dressed up with name cards. Candles and flowers make for great table arrangements and can also serve as a keepsake for the guests. Other things such as candies can be wrapped in a bag with a ribbon to adorn the table and settings. Photos can also be a creative way to decorate the table. You can use pictures of the birthday guest of honor and the guests to make an additional decoration and keepsake. Use frames or stock paper and attach each person's photo (this can serve in lieu of the name tags). You can even add a funny quote or silly stickers.

Set up an activity or craft for the partygoers that can double as a keepsake (creating pins, shirts, birthday hats and beaded bracelets are some ideas). If you're a good baker, you can make birthday cookies for everyone to take home. There are many options when it comes to do-it-yourself party favors and goodie bags. Depending on the age of your guests, you can purchase individually wrapped sweets and goodies from a discount or party supply store. You can use regular little brown bags or create your own by cutting old fabric or sheets and adding tassels.

Ensure that the party's decorations are appropriate for the guests (in terms of their age and possible hazards they may pose). You can find a number of websites devoted to do-it yourself decorations, including invitations, balloon designs, party favors, place cards and party hat templates.