Party Décor on a Budget: 12 Beautiful DIY Paper Decorations

Baker, photographer, writer, crafter, not an expert, just a hobbyist, but I love the things I do, and hopefully, it shows.

Low-Cost Homemade Decorations

Everybody loves a party. But between feeding and entertaining your guests, things can get expensive. The first thing to get cut from a party budget is usually the decorations. Luckily for you, I've compiled the following pictures, links, and how-tos, so you don't have sacrifice style to save your wallet.

Each project is fairly easy and costs next to nothing. You may even have some of the materials you need right in your home. While you don't have to be super crafty, these will take some hands-on time in the craft room (or kitchen table, in my case). But your time spent will be well worth it when you step back and see your beautiful handmade decorations hanging up at your party. If you have some little hands in your home, this is the perfect time to recruit their help. Have fun!

12 DIY Party Decorations You Can Make With Paper

1. Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers
2. Rainbow Mobiles
3. Streamer Chandeliers
4. Crepe Tablecloth and Candle Holders
5. Circle Garlands
6. Paper Chains
7. Crepe Paper Rose Balls
8. Crepe Paper Backdrop or Canopy
9. Wrapping Paper Table Runner
10. Zig-Zag Streamers
11. Giant Floral Pom-Poms
12. Tissue Paper Garland

Birthdays, holidays, or "everydays"—these quick, do-it-yourself decorations are perfect for any party on a budget.

1. Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers

Sew two different colors of crepe paper streamers together to make these wonderfully ruffly rainbow streamers. The best part? They are reusable!

Supplies

• Two different colors of crepe paper streams
• Thread

Directions

1. Cut the same length of crepe paper from each color.
2. Line them up one on top of the other.
3. Sew them together down the center, either with needle and thread or with a sewing machine. If you are using a sewing machine, you can push the streamers up as you're sewing to create the bunched ruffles. If you are sewing with needle and thread, you can simply stitch the layers together, then push the streamers up as you hold the thread taught to create the ruffles. For this approach, the wider your stitches, the larger your ruffles.

2. Rainbow Mobiles

These rainbow mobiles are sure to make a statement. You can make your own with three simple steps.

Supplies

• Vellum paper of various colors, cut into short horizontal strips
• Sewing machine
• Fishing weight
• Artist tape

Directions

1. Sew strips of vellum paper together
2. Attach a fishing weight to the bottom end of the mobile to keep it from moving too much.
3. Hang it from the ceiling with artist tape.

3. Streamer Chandeliers

Don't you love these chandeliers? All these creative bursts of color require are:

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Supplies

• An inexpensive cross stitch hoop (I found some at my local craft store for $1.29)
• Crepe paper streamers in different colors

Directions

1. Cut the streamers varying lengths and insert each between the hoop's layers.
2. Tighten the hoop and hang.

4. Crepe Tablecloth and Candle Holders

Create a matching table cloth and candle holders!

Supplies

• White paper tablecloth (you can get these at the dollar store)
• Crepe paper streamers
• Double-sided tape
• Candleholders or jars

Directions

1. Cover your table with the tablecloth and use double-sided tape to attach streamers along the length of the table.
2. Wrap bands of the streamers around each of the candle holders. Secure it with double-sided tape.

5. Circle Garlands

These are fun and easily reusable!

Supplies

• Large circle punch or die cutter
• Scrapbook pages
• Sewing machine

Directions

1. Use a large circle punch to cut out circles from coordinating scrapbook pages.
2. Sew them together with a simple straight stitch.

6. Paper Chains

These paper chains create a beautiful backdrop for this dessert table. Never underestimate the simple beauty of a paper chain.

Supplies

• Strips of construction paper (or any other thick paper)
• Stapler

Directions

1. Staple a strip of paper to form a loop.
2. Thread the next strip of paper through the previous loop and staple it to form the next link in the chain. Repeat until the paper chain is the desired length.

7. Crepe Paper Rose Balls

Make small ones for table décor or large ones to hang from the ceiling—or cover a styrofoam wreath to hang on your door.

Supplies

• Styrofoam ball
• Hot glue
• Crepe paper streamers

Directions

1. To make the roses, roll strips of crepe paper. Twist one end of the roll to form the stem and glue it so that it cannot unravel. Then pull the layers of paper on the other end to open the petals of the rose.
2. Repeat until you have created enough roses to cover your styrofoam object.
3. Glue the roses onto your styrofoam object.

8. Crepe Paper Backdrop or Canopy

Another simple backdrop made by twisting crepe paper streamers. But who says they have to stay against the wall? Use them to make a canopy overhead, beautiful for an outdoor (or indoor) party.

Supplies

• Crepe paper streamers
• Tape

Directions

1. Tape the first end of the streamers where you want them to begin.
2. Twist them until you reach where you would like the streamers to end.
3. Secure the end of the streamer with tape.

9. Wrapping Paper Table Runner

A wrapping paper table runner is easy and cheap. It also comes in every color and design imaginable.

Supplies

• Wrapping paper
• Double-sided tape

Directions

1. Use double-sided tape to secure the runner along the length of the table.

10. Zig-Zag Streamers

How fun are these?

Supplies

• Sheets of colored paper
• Scissors

Directions

1. Orient the paper vertically.
2. Cut the paper from left to right one centimeter below the top. Leave two centimeters uncut before reaching the right edge.
3. Now do the same thing from right to left. Cut the paper one centimeter beneath your last cut, stopping two centimeters before reaching the left edge.
4. Continue alternating directions until the entire paper is used.

11. Giant Floral Pom-Poms

Supplies

• Tissue paper
• Floral wire
• Monofilament thread

Directions

1. Accordion-fold stacks of tissue paper to make these giant pom-poms.
2. Twist the floral wire around the center of the stack.
3. Cut the petals into the desired shapes.
4. Separate and fluff the petals.
5. Tie the pom-pom to the ceiling with the thread.

12. Tissue Paper Garland

Supplies

• Tissue paper
• Thread
• Scissors
• Tape

Directions

1. Cut the tissue paper into uniform rectangles twice the length you want the streamers to be.
2. Fold each rectangle in half lengthwise.
3. Cut fringe along the open end of the rectangle.
4. Place the thread on top of the uncut part of the rectangle. Fold the top of the tissue paper over the thread and tape it down.
5. Repeat with each rectangle of tissue paper.

Comments

Dulcie on November 02, 2017:

I really like these party decorations and

they are fun in making them

Shelia, Maryland on February 20, 2016:

I love these ideas, especially those on a budget. Thank you

Clare carter on August 08, 2015:

Hi what sized hoops did you use?

Stephanie Launiu from Hawai'i on May 30, 2015:

Thank you for such a beautifully colorful hub! I pinned it to my "Luau Theme Party Ideas" board on pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/hawaiianmania/luau-theme...

Aloha, Stephanie

The More With Less Mom on June 25, 2014:

Thanks for sharing! I linked to this post in my Glow Party series. http://www.morewithlessmom.com/index.php/2014/06/2...

Alice Fournier from Amsterdam on November 18, 2013:

Lovely ideas, well-explained and illustrated with beautiful pictures. Great hub!

ElleBee on November 17, 2013:

so beautiful! these came out lovely.

C E Clark from North Texas on November 17, 2013:

Love these ideas! Voted up and awesome! Sharing.

Mommiegee from Alabama on May 23, 2012:

Absolutely awesome ideas! Vote up!

Rebekah-Lynn (author) on May 04, 2012:

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all your kind comments :)

kkflowers on May 03, 2012:

Great ideas! I never thought of sewing paper decorations, but it looks really fantastic!

jellygator from USA on May 02, 2012:

Fabulous ideas! I'm not much of a socialite but these make me want to throw a party!

manojglobal from Kolkata on May 02, 2012:

very nice...

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ksinll on May 02, 2012:

These are awesome, I will definitely use some of these.

HawaiiHeart from Hawaii on May 02, 2012:

Such pretty, practical, and economical ideas! What a great way to add a lot of color. Thanks for sharing these great ideas!

Marie Hurt from New Orleans, LA on May 02, 2012:

Great ideas. We are doing a party at my nonprofit and this is useful information because we have a very small budget. Voted up and useful.

RTalloni on May 02, 2012:

What great fun these are! Though I am a paper craft lover, I wasn't so sure about the title, but these are delightful! Thanks for putting this together for us.

Pamela N Red from Oklahoma on May 02, 2012:

These are beautiful! I love this idea.