It's amazing how quickly a festive atmosphere develops when you decorate with balloons and streamers!
In addition to the tips shared below, we urge you to use your imagination and find ways to add more flair to your party room by using the unique design and architectural features of your home.
Hang balloons in bunches for the best effect. If you plan to fill balloons with helium, wait until the party day to ensure they float well. Attach balloons to light fixtures and hang them in doorways or anywhere that strikes your fancy. Use colorful ribbon to tie balloons together, and curl the ends by pulling the ribbon between your thumb and the blade of scissors.
Use balloons on your mailbox to mark the party spot; arrange them as a decoration at the door; or tie them to the birthday child's chair to mark the seat of honor. For an extra special touch, make a balloon arch by filling balloons with helium, attaching them (several inches apart) to a long piece of curling ribbon and anchor the ends to the floor beside the doorway.
Decorating with streamers is fun, and it's an easy way to add a flourish of color to your party room with just a few simple steps. Gather 6-8 streamers and attach them to your walls (mounting them in corners and on opposite-facing walls works well). Then, twist them and attach them to the ceiling in the center of the room.
If you have an overhead light fixture, attach your streamers to the fixture and add a small bouquet of balloons. If you don't have a light fixture, attach your streamers to the ceiling in the center of the room, tie a small bunch of balloons together and attach the balloons to the ceiling where your streamers meet.
To create colorful two-tone streamers, simply lay two different colors of streamers back-to-back and twist them as you walk toward the wall, a light fixture, or anywhere you think a good place to attach your streamers would be.
Table Decorations
Spread your table cover on the party table, but be sure to put a protective covering on first if you are concerned your table could become damaged by spilled beverages.
If your child has any toys or small items that complement the party theme, it's fun to add them to the table for a more festive display.
Cut several 12-inch pieces of curling ribbon and curl it by pulling it between your thumb and the blade of scissors. Lay the resulting curls along your table and in front of each guest\'s place setting. They will love the added touch and the extra attention you paid to make them feel special.
It is your choice whether to set the table completely before the party. Some parents choose to lay out only the napkins, forks and spoons, saving the plates and cups until the food is served. However, the overall visual effect is greater when all the party ware is on the table when guests arrive.
It's a good idea to create place cards so each child knows where to sit. This helps prevent hurt feelings when they discover that not everyone can sit next to the birthday child. Plus, your child wil put on the spot of deciding who gets to sit next to him or her; that can be decided before guests arrive. Party favors marked with the names of guests are a great substitute if you don't have time to make place cards.
Smile for the Camera!
Be sure to take lots of pictures to remember your special party.
It\'s not necessary to include everyone in each picture. Focus on small groups and avoid posing all the photos. Candids capture the laughter best!
If using regular film, remember to order double prints so you can send them to guests afterward. A popular idea is to take a photo of each guest with the birthday child, and later send that photo to parents along with a thank-you note. Party Supplies
