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!
Poms
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.
Image from: Peppertowne
Tutorial from: Polka Dot Bride
Pom pom vines tutorial: Rifle Design via Once Wed
Wool pom pom flowers tutorial: Ivey Handcrafted
Pinwheels
Pinwheels are fun as wands and can have a lot of decorating impact strung as a garland or emassed in a vase.
Pinwheel tutorial from: Project Weddings
Pleated pinwheel tutorial from: 508
Garlands
My favourite! Balloons strings are a great place to start a garland - just remember to keep things light! Anything you can hang on a piece of string makes a lovely decoration. Buttons, photos, strips of fabric, balloons, streamers...
Snowflake garland tutorial: Oh Happy Day
Paper garland tutorial: Hambly Screenprints
Flower garland tutorial: Oh Happy Day
Words garland tutorial: Creature Comforts
Fabric bunting garland: The Purl Bee
Wooden garland tutorial: A Subtle Revelry
Mobiles
Sort of like a vertical garland, really. If you make one for each party guest, you've got a take-home gift right there! You can buy embroidery hoops from Lincraft and the like which you can paint or cover it with ribbon, or just use plain (I like plain), then you can hang anything you like! Mobile making is also a fab party game.
Vellum mobile tutorial: Project Wedding
Hungry Caterpillar mobile tutorial: Pottery Barn Kids
Fabric mobile tutorial: Sew She Sews
Hot air balloon mobile: Brown Accents
Other hanging stuff
Bottles with little flowers, lanterns, old Christmas baubles, toys on string, kites, hula hoops, wrapped food... if it matches your theme, hang it. Pop a glow stick inside a balloon and hang that too.
Bottle vases image: Eat Drink Chic
Umbrella idea from: JL Designs
Lantern tutorial: You Had Me At Bonjour
Balloons
A party isn't a party without a balloon. Display a big, generous bunch or you can snazz up individual balloons rather nicely.
Animal balloon tutorial: Martha
Flower balloon tutorial: All Things Simple
Ice cream balloons: Craftzine
Pinatas
I was going to leave pinatas for the 'Games' post, but a pinata is as much decoration as it is fun. They are actually very easy to make if you stick with a basic shape and add some pizazz. This is a great activity to share with the kids.
Pom pinata tutorial: Celebrations at Home
Number pinata tutorial: Oh Happy Day
Pull-apart pinata tutorial (great for inside parties!): Ikat Bag
There is loads more party decorating inspiration on my Pinterest board - Party on Down: Decorate. You might even find some ideas that don't involve a ladder!
Are you party crafty?
Would you like to see a post on where you can buy stuff instead?
Next time: Games
[Main image: Pinterest - not sure of the source, sorry!]