Cute centerpeices, decor Swim team.

[pocomom]

Any ideas for cute centerpieces and decor for a swim team banquet/fundraiser. I'm just about maxed out on my $ contributions to the event. Only good idea I 've had so far was to have my kids make the flags out of paper in team colors for the entrance of the hall as everyone walks in. The team is the river otters - so alot of the normal cute ideas for sharks/fish etc don't work, and it is very much winter here so a beachy theme doesn't really fly either... Balloons when you factor in hellium aand in enough quanity to make an impact, aren't really cheap- So I was thinking a few paper latterns maybe again in team colors,(at least reusable too) which are purple and silver, maybe white christmas lights which I would already have... at a loss for the centerpieces. Checked pinterest and searched the web already.
It is in a formal setting and the tableclothes will be silver, big room, big round tables, dj and it is pretty dark in there.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

I don't remember what talk show it was, maybe Rachel Ray, but they made centerpieces with vases and christmas tree lights. It was really pretty. I think they had some branches in there as well. You could always make the branches silver to match the theme.

 

[LovesTimone]

If the table clothes are sliver, what about using some metalic blue door hangers, the kind that you walk through, lay them down the middle of the table for the river, add in taking a picture of the river otter, there are lots of pictures on line, and making table tent's down the middle of the metalic river, you could print on a color printer, I suggest using a heavier paper or photo paper it will give it a nice finish, so that they will stand up or going to some where like walmart to print. Or use pictures of the girls swimming in competions, or practice, after all they are the river otters, If you frame them you could auction them off at the end of the night or ask for a donation for them.

Hope this helps out.

 

[bmraar]

I'm unclear on whether you are looking for the decor to be cute/fun, elegant, or school spirited. Metallic shreds in purple or silver are cheap, and make a pretty, sparkly impact. You may be able to find them at the dollar store or Five Below for $1-2. They could be used in or around white Christmas lights. They could fill vases. Ask the venue if they have any centerpieces you can use, or at least vases or mirror tiles to use as the basis. Water in fish bowls could be died purple using food coloring, and float candles in them. I wouldn't necessarily throw out the beachy idea just because it's winter-- that may make it all the more fun that it is out of season! I did a "Paint the Town Red" party once with empty silver paint cans from the hardware store, filled with red metallic shreds, and then dipped the end of new paintbrushes in glue then in red glitter. You could easily do this using purple instead of red. Helium balloons can get expensive in large quantities, but if you rent the helium tank the price goes way down, assuming you can get the kids to help fill them the day of the party. I've used groups of helium balloons, clipped close together toward the necks of the balloons, to create a "topiary" effect. Does the team have any old kickboards, goggles, swim caps, that could be used within centerpieces? That could be fun.

Good luck!
Kim

 

[MSSANDRA]

What about a mis-macthed collection of large glass containers...easy to find people that would love to donate a few of these, and add a drop of blue food coloring and a real gold fish. These center pieces can be door prices and go home afterwards. We were at a banquet once and this is what they did and the kids LOVED it. Watched the fish during dinner then had a chance to take one home. If the team is small enough, do one for each kid. Gold Fish are super cheap.

 

[PrincessBodeen]

If you have some inexpensive wine glasses (or know people who would let you borrow some) there are templates online for making little shades out of paper or velum that are really cute when you put a little tea light in the glass. If you've got some time to play with it, maybe even get some plain white velum and print team pictures on it and make those into the shades, which would help personalize it a bit. Also, a hole punch (or an appropriate shape) and some sparkly scrapbook paper makes for cute themed confetti. Hobby lobby always has 40% off coupons and sales going that could help make stuff really affordable.

 

[Robbi]

Get Mason (canning jars 12 or 24/ case)- super inexpensive, add some glass vase filler (find at Wal Mart or a hobby store) and a tea light. You can usually get 1 doz tea lights in a box for a few dollars. If you don't like the screw thing at the top of the jar, wrap it with wire.
Just thought to add, if you can collect vases, add water and float candles- although these candles can get pricey but with coupons, they'd be cheaper. Michaels allows other store's coupons.

 

[dunningdisney]

You could use glass vases from dollar tree and fill with sand or if you want it to be it to edible, graham cracker crumbs. I did an ice cream cake once, saw it in family fun magazine, beach theme. Used teddy graham bears, fruit stripe gum for beach towels, life saver gummies for life rafts, paper drink umbrellas for beach umbrellas.