Help with Easy Party Decorations

[kaw1218]

I was just asked to host my cousin's 17th birthday party. It will be a surprise party.
It will be mostly family, so not many teens.
I don't want to just hang a few balloons....I want to make the kitchen/dining area look festive...but since it's so close to Christmas, I really need to watch the budget.

Anyone have any ideas? Creative is always welcome.....

oh....and I only have a week to pull this off.

Thanks!!!

 

[Tazicket]

Is your cousin a guy or a girl?

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I am the queen of cheap party planning. Here are some tips:

* Never underestimate the power of crepe paper. Get at least 3 colors.
* Go to a dollar store and see what they have for decorations. You might be pleasantly surprised.
* Hit up the Christmas clearance aisle. Pick up a few strings of lights at a discount, and string them all over the room you're planning the party in. It's amazing what some twinkling lights can do for a room.
* Let the gifts be your centerpiece. Pile them smack in the middle of the table. Curl some lengths of ribbon ahead of time and lay them all around the gifts.
* Light candles.
* Buy a cheap, colorful paper tablecloth and throw a couple of markers on the table. Let everyone write Happy Birthday greetings on it.

You can probably do all of the above for around $10. Use what's in your house, and use dollar stores as a resource. Your cousin will be so pleased with the surprise party, and the decorations will be not as important as you think!

 

[kaw1218]

Is your cousin a guy or a girl?

I'm sorry...I guess that helps.... {notice the tags}

girl...and I found out she likes Tinkerbelle...so that will help.

 

[kaw1218]

I am the queen of cheap party planning. Here are some tips:

* Never underestimate the power of crepe paper. Get at least 3 colors.
* Go to a dollar store and see what they have for decorations. You might be pleasantly surprised.
* Hit up the Christmas clearance aisle. Pick up a few strings of lights at a discount, and string them all over the room you're planning the party in. It's amazing what some twinkling lights can do for a room.
* Let the gifts be your centerpiece. Pile them smack in the middle of the table. Curl some lengths of ribbon ahead of time and lay them all around the gifts.
* Light candles.
* Buy a cheap, colorful paper tablecloth and throw a couple of markers on the table. Let everyone write Happy Birthday greetings on it.

You can probably do all of the above for around $10. Use what's in your house, and use dollar stores as a resource. Your cousin will be so pleased with the surprise party, and the decorations will be not as important as you think!

I know...I am the obsessive one about that... but thanks for the great ideas...I will have to check Walmart, and see if they have any lights left.... I love the table cloth idea!! now...hopefully the dollar store is open today, I can't wait to get started.