FESTIVE DECORATIONS

One of my favorite elements of party planning is decorating.  It is so important to set the mood for your special event with just the right ambiance enhancers and props.  Your guests should feel like they are entering another world and escaping from life's everyday routine.  

Choosing your decorations and props is really quite simple when you are working with a theme.  The first place I usually start is at the library.  Get every book that you can find relating to your theme and thumb through them for ideas.  Then, in most instances, the materials can be used as props throughout the party site. If you want an "instant theme" with all of the decorations and favors included, go straight to one of these links: Over 38,000 Low-Priced Party Supplies and Save 50% and more at Oriental Trading Co.

For instance, the theme for one of my New Year's Eve parties was "Hollywood Nights" and it revolved around the earlier days of the silver screen, particularly the 1930's, '40's and '50's.  Color scheme:  black/white/gold.  I found mountains of books relating to Hollywood in general and many of the old movie stars.  The library also rendered numerous videos of the classic movies which I played on VCRs throughout the house  and displayed in various locations.  I also scattered the books in every room, including the bathroom.

One book contained glamorous, black and white head shots of stars taken decades ago.  I enlarged about thirty of them and used them not only as decor, posting them throughout the party area, but also to create a game.  Each photo was numbered and as guests arrived, they were given a sheet of paper with numbered lines 1-30.  During the party they attempted to guess the names of the stars and write them on their contest paper.  It was a great ice breaker and provided an activity that they could return to when not eating, conversing, dancing or playing Movie Charades (another game developed from the library materials).  Prizes were Betty Davis, Jimmy Stewart and Alfred Hitchcock videos.  This activity can be adapted to all types of themes.  If you can't figure out how to apply it to yours, contact me.

So, as you can see, you can get lots of mileage from items obtained from your local library.  And it's all FREE!

Thrift stores and dollar stores are other great resources for decorations, props and favors.

Fresh flowers not only add beauty to your setting, their fragrance will heighten the pleasure and awareness of any environment.  You don't need to spend a lot of money on arrangements from a professional florist.  Colorful bouquets can be purchased from many grocery stores, farmer's markets and street stands.  These can be casually arranged or floated in containers to go with your theme, or items you find around your house.  Try using an ice bucket, an empty wine bottle (or several), a gaily painted or colored glass serving bowl, a gleaming silver coffee carafe, wicker basket, Mexican sombrero, top hat,  glass decanter,  festive tea pot, terra cotta pots spray painted in your theme colors, shiny aluminum paint buckets, beer steins.....just about any type of vessel can serve as a container for floral displays from a single, long stemmed rose or lily to an armful of Autumn chrysanthemums.  And of course, you can always use those vases that have been accumulating under your kitchen sink. To have flowers delivered right to your door, visit or . 

Create a festive centerpiece by filling a decorative basket with gaily wrapped packages.  Place this on a low pedestal such as an inverted margarine tub covered with a fabric drape and accented with elegant ribbons and streamers.

Multiple centerpieces do not have to be identical.  Spray paint a variety of baskets or various containers the same color, and fill them with the same flowers and greenery.  The effect will be lovely.

Use cookbooks as decorative additions to your buffet table. Stand them up, with the covers in clear view, and arrange fruit, vegetables, bread, wine, or fancy cooking utensils around them.  Add colorful linens, flowers, plants, and/or interesting serving pieces.

What's a party without balloons?  Gather up a dozen or so and hang them from your chandelier over the table, with their colorful, curled ribbons hanging down and overflowing from the table to the floor.  Helium filled balloons can be tied to chair backs, napkin rings, door knobs, just about anything.  For children's parties, you can cut ribbons of various lengths, tie one end to a single, helium filled balloon and the other to a toy favor.  Place these all around the party room - the kids will love walking through a sea of balloons, then taking one home when they leave.  If you don't have access to a helium tank, hang your balloons from the ceiling. 

Speaking of the ceiling, be sure to use it in your decorating scheme to hang  cutouts or other items that compliment your theme....stars, fish, netting filled with balloons, two sided posters and signs, calendar pages, banners, streamers, ribbons, fabric, record albums and CD cases, beads...use your imagination to add another dimension to your party canvas.

Candles are unsurpassed for adding an element of romance and elegance to any occasion. Tall, tapered candles or pillars of varying heights look stunning when displayed in groupings.  Votives can be grouped in clusters on a tray among fresh flowers or fruit, or placed in individual holders, including tiny terra cotta pots, glassware, jelly jars, snifters, egg shells, carved out miniature pumpkins, coconuts, English tea cups...again, all it takes is a little imagination.  Floating candles and gerbera daisies or gardenias in a clear glass bowl create one of my favorite centerpieces.

Welcome your guests with luminaries lining your driveway and walkway.  Fill paper bags with a few inches of sand and set a lighted votive inside each one.  Cut out shapes from the bags relating to your theme.

If you're having an evening affair, wind tiny white light strands around tree trunks and through foliage, frame doorways and gazebos with them, or thread them around your buffet offerings.  Battery operated strands can be used to add a magical touch to each centerpiece at the guest tables.
For an elegant bridal or baby shower, tie tule (inexpensive and available in a vast assortment of colors) into bows around chair backs, pillow it in the center of a round table and add floral arrangements or candles, swag it across the front of a buffet table...it's quite versatile.

And don't forget confetti!  It can transform the plainest tables and serving areas into a dazzling display of merriment. Remember to check out Over 38,000 Low-Priced Party Supplies where you should be able to find everything you need to throw a fabulous party!