Tag Archives: birthday

Festive & Fun Table Decorating Ideas!

It is the time for parties   –  Graduations, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Weddings…  If you need an inexpensive and simple decoration for your tables, I have you covered!

Now go get your decorative paper because I have not one, not two, but three ideas for you!

First up – Paper Stars

The sky is the limit with this one!

Just toss the stars in the center of your table for a festive center piece or run them all along the table for a table runner.  So easy and so fun!

Paper Stars
Paper Stars

What do you need?
Craft Paper & Scissors

The stars shown here were crafted from card stock because I wanted a star that was a little heftier and hopefully wouldn’t blow away.  Card stock is more difficult to fold than paper, but it suited my needs perfectly!

For a tutorial on how to cut a star using a single cut, refer to this youtube video:  Simple 3D Paper Stars

As you will see in the video, cutting stars is very easy to do.  I did have to watch the video a couple of times, but after that  – I had it!

To create the look I wanted, I used various colors and sizes.

This would be a great decoration for Memorial Day or the 4th of July with stars made from red, white & blue paper!

Paper Stars
Paper Stars

Next up – Extra-large Confetti

This is one of my favorite table decorations!  Last year,  I suggested using this for a cross-country banquet with great success.  I gathered a group of volunteers at my home, served them wine and snacks and we punched and punched and punched….

All that punching resulted in easily decorated tables that looked adorable and lots of fun for me chatting, punching and drinking wine with the ladies!

What do you need?
Cardstock
Circle punches
(I used 1″, 2″ & 3″ punches!)

Extra-large Confetti
Extra-large Confetti

After gathering your confetti, arrange them on your table.

You can choose to separate the circles like below.

Extra-large Confetti
Extra-large Confetti

Or toss the confetti on the tables and let them fall where they may!
Either way creates an adorable table decoration!

Extra Large Confetti
Extra Large Confetti

 

Last paper table decoration for today!

Paper Table Runners!

Wrapping Paper Table Runner
Wrapping Paper Table Runner

To make these fabulous table runners, I used wrapping paper!

Traditionally, table runners are 12-16 inches in width and most wrapping paper comes in widths of  24″- 30″.  If you want a wide table runner, go ahead and use it as is.  If not, be sure to buy the paper with a grid pattern on the back so you can easily and neatly cut it the correct width.

Wrapping Paper
Wrapping Paper

Another option that makes life easy is to purchase short rolls of wrapping paper. Michael’s sells 7 yds of 17″ wide wrapping paper for $1.50.  The selection of the wrapping paper is limited, but give it a try.  For very little money you can create great looking tables!

Wrapping Paper Table Runner
Wrapping Paper Table Runner

Another product at Michael’s that I am really excited about is their line of craft paper.  It comes in rolls of 20′ that are 14″ wide – Perfect!

The paper is a wonderful weight and comes in so many fabulous colors!

Here are just a few!

Wrapping paper
Wrapping Paper at Michaels!

Now there is no reason why you shouldn’t have beautifully decorated tables for your next celebration.  Whether it is for a graduation, birthday, anniversary or just a simple family gathering, every party will be festive and fun with a simple paper table decoration!

Wrapping paper table runner
Wrapping paper table runner
I linked up to iheartnaptime!
I linked up to iheartnaptime!

Coffee Shop Gift Card

Do you have someone on your list who always needs a caffeine fix?

Here is a easy way to take a simple coffee shop gift card and turn it in to a delightful gift to give and receive!

Make a coffee shop gift card a fun gift to give!
Make a coffee shop gift card a fun gift to give!

What do you need?
Gift Card from a favorite coffee shop!
Paper Coffee Cup , Lid & Splash Stick
Filler for the coffee cup – Candy would be my filler of choice!

The Coffee Shop Gift Card gets Wrapped!
The Coffee Shop Gift Card gets Wrapped!

Fill your cup with the gift card and candy.   Tie on a beautiful ribbon!

Attach a coffee gift tag to the front and back of the splash stick.
If you are unable to get the splash stick, a bamboo fork will work just as well!

You now have a gift is beautiful, cheerful and a delight to receive!

The cup is the wrapping, the treat is for fun and the gift tags are available for you to print – Coffee Gift Tags!  How easy was that?

Coffee Card Gift Tags

All the coffee drinkers on your list will love this!

Wrapping the Coffee Shop Gift Card
Wrapping the Coffee Shop Gift Card
The back of the gift tag!
The back of the gift tag!
I linked up to iheartnaptime!
I linked up to iheartnaptime!

Birthday Candle Cupcake Garnish

White Chocolate Candles make a great garnish for all your birthday cakes and cupcakes!

If you are looking for less fire on your celebratory cake, make white chocolate candles of your very own!  Bonus –  you can eat these delicious and adorable candles!

candle8

What do you need to make 18 candles:

1 Cup White Chocolate Chips
Gel Food Coloring

candle2

Place one cup of white chocolate chips in the bowl of a double boiler.  Heat the water to a low simmer and let the chips melt slowly.  Be patient!

candle3

After the chips have begun to melt, stir until smooth.

I divided the melted chocolate into 4 small bowls and blended in the gel coloring.  The chocolate began to harden as it cooled, but by microwaving at a low power it softened again.  I just didn’t work fast enough!

candle11

If you use a liquid food color the chocolate will start to seize.  If this happens, you can make it smooth again by adding coconut oil.  Using gel colors will prevent this from happening!

candle4

Blend the gel food coloring into the white chocolate until the color is uniform.

candle

I drew out a number of candles to provide a pattern for me to follow.  I then covered the drawing with a piece of wax paper and began piping the colored white chocolate!  By sliding the wax paper over the drawing I could use my template drawing over and over.

Using a number one round decorating tip for the candles and the flame worked very well!  This is so easy to make, you must try it for yourself!

candle5candle6candle7candle9

Everyone will enjoy these tasty and beautiful candles!

candle12

Happy Birthday!

Party in a Box Gift

Party in a box gift
Party in a box gift

Graduation Party Box Gift

When just a gift is not enough!

Years ago a niece was graduating from high school and I felt bad that we were unable to attend her celebration.  Wanting to do something special for her; to send her more than just a gift; I came up with the party in a box.  Inside the party box was a mini celebration that began as soon as the package was unwrapped.  It was so well received that I replicated the same idea for a group of my daughters close friends when they graduated from high school.

What you need for a Mini-Party Box

Balloons and Streamers- This made the filling for my package.  After lining my box with tissue paper, I used curling ribbon for streamers.  The curling ribbon works well since it will remain in excellent twirled form even after bouncing around the mail truck!
I also added small blown up balloons.  Because I didn’t fill the balloons with too much air they were unlikely to pop and made for a festive package filling!

 Gifts-  Wrap your gifts or cards and include them in the box.  I usually send cards with money for graduations and the party box makes getting a card all the more special!

 A banner-  Every congratulatory party needs a banner and the party box is no exception.  I taped together long narrow strips of colored paper.  After writing out Congratulations, I used my favorite scrap-booking accessory and punched out colored circles for each girl’s name.  I than rolled it, tied it up with curling ribbon and placed it in the box along with the gifts.

 Cake-  Since sending a cake was not an option, I sent this wonderful box of chocolate Lindt Petits Desserts.  It was perfect!  They looked like petit fours and are quite delicious!  You can locate them by checking the Lindt website.
There are lots of wonderful options available!

 Guests  Lastly, every party has to have guests.  So I created a tri-fold, stand on it’s own, guest card made with cardstock and filled with pictures of my family.  I even included a picture of the dog! I folded it up, labeled the outside and tied it with ribbon.

 

Party in a box gift
Party in a box gift

The party box idea can be used for any celebrations.  Send me ideas on how you have used the Party in a Box idea for your out-of-reach celebrations!