If you are planning for example a fairy theme, and you can't find fairy merchandise for every aspect of the décor, then you can just use the colour you would associate with fairies, say pink, silver and white. You could then have pink, silver and white balloons, tableware, hats, serviettes etc…
If your theme is your child's favourite TV character, then take some time and watch a few episodes of his/her favourite TV show. Here you will get lots of ideas of how you can re-create a little of the magic. Most shows have their own web sites and they are well worth a visit (see
Kids Club). If your child loves for example, Thomas-The-Tank Engine, you can use anything train related. You could make railway tracks on the grass using cake flour, or use chalk on paving. It's easy to make railway signs and place them around the garden. Using old boxes you could make railway stations or even a train. The possibilities are endless!
Below are some general décor tips, but they can be easily be expanded using your imagination and taking some cues from your theme. For some inspirational ideas you can also visit our
Bulletin Board for some tried and tested decorating tips & ideas submitted by parents.
Balloons and streamers quickly create a festive atmosphere.
It's a great idea to put balloons on the front door or on the post-box to make it easy for guests to see where the party is, you could even make a balloon arch for the entrance. To make a balloon arch fill the balloons with helium, attach them several centimetres apart to a long piece of curling ribbon and anchor ends to the floor at the entrance / doorway. To create the best effect with balloons, hang them in bunches. Attach balloons to light fittings and hang them in doorways or anywhere else that you can think of. Always remember Balloons can be dangerous to babies and toddlers especially if they burst, so pick up burst pieces immediately. Use colourful string or ribbon to tie balloons together, and curl the ends by pulling the ribbon between your thumb and the blade of scissors. Helium filled balloons should only be collected on the day of the party to ensure they float well. Another good idea is to tie some balloons to the birthday boy or birthday girl's chair to mark their special seat.
For a quick dash of colour you can decorate with streamers. If you like you can twist them or keep them un-twisted the choice is yours, to create colourful two-tone streamers, put two different colours of streamers back-to-back and twist them. Using about 8 streamers (dependant on size of room), you can attach them to your walls. Attach them to the walls, mounting them in corners and on opposite-facing walls then attach them to the ceiling or light fitting in the centre of the room. If you attach your streamers to a light fitting add a bunch of balloons to finish it off. If there is no light fitting, tie a bunch of balloons together and attach the balloons to the ceiling where your streamers meet.
If you want to make large wall decorations but only have small pictures, borrow/rent an overhead projector from you local school. Trace the picture you have onto an overhead projector sheet. Then put a large sheet of paper on the wall, and project the picture onto the sheet of paper. Adjust the projector until the picture on the wall is the right size, trace the outline. Using paint you can do the final touches to create a wall decoration your child can be proud of!
If the party is to be held outdoors, ensure that the party table is out of the wind and in the shade. The decision of whether to set the table completely before the party is yours to make, but to create a visual impact it is probably better to have all the party ware (plates, cups, serviettes etc…) on the table when guests arrive. If your child has any toys that compliment the party's theme, it's a good idea to display them for added visual effect. Name cards are also a good idea so that each child will know where to sit; this will help prevent hurt feelings as not everyone can sit next to the birthday child. Party favours or party boxes marked with the names of guests can double up as place settings.
Please remember that anything made out of crinkle paper should be kept out of the reach of sticky fingers and liquids, to prevent children going home with permanently stained clothes.