Got a party coming up any time soon? A photo backdrop is a great addition to any celebration! Sarah Johnson made this colorful backdrop out of balloons and fresh flowers, and it would be perfect for everything from weddings to birthday parties to family reunions! Built on a chicken wire framework, this project can also be customized to fit any size wall. [how to make a floral balloon backdrop]

Project estimate:

• Balloons, $1 and up
• Flowers (real or fake), on hand or $1 and up
• Chicken wire, about $10 and up
• Packaging tape, on hand or $1
• Glue dots, on hand or $1 and up
• Tumbtacks, on hand or $1

Total: about $11 and up

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Deck out your next barbecue or pool party in fresh, fruity style with these DIY fruit slice balloons!  These mylar balloons in bright solid colors got a sweet makeover at Balloon Time, using tissue paper and a few other basic supplies to transform them into wow-worthy party decor.  Use this method to create other motifs as well, not just fruit.  The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!  [how to make fruit slice balloons]

Project estimate:

• Mylar balloons, $1 and up
• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Black vinyl or paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Spray adhesive, on hand or about $3 and up

Total: $1 and up

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If you’re throwing a Halloween party, chances are you’ve already got balloons and crepe paper streamers on your shopping list.  Make sure you grab some googly eyes too, because then you’ll be able to make these adorable mummy balloons from Haeley at Design Improvised.  Make sure you stop by her blog and check out her entire series of balloon decorating ideas – this mummy is just one character in a whole cast of Halloween balloon monsters, and they’re all just as cute and easy as this one!   [how to make mummy balloons]

Project estimate:

• Balloons, on hand or $1
• Googly eyes, on hand or $1
• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

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Try this clever idea for your next barbecue!  Kelly from Studio DIY took plain, yellow mylar balloons and, with the help of a little tissue paper, turned them into floating hamburgers!  They would make a great, whimsical addition to a birthday party, a family reunion, or any other gathering where you plan to break out the grill.  Or make them as a silly gift for a burger-loving friend!  [how to make hamburger balloons]

Project estimate:

• Mylar balloons, $1 each
• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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Any occasion, even an everyday occasion, is more fun when it involves pretty decorations!  Whether you’re throwing a party or you just want to add a party-like atmosphere to a room, this lit papier mache garland by Ashley at Oh Happy Day ought to do the trick.  If you’re worried about the lights being so near the paper and creating a potential fire hazard, look for LED Christmas lights, which stay cool to the touch.  [how to make a lit papier mache garland]

Project estimate:

• Christmas lights, $1 and up
• Balloons, on hand or $1
• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Papier mache paste or Mod Podge, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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When I first saw these heart sculptures from Jean at The Artful Parent, I thought, “hey, those are cute!”  Then I saw that they were made using plaster and balloons and I thought, “wait…  what?”  So I clicked over and wow, was I ever amazed!  This process is genius, and suitable for everyone from adults down to the kiddos – though young children may have difficulty forming a heart shape on their own.  The resulting sculptures make a cute holiday display, and could also be used as paper weights or as garden decorations!  [how to make plaster heart sculptures]

Project estimate:

• Plaster of Paris, on hand or about $3 and up
• Balloons, on hand or $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up

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Are you as excited for sandal season as we are?  (Is that a silly question?)  We’re big fans of the ol’ flip flop style around here; they’re cheap and there are about a bazillion ways to customize them, so they’re the perfect DIY accessory for the budget fashionista.  This flip flop makeover is from Kelly at Running With Glitter, who used a package of water balloons to give them a fun, funky look.  She also used the same technique to make a matching hair clip!  What else would you decorate with these balloons?  [how to make balloon flip flops]

Project estimate:

• Flip flops, on hand or $1
• Balloons, $1

Total:  $1 and up

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When Michelle Paige got a twisty balloon kit for her kids, they were thrilled to twist up dozens of balloon dogs.  If you’ve ever made balloon animals, you know that there are inevitably some casualties.  When the popped balloons started stacking up, she came up with a great idea, using them like beads to make funky, colorful bracelets!  Wouldn’t these be a great slumber party craft?  [how to make balloon bracelets]

Project estimate:

• Balloons, $1 and up
• Elastic, on hand or $1
• Tape, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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When it comes to party decorating, you can easily make yourself crazy trying to get every last detail perfect; you can also drain your wallet in the process! The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are lots of methods and techniques you can use to turn basic party and craft supplies from Dollar Tree into fabulous party decor, saving your both your budget and your sanity. Need some inspiration before you head out shopping for your next fiesta? Here are eight great ideas for inexpensive party decor.

[balloons, party hats, tissue paper, white glue]

[Party Hat Pinata from Oh Happy Day]

Nothing says “party entertainment” quite like a piñata. Why get your usual, run-of-the-mill piñata when you can make your own custom version for so little money? This party hat piñata offers something a little different and, with party hats and tissue paper available in a rainbow of colors, it’s easy to customize to fit any party theme.

[paper napkins]

[Paper Napkin Table Runner from Passion for Parties]

Using disposable tablecloths doesn’t mean you can’t fancy things up a bit. A paper napkin runner is as easy as it is cheap, and nobody has to worry about spilling punch on expensive or heirloom linens. (Don’t forget to dress up the buffet table too!)

[plastic tablecloth]

[Fringed Garland from One Charming Party]

Speaking of plastic tablecloths, have you ever considered using them in other ways? One tablecloth makes a lot of fringed garland! Use it in place of crepe paper streamers, or pair it with streamers for a little variety.

[balloons]

[Fruit Balloon Garland from Oh Happy Day]

[Balloon Photo Backdrop from Dollar Store Mom]

There are lots of creative ways you can use balloons in your party decor besides stringing helium-filled ones on curling ribbon or taping them to the corner of a table. Why not try using them to make a fun garland, or to create a backdrop for a photo booth area?

[beaded necklaces]

[Mardi Gras Bead Coasters from Rust & Shine]

Add flair to your place settings with fun coasters made from Mardi Gras beads. (I always stock up on beads when I see them seasonally so that I will have them to use all through the year!)

[craft foam]

[Wine Glass Charms from Creative Jewish Mom]

[Cup Markers from Mello Reflections]

Ah, craft foam. It’s such a wonderfully useful craft supply! Whether you’re serving your guests wine, punch, or just about anything in between, you can use craft foam to make fun, colorful markers that will help to avoid that whose-drink-is-whose confusion that’s always bound to arise.

Do you have a favorite party craft that uses stuff you can find at Dollar Tree?

The post Cheap Party Decor: 8 Ideas Using Stuff from Dollar Tree appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

So you want a pinata at your party, but you don’t want it in the shape of a donkey or a dinosaur or a car.  But you don’t want just a plain ol’ geometric shape either.  How about a fun, funky pinata made using party hats?  At Oh Happy Day, Jenny shows how to make this unique idea for your own party.  It’s easy to customize to any party’s theme or color scheme, from birthday parties to family picnics and even weddings!  (If you can’t find just the right ones, you can customize party hats to get the look you want!)  [make a party hat pinata]

Project estimate:

• Balloons, on hand or $1
• White glue, on hand or $1
• Newspaper, on hand
• Party hats, $1
• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Hot glue, on hand
• Double stick tape, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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