Warm weather is finally here, which means we are gearing up for outdoor parties and barbecues.  I love decorating for every event we have at our house, but am on a pretty tight budget.  I started trying to think of ways I could make party decor without breaking the bank, and discovered that Dollar Store drink umbrellas can make some pretty cute (and easy!) center pieces.

Project estimate:

• Styrofoam cone, $1
• Cocktail umbrellas, $2 (I used two packages)

Total: $3.00

Starting at the top of the cone, push the opened umbrellas into the foam.  Continue doing this until you have covered the entire surface of the cone.

Once completed you can add a few more elements to finish your look!

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So you want an elegant wedding, but you don’t want it to be all stuffy and overly formal.  A shabby chic theme may be just the solution you are looking for!  Melissa from Serendipity & Spice combined rhinestones, satin, and burlap to decorate some dollar store vases, turning them into fabulous table decor that marries and air of sophistication with rustic charm.  I love the contrast of textures between the rough burlap and smooth satin ribbon!  [how to make shabby chic wedding decor]

Project estimate:

• Glass vases, $1 each
• Burlap, on hand or $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or$1 and up
• Rhinestones or other embellishments, $1 and up
• Hot glue, on hand

Total:  $2 and up

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I’ll admit it:  The only times I have ever bought rolls of tulle, it’s been for wedding decorations.  I know it has a zillion more uses, but somehow in my mind it had been pigeonholed into that singular, stereotypical application.  Then along came the ladies from eighteen25 with an idea that is great for any festive occasion!   Using a simple pom pom making technique, they fashioned the meshy fabric into a string of fluffy little balls that will look equally great on their own as mixed in with streamers or other types of garland.  Holidays, birthdays, baby showers…  I’ll never look at tulle in such a limited way again!  [how to make a tulle pom pom garland]

Project estimate:

• Tulle, $1
• String, on hand or $1
• Cardboard, 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.

Happy last day of 2012!  (Can you believe it’s over already?!)  If you’re feeling festive today, here’s a great little project for you!  Victoria from Handmade Charlotte used some sequins to adorn these tiny disco ball decorations.  They would look fabulous as table scatter on a buffet table, or you could add ribbons or strings for hanging.  Either way, it’ll be hard not to catch Disco Fever!  (Careful, it’s highly contagious!)  [how to make mini disco balls]

Project estimate:

• Foam balls, $1
• Sequins, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Mini Disco Balls appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If there is one thing I have learned in my years if party planning, it’s that the magic is in the details. If you nail all of the little stuff, the big picture will come together nicely. If you have an Angry Birds fan with an upcoming birthday, the game makes a perfect party theme. Kit from Kids Parties 123 is a party planning pro, and she assembled a great list of Angry Birds party ideas, from decorations to activities to food. And most of it can be done with stuff you can find at… You guessed it, the dollar store! [how to throw an angry birds birthday party]

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While fancy linens add an air of sophistication to even the most laid-back party…  Who really wants to wash chocolate cake and fruit punch out of them after the guests go home?  Jennifer at Passion for Parties came up with a table decor idea that is easy and inexpensive enough that you won’t feel bad getting it dirty or tossing it in the trash at the end of the day; she made an elegant table runner out of paper napkins!  [how to make a paper napkin table runner]

Project estimate:

• Paper napkins, on hand or $1 and up
• Scotch tape, on hand
• Double-sided tape, on hand or $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up

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From birthdays to wedding receptions, nothing sets the mood for a party quite like festive decorations.  Going all-out on party decorations doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated when you use ideas like this DIY fringed garland by Brittany at One Charming Party.  Made using plastic tablecloths, you can get enough mileage out of a buck or two to deck out your whole space!  [how to make a fringed garland]

Project estimate:

• Plastic tablecloth, $1
• Scissors, on hand

Total:  $1

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If you have a little tea party hostess in your household, this craft is just for you!  Great for kids who like to play party planner, Jennifer from Toddler Toddler covered a package of dollar store party invitations with contact paper, making reusable invitations!  Your kids can write the guests’ names on the invites in crayon, and afterward the letters wipe away easily, ready for the next occasion that calls for a celebration.  [how to make reusable party invitations]

Project estimate:

• Party invitations, $1
• Contact paper, on hand or $1
• Crayons, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Reusable Party Invitations appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

When it comes to birthday parties (especially themed parties), the details are oh so important.  Wanting to give a dollar store birthday candle a more custom look for her daughter’s party, Colleen from Banman Land devised a quick and easy makeover that gave it a special, personal touch.  To change up the theme of the candle, look in the novelty button section of your local craft store for all kinds of fun motifs, or look for shiny table scatter in various shapes!  [how to revamp a dollar store birthday candle]

Project estimate:

• Birthday candle, $1
• Buttons, rhinestones, and/or other embellishments, on hand or $1 and up
• Glitter puff paint, $1 and up

Total:  $2 and up

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