Birthday party decoration ideas for that professional look

Apart from using the usual balloons and streamers for your birthday party decoration, think about your party theme for more decoration ideas. Get creative and come up with a list of words related to the party theme. Use objects and symbols from the list and incorporate them into your birthday party decoration.

For example, a Scottish theme may suggest a family crest, bagpipes, and kilts. A movie theme may suggest a movie poster, director’s chair, and movie props. If your party is near a holiday, you can use symbols related to the holiday, e.g. a Christmas theme will suggest Santa, bells, angels, mistletoe, etc. while a Valentine theme will suggest cupid, heart-shape and chocolate.

Decorating with Colors
Colors are a basic birthday party decoration must-have. Adding colors create a huge impact and make the place look festive. Select a color scheme that is related to the party theme. Two or three colors work well. Here are some themes and their related color schemes:

• Hollywood - black, gold, silver
  
• Luau - yellow, green
  
• Mardi Gras - green, purple, gold
  
• Cinderella - blue, white, silver
  
• Casino - red, green, black, white
  
• Egyptian - gold, white, blue
  
• Jungle - green, brown, black
  
• Oriental - gold, red, black

Party ware includes tablecloths, paper plates, napkins, cups, forks, spoons, etc. These are easily available at party supply shops and discount chains. You don’t have to get all the party ware in the same design; some items can be in a matching solid color. For example, if you are having a Barney party, you can get Barney tablecloth, paper plates and napkins, while the cups and utensils can be in a matching purple color. That will keep the cost down and prevent your guests from getting a Barney overdose.

Streamers
Transform your room by draping streamers in your theme colors from the ceiling's center or ceiling lights to the sides of the room. Streamers can also be used to accent tabletops. They look terrific hanging from doorframes, cascading vertically down walls or hanging horizontally across ceilings. Two different colored streamers can be placed back-to-back, and twisted for a unique look.

Banner
A 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' banner is a good investment. They come in a variety of bright colors and can be personalized with the name of the birthday child and a short message. Banners keep well and can be used year after year. You can hang it in the party area to act as a focal point or you can hang it outside your house to announce the location of the party where it can be easily spotted by some one who is driving to your party.

Confetti
It just does not feel like a party without having any confetti. Confetti comes in many colors and shapes. Choose one with a shape and color that matches your party theme. Sprinkle some at the doorway, party area, and even put them in the balloons, which can be popped later for a great shower effect. Confetti is notoriously difficult to clean up, even with a vacuum cleaner. So unless you like a post-party challenge or some one else is cleaning up (e.g. in a rented venue), give confetti a miss.

Candles
Candles are great for creating a romantic mood and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are even scented for that extra romance factor. Floating candles are a great idea when placed in glass bowls or wineglasses filled with water. But candles also pose a fire hazard. Keep the flames away from the decorations, curtains or other flammable objects. Place the candles such that the party guests cannot accidentally knock them over or burn themselves. Always have adult eyes near the open flames. Best of all, limit the candles to older children parties and even then use the candles sparingly.

Centerpiece
Centerpieces are not really necessary for children's parties. However, sometimes a centerpiece really fits the theme, such as flowers for a Spring Party. Fresh flowers or a bowl of fresh fruits are simple centerpiece ideas that can be easily put together.

Do you know of a great birthday party decoration idea? Tell us.