25 DIY party decorations
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25 DIY party decorations

Throw a party to remember with these fabulous DIY party decorations ideal for Birthdays, weddings, kids parties and more!

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Katie Dolan

Published: July 28, 2022 at 8:00 am

Fight for your right to party! Well actually you don't need to fight and you can actually throw the best party ever with these amazing DIY party decorations. Whatever your occasion, whether you are celebrating a milestone birthday, a wedding or a kids birthday party you'll find a tonne of amazing DIY party decorations on the list, plus some of our favourite recommendations from trusted retailers, for those extra special touches to your party.

We've included a range of crafts on our list, most are very easy and quick to make, so even if you are looking for last-minute decor you can still do homemade! Many of the crafts on the list only require a few materials too, and if you are a crafty household it's likely you already have them knocking around!

Are you looking for more party crafts? Check out our amazing New Years Eve party decorations, for more exciting ideas.

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Main image: Photo by Jon Tyson

25 DIY party decorations

Any occasion DIY party decorations

1. Bamboo streamers DIY party decorations

Streamers are incredibly versatile and will make any party into a night to remember! In the pack, you'll receive 12 coloured rolls of crepe paper made from bamboo, making this party decoration very eco-friendly (they are 100% biodegradable, even the packaging they come in!). These would be fabulous to create a colourful backdrop, or a doorway curtain, or even create some colourful flower garlands for your party guests to wear. The possibilities are endless, plus anything you have leftover can be stashed away in your craft drawer for a rainy day.

2. Crochet star garland

Stitch up this string of shooting stars to decorate your party homemade-style! This pretty star garland was originally featured in our Mollie Makes magazine and is the perfect way to get started on your DIY party decorations. With an easy tutorial to follow, you just need to choose your favourite yarn colours and get crocheting.

3. DIY party bunting

If you prefer a more traditional shaped bunting, this might just be the project for you! This fabric bunting is sewn into the classic triangle shape, making it versatile for all party occasions. Choose your favourite fabric and get stitching with our easy-to-follow guide. There's even a video tutorial if you need a more detailed guide!

4. Cupcake liner decoration

This is a fabulous craft that is ideal for tea parties or maybe even Alice in Wonderland-themed parties! Using cake liners (which are cheap and easy to find, you may already have them in the cupboard) you can create these sweet hanging decorations.

5. DIY disco ball tutorial

What's a party without a disco ball? Channel that 80s vibe into your own party and dance your night away. This one is nice and simple to make and you could whip it up in just a few hours, you'll only new a few supplies, most of which you'll be able to find at any craft store.

Birthday DIY party decorations

6. DIY Happy Birthday bunting

Nothing says party quite like putting up some vibrant decorations and we love this colour happy birthday garland, designed by Rebecca Reid. Opt for bright colours to set the mood and keep it ready for a special celebration. Find the full guide and all the measurements on the link below and start sewing today!

Party table decorations

7. DIY table decorations

Make your birthday dinner extra special with these gorgeous homemade table decorations. Discover four different decorations designed by Becki Clarke, and follow our easy step-by-step guide on how to make them. You'll create a fabulously decorated plate, a classy bauble, printed napkins and a tablecloth.

8. DIY egg cup candles

What an egg-cellent idea! If you love delicate and dainty table decorations then you'll love these sweet egg cup candles. In our free tutorial, we'll show you step-by-step how to create these, and show you all the materials you'll need.

9. Crochet table mat pattern

Add a striking touch of handmade to your party table decorations with these gorgeously bright table mats. They’re the perfect table accessory for your Birthday dinner, and as they’re so quick to make you can hook one up for every place at the table.

10. Log candle holders

These log candle holders are extremely cheap to make but will look like a million dollars! Using metallic spray paint to give your logs a ‘dipped’ appearance ensures this upcycling project updates your home in keeping with the very latest trends, and would look fabulous on your birthday table if you are going for a natural vibe.

Birthday backdrop ideas

11. Blush pink birthday backdrop

Some things are a little more tricky to make on this list than others, especially if you are strapped for time and need a big decoration. That's why we adore these glamourous backdrops available on Amazon, they're the perfect background for taking photos of the big day! They give a really lovely finishing touch to your party decor, and the little ones will love posing in front of it! This backdrop is available in two sizes and is made from durable vinyl, so you will be able to use it year after year.

12. Paper fan birthday backdrop

Make these fabulous fans in under 10 minutes with our super easy step-by-step video tutorial! All you'll need is some a4 paper, we used white but why not try with brightly coloured paper and create a wall of fans as a backdrop for photos?

13. DIY tablecloth backdrop

Party decor doesn't need to be flashy and expensive to look fabulous. This tablecloth backdrop is easy to make and you can find a step-by-step tutorial on the link below, there's even a video tutorial! This backdrop makes for amazing photo opportunities too.

Wedding DIY party decorations

14. Wedding table decor

Our quick and easy wedding makes are perfect for vintage-themed receptions and wedding tableware for those who want the DIY touch! Choose from 5 beautiful makes, including bunting, windmills and place cards. We’ve kept the design of these DIY wedding table decorations simple but effective so they won’t take too long to make!

15. Floral centrepiece

Dazzle your wedding guest with this stylish centrepiece, easy to make and a cheap alternative to buying a centrepiece. Follow along with our simple tutorial and find top tips to make your wedding tables extra special.

16. DIY dove decorations

If you don't fancy having real doves flapping about at your wedding, this might just save the day! This adorable dove bunting was designed by Jessica Entwistle, Jessica shows you step-by-step how to make these serene birds. Once you start though you might not want to stop, and before you know it you'll have a whole flock!

17. DIY glitter wine bottle

Add an extra touch of glam to your champagne bottles on the big day. In fact, you can apply this method to any glass bottle! Great for those who don't drink alcohol and want to use an alternative. The method is really straightforward, you'll simply need glue and your favourite colour glitters - then it's your time to shine!

18. DIY macrame bunting

We adore the soft pinks of this handmade bunting and think it would look perfect for a wedding with a blush or white colour scheme. If you have never tried macrame before this is a fabulous project to start with as it is easy to follow and quick to make up. If you need a little extra guidance on this craft make sure you check out our library of basic macrame knots.

19. Wine bottle lights

We all love a boozy wedding, especially with a free bar! So why not add these wine bottles to the decor maybe on the bar or nearby? They add an extra touch of sparkle to festivities. These are super easy to make and at the same time, you are upcycling old bottles.

DIY outdoor birthday party decorations

20. Garden party DIY decor

Thow a tropical-themed birthday party with these fab Garden party DIY decor designed by Zoe Patching. You'll find templates to make the tropical garland, a gift bag and a pop up card, so after this, you'll be party-ready! Make sure everyone is wearing their best Hawaiian shirts. Pina Colada anyone?

21. Outdoor bulb lights

One of the few things which are pretty difficult to make by hand is outdoor fairy lights! (Plus we wouldn't trust ourselves with the electrics). So we'll leave that to the pros, these beautiful bulb fairy lights will give a classy and warm glow to your garden festivities, you'll like them so much you won't want to take them down afterwards. There are few things more magical than seeing your garden illuminated by a soft glow after the sun has set. This set is a generous 38.4ft giving you plenty of lights to work with.

Kids DIY party decorations

22. DIY party confetti cannons

Perfect for children's parties, and will add an extra burst of fun to festivities (plus you'll get some fabulous photos). Made from a cardboard tube and a balloon these are super quick and easy to put together, so great if you have a lot of party guests, as it'll save you a fortune. This could be a fun craft to get the kids involved in making too.

23. DIY lollipop stick table runner

Create this fun table runner and add a splash (quite literally) of colour to the kid's party. For this fun craft, you'll need a load of popsicle sticks, and paint! then you'll get splattering, this is the perfect time to involve your little ones, bearing in mind it can get messy so put something down to protect your furniture or do it outside!

24. DIY tissue paper garland

Create a quick and colourful garland for your little one's birthday party. All you need to create these amazing garlands is tissue paper and tape! You can even get the kids involved with folding and sticking. Find the full tutorial on the link below.

25. Free llama party printables

These fun printables are designed by Jen T by Design, and are available to download for free! These are perfect for any kids party, because who doesn't love llamas?! You'll find backdrops, tags, paper plate decals and more much, all featuring a loveable llama.

We hope you loved these DIY party decorations and are ready to party! If you want more crafty fun, why not try these paint by number kits, which are lots of therapeutic fun and also make fabulous gifts - if you need something to give at the party? These lovely candle-making kits will also add a sparkle to your celebrations if you fancy making them yourself, or you can give them to your guests in little party bags. Not sure what you want to take on next? Try these craft hobbies, and find out which craft is right for you. Or if you want to find out what the latest trends are, head over to our latest craft trends guide.

Katie Dolan

Digital Editor, Gathered

Katie has worked on Gathered since 2021 and will try her hand at most crafts! She enjoys crochet and embroidery mostly, she particularly loves all things pop culture and a less traditional approach – The Simpsons and Rick & Morty are among her favourites to embroider. When she’s not writing about craft, you can usually find her with a good book or at the cinema.
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