1 1 Facebook PinterestFrancis Janisch Delicious DecorBright balloon pops, cellophane-wrapped wall candy, and a game-inspired pathway make for party decorations that look good enough to eat -- but won't break the bank!Shop Birthday Party Supplies in the Parents StoreWin Baby Gear! 2 2 Facebook PinterestFrancis Janisch Balloon PopsTurn basic balloons into freestanding lollipops. Wrap them in cellophane and add a wrapping paper tube stick, then position them around the room. Large foam brush, white acrylic paint, wrapping-paper tubes, balloons, ribbon, 2-oz. paint or glue bottles, tape, cellophane, scissorsMake it 1. Use the brush to apply two coats of paint to a tube; Blow up a balloon, knot the end, and to the bottom attach a length of ribbon that is about 6" longer than the tube.3. Tie the loose end of the ribbon to the paint or glue bottle (secure with tape if necessary) and drop it into the tube so that ribbon comes out the other end.4. Cut the ribbon from the paint or glue bottle, pull it taut and tape it to the inside of the tube.

(The top of the tube should cover the balloon knot.)5. Cut a 3'x4' piece of cellophane, cinch around the balloon, and tie with ribbon.6. Insert the loose paint or glue bottle in the bottom of the tube to help it stand up. Secure in place on the floor with strips of tape if necessary.3 Lotsa Lollies Cake 3 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! 4 4 Facebook PinterestFrancis Janisch Wall CandyThese hard candies are super easy to make. Tape together two plastic dinner plates, wrap them in cellophane, and cinch the ends with ribbon.5 5 Facebook PinterestFrancis Janisch Sugar TrailA Candy Land-inspired paper square pathway will get everyone excited about your child's big day. Plus, you can use the deck of cards from the Candy Land game to play a real-life version on the path at the party.Shop all birthday items in our store nowWin Baby Gear! 6 6 Facebook PinterestFrancis Janisch Winning CakeThe iconic colored squares will lead happy tasters past a lollipop forest and gumdrop mountains to the ice-cream-cone castle on this candy covered cake.

7 Lotsa Lollies Cake 7 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! 8 8 Facebook PinterestFrancis Janisch Take-home TreatsKids will have fun layering colored Skittles in recycled plastic bottles to make a yummy favor.Originally published in the May 2011 issue of Parents magazine.Throw an out-of-this-world Alien Party!Add some Far East flair to an adorable Japanese Tea Party!Join the creepy crawlies at a Bug Party!Bring the outdoors in to create a magical Woodland party!9 Lotsa Lollies Cake 9 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! Party of the Month: Trailblazing Bash Gina Lee, of Redlands, California, created a camping party for her... more Begin SlideshowThis season is filled with reasons to celebrate—graduations, confirmations, Mother’s Day, baby showers and (not least) the arrival of sunny skies and daffodils. So settle on a good excuse to throw a spring gathering, then raid your recycling bins, craft-supply closet and local thrift shop to make some DIY party decorations that are as delightful as they are economical!

It’s fast, simple and fun to transform newspaper, tissue paper, scraps of fabric, and old cans and jars into flowers, vases, place holders and even table linens. And you get to pat yourself on the back for throwing a party that’s green in more ways than one.cheap christmas party table centerpiecesCreate and share with #hallmark.christmas door decorations school Hang these whimsical paper blossoms above your dining table, buffet table or sideboard to create a playful focal point for any party or springtime gathering.beach wedding decor ideas Watch this fun video from Hallmark Photo Stylist Erin Martinez to learn how to make this pretty party paper craft, then download the Paper Flower Chandelier instructions and template to make your own.diy country decorating ideas pinterest

Cut out the flower templates and leaf templates in varying sizes and trace them onto tissue or newspaper. Cut out a bunch and glue onto bare branches from your yard. decor for exterior of homePop two or three branches in a vase for a simply delightful party decoration. easiest way to paint exterior of houseTo make our green vase, we cleaned out an old clear juice bottle, poured in a bit of latex paint and swirled it so that the interior was covered with a thin coat. Pour out any excess paint and allow the vase to dry. Watch the how-to video from Hallmark Photo Stylist Erin Martinez for simple step-by-step instructions, then download the templates below to make your own budding branches centerpiece perfect for any springtime celebration. These blooming napkin rings double as brooches that guests can wear home.

Download the Floral Napkin Rings instructions and template Pretty party place settings Pick up mismatched plates from a thrift shop or an inexpensive home store. Create napkins from squares of plain linen fabric (use pinking shears to cut), tie with a ribbon and add a floral napkin ring. Tip: Make place settings feel more playful by combining solids and patterns, sizes and shapes. To tie the table together visually, use matching napkin rings and place holders. Clean out tiny baby food, honey or condiment jars and stamp with guests’ names for place holders that can turn into party favors at the end of an event. For the grass base, cut a rectangular piece of tissue paper long enough to fit around the jar (with about a quarter inch of overlap), fold it in half lengthwise twice and cut tiny v’s about halfway down along one edge. Unfold and wrap around the jar. Secure with a dab of craft glue and allow to dry. Add water and a fresh flower—cut so that it will sit just above the lip of the container.

Watch the how-to video from Hallmark Photo Stylist Erin Martinez for more helpful tips and tricks. Recycled can collection centerpiece To create this stylish centerpiece, wash out an assortment of cans from the recycling bin and paint the outside of each one with acrylic or latex paint. Cut a piece of decorative wrapping or scrapbook paper to wrap around the middle of the cans. Secure with glue or double-sided tape and embellish with a length of twine or thin rope. Fill some cans with flowers (like tulip and ranunculus) and plant herbs in others (you’ll want to lay an inch of gravel in the bottom for drainage before filling with soil). Remember to keep the look casual and charming. Watch the video tutorial from Hallmark Photo Stylist Erin Martinez to learn how to create this simple craft, then gather up the goods to make your own for party decorations, hostess gifts or just to brighten up a table or windowsill—they’re perfect for springtime. Make multiple strands to hang in a window or in front of a mirror.