Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. DIY Projects & Crafts
  3. Birthday Party Crafts
  4. 17 Birthday Decorations You Can Easily Personalize

17 Birthday Decorations You Can Easily Personalize

December 17, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
mld106559_0111_partybeauty_035hero.jpg

Celebrate the guest of honor with handmade party hats, cake toppers, banners, and balloons ceiling-high.

Start Slideshow

1 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
mld106559_0111_partybeauty_035hero.jpg

Birthday party planning calls for a list of things: a hand-signed card, mailed invitations, wrapped gifts, and a delicious cake topped with candles. Also on that list? Handmade birthday party decorations, which offer something that store-bought ones cannot: infinite imagination and tailored-just-to-you personalization.

What makes for good birthday party décor? Choose your theme or color palette for the birthday party and design elements that correspond to that theme. For example, if the theme is carnival, then kid-friendly crafts that like our gumball machine party favors or paper hot air balloons will delight young guests in attendance. Tissue-paper pom-poms and luminarias—coordinated in warm hues—give a soft glow to the tablescape. Cake toppers and cupcake toppers add a personalized touch to any desserts' presentation while singing the "Happy Birthday" song. Banners, balloons, and sprinkling confetti are classic ideas for any birthday party. And why not add photographs of the birthday boy or girl to the balloons, the centerpiece, or the tableware itself? Small touches like these can add personalization to your party theme, and the occasion will be memorable for many years to come.

Even a socially-distanced party—whether hosted virtually or in a drive-by—calls for an attention to detail that takes time to put together. A birthday party hosted outdoors or over a Zoom call could include colorful signs or banners that spell out a greeting to invited guests waving from afar. Browse some of our ideas—these do-it-yourself decorations transform a space and let everyone know it's time to party.

1 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cake Toppers

mld106559_0111_palate_cakecandles.jpg

Echo the metallic decorations on the table and around the room with these silvery flower- and star-shaped bases for the birthday-cake candles. Punch out flower and star shapes from foil paper. Use a screw punch to make a hole in center of each shape. Slide shapes down candles, leaving a one-inch space at bottom.

Shop Now: Hygloss Foil Paper, $10.52 for 24 sheets, amazon.com; Recollections Star Lever Punch, $11.99, michaels.com; Japanese Screw Punch Tool, $7.99, dickblick.com.

2 of 18

3 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sparkle Script Letters

birthday candles and toppers
Credit: Lucas Allen

Add letter-perfect elegance to a party with glittery shapes. Choose a font from your computer, and print a letter in desired size. Cut out, and trace onto mat or illustration board. Cut out the form using a craft knife. Place the letter on kraft paper, and coat it with spray adhesive. Sprinkle with glitter.

Shop Now: Crescent Art & Illustration Board, $14.23, amazon.com; Martha Stewart Craft Knife, $9.95, amazon.com; Martha Stewart Fine Glitter, $15.99, amazon.com.

3 of 18

Advertisement

4 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tabletop Streamers

mld106559_0111_color_042hero.jpg

Combining color and a design element—such as these stripes of streamers—gives decorations a powerful punch. Cover the table with white poster paper, and unroll streamers along its length, affixing them at intervals with double-sided tape. Top with glassine. For candleholders, use double-sided tape to attach streamers around glass holders.

Shop Now: Celebrate It Crepe Paper Streamers, $1.99 each, michaels.com.

4 of 18

5 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mini Gumball Machine Party Favors

mini gum ball machine party favor
Get the Mini Gumball Machine Party Favors How-To

Paper ice cream cups and clear dome lids transform into retro gumball machines that are sure to be a hit at the birthday party. Each kid gets their own mini gumball machine.

5 of 18

6 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

3-D Hot Air Balloon Paper Decorations

DIY hot air balloons
Credit: SHANNA SULLIVAN
Get the 3-D Hot Air Balloon Paper Decorations How-To

Colorful cardstock become 3D hot air balloons on the wall. Then make clouds to surround the balloons using white cardstock and cotton.

6 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Banner

birthday banner
Credit: Kara Whitten
Get the Banner How-To

Letter-perfect party décor is easy with a garland made using our clip-art alphabet. Here, a birthday greeting in warm tones hangs above a serving table done up in similar shades of pink and orange. No matter the occasion, you won't be at a loss for words.

7 of 18

8 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Photo Birthday Party Hats

md106559_0111_polaroid_hatter.jpg
Get the Photo Birthday Party Hats How-To

Go for it: Pick especially silly or endearing photos—choose a few—for these personalized takes on the classic party hat. It's all about silly and cute—with a silver bow on top.  

8 of 18

9 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pom-Poms and Luminarias

msw_spring06_pompom.jpg
Get the Pom-Poms and Luminarias How-To

All you need is tissue paper, floral wire, and scissors to make these whimsical dahlia-like flowers. Hang them from the ceiling above the table or tie them to napkins at each place setting for a festive touch.

9 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Photo Balloons

md106559_0111_polaroid_heliumhero.jpg

A high-flying tribute: Use spray adhesive to attach photos (use photo-editing software for round, white borders) to Mylar balloons.

Shop Now: Party City Silver Balloons, $2 each, partycity.com.

10 of 18

11 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Big Picture

md106559_0111_polaroid_bigpicture.jpg

Combine a favorite image and a nifty computer program (called Rasterbator) to create a tiled decoration that can fill a wall or outsource the project to another similar artist on Etsy.

Shop Now: Office Depot Standard Photo Paper, $19.69 for 100 sheets, officedepot.com.

11 of 18

12 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Wall of Fame

mld106559_0111_balloon_041var.jpg

Document a life and make a big, bold visual statement at the same time. It's a snap to do—and inexpensive, too. Include shots from all eras, with lots of friends and family. Unify the images—and give them classic vintage appeal—by printing them in black-and-white. Lay them on the floor in the shape of the birthday number to determine your arrangement. Then tape them to a wall.

Shop Now: Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Camera, $59.99, target.com; Scotch Double-Sided Tape, $3.29, staples.com. 

12 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Monogrammed Décor

mld106559_0111_alphabet_banner_day.jpg

As depicted upper left: Make a letter from battery-powered LED lighting, sold by the yard with its own adhesive backing. (Cover cord ends with white gaffer's tape.) Wrap glass candleholders with punched tissue paper. These tissue-wrapped candleholders can be made to suit any party palette.

Shop Now: Deerport Decor Daylight Integrated LED Micro String Light, $6.44, homedepot.com; Pottery Barn Floating Glass Votive Holder, starting at $14.50, potterybarn.com.

13 of 18

14 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Metallic Stripped Glassware

mld106559_0111_palate_candle_gold.jpg
Get the Metallic Stripped Glassware How-To

The gleam of gold, silver, copper, or bronze makes any event sparkle. Use one, or mix metals. For the votive candle above, wrap a glass holder in copper or silver metal tape.

14 of 18

15 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Neon Cupcake Toppers

mld106559_0111_palate_cupcake_pom.jpg

It's hard to improve on a cupcake, except perhaps with a bright pom-pom topper. Simply punch out cornflowers from kraft paper using a craft punch. Use the pointed end of skewers to pierce center of cornflowers. Dab hot glue at each cornflower center, and affix one pom-pom to each cornflower and skewer. Slide cornflower skewers into cupcake tops.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Cornflower Punch, $29.99, amazon.com; Creatology Neon Pom-Poms, $3.99 for 100, michaels.com.

15 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Paper Garland

cricut pineapple party cupcakes gift baskets decorations
Credit: COURTESY OF CRICUT®
Get the Cricut Pineapple Party Garland How-To

Use your Cricut to design a paper garland suited to your theme. Here, we used a tropical pineapple in our printable project. (Plus, an extra party-planning tip: The same motif can be used as gift tags on the presents.)

16 of 18

17 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Serving Tray

md106559_0111_polaroid_traycute.jpg

Serve up old memories as you make a new one: Line the exterior bottom of an acrylic tray with a snapshot, enlarged and cut to fit. Attach the picture with spray adhesive.

Shop Now: CB2 Elton Polished Stainless Steel Tank Tray, $24.95, cb2.com; Elmer's Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive, $8.49, michaels.com.

17 of 18

18 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butterfly Lantern

cricut colorful butterfly lantern paper
Get the Butterfly Lantern How-To

Let the party take flight with these decorative lanterns—they're adorned with dozens of pretty paper butterflies, and made easy using the Cricut machine.

18 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 18
    2 of 18 Cake Toppers
    3 of 18 Sparkle Script Letters
    4 of 18 Tabletop Streamers
    5 of 18 Mini Gumball Machine Party Favors
    6 of 18 3-D Hot Air Balloon Paper Decorations
    7 of 18 Banner
    8 of 18 Photo Birthday Party Hats
    9 of 18 Pom-Poms and Luminarias
    10 of 18 Photo Balloons
    11 of 18 Big Picture
    12 of 18 Wall of Fame
    13 of 18 Monogrammed Décor
    14 of 18 Metallic Stripped Glassware
    15 of 18 Neon Cupcake Toppers
    16 of 18 Paper Garland
    17 of 18 Serving Tray
    18 of 18 Butterfly Lantern

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    17 Birthday Decorations You Can Easily Personalize
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.