Decorating Ideas For First Birthday Party

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20 DIY Birthday Decoration Ideas to Delight the Guest of Honor

These are the cutest ways to celebrate another trip around the sun.

Brian Woodcock

Between pulling off an intimidating new birthday cake recipe and finding the perfect gift (particularly gifts for kids!), birthday parties are tough enough already. Why add even more stress to your plate when it comes to the decorations?

Here, we're making your lives just a little bit easier with our favorite DIY birthday decoration ideas. Whether you're planning on throwing the event of the year, just want to impress a select group of friends and family, or are looking for even lower-key ideas for a two-person shindig, we've got you covered. Our ideas run the gamut from colorful and unique to subtle and sophisticated. And while many of our DIY birthday decoration ideas would be perfect for kids, they'd also look lovely at an adults-only party. Who wouldn't want pom-poms at his or her party, after all—and what's better than confetti-filled balloons?

So, whether you're looking for ideas for your toddler's big day or tips for hosting a memorable bash for a parent or best friend, look no further! Then, stay inspired with our best gift ideas—including gifts for 10-year-old girls, gifts for teenage boys, birthday gifts for moms, gifts for husbands, and more.

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DIY Table Runner

You don't have to opt for a store-bought table cloth year after year! Here, eye-catching gold details liven up a piece of pink fabric and work beautifully as a makeshift runner.

Get the tutorial at Sugar and Cloth.

SHOP GOLD PAINT

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Flower Bomb Decorations

Talk about an over-the-top birthday! A "flower bomb" installation is one fun way to impress your guest of honor and delight their friends and family.

Get the tutorial at Camille Styles.

SHOP FAUX FLOWERS

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Cookie Cutter Birthday Candle

Making your own birthday candles is impressive enough. But adding a touch of whimsy using your favorite cookie cutter is downright magical!

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

SHOP CANDLE-MAKING SUPPLIES

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Grocery Store Flower Arrangement

No, you don't need to spend half your paycheck on flowers for any birthday party. Instead, transform a selection of simple supermarket flowers into an inexpensive—but gorgeous!—masterpiece.

Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm.

SHOP GOLD FLATWARE

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Bright and Bold Decorations

Pastels are lovely, and soft pinks can be nice, but why not go all-out with bold colors this year? We love the vibrant, no-holds-barred look of this party.

Get the tutorial at Paper and Stitch.

SHOP PAPER LANTERNS

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Ice Cream Garland

With party hats and pastel honeycomb decorations, you can easily put together this adorable ice cream garland. Drape it above your dessert or ice cream station for a perfectly Instagrammable backdrop!

SHOP PAPER GARLANDS

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Chalkboard Cake Bunting

Nothing adds charm to a dessert table faster than sweet bunting tucked into a cake or cupcake display. Yellow Bliss Road has a DIY for a chalkboard-style, customizable version you can attach to string or baker's twine.

Get the printable at Yellow Bliss Road

SHOP CUPCAKE BUNTING

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Festive Backdrop

Just a few dollars' worth of tissue paper confetti is the foundation for this punch-packing backdrop. Choose any message you like for your backdrop, then hang it behind a cake table, or as a fun photo opp complete with a basket of festive props.

Get the tutorial at Life Sweet Life.

SHOP CONFETTI

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Popsicle Stick Runner

You can't go wrong when perfection is far from the goal, as in this adorable table runner. Use offset popsicle sticks to create the base for an inexpensive and festive runner, and then splatter paint in whatever colors match your party's look. Et voila!

Get the tutorial at At Home in Love.

SHOP POPSICLE STICKS

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Paper Hot Air Balloon

This paper hot air balloon with vintage flair is sure to add charm to any birthday party décor. You can even easily add an LED tea light to convert it into a lantern.

Get the tutorial at Crafts Unleashed.

SHOP PAPER LANTERNS

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Confetti-Filled Balloons

Dress up standard balloons by filling them with confetti for a pop of colorful birthday party décor.

Get the tutorial at Prudent Baby.

SHOP CONFETTI

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Painted Bottle Centerpieces

Create table centerpieces that are as unfussy as they are gorgeous with this DIY that turns any extra jars you have into wow-worthy décor.

Get the tutorial at Little Miss Momma.

SHOP MASON JARS

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Photo Cake Toppers

Put the guest of honor front and center with these simple photo cake toppers. Just cut out black-and-white snaps of the honoree's face showing different expressions, fashion little party hats for each, and skewer them on wooden sticks. We dare guests not to gush about the fun result!

Get the tutorial at Kara's Party Ideas.

SHOP POPSICLE STICKS

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Cake Stands

Make your own eclectic cake stands with this super simple project that repurposes any plates, candlesticks, or vases you have on hand, or scout from flea markets.

Get the tutorial at Design Sponge.

SHOP CAKE STANDS

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Streamer-Tied Balloons

Give birthday party balloons a totally fresh twist: Tie oversized helium-filled globes with a colorful assortment of ribbon in various lengths, widths and textures.

Get the tutorial at Camille Styles.

SHOP BALLOONS

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Disco Ball Piñata

For some occasions, more is more when it comes to sparkle and festivity. If that sounds like your birthday party, craft a DIY disco ball piñata that will have your guests oohing and ahhing. It works especially great with a disco theme, or for a '70s baby celebration.

Get the tutorial at Tikkido.

SHOP DISCO BALLS

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Tissue Paper Flowers

Real flowers are pretty, but they're expensive and don't last. For a budget friendly alternative, doll up the party space with (nonperishable!) tissue paper blooms you can DIY in a snap.

Get the tutorial at I Heart Nap Time.

SHOP TISSUE PAPERS

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Paper Fan Banner

If you can fold a piece of paper, you can make this gorgeous garland as affordable birthday party décor. Choose any colors that match your theme.

Get the tutorial at Oh Happy Day.

SHOP CRAFT PAPER

Alesandra Dubin Freelance Writer Alesandra is a veteran digital journalist based in Los Angeles, who has covered travel, food, events, fashion and beauty, entertainment, home, parenting, and viral content for more than 15 years.

Rebekah Lowin Senior Editor Rebekah Lowin is a Senior Editor at The Pioneer Woman, covering home décor, food, entertaining, crafting, gardening, and holiday.

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