A stunning party backdrop does not have to be complicated to make nor expensive. One of my favorite party secrets is using simple square paper plates taped directly on the wall to create an easy party backdrop for a food table or perhaps a photo booth backdrop.
This post is created in partnership with Oriental Trading. All opinions are my own. I’ve been a customer of Oriental Trading for years! It is one of my go-to resources for party goods. The party color scheme was inspired by Oriental Trading plates. Scroll below for links to each of the products that I used within this party, or gather even more inspiration from Oriental Trading’s Galentine’s Day Party Supplies. This post contains affiliate links (marked at each link) which help provide income for this blog with each purchase at no cost to my readers.
Easy & Inexpensive DIY Backdrop
Creating this backdrop only requires a couple of inexpensive supplies and less than 10 minutes (depending on its size). This particular backdrop was approximately 5 feet wide and 5.5 feet tall.
DIY Backdrop Supplies
The amount of plates that you need will vary depending on how large of a wall you are making. The easiest way to estimate how many plates you will need is to measure your wall and measure your plates. A standard dinner size square plate measures 9.25 inches. For an approximately six foot wide and six foot tall backdrop you’ll need about 64 plates. My project, which was a bit smaller, took 42 plates.
There are only two steps to putting this backdrop together. You simply have to double up your painters tape, attach to plate, and then attach the plate to the wall! I used four pieces of tape per plate to keep the plate up. The best part of using this as a decoration is that after the party you can simply take down the plates, remove the tape, and use them again for future parties as either a decoration or as a plate!
What is you party secret? Let me know in the comments below!
Creating a Build Your Own Succulent Terrarium activity for your next shower will surely delight guests that are bored of the normal baby shower activities. I’ve said it before, but I am NOT a fan of traditional baby shower games and activities. Don’t get me wrong… I will play along like a champ at a baby shower and there is no judgement from me when other people enjoy drinking from a bottle or trying to guess which candy bar has melted into a diaper. Way back in the past I even planned a party with a few of those traditional games.
Nowadays though, I tend to opt for a different style of baby shower activity including activities that create items for the guest of honor like decorating onesies or creating cool crafts that double as party favors.
How to Create a Build Your Own Succulent Terrarium Party Activity
I recently co-hosted a baby shower for a friend with a love for natural elements. As we were planning out ideas for the event my co-host, Lisa from This Beautiful Day, came up with a great idea to have a Build Your Own Succulent Terrarium activity. I instantly loved the idea because the activity could be a triple-threat for the party providing a decor element, activity, and favor all in one.
When putting together the activity I wanted to find supplies as affordably as possible while still making them true terrariums. I was lucky to find a great little terrarium kits that included all of the supplies other than potting soil, succulents, and the vases. I purchased two of the kits to cover around 12 guests, 1 bag of potting soil specifically for use with cactuses, and 12 round glass vases. I found the vases at the Dollar Tree for $1 each!
Instructions for use for printable instructions:
When complete these tall and skinny instructions can be set in a mini glass container, propped up next to your activity table, or added to a favor bag with supplies for creating a mini terrarium.
The holidays are seriously right around the corner and I am a little bit shocked. I still have my stocking stuffer gift guides coming to the blog and lots of holiday shopping that still needs to be done. YIKES! This weekend will likely be a big holiday party weekend and I was thrilled to be asked back to KATU’s Afternoon Live to share my last minute holiday party tips.
Here is my spot! Scroll below to look for links to some of the items discussed on this clip.
Holiday Party Tips
Below are some of the tips I shared in my segment and some great links to more tips, recipes, ideas, and DIYs. I also snapped a few behind the scene photos from yesterdays shoot and have shared them below.
Think of people’s schedules.
My favorite type of holiday party to host is an Open House style party so that people can come and go as they please and still make it to any other holiday obligations they may have. Brunch time parties, late afternoon, or early evening are great times for an Open House style party. Avoid dinner time as you would want to serve heavier foods and more people have plans during the holidays at dinner time.
The Holiday Party Decor Tips Segment Set-Up before rolling on screen!
Decorate with What You Have
Use items from your own holiday decor or that will coordinate with your holiday decor to decorate for your holiday party. Use natural elements such as garlands and rosemary Christmas trees as decoration as well. (See the Natural Green & White Holiday Party for more ideas.)
Pick a color scheme and use it throughout the party.
Pick a color scheme that coordinates with the holiday decor items you are using and extend that throughout the party to make everything look like it goes together. (Use balloons on stemless beverage-ware to make your glasses stand out and coordinate. This tip has been on a lot of party blogs, but I think the first place I saw it was over on Hostess with the Mostess – click for her tutorial on balloon dipped glasses!)
Create height at the food buffet.
Use platters and stands to create a food display at various heights. TIP: If you don’t have a lot of stands and platters fill a vase with holiday decor and set your platter on top. You can also make yourself an awesome (and inexpensive) cake stand with a glass, glue, and plate! (Check out my tutorial on EAT DRINK PRETTY for making your own cake stand.)
Serve bite sized appetizers and just refill your platters throughout the party.
This not only looks better but it is safer than letting food sit for several hours. Keep platters prepped and in the fridge or in the oven on warm setting so that you can easily replenish. If you are worried about spending the afternoon replenishing platters instead of engaging with your guests farm that chore out to family and friends who ask how they may help. (Check out my favorite holiday appetizers .)
The holiday bar set up before its TV debut!
Set up a Beverage Bar!
Don’t spend the entire party making your guests drinks. Set out a simple beverage bar or batch drink (punch bowls are totally back in style) and let guests serve themselves. For the holidays I recommend creating a Sparkling Wine bar with additions such as pomegranate seeds, sugared rosemary, sugared cranberries, and your favorite liquor. I love the Marrionberry Vodka from Wild Roots as a festive addition to a glass of sparkling wine. Pour 3/4 oz of Marrionberry Vodka into a glass and top (carefully, it will bubble!) with 5 oz of sparkling wine. Garnish with a sprig of sugared rosemary.
Yes, Give Party Favors.
Party favors are a way to extend your party in the memories of your guests. Give them something to enjoy after the party! My favorite holiday party favor ideas:
Set out little holiday bags or boxes for your guests to fill with sweets. BONUS: Now you won’t have a ton of leftover sweets from the party!
Give your guests a small bag of stocking stuffers. They can use the ones that they want or they can use them in stockings at home so that they don’t have to go out and buy as much. I’d LOVE for someone to do me the favor of getting some of that type of holiday shopping out of the way.
Give an ornament. Beautiful and small ornaments are a really lovely way for a guest to remember the party year after year.
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