DIY Party Decorations for All of Life’s Celebrations

A table set with DIY party decorations, including a cake with a free printable cake topper, a mini card envelope garland, and cake favor pouches.

Around here, we like to say that you don’t need a special reason to throw a party. If you think about it, it’s pretty easy to come up with dozens of reasons (we know, we made a list). Honestly, the hard part is decorating. Because while there are all kinds of ideas for birthdays, baby showers, even brunches, how do you decorate for life’s little celebrations. You know, the stuff you choose to make a big deal out of?

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.

This was a challenge we were more than happy to tackle. And the result was a collection of super-cute DIY party decorations—cake toppers, a garland, favor pouches and more—that you can easily make yourself at home. And you can make a lot of it with stuff you probably already have on hand.

A table set with DIY party decorations, including a cake with a free printable cake topper, a mini card envelope garland, and cake favor pouches.

Mini Envelope Garland  

Hands reaching into frame to place a Just Because Mini card in an envelope that's attached to a garland strung with multiple mini envelopes.

What you’ll need:

 

Using markers, have some fun and doodle on envelopes, flap side up. We used colors of markers that are similar to the envelopes for a more monochromatic look. Try a variety of patterns and doodles—grid, polka dots, checkerboard, simple flowers and stars.

 

Hands drawing patterns on a Just Because Minis envelope with Crayola markers on a speckled countertop.

Using tape, attach a long string of twine to the backsides of the envelopes. Hang the garland on a wall or somewhere reachable for party guests.

Hands using tape to stick the back of a mini envelope to a piece of twine.

You can use the cards themselves in a couple different ways:

1.     Write a kind message, a sweet compliment or a fun “fortune” inside each card. Have party guests pick an envelope at random for a fun little surprise.

2.     As they arrive, have guests write a message inside each of the cards to celebrate the guest of honor, then place them inside the envelopes. Make stickers available for guests to close the flap down after they add the card!

Slice of Cake Party Favor Pouch  

Cake Slice Favor Pouches made of gift wrap.

What you’ll need:

  • Gift wrap 
  • Tissue paper
  • Scissors
  • Confetti or gift bag filler
  • Small gifts or gift cards
  • Glue or double-sided tape 
  • Hot glue
  • Pom poms

 

Cut two pieces of gift wrap into the shape of a slice of cake, with the wrong side (grid pattern) facing one another. 

Cut three strips of “cake layers” from tissue paper or different rolls of gift wrap.

Glue three strips on one piece of the gift wrap cake, creating the layers. (It’s easier to do this step before filling them, so the wrap lays flat.) 

Materials used to create the cake slice favor pouches scattered across a work surface, including wrapping paper, tape, scissors, mini pom-poms and glue.

Place one cake piece with the art side down and pile your confetti and gifts in the center. Glue or place double-sided tape around the edges.

Set the other piece of cake on top of the gifts and line it up with the first piece, pressing down around the edges to seal them securely.

Hot glue pom poms on the top left to make “icing.”

Place a gift pouch at at each seat at the table or place in a basket near the door so your guests make sure to take their gift!

Free Printable Cake Toppers  

A cake with a free printable cake topper on top that reads,

What you’ll need:

  • Card stock, a printer and these free printable cake toppers
  • Wooden skewers or toothpicks
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Bottle cap or plastic pizza saver (that little white “table” that comes in the pizza box) 
  • Cake! (can be homemade or store-bought)

 

Pick the topper you prefer and print it on out on white card stock. 

Cut out the cake topper, leaving a white border around the edge if you’d like, or cut directly at the edge of the icing. 

Hands cutting out a free printable cake topper that reads,

We reused a plastic pizza saver to stick the topper on top of the cake, but you could also stick it on a plastic bottle cap. (The topper may get greasy from the icing if it’s placed directly on top of the cake.)

You can also tape these cake toppers to wooden skewers or toothpicks and use in vases as decoration.

A group of repurposed plastic bottles spray painted in bright colors and serving as vases on a tabletop with a black and white checkered surface.