Are you team DIY or team store-bought decor?
Honestly, I’m team “both of them”; it really depends on how my wallet is looking. But when the budget is tight (which, let’s be real, is most of the time, because kids are expensive), I find myself leaning all the way into team DIY, especially when you can create something beautiful, personal, with just newspapers, cardboard, and paint, without breaking the bank.
So if you’ve got a birthday coming up but you’re feeling a little “uh oh, the budget is tight”, don’t worry, I’ve got you. I did this decor for my daughter’s 4th birthday, and it turned out really pretty – so pretty that both my girls were obsessed with it and wouldn’t let me take down the decor again, and I hope it saves your pocket like it did mine.
Why DIY Birthday Decor is a Game-Changer for Budget Moms
The truth is that children really do not care how much you spend on a birthday decor for them (I know mine don’t); what they really care about is how much fun they’re having and just maybe, how cute the decor is. So why scratch your head about that $50 balloon and ribbon decor set on Amazon when you can create that same cuteness from things you already have at home? Apart from that, you get to spend less, which is a huge plus if you ask me.
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Budget-Friendly Birthday Decor Ideas Using Just Newspapers and Cardboard
1. Newspaper paper chains: Remember those classic paper chains we used to make when we were school kids? Well, I brought them back, but this time with newspapers
How to make it:
- Take old newspaper pages and paint them in the colours of your choice or theme (I used autumn colours).
- Let them dry, then cut them into strips (around 1 inch wide).
- Loop each strip and glue it into a chain
- Hang the paper chain across the ceiling or wherever you want to create a pretty look.
- For a bright, layered look, hang coloured streamers over the chains to make it pop.
Final look
2. Giant number cut-outs – the showstopper
This one’s so simple and can double as a photo prop for cute pictures and a cute backdrop, if you want (I used mine for both). Also great for when your child is turning 1,2,3,4, or 10 ….. doesn’t matter, but it’s definitely a must-try.
How to make it:
- Draw a big number on a piece of cardboard and cut it out (I drew the number four for my daughter’s fourth birthday).
- Paint old newspapers with different cute colours of your choice. Doodle flowers, leaves or anything else you love on the painted newspapers and cut them out.
- Paste the doodled cut-outs all over your giant cardboard number like a floral collage.
Final result
A lot of these DIYs use what you already have at home, but for a few extras (like streamers, glue sticks, kid-friendly paint and scissors), I used some of my go-to supplies from Amazon. Here’s what I used and loved:
If you love this floral collage craft, then you’ll love this paper plate flower crown I made with my kids.
3. Streamer fringe curtain for the number
Now that you’ve made that giant number, let’s give it a facelift, shall we?
How to make it:
- Take colourful streamers (I used colourful crepe papers that cost me only €3 for a pack of 10 long rolls).
- Cut or tear the streamers or crepe paper into strips (If they are not already in strips).
- Tape or glue them behind the giant cardboard number so they hang down like a fringe
- Stand the number up against a wall and you’ve got yourself a simple, yet colourful birthday backdrop. (I used this as a cake backdrop for my daughter’s birthday).
Final look
For my visual readers, here’s a quick tutorial video on YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe too *wink*.
Bonus tips: budget-friendly decor
WAIT! Don’t run off just yet…… I have some hacks that you’ll find very helpful for budget-friendly decor
- Confetti: Just in case you want to add some extras to the fun, like confetti, you should consider using the leftover newspaper scraps to make hand-torn confetti. Newspapers are super soft, and when thrown in the air, they twirl down like feathers, so not a bad choice at all.
- Mini Buntings: I love me some buntings; they give your decor this party feel, which is all we need, right? Anyway, cut triangles from painted newspapers and glue them onto a string for a quick and easy bunting. That wasn’t so hard now, was it?
- Involve the kids: Listen! I don’t know about yours, but my kids love to get involved in anything fun, like crafting or putting up decor, and I let them. Let your kids help with painting or doodling (My 5-year-old helped with looping the newspaper strips)! Trust me, it’s also a sneaky way to get them busy and creative rather than hopping off from couch to cushion.
Finally
In all honesty, you absolutely don’t need to spend a fortune to make your child’s birthday memorable, because you’ve got more than enough resources around you to achieve something beautiful and Pinterest-worthy. All you need is your creative mama mind and you’re good to go. If you found this post helpful, pin it and share it with your other mama friends who might need these ideas too.
