Outside parties are popular for birthdays, weddings, major holidays or just because, and a park or your backyard can be transformed into the ultimate party venue. Use your creativity to infuse color and personality into any outdoor space. Does this Spark an idea?
Tablecloths
Create a special look by sewing your own tablecloths. Visit your local fabric store or, if you're on a budget or want to be eco-friendly, make patchwork tablecloths from scraps of fabric you already have. Thrift stores are also great sources for fabric, with pieces selling for as little as 25 cents. Make cloth napkins with corresponding fabrics. When the party is over, throw them all in the washing machine and use them for everyday use or your next bash. If you're not handy with a sewing machine or don't have one, use seam tape to finish the edges of your tablecloths or napkins.
Another idea is to cover tables with white butcher paper and put out cups of markers or crayons. Your guests can decorate the tables and write messages you can read while you're cleaning up.
Paper Lanterns
Paper lanterns are available in an array of colors and patterns and are a quick and easy decoration for outdoor parties. Hang them from the trees or use clothesline. Paper lanterns are pretty during the daytime, or you can get the kind with lights in them if your outdoor party is at night. Get them in all different colors or choose one or two colors for a classier look.
Garlands
You can make garland from fabric scraps, paper, flowers, eucalyptus leaves--almost anything pretty and festive you can imagine. These kinds of decorations also work for an indoor party, but they look their best when draped from trees (see Resources section).
Tags: from trees, Paper lanterns, your tablecloths