Barn dance cheap decoration ideas please

blue_cat_4

My OH and I are both 50 in a couple of months so have decided to have a barn dance to celebrate. The problem is the venue we have (which has cost us nothing!) is just a plain function room which is a bit soulless. A friend has offered to lend me some bunting but does anyone have any ideas how we can decorate it fairly cheaply to try to create a bit more atmosphere? Thanks

torbrex

One idea might be to put up a washing line with (if available) a gingham apron, a pair of longjohns, a football or rugby kit and a cheerleaders outfit.

xbrenx

woohoo Happy Birthday in advance!

We had a barn dance as a joint celebration last year - hubby 50, our 25th wedding anniversary and son 18. Just saying to let you know we had a FANTASTIC evening, everyone joined in, including the teenagers. Brilliant fun.

A few helium filled balloons arranged in groups, have some long ribbon on so they can be on the floor.

Tealight candles on the tables, maybe gingham paper table cloths if you can find any, and some plates with a few sweets on each table.

blue_cat_4

Thanks for the replies. I'd not thought of balloons (duh!). Good to know your teenage son enjoyed it xbrenx as my two teenagers think its a very uncool way to celebrate and are slightly embarrassed about the idea (so have succeeded in my job as a parent!)

Callie22

Some bales of hay for people to sit on?

building_with_lego

Wellies as vases! (Charity shops/ freecycle for old children's ones?) Definitely bales as seats, but put blankets over them so your guests don't have red, prickled legs and hay in their clothes :rotfl:

How exciting. Have a wonderful party!

kittycat204

one thing you might think is a bit odd, but worked with kids. get some cheap coloured plastic bags and they can be used to make decorations and bunting. you can tie them in knots together and cut them into nice pom pom type shapes. sorry i can't explain myself very well. just have to get creative with them. they are often lovely pastel shades and scented sometimes which can be nice.

there is list http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/earth/weatherproof-bunting-tutorial/2010/04/19/ but it looks like alot of effort to me.

Owain_Moneysaver

I would suggest not combining haybales and candles.

Bunting is about £15 for 30 metres on ebay.

Flags are a few quid each. Tablecloths a fiver each. (just use for buffet tables if you can't put one on every table). Gingham food wraps are cheap, you could use them to line wicker baskets of pastries etc.

If the venue has a projector or you could borrow one you could project some rodeo clips onto a screen. And you can get inflatable steer heads balloons.

blue_cat_4

Thanks for all the great ideas. Love the idea of wellie vases and steer head balloons. I really enjoy the planning part of a party once I've got some ideas together and thanks to all the great people on here I've now got somewhere to start. Hopefully it will be a great night.
Good tip for bales and candles not mixing- don't want to be responsible for burning the rugby club down!

kittycat204

found these ideas

Rent a banquet room, empty gym or a barn for the festive barn-dance party or convert a plain basement into a barn. Decorate the corners of the room with tall, dried corn stalks. Place bales of clean dry hay in a rectangular or square formation to outline the dance floor area, leaving a couple of openings for party guests to enter and exit.

Place several other bales of hay around the room for additional seating. Cover tables with gingham or apple-print tablecloths. Hang quilts, horseshoes, Old West pictures and old ad signs on the walls. Set out large washtubs filled with ice for drinks and to use as part of the decorating theme. Fill old metal wheelbarrows with artificial or potted flowers and place in empty areas inside and outside the party area



Read more: Decorations and Ideas for a Barn Dance Party | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5305375_decorations-ideas-barn-dance-party.html#ixzz1q8g6AngI

gibson123

I did a rock and roll theme for my daughter and the easiest way to do it buying the decorations on line. You just need to know what to search for.

Border roll - is printed plastic that is really cheap, a really good one for a barn dance is a wall of bottles like in an old style saloon

Gingham table-clothes are a good idea but the cheapest way to do this is to buy banqueting roll.

Hay bales are actually quite expensive, scratchy and messy, and even if you use them you need to cover them with cloth.

You can also get cardboard cut outs and blow up room decorations, as well as things like wanted posters.