Decorating

Tinwe

Hi. I'm having a 30th birthday party but really need to keep costs down.

I've found a cheap room to hire and have the idea of asking friends to bring food instead of presents and to use a lap top for music rather than a DJ.

I'm struggling though for decoration ideas/things to build the atmosphere a bit. Wanted something not too cheesy and fairly cheap. I've bought a couple of cheap things off e-bay, e.g. a starwars magazine, from 1977 to go on the tables to get chat going, but would like to dress the room a bit. Any ideas?

astonsmummy

How much are you looking to spend?
have you tried pound shops?

astonsmummy

This website has £10 off a £30 spend if you pay through google checkout.
http://www.partydelights.co.uk/?src=gaw&kw=party

Tinwe

Thanks for that site Very interesting... I suppose I'm struggling to find ideas too so that I'm not just sticking "30th" banners everywhere. Don't particularly want to see that all night! A friend suggested painting the windows in 70's colours but that seems a bit extreme! My 21st was on 4th July and was a joint retirement with my mum so we went to a party retailer and did an Independence Day theme, with bunting, balloons, lifesize cutouts, flags, hats on the tables and stuff but then money was not a problem.

I'll have a root around the site and see if I have any inspiration which I can make myself or try to find in a cheap shop. Thanks again

otterspasm

If you, or someone you know, has a sewing machine how about making bunting? It's very easy. I have made it in the past by sewing triangles of spare fabric onto lengths of bias binding which I picked up cheap in a sale. It's quick and looks very festive without looking tacky or cheap.
HTH
Tess x

Tinwe

Thanks Tess. I don't have a sewing machine but I can ask around. We could use that again for other events which appeals too. Just to find a kind relative with spare time now...

otterspasm

I made some once for my wedding party and afterwards we strung it backwards and forwards across our garden (back yard really). Because it was fabric it lasted a year before it looked so tatty we had to take it down and it really brightened up our yard...it looked cheery all year round and only took an evening to cut out the triangles and an evening to sew together.:D