Balloons

The biggest band for your decorating dollar is air filled balloons. Helium is expensive. The majority of the cost of a latex balloon is the helium inside the balloon and the printing on the outside of the balloon. By using some basic balloon sculpturing skills you can turn a bag of balloons into something special. Balloons is an area that I don't cut back on. I use quality latex balloons. I prefer balloons made by Qualatex or Pioneer. They are easier to work with and since there is less breakage, the cost is not much higher.

Look for foil balloons that are on closeouts. Like the automotive companies, new styles and designs come out every year. But unlike a older model car, no one knows which balloons are older designs. By using new fresh latex balloons, older style foil balloons and using air we can do a room full of balloons and sculptures for the cost of one helium filled balloon bouquet. 

 To see easy to make balloon sculpture kits, click here.

Lights

White Christmas lights always add a nice touch to a party. From a romantic feel to a carnival look, Christmas lights are a nice addition to your party decor. Since you might already have these with your Christmas decorations. If you don't have a few strings of Christmas lights, look for them after the holidays when they are put on clearance.

The string of lights used for this carnival set where purchased at Hobby Lobby in January at 90% off.

Magician is Don Z. Photographer is Mike Parker

Cardboard

Cardboard is one of my material of choice. It is easy to work with, No power tools needed. It is easy to cut with a pocket knife or even an old steak knife. Easy to paint, can be taped together with duct tape or masking tape but the best part, it is free. If you make a mistake, you can return the cardboard back to the dumpster or recycle bin you got it from. 

The Egyptian set is made of cardboard beer boxes that our friendly bar saved for us. The pillars are PVC pipes I found by the dumpster. The bench is a borrowed coffee table. I got the paint from the free section of Craig's List. Most of the free paint on Craig's List is lighter in color or shades but a small can of dark paint and you can mix you own colors. I made different shades for some boxes. The graphic where printed off my computer, taped to the pillars then with a dry brush I applied a little paint to give a little stressed look.

Photographer is Kevin DeMers. Models are professional models, Asa and Amber.

The same boxes where used to make brick for a jungle structure. Even the pillars are the same but with some props, additional trees the set takes on a different look Even the models and photographer are the same.

This image is more a candid shot as the models where having fun with the photographer. 

I painted the boxes a darker color to create a different set.

Photographer for this image was Mike Atkins

Don't worry about making things perfect

I found some pvc pipe on Craig's List. It was removed from an old sprinkler system and the owners where looking to get rid of them. I was disappointed the pipes where in such bad shape. When I arrive to pick them up, I found them to be old, dirty and bent. I was disappointed in the condition but the price was right, free. When I got back to the store, I wiped them down, painted them a mixture of black and brown with a roller and paint from the free section of Craig's List. I was still disappointed the bars where not nice and straight but once I got some of the images with the models, I liked that the bars where not perfect. I believe the bent bars adds to the image. 

By being open minded and willing to change with what the budget allows, you will be amazed at what you might come up with. Besides, no matter how much you do, what make the party truly special are the people. 

Image was taken by professional photographer, Mike Atkins.

Wall Coverings

Nothing changes a room more than changing the walls. In the images above I used beer boxes that a local bar saved for me. The beer boxes that came from bars had tops on them, where those from liquor stores did not. You can use the boxes from liquor stores but they are harder to stack without tops. Since the boxes are about 8 to 12 inches wide, they make the room much smaller.

For the Ghost Buster shoot I found some foam insulation that was being offered on Craig's List (free). The foam was paper coated. During the owner remodel, the foam was not handled with kid gloves but the holes where patched with masting tape. I actually made the foam look worse by pulling the paper back in order to give it a pealing wall paper effect. The foam was much thiner than the cardboard boxes and since they came in larger sheets they where easier to paint.

Note: The hardwood floor is actually cardboard.

Photographer is Nikki Taylor. Models are the Colorado GhostBusters... a cool group of people who where fun to work with.

By covering the walls, you are able to remove windows and/or doors. You can even add that looks like a door or window. Covering the walls allows you to be creative and do things to your home that you would never do otherwise. You can paint anything you want on the fake walls.

Another image of the Colorado GhostBusters taken by Nikki Taylor

Black background is your friend. Black looks great and photographers love it. In most of my sets, I black out the edges just in case it makes it into the photo. You don't want to paint the walls of your home black. Once the photoshoot was over, I didn't want to be left with black walls in my party supply store. I covered the walls with black fabric. I got the cheapest black fabric I could get. I even printed out a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby and purchased one very long piece of fabric. Once I got back to the shop, I cut it in sizes needed to cover the walls.

In this image, the black fabric looks much better than the white drywall.

Photo by Kevin DeMers. Models. T.T. and Rachel 

Don't over look discarded items.

I find a lot of my material from the dumpsters behind the strip mall. The Family Dollar is an endless supply of cardboard. The best part of finding materials from the dumpster is the items are free and when you are done with them you can simply return them to where you found them.

The key to finding items in the trash is planing ahead. It is unlikely you will find everything you need in one afternoon. By having a theme in mind and some idea of the look you are after, you can start to collect the supplies you will need.

In this image I noticed the old sailer painting on the curb waiting for the trashman to take it away. I got to it before the trashman picked it up and used it for the old house set.

Photographer: Mike Atkins - Model: Leah

Use What You Have

Use what you already have or what you can barrow. Keep in mind, the party is not about items, it is about the people. The memories of the details will fade over time but the memories left by overall feel, and the people themselves are what is going to last a life time. There is no need to spend more than your budget. Do the best you can within your budget and let the love shine through. Never be ashamed at what you don't have but be proud of what you do have and what you are able to provide.

For this set, I dug out some of our Halloween decorations. Halloween decorations are great for a gothic or pirate party

Photographer: Maggie

Model: Amber.

You will notice this set is much the same as the GhostBusters group set.

I painted the floor black and white since I had the paint and it was cheaper than buying tile. I found the door in the dumpster. Used a borrowed ironing board and purchased an old iron on Craig's List for $5.00.

Your eyes go directly to Molly. In all the images your eyes are drawn to the people because they bring the sets to life. The same with your party. The decorations don't have to be perfect, they just need to help bring out the best in your guests.

Photographer: Mike Atkins

Model: Molly

This table belonged to my grandma. It has special meaning to me so the images that came from this shoot are special. I remember playing cards with my grandma. She would right the score of the game on the table itself. When I look over these images I remember my grandma and those card games. I remember the meals at that table and I remember the photo shoot. By bringing in things that are personal the images have a greater meaning.

Photographer: Denise Rowe

Model: Liz

My auto mechanic was using this Coke cooler to wash auto parts. I talked him out of it. My father spent weeks restoring it. I used it as my entertainment center and when the idea of a 50's style shoot came up, I wanted the cooler in the shots. The model is Trent, a professional model who was always professional but fun to work with, but when I look at the image I see more than Trent, I see my father's love. I appreciate Trent for modeling in front of the cooler and Denise for taking the image. A photo of a cooler is rather boring but with people in the photo it is much more interesting. The photo means something to Trent as it is something for his portfolio and helped him sign with a modeling agency. It means something to Denise who took the image and it means something to me and it was nice to share that with others. 

When you host a party, you are sharing yourself with others. Just make sure those items you wish to share are safe, things tend to get broken at parties and you want create found memories not bad ones.

Model: Trent

Photographer: Denise Rowe

Each photo has it own story. Each one brings back memories, from building the sets, working with models and photographers to thoughts of family and my childhood. Create your own memories. Don't get so focused on the small stuff that you forget what is really important. It is people who make the day special, not the decorations. Stick to your budget and be proud of what you have done. People will remember the day is special because you went to the effort to make it special. Be proud of the memories that you are giving others. 

Be creative and have fun.

Photographer: Maggie

Model: McKenna

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