5 Birthday Party DIY Decorating Mistakes to Avoid

We love DIYs-- that is, until they go wrong and end up looking nothing like that TIkTok clip or YouTube tutorial, or until they obliterate your budget, or BOTH!

Here are 5 major mistakes to avoid when going the DIY route to decorate for your child's birthday party along with a few tips for a cost-saving success.

1. Overcomplicating the Theme

Trying to execute an overly complex theme can lead to stress and a cluttered look.

Sticking to a simple, cohesive theme often results in a more visually appealing and manageable setup. 

Cost-saving tip: Choose just a few key themed pieces and complement those with other decorations solely in the color scheme. 

For example, for a centerpiece, use a themed character cutout and surround it with 3 or 4 plain latex balloons that match 1 or 2 colors from the cutout-- the balloons need not have the theme on them too! (Which can get pretty expensive quickly!)

2. Neglecting Practicality

Decorations should not obstruct movement or interfere with activities.

Large centerpieces or decorations that take up too much space can hinder guests' comfort and limit play areas for children.

Is a massive and extravagant centerpiece really that impressive if your guests must awkwardly move around it so they can be seen by someone they are conversing with? Or worse-- if they have to move the centerpiece to the floor or to another table? Save the money and keep things functional.

3. Ignoring the Child's Preferences

Focusing too much on what the parents like or current trends instead of the child's preferences can result in a party that the child does not enjoy as much.

Incorporating the child's favorite colors, characters, or interests ensures a more personalized and enjoyable experience.

Afterall, it is THEIR moment!

(Our yard sign displays are a great way to merge the theme for the event with your child's interest. We can add even more personalization with a Big Head Keepsake! Complete our request form here to get started on your reservation!)

4. Overlooking Safety

Some decorations, such as small items, can be choking hazards or fragile objects that break easily, may be unsafe for young children.

Ensuring all decorations are child-friendly and secure is crucial.

You want to ensure your event is memorable, but for the right reasons! Ensure large installations are tied back so they do not topple over and that sharp objects or other hazards are kept out of reach of children.

5. Not Considering the Venue

Failing to account for the size and layout of the party venue can lead to decorations that don't fit well or look out of place.

Measuring the space and planning the decorations accordingly helps create a more harmonious and effective setup.

Decorations that are too big may make the space feel cramped for your guests while decorations that don't fill the space sufficiently may suggest that the decor was an after-thought.

Considering these 5 potential mistakes in advance can save you headaches and heartbreak and ensure the decor isn't disastrous!

Ensure your child's event is most memorable and that you celebrate in a way that measures up-- reserve a yard sign display with us and help solve your decorating challenge simultaneously!

Happy celebrating!