Decorate With Ribbons & Streamers

Ribbons and streamers help set the festive mood at a party.

Party decorations almost always include ribbons and streamers. Streamers are the elastic-feeling, stretchy, crepe paper strips that hang from ceilings, wrap around poles and contribute to the party atmosphere by adding color. If desired, they can also hold sayings or greetings for milestone birthdays, graduations or weddings. Decorating ribbon is the same ribbon used to wrap packages. The trick is in curling and shredding tool to give them a little extra zest.

Instructions

1. Choose theme or color scheme for event being planned. Take, for example, a 40th birthday party. Purchase rolls of crepe paper streamers or ribbon, including some saying "Over The Hill," "Older Than Dirt," or "Aged To Perfection."

2. Unroll length of streamer and secure at the corner of door or entryway with thumbtacks or tape, leaving long tail hanging down to floor.

3. Twist streamer, unrolling a little at a time. Tack it to other side of doorway or entryway. Do not pull streamer tight but leave some slack hanging in middle to create curve called a "swag." Ensure it does not hang so low that guests catch it with their foreheads as they walk into room.

4. Unroll and cut several lengths of ribbon. For instance, for a doorway corner, cut pieces at 3, 4 and 5 feet.

5. Knot ribbons together at one end and tack ribbons through knot to corner of same doorway streamer was placed.

6. Use ribbon curler to grab each ribbon separately at base. One by one, pull through curler to curl and shred ribbons, creating impression of more ribbons than actually used. Repeat on other side of door or entryway.

7. Continue to use streamers, alternating between colors throughout area for party. For example, around each doorway, room ceiling and especially around gift or buffet table.

Tags: crepe paper, door entryway, other side