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15 New Year's Eve Party Decorations You Can Make Yourself, Because It's Always More Fun to Go the DIY Route

New Year's Eve is the only day of the year where it’s perfectly acceptable to wear more sequins than you can imagine would ever be necessary, throw around colorful confetti everywhere you go, and make everything around you glittery and/or metallic. In fact, it’s not only acceptable, it’s expected of you. So you better believe that if you’re hosting a New Year's Eve party, you need to put confetti and glitter on basically everything around your house. If it’s not sparkling or creating a mess that may cost you your vacuum, you’re not doing it right.

Whether you want help throwing the best New Year's party anyone has ever been to, or you want to make an awesome contribution to a party you’re going to (or you just want more glitter in your life — I’m not judging you), you need to check out these DIY ideas. They’re fun to create, and they’ll really help with that NYE celebration feeling. Here are 15 DIY ideas for the perfect New Year's Eve party.

Image: ABeautifulMess.com

by Jessica Booth

DIY Polka Dot Party Horns

Party horns are obviously a must for New Year’s Eve, and you should have your own whether you’re throwing a party or just going to one (do you really want to worry about using one a stranger’s mouth might have been on?). Why search for cute options when you could just make your own? This is a really simple project you can do with cheap, plain party horns, or you can just spice up your old party horns that are looking old and lame.

Image and Tutorial: StudioDIY.com

DIY Photobooth

You know what they say: a party isn’t a party without a photobooth. Oh, sorry, am I the only one who says that? Either way, it’s true. A photobooth makes any get together instantly more fun. I know you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars renting one, so just make your own with these simple tips. Everyone will be taking photos all night long.

Image and Tutorial: ABeautifulMess.com

2015 Balloons

Surprise your guests with this awesome balloon sign (obviously you’re going to use 2015 instead of 2014) in the middle of your party. Do you have any idea how perfect this will look on Instagram?

Image and Tutorial: StudioDIY.com

Sequin Letter Garland

If you’re throwing a New Year’s Eve party, you need to decorate your place accordingly. This sequin letter garland isn’t very difficult to make, and it will make any space look a little more special. You can do any word you want, but I like “Cheers” — it works for the whole holiday season, and it’s even fine to leave this up afterwards.

Image and Tutorial: ABeautifulMess.com

Surprise Message Confetti Popper

I don’t think I could find a cuter confetti popper if I tried. If you want to impress everyone at your party, make a bunch of these confetti poppers with a surprise message inside. It can say whatever you want, but for NYE, I think words like “2015,” “celebrate,” or “party” would be best.

Image and Tutorial: StudioDIY.com

Champagne Cupcakes

These are champagne cupcakes. Do I really need to explain? They couldn’t be more appropriate for New Year’s Eve, and they also just sound delicious. Plus, cupcakes are the best dessert for a party where everyone is drinking and just having a good time. You’ll thank yourself later.

Image and Recipe: TheSimple-SweetLife.com

DIY Glitter Party Hats

Party hats may seem like an important thing to have around at, say, your 5-year-old niece’s birthday party, but these glittery toppers are practically begging to be worn come New Year’s Eve. They’re just so sparkly.

Image and Tutorial: StudioDIY.com

Mason Jar Lanterns

If you’re lucky enough to live in a place where it’s warm enough to be outside on New Year’s Eve, then you need to make these mason jar lantern lights to decorate your backyard, porch, or patio with. They’re so adorable, and they will make any space feel cozy and lovely. They would even work in your house if you dim the lights a little bit.

Image and Tutorial: APrettyLifeInTheSuburbs.com

Confetti Dipped Balloons

Another way to make your balloons more interesting is to decorate them with confetti and glitter. It’s such a simple thing to do, but it will instantly make them look more fun and festive — perfect for your NYE party.

Image and Tutorial: StudioDIY.com

Giant Pom-Pom Garland

Another great decoration idea for your party is this pom-pom garland. It’s fun, it’s great for the entire holiday season, and it’s not that hard to make. Put together a bunch of them, and hang them up wherever your place needs a little sprucing. It will instantly make everything feel more homey and festive.

Image and Tutorial: ABeautifulMess.com

Gold Star Cake Toppers

It’s not a party without dessert, so whether you’re making or buying a cake (or cupcakes, or cookies, or whatever), make these star-shaped cake toppers to stick in there. They’re so cute, and you’ll impress all of your guests with your craft abilities. Plus, they’ll make any dessert look even more appetizing!

Image and Tutorial: DeliaCreates.com

DIY Plush Conversation Hearts

These conversation heart pillows make for an amazing decoration, but honestly, I would keep these around my place year-round! Make these now so that your guests can be comfortable at your NYE party, and just add a little extra glitter or sparkle to make them festive. You can really get creative with this idea and do whatever design you like. Bonus: when everyone compliments you on your amazing pillows, you can casually be like, “oh, thanks, I made them.”

Image and Tutorial: StudioDIY.com

Porcelain Tree Lights

These beautiful tree lights will definitely take you some time to make, but the end result is worth it. They make for an amazing decoration that ends up looking simple, yet classic. Again, these are great for the entire holiday season, which is nice because you’ll get more use out of them. Dim the lights, and put a bunch of these around your place for a super cool party atmosphere.

Image and Tutorial: ABeautifulMess.com

Christmas Light Up Marquee

This beautiful DIY decoration is actually intended for Christmas, but I think it’s great for New Year’s Eve as well — after all, everything really should be merry and bright. It looks amazing above a fireplace, but if you don’t have one in your apartment (um, how many people do?), just hang it anywhere. It will add a feeling of coziness to any party.

Image and Tutorial: ABeautifulMess.com

Confetti Poppers

Confetti and New Year's Eve go hand-in-hand, so you obviously can’t get through the night without a confetti popper. Make your own with bits of glitter and pretty fabric for the cutest NYE ever.

Image and Tutorial: JulieBlanner.com

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