It’s time to take your party throwin’ skills over the top! With these larger-than-life decorations, your party will go from big to huge in no time — and we’re not just talking about the guest list. From human-sized flowers to the biggest fringe you’ve ever seen, these 14 party props give new meaning to the phrase “go big or go home.”
1. Golden Horseshoe: Every party needs a little luck! Hang a giant metallic horseshoe over the bar to bring some to yours — and to add a little extra party lighting. (via Style Me Pretty)
2. Fringe Garland: It’s a garland like you’ve never seen before! Hang this seven and a half foot baby, made with four folds of crepe paper, across your ceiling for some major wow factor. (via Oh Happy Day)
3. Jumbo Glittered Letters or Numbers ($13): All that glitters is gold, right? Make your party’s guest of honor feel golden by spelling out his or her name in these super-sized block letters.
4. Holiday Bow: You can hang this bow above the fireplace over the holidays like this blogger did, or make one in neon or pastel colors to hang over the buffet at a just-the-gals brunch. (via The Alison Show)
5. Pastel 36-inch Balloon and Mini Tassel Garland Tail ($39): In our shop, we believe bigger is better. That’s why we’ve got this balloon that’s more than triple the size of your average party balloon. And you gotta love a tail with a little flair!
6. Giant Birthday Candles: Try blowing these candles out in one breath! Make these using mailing tubes and a little bit of paint. (via Sugar and Cloth)
7. Party Fans: Let’s just say we’re fans of how easy it is to make this party decoration. All it takes is large sheets of your favorite craft paper and some basic folding skills. (via Sugar and Charm)
8. Button Runner: Have a friend with an adorable little bundle on the way? Throw her a big time shower that includes these great buttons crafted from wood circles. You can also get the same look using paper plates, paint and scissors. (via Project Nursery)
9. Heart Piñata: Wondering how this piñata got its fringe? Post-Its! Deck this DIY heart piñata out in colorful sticky notes and hang it up for a lovely party piece. (via Brooklyn Bride)
10. Giant Custom Pinwheel Set of 2 ($50): Try this whimsical prop for your next photo booth. Your guests will have a blast posing with this grown-up pinwheel.
11. Fresh Flower Ampersand: Get your wall decor and bouquet all-in-one with this craft project. To make yours, cut an ampersand out of floral foam, then customize it by covering it in your favorite blooms. (via Paper + Stitch)
12. Party Bows: Leave these by the photo wall, or wear yours around all night and be the star of the party. You can make these ’80s inspired bows with tissue paper and headbands, and your guests will surely have a blast trying them on. (via Smitten Studio)
13. Giant Flower Bouquet: Celebrate your big day in a big way with these paper bouquets. When you skip the florist and go for paper, you can make your bouquet however large you want it. (via Green Wedding Shoes)
14. Tall Paper Flowers: Towering flowers will make your party magical. Guests will love roaming through this floral forest. (via Design Sponge)
Throwing a big bash? Tell us what larger-than-life decorations you’re hanging on the walls below or on Facebook!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.