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40+ Quick and Easy Birthday Decoration Ideas

Whether you’re jazzing up the background of a Zoom birthday party or are going all out for a traditional in-person birthday bash, you want your décor to look juuuuuust right.

We're sharing dozens of birthday decoration ideas that are perfectly festive and suitable for any age and any birthday party theme. The only problem you'll have? Deciding which ideas to combine to create your one-of-a-kind birthday party décor!

If you need some additional tips for putting all these birthday decoration ideas together, then stick around to the end for some practical suggestions.

Birthday Party Lighting

Even amateur photographers know that the right lighting makes all the difference. Try some of these fun ideas to set the picture-perfect mood for your birthday party:

More Lighting Tips: If you've got a bigger décor budget, you could even go crazy with something like these LED glowing cube box stools or a custom-made neon sign. Another fun option is to give guests a clippable selfie light for their phones and then ask them to take spur-of-the-moment selfies throughout your party. Trust us—the added lighting will dramatically increase the photo quality!

Birthday Balloons

You absolutely cannot have a birthday without balloons! And luckily for you, there are endless options to choose from:

More Balloon Tips : Instead of ordering extra-fancy birthday balloons, you can also create your own with just a few craft supplies! Use these tips to snazzify some regular colored balloons, making them look like dinosaurs, superheroes, and more.

If you aren't 100% sold on standard balloons, you could go an eco-friendlier route by substituting them with something like bubbles. Try this recipe for giant bubbles to get balloon-sized bubbles that won't add hundreds of years of trash to the environment.

Birthday Hangings and Wall Decor

When it comes to a memorable birthday party vibe, it often doesn't take a lot to make a big difference. Add some color to your walls with these fun, small touches of decoration:

Wall Decoration Pro Tip : Having an outdoor party? Then go BIG with the idea of wall décor by springing for something like a custom-printed vinyl banner! These stand up well to the outdoor elements and are sure to make an impression. In fact, even if you're having your party indoors, you can always add a vinyl print to the front yard for a touch of slightly embarrassing and oh-so-fun whimsy.

Birthday Table Décor

We all know that the cake is the main attraction… but it never hurts to have a unique place setting, too! Your party will be that much more Instagram-worthy when the table decorations are equally delicious for the eyes.

We love these birthday table décor ideas, ranging from super simple to more complex:

More Birthday Table Tips: If you feel like getting even more elaborate with your table décor, try googling ideas for weddings. There are millions of creative ideas for place settings, and many can be easily adapted to a birthday theme rather than a wedding.

Another idea related to table décor is to jazz up your birthday cake itself! From cake toppers to candies, we've got a whole article on birthday cake ideas that will add extra flavor and creativity to your cake (even if it's store-bought).

Décor for the Birthday Party Guests

This one might sound like a stretch…but if you think about it, you know what we mean! "Décor" for the guests can add a whole lot of fun and help get everyone into that party animal spirit.

More Fun Party Tips : One creative way to incorporate guest "décor" is to do a little costumed photo booth at your birthday party. Combine some of our tips on lighting, wall décor, and guest accessories to create a photo nook that's silly and memorable.

Don't forget—if you've got a furry friend in your life, they 100% need a party hat, too! Try these adorable birthday hats for cats and dogs from Chewy.

4 Quick Tips for Making Your Birthday Party Decorations POP!

We've presented a ton of ideas for different birthday party decorations, so if you aren't sure how to put it all together, we don't blame you! Before you head out to the party store or your favorite online shop, here are some tips for making your birthday décor look like it was planned by a pro.

1. Choose a theme.

It's a lot to easier to create awesome birthday décor when you choose a specific theme. A theme can help you narrow down the thousands of options out there while providing a sense of stylish cohesion for the end result.

For instance, these birthday party themes can give you a lot to work with:

  • Glam silver and gold
  • Jungle safari
  • Rainbow sprinkles
  • Modern shabby chic
  • Minimal and quirky
  • Barbies, dolls, and ballerinas
  • Unicorns
  • Dinosaurs
  • Your favorite TV show or movie
  • Whimsical tea party
  • Fairies and dragons
  • Camping or adventuring
  • Video games

You can go even simpler and make your theme something like "the color blue." Even the most basic theme will add a ton of pizzazz and can simplify the process of choosing and buying decorations.

2. Use a birthday decoration kit.

If you don't have the time or energy to create your own from-scratch birthday extravaganza, there's nothing wrong with buying a decoration kit! You can find ready-made décor kits at large party stores like Party City, or you can search Etsy for more of a handcrafted and trendy feel.

3. Send matching invites.

Whether you scout out your own decorations or buy a ready-made kit, you can set the stage for your party theme by sending a matching invitation. This will help let guests know what to expect for your birthday party and get them excited about participating.

4. Give out matching party favors.

Party favors aren't just for kids! They're a fun send-off for guests of all ages and can put a nice little bow on your themed birthday décor. Here are a few ideas for fun party favors:

Another fun and (very affordable) idea? If you have the time, write out generic thank you notes with funny or heartfelt quotes and then fold them into little squares. Have guests pull one from a jar on their way out the door.

Whether you're planning your own birthday party or will be hosting one for a special guest of honor, don't forget the card! From thank you cards to happy birthday cards, Foxdog has you covered. Check out our huge selection and let us send your card today.

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