party time

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Each child looks forward to their birthday celebration all year long, and every parent wants to do what they can to make it memorable. However, throwing a party to commemorate their special day can be both tricky and expensive. Coordinating it all can be a lot to manage, too – particularly while trying to corral a troop of little ones at the same time.

If you've got enough room to spare, why not opt for the comfort and convenience of your own home? The birthday boy or girl will feel more relaxed on their own turf, you'll know where to find everything you need, and you can save some money – while having a lot of fun – making the decorations yourself.

This cheerful candy-coloured theme, inspired by rainbow marshmallow lollies, looks good enough to eat. Plus, each of the projects are quick and simple for you and your child to make together using Resene testpots.

DIY circle garland

You will need:

• Sheets of heavy white cardstock
• Your choice of Resene testpots – we used Resene Smiles, Resene Splat, Resene Ethereal, Resene Alabaster and Resene Kandinsky
• Paint brush
• Twine or thin cord
• Round drinking glass
• Scissors or circle punch

Step 1: Paint one side of heavy cardstock or poster paper in each of the theme colours. Leave to dry for one hour.

Step 2: Trace circles by using a drinking glass as a guide then cut them out with scissors. To speed things up, you can use a large craft punch instead.

Step 3: Measure out the length of twine or cord you'll need to drape across the area you'll be decorating (our garland was 3 metres long). Lay the twine flat on a table and place the first circle under the twine. Then, glue another circle on top of the bottom circle so the twine is sandwiched in between them. Repeat the process for the whole garland, leaving a 5cm gap between each circle.

Confetti tablecloth

Avoid a nightmarish clean-up by painting the confetti right onto the tablecloth. Using a round sponge brush and Resene testpots, create a randomised polka dot pattern all over the tablecloth by alternating each of the theme colours.

Dipped effect cutlery

Wooden cutlery only needs a quick coat of paint to make it festive. Just measure 5cm up from the bottom of each utensil, mask it off and paint with your child's favourite colours using Resene testpots.

Striped table runner

Layer your table with a sturdy runner to add extra colour. Using a ruler and pencil, measure and mark ten stripes, each 12cm wide, down the length of a 120cm x 30cm MDF board. Mask each section as you go and use Resene testpots to paint each stripe in colours that match your theme. Use a longer panel or multiple panels to suit the length of your table.

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Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

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If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat plus, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

habitat plus are not mailed directly. They are available free from Resene ColorShops and resellers while stocks last and available for viewing online.