DIY Network

Newspaper Party Decorations Recycle papers into party fun. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-502

Dress up your table with yesterday's news.

Any crafter knows newspaper works great for protecting tabletops – but what about using it to decorate a table? Michele Beschen shows the way when she demonstrates how to fold, pleat and tape sassy party decorations made from newspaper.

You might not want to fold up the Sunday paper for a wedding reception or formal cocktail party, but these decorations are a natural for kids' parties, summer gatherings or any occasion that calls for a festive, inexpensive touch. It's a great way to B. Original and be earth-friendly at the same time.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Newspaper Party Decorations

Materials:

newspaper
stapler and staples
clear packing tape

• To create a table skirt, fold pieces of newspaper lengthwise to double their thickness (figure A). Fold these strips of newspaper into pleats, stapling along one edge to hold the pleats in place (figure B).

• At the end of the strip of newspaper, staple on a fresh strip and keep pleating. Continue until you have enough pleating to go all around the table.

• Apply the long strips of pleats around the party table with the stapled edge toward the inside. Cover the inside edge with longer pieces of newspaper.

• To hold the papers together and protect the table cover, apply long strips of clear packing tape until the paper is covered (figure C). Don't tape over the folded pleats. Apply the tape evenly and smoothly, avoiding wrinkles.

• A piece of clear vinyl – available at fabric stores – also works to protect the newspaper table cover. Don't use clear contact paper, though; Michele Beschen says it wrinkles up too easily for this project.

• Fold other pieces of newspaper into interesting shapes
  as party favors, place markers or other decorations. You can even weave a decorative pillow out of newspaper (figure D).

• The key to cool newspaper decorations is to treat them like any fine material: Use lots of tidy pleats, sharp folds and even colorful tapes. For an added touch, try working with just the color comics, the sports pages or any other distinctive section of the paper.