Themes for kids birthday parties have become more original than ever — just check out what’s new online and on Pinterest.  In the quest to be different, here are some simple ways to add the finishing touches to an original theme using materials you have right at home or can purchase affordably:

Welcome to the party:  Balloons and streamers are always festive, but you can also use some offbeat ideas to let your guests know they they have the right house.  Create a fun path to the front door by cutting paper plates into the shape of pinwheels and have them spinning, or use party cups as faux luminaries by filling them with sand and lining them up to the door.

Fun banners: Purchase a simple design gift wrap or even use plates with a favorite character on them. Cut your wrap into fun shapes, or cut out the characters, and link the pieces together with string to create a one-of-a-kind pennant banner.

 A fresh take on centerpieces:  Get the “pop” without the cost by creating whimsical flower bouquets out of tissue paper.  Just shape the paper into blooms and put attractive color combinations together in any vase.

Placing it just right: Give your table a coordinated look by cutting wrap into squares and putting them under each place setting along with matching silverware holders. Or, even easier, use a roll of gift wrap as your tablecloth.

Consistency is key:  No matter what your party is focused on, you can keep the theme alive everywhere through simple elements such as creating a border around mirrors in puffy stickers (which are easier to remove), or even just using balloons or streamers to line every entrance.

Remember, thinking outside the box can make decorating for your next birthday party easy and affordable!