Party store aisles are packed with New Year’s Eve decorations, but the handmade kind always gets more oohs at midnight. These 26 DIY New Year’s Eve decor ideas cover the whole party, from a gold balloon clock on the wall to confetti poppers, party hats, paper stars and a noisemaker centerpiece for the snack table. Most use cheap basics like cardstock, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, foil tinsel and glitter, so you can make a lot of sparkle on a small budget. You’ll also find a few party favors, plus resolution cards for guests to fill out before the countdown. Want a head start? Make the paper pieces a week ahead, then save balloons and anything with confetti inside for the day of the party. Planning the menu too? Pair these with the New Year’s Eve recipes.
1. New Year's Eve Balloon Clock Countdown
A New Year’s Eve balloon clock doubles as a party backdrop and a countdown. You’ll need 12 gold helium balloons, black vinyl or big number stickers, black curling ribbon and black cardstock. Cut the numbers 1 to 12 with a cutting machine or a stencil, stick one on each balloon and tie on a ribbon. Arrange them in a circle like a clock face, taping the ribbons to the floor and the balloon backs to the wall so they don’t spin. Cut big clock hands from cardstock and move them as each hour passes.
Get the full tutorial at TheSuburbanMom.
2. Ombre New Year's Eve DIY Pinata
This ombre New Year’s Eve pinata looks like a shimmering mirror ball. Start with a 10 inch paper lantern and punch about 140 circles, 2.5 inches across, from bronze, gold and silver paper. Working up from the bottom with a low temp glue gun, overlap three rows of bronze, then three of gold and three of silver. Before the last circles go on, drop the treats inside through the top. Tie a ribbon to the lantern frame to hang it. Skip the treats and it’s a pretty hanging globe instead.
Get the full tutorial at Lia Griffith.
3. Star Origami
These folded star origami ornaments look complicated, yet each one is just eight paper squares folded the same way. Cut 10 cm squares from book pages, kraft paper or plain white paper, then fold each square into a point using a few simple creases. Slide the small tip of one piece behind the flaps of the next, keeping them loose until all eight are in. Then gently tug the points to tighten the star. Hang a cluster in a window or over the table for a New Year’s Eve sparkle that costs pennies.
Get the full tutorial at Home by Linn.
4. DIY New Year's Eve Hat
DIY New Year’s Eve hats put store bought party cones to shame. Roll a cone from cardstock or poster board, glue the seam and trim the bottom so it sits level. Then decorate with whatever sparkles: glitter, rhinestones, beads, metallic paper stripes and a puff of tinsel or marabou trim at the top. Gold, silver and black always look festive, and a thin elastic keeps each one on through the countdown. Set them out at each place setting or make a stack for guests to grab as they come in.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
5. Noisemaker Centerpiece
A noisemaker centerpiece gives party horns a job before midnight. Cut floral foam to fit a bowl and wrap it in foil. Twist a gold or silver pipe cleaner around each noisemaker’s mouthpiece, then down a wooden skewer to fix it in place. Cut stars from holographic paper, tape them to more pipe cleaners and curl those around a fat marker. Push everything deep into the foam, set it in the bowl and fill around it with wrapped candy. At midnight, guests grab a horn and blow.
Get the full tutorial at Holiday Crafts and Creations.
6. DIY New Year Party Poppers
DIY New Year party poppers cost almost nothing and fill the room with color at midnight. Lay out a sheet of tissue paper or thin wrapping paper, set two toilet paper rolls end to end on top and roll the paper around them, leaving a little extra at each end. Tape it closed, then tie one end shut with ribbon. Open the other end and fill the tube with confetti and little gems. Tie it closed, and you’re done. Make a whole basket in different papers so every guest gets one.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
7. Confetti Poppers
Hanging confetti poppers turn a plain ceiling into part of the party. Brush a thin coat of glue on toilet paper rolls and wrap them in pink tissue paper. Use a needle and thread to gather one end closed, knotting it on the inside, then fill the tube with confetti. Tie the top with clear fishing line and hang them at different heights. Glitter dots, double sided tape and a sprinkle of loose glitter finish the outside, and strips of foil tinsel curtain between them add shimmer.
Get the full tutorial at Ruffled.
8. New Year's Eve Party Props for Teens
These New Year’s Eve party props are a printable cut file, so the hard design work is done for you. The set includes solid and cutout stars, a “Happy New Year” banner and big year numbers. Cut them with a cutting machine using the SVG, or print the PDF on the back of glitter cardstock and cut by hand with a sharp craft knife. String the stars into a garland, scatter small ones as table confetti or tape the numbers and words to sticks for photo booth props.
Get the full tutorial at Lia Griffith.
9. DIY Glittery Confetti Garland
A glittery confetti garland is one of the quickest New Year’s Eve decorations you can make, and it looks like it came from a party boutique. Punch 1 1/2 inch circles from glitter paper, choosing a thinner sheet so it feeds through smoothly, and cut about three pages’ worth. Then head to the sewing machine and feed the circles through one after another, leaving a little gap of thread between each one. That’s really all there is to it! Drape it across a mantel, a doorway or the dessert table, and pull it out again for birthdays and showers.
Get the full tutorial at Classy Clutter.
10. Confetti Party Favors
Confetti party favors in test tubes are a fun take home treat that’s ready in minutes. Buy plastic test tubes with cork stoppers, which are safer than glass when little ones are around. Cut metallic gold gift basket filler into tiny pieces for instant confetti and fill each tube. Pop the cork in, then tie on a printable “Happy New Year” tag with black and white string. At midnight, guests pull the corks and toss the confetti. Line them up in a jar by the door so nobody forgets theirs.
Get the full tutorial at A Pumpkin And A Princess.
11. DIY Party Crackers
DIY party crackers made from printable templates look so much better than the boxed kind. Print the large or mini template on thin card, cut around the outside and score every dotted line. Cut out the diamond shapes with a craft knife, then fold along the lines. Add a cracker snap if you have one, glue the edges into a tube and tie one end with ribbon. Wrap a small gift, a paper hat, a joke or confetti in tissue, slip it inside and tie off the other end.
Get the full tutorial at Minieco.
12. DIY Sparkly Cake Toppers
DIY sparkly cake toppers are bent from glitter pipe cleaners, so you can spell out any year, initial or shape. Bend a pipe cleaner into a number, heart or star, leaving a tail at the bottom. Cut a clear straw and a couple of pipe cleaners to the height you want, and cut a skewer about 2 inches longer. Slide the pipe cleaners and skewer into the straw, push the shape’s tail in between them and press the skewer end into the cake. Only sparkle shows on top.
Get the full tutorial at Say Yes.
13. Paper Star Ornaments
Paper star ornaments made from old book pages look elegant and cost nothing at all. Fold a page corner over to make a square and trim the rest. Fold the sides to the center, fold the top down and the corners in, then unfold the top and glue the folds in place. Make five of these pieces, flatten the bottoms and glue them together side by side, then join the two ends into a 3D star. A bone folder gives you crisp creases, and a loop of twine lets it hang.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
14. Printable New Year's Resolution Cards
Printable New Year’s resolution cards give guests something meaningful to do before the countdown. Download the PDF, print it on white cardstock, then trim the cards to size and fold them in half so there’s room to write inside. The tiny envelopes can be cut by hand or with a cutting machine. Fold the four points to the middle and glue the bottom and sides. Set the cards in a vase on the table with pens nearby, and invite everyone to write a resolution to share, burn or keep.
Get the full tutorial at Lia Griffith.
15. Shower Curtain Balloon Drop
Want a midnight moment the kids will talk about all year? This balloon drop uses dollar store supplies: about 30 balloons, a cheap shower curtain, string and masking tape. Tie a string through one of the curtain holes, tape the curtain loosely to the ceiling, stuff the balloons in from the open side and tape it shut. A noisemaker on the end of the string makes a fun pull handle. Little ones can’t stay up late? Do the drop at 9 pm and call it midnight!
Get the full tutorial at It's Always Autumn.
16. Sparkly Chair Wreaths for a New Year's Table
Want your New Year’s Eve table to sparkle all the way down to the chairs? These little chair wreaths take just 20 gauge wire, a string of sparkly garland, a glue gun and ribbon. Cut the wire into 2 foot pieces, shape each into a circle and twist it closed, then wrap 2 1/4 feet of garland around it and glue the ends. Tie one to each chair with ribbon. Pair them with a gold, silver and black table, bottle brush trees and LED candles for all the sparkle!
Get the full tutorial at A Pretty Life In The Suburbs.
17. Gold Paper Disco Balls
Who doesn’t need a disco ball at a New Year’s party? These start with big styrofoam balls covered in gold circles punched from metallic wrapping paper with a 1.5 inch punch. Glue each row so the circles overlap the row below, working up to the top for a scaly, shimmery finish. A small screw ring and a dab of hot glue let you hang them over the table. Want minis? The same steps work on 3 inch foam balls with large gold sequins. Thin metallic paper can jam the punch, so test yours first!
Get the full tutorial at At Charlotte's House.
18. Jingle Bell Noisemakers
Need a quieter way to make noise at midnight than fireworks? These noisemakers start with large wavy craft sticks painted black, then a coat of clear silver glitter paint. Hot glue a big silver jingle bell to the top, add a silver and a gold curly ribbon pulled from a gift bow and glue a second bell below. That’s it! Kids can make them in the days before the party, and you can probably use up leftover bells and bows from Christmas. Set one at every place setting as a party favor.
Get the full tutorial at A Night Owl Blog.
19. Paper Fireworks on Sticks
Want fireworks without the noise? These paper fireworks are a simple craft for preschoolers and toddlers. Fold long strips of colored craft paper, cut a zigzag along the open edge, unfold and accordion fold them, then join the ends into a ring and flatten it into a starburst. Glue a small starburst onto a bigger one, add a round paper center and stick it on a popsicle stick. Glitter foam is what gives them the firework sparkle. Pop a bunch in a cup for a bright table centerpiece!
Get the full tutorial at Moms and Crafters.
20. NYE Balloon Memory Wall
Here’s a countdown backdrop that’s also a party game. Write favorite memories from the year on cardstock, roll them up and slide them into black, gold and white balloons with a funnel along with a pinch of confetti. Write a time on each balloon with a metallic paint pen, on the side away from the knot, then tape them to the wall. Every hour on the hour, pop one and read the memory out loud. Bigger balloons are firmer and easier to write on!
Get the full tutorial at Lemon Thistle.
21. Gold Dipped Party Glasses
Need a cheap hostess gift or party favor? These glasses start at the dollar store for $1 each. Paint a rugged gold band around the bottom with dishwasher safe glass paint, two coats. Then cure them: either wait 21 days or put them in a cool oven, turn it to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes. They look so festive on a New Year’s Eve table filled with something pink and bubbly, and nobody needs to know they cost a dollar!
Get the full tutorial at Kim Pepper Blog.
22. Ornament Ball Topiary
Doesn’t this look like the ball that drops in Times Square? This topiary is made from leftover silver ornaments with the tops pulled off, hot glued all over a styrofoam ball with a low temp glue gun. Push a dowel into one end, tie on a black ribbon bow and set it in a pot. After Christmas sales make the ornaments super cheap, and it’s quick to make. Set a pair on a mantel or the snack table, and it can come back out next Christmas too!
Get the full tutorial at Simply Designing with Ashley.
23. Disco Ball Sunglasses
Want to be the life of the party? Turn any thick rimmed sunglasses into disco ball glasses in about 10 minutes. Squeeze a small line of tacky glue around the rim and press on 1/4 inch mirrored squares, repositioning as you go to keep them lined up. Mirrored lenses are a bonus! Let them dry overnight before wearing. Make a pair for every guest and toss them in a basket by the door, then watch everyone hit the dance floor at midnight.
Get the full tutorial at Club Crafted.
24. Confetti Drip Champagne Glasses
Here’s a pretty way to dress up the champagne glasses! Turn plastic flutes upside down and add Crystal gloss enamel paint one drop at a time around the bottom until it drips about halfway down. Then dip the handle end of a paintbrush in colored gloss enamels and dot big and small confetti dots between the drips, stopping 2 inches from the rim. Plastic flutes keep it cheap if you’re making a bunch. Let them cure 21 days, or bake after 48 hours, and hand wash.
Get the full tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.
25. Disco Ball Balloon Backdrop
Want a New Year’s Eve photo booth that sparkles from every angle? This backdrop is mostly silver balloons, about 30 of them, hung from the ceiling on fishing line at different heights, with disco balls mixed in. Gaffer’s tape holds the line if there are no pipes to tie onto. Then a silver fringe curtain gets cut up and tied into tassels that hot glue right onto the balloons (the glue won’t pop them). Set a photo timer and start the countdown!
Get the full tutorial at Aww Sam.
26. Easy DIY Balloon Garland
Want party decor that looks pro but comes together on a kit and a free afternoon? This balloon garland uses 100 to 150 latex balloons in mixed sizes, blown up with an electric pump and pushed through the holes of balloon tape (which isn’t sticky at all). Command hooks hang it, then small balloons fill the gaps with glue dots. Plan three to four hours the first time and build it the day of or one day ahead. Pick metallics for midnight!
Get the full tutorial at One Little Project.
