Children will love this colorful, fun centerpiece for their party. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D

Materials:

Ordinary box (figure A)
Wrapping paper (color of your choice)
Tape
Ribbon (color of your choice)
Stapler
Scissors
Newspaper
Tissue paper (colors of your choice)
Plastic container (smaller than box)
Floral foam
Foliage of your choice (leather-leaf fern and pittosporum were used for this project)
Carnations (any color you desire -- pink was used for this project)
Cardboard party hats
Wooden meat skewer or floral foam sticks
Hot glue
Party horns
Party blow-outs
Thin wire
Paper leis
Balloons (on sticks)
Serpentine ribbon

1. Cover the box with wrapping paper -- leaving the top end open for the flower arrangement (see figure A). Wrap basically just as you would a gift.

2. Staple ribbon on each side.

3. Create a bow, using ribbon (2-1/2 yards) -- remember to keep the shiny side toward you, make a loop, twist and pinch together between your thumb and finger. Repeat this process until you have a full bow, then staple to the side of the box (figure B).

4. Stuff old newspaper into the bottom of the box.

5. Staple colorful tissue paper inside each corner of the box (figure C).

6. Place floral foam into a plastic container, then place both down into the wrapped box. Arrange the tissue paper around the floral foam to help disguise it.

7. Add the foliage (your choice) by cutting the stems at an angle (for better water absorption) and placing down into the floral foam. Arrange the foliage, making sure to cover the floral foam from view.

8. Add the flowers -- carnations were used for this project. Be sure to cut the stems at an angle.

9. Hot-glue wooden meat skewers or floral foam sticks to the inside of party hats and place down in the floral foam (figure D).

10. Hot-glue wooden meat skewers or floral foam sticks to party horns and place down in the floral foam.

11. Force a thin wire up into the party blow-outs, hot-glue a wooden meat skewer or floral foam stick and place down into the floral foam.

12. Drape the leis -- one on each side of the arrangement.

13. Place the balloons (three were used for this project), which are on sticks, down in the floral foam.

14. The finishing touch is to drape the serpentine ribbon all over the centerpiece.

RESOURCES :
The Penny Whistle Birthday Party Book
Model: 0671737953
Author: Meredith Brokaw and Annie Gilbar
Fireside
Paperback - 256 pages (July 1992)

Hit of the Party: The Complete Planner for Children's Theme Birthday Parties
Model: 0788160842
Author: Amy Vangsgard
(August, 2000)

Diane Publishing

Kid-Tastic Birthday Parties: The Complete Party Planner for Today's Kids
Model: 0918420245
Author: Jane Chase
(June, 1995)

Brighton Publications

Birthday Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family
Model: 0811829987
Author: Sara Perry
(August, 2001)

Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com

A Time for Flowers
Model: 0935284265
Author: Dale Rohman
This title is currently out of print. Consult local libraries, used bookstores and book searches to find copies.

Best Birthday Parties Ever! A Kids Do-It-Yourself Guide
Model: 0761314105
Author: Kathy Ross
(1999)

To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.

The Millbrook Press, Inc.
Brookfield, CT 06804
Fax: 203-775-5643

Kids Pick-A-Party: 50 Fun Themes For Happy Birthdays And Other Parties
Model: 0671579665
Author: Penny Warner
(1998)

To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.