Decorating for birthday parties can be expensive and it is one area that I am always searching for cute ideas that don’t cost a lot. My girlfriend had a birthday party recently and made the Martha Stewart Tissue Paper Pom Poms to decorate above her daughter’s party table. I loved it so much that I promptly stole it for Emily’s Barbie birthday party.
These pom poms are so easy to make, but add a lot of impact to the party decorations. Each one took about ten minutes and I was so proud when my husband came home and asked me where I bought them. We loved them so much that they have been moved to her room to hang above her dollhouse. The best part is that they only cost $1-2 to make (depending on how full you make these) so they will fit easily into your party budget.
To make the tissue paper pom poms:
1. Purchase tissue paper in your desired colors to match your party scheme. You can use one package (ideally 7-9 sheets) or you can use two packs, depending on how full you would like your flowers to be. The dark pink flower that I created used two packs of tissue paper, while the lighter pink ones only used one package of tissue paper.
2. Stack your paper and fold it accordion style (1 1/2″ wide). The crisper your folds the better the look of your flower so fold it as best as you can.
3. Secure the center of your flower with a little floral wire.
4. With your scissors, trim the corners either into rounded corners (as I did) or into points (for a star shape).
5. Do the same on the opposite end.
6. Very gently and carefully, separate the layers of tissue paper from one another and begin pulling them apart and shaping them. The fuller your flower, the longer this will take. Once your flower has been properly poofed (a highly technical term, I am sure), you can hang them with yarn, ribbon, or whatever else you might have on hand.
For more detailed instructions or other creative ideas for your pom poms, visit this tutorial from Martha Stewart.
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Gorgeous! One of my girlfriends made these to decorate her daughters’ room. They really look fantastic. It’s such a simple and inexpensive way to decorate a room.
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Amy Reply:
January 4th, 2011 at 8:03 am
I agree! They definitely look more complex than they should be and I wouldn’t mind adding a few white ones around the holidays in my office even
They were too pretty to only be used for a party table. 
Hope you had a good Christmas, Jennifer! xo
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Jennifer Young Reply:
January 10th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hi Amy, I forgot to ask you… how exactly did you hang these from your ceiling? Tape? Thanks:)
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Amy Reply:
January 10th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I hung them with ribbon and then used masking tape at the top. I would think a clear shipping tape would look better than my masking tape version though
These are really cute! I have three girls who would love to have some of these in their room!
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Amy Reply:
January 4th, 2011 at 8:02 am
They look so cute in my daughter’s room and I still can’t believe how inexpensive and easy they were to make!
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I love that your daughter’s birthday comes right before my oldest’s because I always get the BEST ideas from you!
My daughter has chosen her theme every year since she was three, and this year it’s unicorns. She has never been a girly-girl, but she wants to go all out with pink and sparkles and glitter this year. I think these tissue poms will be PERFECT.
Thanks, Amy!
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Amy Reply:
January 4th, 2011 at 8:01 am
Hurray! I am so glad that Emily’s birthday comes first so I can help you
I am guessing we have a unicorn party coming in our near future too so I can’t wait to see what you come up with, Megan! I hope the tissue paper pom pom flowers are a fun addition to your party table!
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These are so cute! I’m going to use this idea for my valentine’s party next month
Thanks Amy
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Amy Reply:
January 4th, 2011 at 10:25 am
What a great idea! I definitely think those would be perfect for a Valentine’s Day party! Thanks for the comment, Stephanie!
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Those are great! My daughter’s 2nd birthday is coming up in March and I have been thinking about inexpensive decorations! Thanks for the great idea!
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Amy Reply:
January 4th, 2011 at 10:25 am
So glad you liked them, Tammy! My daughter was in awe of these over her cake! Happy crafting!
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Love these – they’re so beautiful! I may have to decorate my house for Valentine’s day with these!
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Amy Reply:
January 6th, 2011 at 10:23 am
Oh, those would be beautiful for decorating your house for Valentine’s Day especially in the pinks or red and white! Have fun crafting, Dani!
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Precious! My daughter turns one in March and we will have to go all out. These will definitely be in the party scheme!
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Amy Reply:
January 6th, 2011 at 10:23 am
So glad you can use them for your party, Lori! They are so easy to make, but definitely make a statement at any party!
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I love these in the pink! My sister saw these right after Martha Stewart first came out with them, and had me make 50 to hang from the trees for my brother’s wedding reception. I still think they are to die for, but I hope I never have to make that many at once again!
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Amy Reply:
January 6th, 2011 at 10:21 am
Oh my word! I can imagine after making fifty of them that you would be a little burnt out on this craft. Any more than three would have been a lot less fun for me
I bet it did look beautiful for the reception though!
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My daughter LOVES Barbie and will be turning 5 in March! I can’t wait to incorporate all of your fun ideas and thanks for the great Barbie cake tutorial!
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Amy Reply:
January 6th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Aw, I hope that they help with your party-planning and that your daughter has a great birthday in March too! I would be honored to have any of my tips present at your party
Have a great day, Lisa!
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This party turned out SO CUTE, Amy! She looks like she was in heaven. I made some of those pom poms for Madeline’s first birthday. They were a bit hit!
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Amy Reply:
January 6th, 2011 at 10:17 am
Thank you so much, Katie! I was really proud how this turned out, especially just five short days before Christmas
I hope you guys had a good Christmas!!
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This will come in really handy for my daughter’s rainbow party!!
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Where did you find the best deal and color selection for the tissue papers?
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Amy Reply:
February 27th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
I just got it at Walmart since I was already there buying supplies. They might have more varieties at a place like Hallmark or a party store. I hope that helps!!
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Hi!
I was just wondering was size tissue paper you used. And does it matter?
Thanks!!
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Amy Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 9:25 am
Just the standard size- I don’t think it comes in different sizes or at least I haven’t seen any in different sizes. I hope that helps!
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I bought tissue paper from & the large poms ended up costing $1 each. They have a huge array of colors – also assortments. The 20″ x 30″ size makes a large, full pom. Other sizes make smaller poms. We’re making 50 for a rehearsal dinner in a park shelter. (making poms is a fun party in itself!)
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Amy Reply:
May 9th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Making pom poms is definitely a party in itself. I am sure that it will beautiful and an inexpensive way to add sparkle to a rehearsal dinner!
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I tried making these and it didn’t turn out so well….my scissors couldn’t cut through the ends! So….I ended up buying some on Etsy from “Pomtastic”. www. pomtastic.etsy.com, and they turned out great! I will be buying more in the future, saved me so much time and hassle.
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I’ve got the materials to make large poms but I want to make medium and small ones. I was going to cut the tissue paper in half to make 2 medium ones and in forths to make the small ones. Do you think they would turn out alright?
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Amy Reply:
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:27 pm
I think it should work fine. Leigh! Let me know how it turns out. Maybe try one to start with and play around with the sizing as you go.
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I love these! As soon as I read this I got out all the tissue I had and made 3 for my daughters room in no time! The recycled tissue paper is a little thicker and makes it easier to form without tearing.Its beautiful hanging from her ceiling:)
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Amy Reply:
January 24th, 2012 at 7:59 am
How fun, Beth! I am so glad that you were able to use the tutorial to create something beautiful in your daughter’s rooms!! Thanks so much for your comment!
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How do you get them round on both sides.
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Amy Reply:
March 24th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
They become full on both sides when you pull all the layers apart!
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