If you’re planning a party and running over budget, find ways to save money and still have decorations that suit the theme and tone of the event. Instead of buying expensive, pre-printed plates and napkins, embellish plain, colored paper tableware with customized designs that will impress your guests more than the store-bought versions. Use an assortment of craft supplies to adorn the borders of paper napkins and plates with whimsical, elegant or eclectic accents that are not only eye-catching, but also easy to create.
Step One
Create personalized paper tableware with a layered look by choosing two paper plates in the same style but different colors. Use a pair of decorative-edge scissors to cut one inch off the edge of the plate that you'd like to sit on top. Stack the two plates and stick them together with a strip of double-sided tape. Use the same scissors to generate an attractive edge across the bottom of coordinating paper napkins.
Step Two
Use paper punches sold at craft and scrapbooking stores to create shaped cutouts along the border of the plates and napkins. Choose shapes that suit the theme of the party, such as hearts for Valentine's Day, snowflakes for a winter event, or a cake for birthday festivities. Leave the punched tableware "as is" or layer a different colored plate or napkin underneath so its color will show through the punched-out shape.
Step Three
Design elegant paper plates by drawing a single line, creating a simple flourish, or writing basic text around the edge with a gold, silver, or copper leafing pen. Add similar metallic designs to napkins with gel pens since the leafing pen ink will bleed when applied to the thin paper.
Step Four
Give paper plates a homespun look with a woven ribbon border. Use a hand-held hole punch to create holes one inch apart around the entire plate. Choose ribbon or raffia that coordinates with the room or party decor and weave it in and out of the holes. Use scissors to cut the ribbon from the spool and tie the ends in a knot on top of the plate.
Step Five
Make quick-and-easy designs by adding rubber-stamped designs along the bottom of the paper napkins or edges of the paper plates. Use solvent ink that won't bleed on the napkins or smear on coated paper plates.