DIY Decor Projects

Giant Floral Wreath Backdrops From Plain Hula Hoops

I learned this trick the way I learn most party tricks: five minutes before guests arrive, staring at a blank wall and thinking, “Okay Joanna, be brave.” A couple of cheap hula hoops can look like craft-store chaos in the package, but once you wrap them, weight them, and cluster faux florals the...

7 Upcycled Party Decor Ideas for Eco-Friendly Celebrations

I grew up watching my parents turn our backyard into a full-on summer luau with whatever we already had. Old jars became candle holders, “extra” fabric turned into tablecloths, and nothing went in the trash until we had squeezed one more party out of it. That mindset stuck. These days, when I’m...

DIY Tissue Paper Pom Poms for Ceiling Decor

I learned tissue paper pom poms the same way I learned most party tricks: on a chaotic setup day, with someone texting “people will be here in an hour” while I’m standing under a bare ceiling thinking, this room needs something up top . Pom poms are my favorite ceiling save because they are...

How to Build a Custom Cardboard Piñata from Scratch

I grew up helping my parents turn our backyard into a full-blown summer luau, and there was always one rule: if it can be made from what we already have, we try that first. A cardboard piñata is exactly that kind of project. It is creative, slightly chaotic in the best way, and wildly satisfying...

DIY Acrylic Welcome Signs for Events

The first time I made an acrylic welcome sign, I did what every excited DIYer does. I started painting before I had a real plan for layout, spacing, or how I was going to keep my letters from wobbling. The good news is acrylic can be forgiving when it comes to fixing paint-pen mistakes, but it also...

Hand-Dyed Cheesecloth Table Runners

The first time I dyed cheesecloth for a backyard party, I was chasing that “effortless” rustic look I grew up with at my parents’ summer luaus. You know the vibe: soft fabric draped down picnic tables, colors that feel sun-faded in the best way, and edges that look like they’ve always been that...

7 Creative Ways to Decorate with Crepe Paper Streamers

I will never forget the first time I “leveled up” basic crepe paper streamers. I was helping set up a backyard party and we had that classic last-minute moment: the food was handled, the playlist was ready, and the space still looked a little… plain. I grabbed a few rolls of streamers, started...

DIY PVC Pipe Photo Booth Backdrop Stand

If you have ever tried to tape a backdrop to a wall five minutes before guests arrive, you already know why I love a good stand. A PVC pipe frame is one of those unglamorous party heroes: it is inexpensive, surprisingly sturdy when built correctly, and it breaks down fast for storage. I built my...

DIY Organic Balloon Arch That Lasts All Weekend

The first time I made an “organic” balloon arch, I did what every eager DIYer does. I built it the night before, admired it for five minutes, went to bed feeling like a party goddess… and woke up to a sad, squishy noodle of balloons drooping into my snack table. Good news: you do not need helium to...

DIY Paper Lantern Upgrades: 7 Easy Hacks for Any Theme

I have a soft spot for paper lanterns. They are one of those “instant party” items I grew up seeing at backyard get-togethers, and now I keep a small stash in my garage for last-minute decorating saves. The only problem is the basic ones can look a little… cafeteria if you hang them straight out of...

DIY Walkway Decor With Canvas Drop Cloths

The fastest way to make an event entrance feel intentional is to give people a path. Not a “follow the crowd and hope you end up at the dessert table” situation, but a real, photogenic walkway. My favorite budget trick is also one of the least fussy: heavy-duty canvas drop cloths from the hardware...

Faux Metal Finish for Plastic Platters

The first time I tried to “upgrade” plastic catering platters, I got cocky. I grabbed a can of shiny gold spray paint, blasted a tray in my driveway, and proudly set it out for a birthday buffet. Under the party lights it looked less “antique brass” and more “toy robot.” Lesson learned: believable...

Budget Ceiling Draping With Tulle and Fishing Line

The first time I tried ceiling draping, I was convinced it would either look like a wedding tent or a tangled spiderweb. It can absolutely be the dreamy tent effect, even on a normal-person budget, but only if you plan two things first: where the tension will go and what your venue will allow ....

Plastic Tablecloth Photo Backdrop That Looks Expensive

The first “wow” backdrop I ever made was for a backyard birthday that outgrew my dining room. I had big dreams, a small budget, and exactly one day to pull it off. Enter: those crinkly plastic tablecloths from the dollar store. With a little braiding, layering, and a hot glue gun that worked...

Thrift Store Decor Flips: 9 High-End Event Props

I learned to love a good thrift store hunt the same way I learned to love party prep in general: by jumping in, getting a little messy, and realizing the “fancy” look is usually just smart styling. When I was a kid, my parents would turn our backyard into a full-on summer luau with whatever we had,...

About Joanna Mercer and Gathova

Welcome to Gathova. I’m Joanna Mercer, an enthusiastic DIY event decorator with a deep love for making everyday spaces feel celebration-ready. If you’ve ever looked at a blank table and thought, “I want this to feel special, but I do not have a wedding budget,” you’re my kind of person. I’m not...