How to Make Confetti

Make any occasion more festive with your own homemade confetti.

Instructions

Step 1: Gather paper Gather paper that can be shredded—old newspapers and magazines, discarded copier paper, used gift wrapping, or colored construction paper.
TIP: If you work in an office, ask coworkers who use hole punchers to save the little paper circles.
Step 2: Cut them Turn paper into confetti with scissors, a hole puncher, or a paper shredder. Craft-supply stores offer decorative hole punchers that create stars, sequins, hearts, and other designs.
TIP: If you use a paper shredder to make the confetti, make sure it’s the crosscut kind, which cuts paper both vertically and horizontally.
Step 3: Make them cling-free Scoop up the confetti, put it in a paper bag, and mist it with anti-static spray. Close the bag, shake it up for a minute, then open the top to let the confetti air-dry. This will prevent the confetti from clinging to your guests’ hair and clothes.
Step 4: Make flower confetti Try making flower confetti: Sprinkle a layer of silica gel crystals onto the bottom of an ovenproof dish, cover with flower petals, and then alternate more layers of silica and petals. Heat in a 200-degree oven for about 30 minutes, and then let cool before gently shaking off any silica residue.
TIP: If you’re sending party invitations, insert a tablespoon or so of confetti inside the card.
Step 5: Bag it Make individual party bags for New Year’s Eve guests by pouring confetti into small glassine bags, sealing, and taping a noisemaker to the top of each.
Step 6: Stuff balloons Stuff some confetti into balloons that guests can pop. Just funnel in the confetti before blowing them up.
Step 7: Spray your guests Spray confetti over party guests by turning on a large fan and slowly pouring confetti in front of it.
TIP: Some party supply stores and websites rent and sell confetti cannons, blowers, and swirl fans.
Step 8: Clean up After vacuuming your floors, pick up any stubborn confetti with a lint roller.
FACT: The largest collection of confetti in the world contains 1,700 unique shapes, including pieces that look like Elvis Presley.