Last Minute Party Blowers

Happy New Year’s Eve! Do you have guests coming over or young kids to entertain?  These easy party blowers made with wrapping paper scraps are fun for all ages and can even be used as a craft project while you wait for the ball to drop.

I first learned how to make these from Martha Stewart for our Milk and Cookies Party. For this New Year’s eve batch, I made them with clear straws and leftover Christmas paper with a foil finish. You can experiment with colored straws and scrapbook paper.  You probably have all the supplies you need on hand.

I used the cutting guidelines on the back of the wrapping paper to cut several 2″ x 6″ strips.

Fold the long edges of the paper until they meet in the center.  Apply a strip of scotch tape to cover the entire seam.  Fold one short end up about 1/8″ and tape to secure and seal.

Cut a straw in half.  Insert it about 1″ into the open end of the paper tube.  Fold the paper around the straw and secure with tape.  The tape needs to hold the paper to the straw, but also create a seal.

Roll the end of the paper tube tightly towards the straw.  This step is ideal for little helpers…put them to work rolling up the blowers.

Blow into the straw!  Then roll them up and do it again and again.

The younger set (under 2) may not quite get it, but they will look cute trying.  Even if they do get the straw in their mouth, they may suck in instead of blowing.

While the older set will quickly learn they can put a bunch of party blowers in their mouth at once.

Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year filled with “salud, dinero, y amor” (health, money, and love…not necessarily in that order)!