Top Hat Party Centerpieces

I recently helped to plan a graduation reception, and came up with an excellent idea for the table centerpieces. This idea only cost about $6.00 each and can be adapted to fit almost any occasion. As we hand settled on a classy black and white theme, and these weren't your typical high school graduates (as they had homeschooled), the idea of using top hats came to mind.

To create this top hat party centerpiece, you will need the following:

A black plastic top hat
Hot glue gun
A piece of white fabric ribbon
A glitter or silver or gold marker
A set of balloons with ribbon
A balloon weight
Fancy paper with printed saying, or scripture verse

Step 1. Print a scripture verse on inspirational saying onto the fancy paper. Vellum or another attractive type of paper will do. Cut the paper into a playing card size so the verse will have to be formatted accordingly.

Step 2. Cut a wide piece of white fabric ribbon long enough to encircle the hat. Write the name of the school and the year on the ribbon with the glitter pen or marker. (If it is not for a graduation, write whatever is appropriate on the ribbon)

Step 3. Make a small hole in the top of the hat so you can thread the balloon strings through it.

Step 4. Hot glue the scripture and onto the side or sides of the hat, and then the ribbon trim.

Step 5. Thread the balloon ribbons through the top of the hat then attach them to a balloon weight. In my case, we used a smooth river stone with a cute saying written on it. Hospital tape was used to secure the ribbon to the stone. The stone could only be seen when the centerpiece was picked up.

The final product is a hat with balloons coming out of the top. It will look fabulous when placed on a white tablecloth. When made for many tables, the balloons give the room a festive atmosphere, while allowing people to sit and enjoy the company of others without a cumbersome arrangement blocking eye view.