Taking a break from my recent cake obsession to share a quick party-supply makeover. Those confetti cannons—also called party poppers—from the party store do their job, but their wrappers are often uninspired. I fixed that with simple stripes, tassels and tiny disco balls to make them look festive and gift-ready. I didn’t plan this as a Valentine’s Day project, but a sparkly heart slipped right in. You could add a small note—“You make my heart POP!”—or a cheeky “heart attack.” These makeovers work for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or any celebration. Here’s an easy how-to.
Supplies used:
Confetti cannons / party poppers
Wrapping paper (I used patterned papers from a couple of boutique lines)
Glue pen
Glitter (I used a small glitter tray to collect and pour excess back into the container)
Double-stick tape
Trimmings: glitter paper, gold mylar curtain strips, tissue fringe, and mini disco balls
Note: store descriptions aren’t always accurate about confetti color. I was told these were rainbow but they were Mardi Gras colors—still exciting, regardless of the color mix.
Step 1: Cover the wrapper. Cut a piece of wrapping paper the length of the cannon and wide enough to wrap around once with about 1/4″ overlap. Because you need to be able to twist the cannon to fire it, divide the paper into a top and bottom section. Use the twisting line already printed on the cannon to size these pieces so the mechanism remains accessible.
Step 2: Note the firing direction. Before you stick anything down, check which way the arrows on the cannon point. Use double-stick tape to adhere the top and bottom wrap pieces, rolling the paper cleanly around the barrel. After covering, re-mark the twist arrows so the user knows which way to turn. I drew the arrows with a glue pen and topped them with glitter for visibility.
Step 3: Add embellishments. Make tassels from foil curtain strips by cutting to length, rolling and taping. Fringe tissue paper the same way. Cut small shapes—hearts look great—from glitter paper and slip them over the string of a mini disco ball for a charming accent. Attach all trims to the cannon with decorative tape or double-stick tape. Keep trim placement away from the twist mechanism so it remains simple to operate.
Safety reminder: Confetti cannons can be loud and powerful. Don’t point them directly at people when firing. If the recipient might not expect the intensity, include a small safety note with the gift.
Finished result: playful, polished, and party-ready. The Mardi Gras confetti inside was a pleasant surprise and still totally festive.
All photos by Studio DIY
This is an easy way to elevate a party-store staple into something giftable and stylish. I’ve done other makeovers like gilded piñatas and piñata-grams, and I’m considering a small series showing easy ways to upgrade basic party supplies. Would you like to see more ideas like this?
This post is part of a creative program; all content and opinions are my own.