Chapter 9 - Decorating Tips And Stunts

Crepe Paper Decorations | Balloons

Cheerleaders and Pep Squad members are constantly called upon to conduct, supervise and present all types of programs for the student body. It is also their responsibility to arrange the half time stunts at basketball games, decorate the gymnasium for school dance; conduct the pep rally program, decorate the goal posts, and floats for parades and ever so many other kinds of programs. A little extra effort in properly decorating your assignment will help considerably in making it successful.

Usually very limited funds are available to spend on decorations. With a little effort, team work and ingenuity it is possible to make beautiful displays for the occasion at little expense.

Depending on your locale there are various items that can be used for decorative purposes at no cost. Such as flowers, autumn leaves, pine cones, etc. If some funds are available there are a number of things that can be purchased at little cost. Such as: chicken wire (to make foundations for large items); large cardboard cartons (these are sometimes available from refrigerator companies free), paper napkins, tissue paper, ordinary crepe paper which comes in your school colors and the common balloon.

Some general ideas of how you can use crepe paper and balloons successfully follow. If you are interested in large and more expensive crepe paper displays such as to decorate an automobile or truck for a parade we would suggest you write to, Denni-son Manufacturing Company, Framingham, Mass. for their free folder entitled "So You're Planning a Parade."

How To Prepare Crepe Paper Decorations

Perhaps the quickest and neatest way to trim the gym, lunch room, etc., for your dances, pep fests, etc., is by using colorful flame proof crepe paper which is available in your school colors at variety, stationery, and department stores. Among the many new patterns and cutouts you can obtain from your local store that the manufacturers have for sale are: football player, large football prints (that can be pasted most anywhere for decoration), Pilgrim figures; pheasant; black cat; pumpkin; skeleton and many others. If you are getting ready to decorate it will pay to consult your crepe paper dealer to observe what he has in stock.

A 56" high Jointed Skeleton is available from Dennison. Dress him up in your rival team's colors. Identify him (just so there's no mistake) with letters you can cut from gummed crepe. String him up in the middle of the hall for all to gaze upon with scorn.

The crepe paper decorations to be used in your gymnasium or on an automobile or float should be prepared beforehand ready to attach. Be sure to make sufficient fringe, petals and the like so that there will be no delays at the last minute.

Pennants

For Pennants, Dennison says to cut triangles of flameproof crepe paper (with the grain running towards the point) in the school colors of rival teams. Paste large Football Prints to each pennant and use gummed crepe paper to letter on each team's school name. Paste the pennants to a long stretch of wire or twine and use with streamers to decorate the ceiling or walls of the gym. Use the large size Football Player Prints on the walls, too.

Refreshment Table

Use widths of Green crepe paper and White streamers to get a football field effect. Scatter colorful Fall Leaf Prints around the edge of the table. The small Football and Football Player prints are great to use for decorating favors or dance programs.

Goal Posts

Goal Posts are usually wrapped with strips of crepe paper two inches wide, which spiral like a barber's pole. One of the goal posts should be wrapped in your school's colors and the other in your opponent's. At the top of each of the posts a streamer is placed which is made from five strips of each of the two colors on that goal post. Strips of crepe paper two inches wide by seven and one-half feet long are folded in half and fastened in the form of a pom pom. Mount the streamers first arid then the side posts from top to bottom. The horizontal bar may be wrapped while the side posts are being wrapped. Fasten the crepe paper securely with masking tape.

Many schools wrap the goal posts with their school colors using crepe paper. Another effective way to do this is to use long streamers (about 4 foot long) of colorful crepe paper and fastening it from the cross bars of the goal posts. When the wind blows the paper streamers make a nice display. Caution: better check with your coach as some sections do not permit anything on goal posts.

1. CRINKLED CREPE PAPER It is easier to cover the sides of a car with crepe paper which has been crushed or crinkled than to put it on perfectly plain. Remove the paper from the packet. Roll it, not too tightly, with the grain of the paper running vertically, around a stick about 1" in diameter. A piece of broom handle about 26" long is excellent. Hold the stick vertically with the end resting on the floor or on a table and, starting near the bottom, push the crepe paper down a little at a time. Repeat until little ripples are formed all around and the paper is pushed down to occupy about 10" of the space, Fig. A. This is not easy to do and takes considerable strength. Slip the roll off the stick and unroll carefully, Fig. B. The necessary joinings may be lightly pasted or crushed together and held with pins or Scotch tape.

2. FRINGED CREPE PAPER Crepe paper cut into fringe can often be used for covering the entire body of the car. Several rows of narrow fringe are better than one deep fringe which might be blown aside when the car is in motion.

Unfold the paper then refold in half three times. Pin along the top edge in several places to keep the paper from slipping. Make cuts about V& inch apart, with the grain of the paper from the bottom to within 1 inch of the top, Fig. C. Sew or pin two or more thicknesses together before putting in place on the car. If stitched on the sewing machine, it will be much stronger and easier to handle. If more than one depth of fringe is needed, put the lower one in place then place the others overlapping each other enough to cover the plain part of the fringe. Fringe either 10 inches deep or 20 inches deep is usually made.

3. SCALLOPED CREPE PAPER Before removing the paper from the packet, cut in curved shape as shown in Fig. D, or in any other shape you wish. Repeat on the opposite end, then cut the paper in half across the middle, thus making two 10 inch wide strips.

4. CREPE PAPER BEADING A finish is often needed around the edges of a car. Cut 2 strips of crepe paper across the grain (do this while the paper is still in the packet) 3 inches wide, or use Crepe Paper Streamers which are 2% inches wide. Unfold and place one piece directly on the other. These may be the same or contrasting colors. With the hands placed close together with thumbs on one side and forefingers on the other, give the paper a complete turn. Move the hands about 2% inches and repeat until the entire strip looks like Fig. E. Pin or tack in place, fastening in each or every other twisted place. Keep smooth and firm and do not allow it to sag. E

8. ROSETTES First cut a strip of crepe paper across the grain about the width required for the diameter of the finished rosette. 6 inch is an average width. Use a piece about 24 inches long. Double lengthwise through the center, being careful not to make a crease on the folded edge. Starting with the left hand end, turn the end of the strip down diagonally and wind it loosely around your index finger once, holding tightly at the bottom. Gather the remaining portion of the doubled strip around this. Fig. M, until the desired size is made. Fasten tightly with spool wire. Fasten in place with tacks or large pins tacks are better if there is a foundation into which they may be put.

5. ROSE PETAL STRIPS Cut strips of crepe paper across the grain 5", 6%" or 10" wide according to the size of the car. Unfold and refold in half 3 times to make 8 thicknesses. Pin in several places to keep paper from slipping. Make cuts 4" or more apart, 4" or more deep according to the width of the strip, Fig F. Eoll the corners of each petal division over a large knitting needle, Fig. F, then push the paper together tightly, Fig. G. Make each petal cup shaped by holding between the thumbs and forefingers of both hands placed near opposite edges and pushing outward carefully.

To make separate roses, using a strip of 8 or more petals, gather them around on themselves, arranging so that the petals alternate rather than lie one directly over the other. Fasten with a 9" length of spool wire, allowing a double thickness for the stem, Fig. H.

6. DECORATIVE FLOWERS Make strips of rounded or pointed petals starting as for rose petals but shaping the top edges, and using strips G%" wide. Cut into lengths of 9 petals. Make into flowers by gathering at the base and fastening with spool wire as described for rose. If desired, the petals may be gathered around a piece of yellow fringed crepe paper, 2" wide, 18" long gathered up to make a center. Spread the petals out to make a fiat open flower and, if necessary, make cup shaped, Fig. J.

7. CREPE PAPER DRAPES Fold the end of a strip of crepe paper over 1 inch two or three times with the fold on the right side. The dull side of crepe paper is the right side and to make correctly formed drapes, it is absolutely necessary to have the right side out. Tack the paper in place along the widest part of the drape, using 4 or 5 small tacks, Fig. K. Gather the paper in your hand at the bottom, 6" or 8" above the point where the paper is to be fastened. Stretch the paper down, cut off any surplus paper and tack firmly in place. Be sure to stretch the paper fully or your drape may sag. Don't be afraid to pull hard, the paper will not tear if you have reinforced it properly at the top and if you give it a strong steady pull, not a jerk, Fig. L.

Courtesy, Dennison Manufacturing Co.

Balloon Decoration Ideas

Balloon Trees

To an upright of light wood attach a triangular piece of cardboard. Fasten small round balloons to cardboard by pulling knots thru small holes or slits. Makes a very colorful table decoration.

Table Center-Piece

Large "toss-up" balloons that may be purchased at your local variety store make colorful table decorations. Or you may create your own with balloons of various shapes, cardboard, paper, and paste.

Balloon Flowers

Cut petals from colored paper or cardboard. A small hole should be cut near the base of each. Inflate a round balloon and insert stem thru hole in each petal. For amusing effects, paint faces on balloons.

Clown Heads

Start with a triangular piece of white cardboard. Inflate round balloon, fasten thru hole cut near center of base of triangle. Make hat and bow tie from paper and attach. Paint funny clown face on balloon.

Fortune Telling

Write short predictions on inflated balloons with paste, then sprinkle with confetti. Use the balloons for decorations, then at a signal let everyone scramble for his fortune.

Chaperone Shoulder

At a dance, issue each man an inflated balloon to be attached to his shoulder. The balloon serves as a "shoulder chaperone," adding greatly to the fun.

Balloon Fountain

Lay an ordinary household electric fan on floor or table, face up as shown. Fasten wire hoop to ceiling and run strings from hoop to fan guard to form a circular cage. Inflate balloons, push them into cage, and turn on fan. Balloons will rise and fall and tumble about.

Ceiling Carousels

Suspend hoops from ceiling at intervals. Fasten inflated balloons around each hoop with colored paper streamers or ribbons.

Balloon Net

Excitement and expectancy can be added to a pep fest or dance by releasing balloons from a big overhead net. This stunt is made doubly effective by putting notes of paper inside the balloons that can be redeemed for prizes, valuable or ridiculous, or even calling for the matching up of "new mates for the next dance."

Painting Balloons

Names or fancy designs are easily placed on balloons. First, inflate the balloon and tie. Use any poster paint, lipstick or crayon.
(Courtesy Oak Rubber Co., Ravenna, Ohio)