party supplies

If you're looking for a seriously cute and smart way to display edible goodies at your next gathering, this tiered tray is appetizingly easy and only costs around $5 to construct. All the basic materials needed for this project can be found at your local dollar store, though you'll probably need to pick up your favorite color of spray paint at the home goods or craft store for finishing the tiered tray. So call your girlfriends and invite them over for an afternoon of crafty fun.

Keep reading for the easy directions.

Add a unique twist to your holiday party with these six ideas to dress up and distinguish your guests' drinks. From charming wine tags to chalkboard cocktail labels, there are plenty of ways to set your drinks and your party apart from the rest. Pick a favorite and start labeling, 'tis the season to shake things up!

1. "Bow Tie": Stop the cocktail mix up with a few spools of Ribbon ($2). Let guests pick a color, tie a bow, and always know whose drink is whose.
2. Bright Tumblers: Serve up drinks in a variety of colorful Glass Tumblers ($54). Not only will the bright colors liven up your tablescape, they will prevent any chances of a drink mix up between guests.
3. Wine Charms: Wine Charms ($10, originally $15) are a classic way to distinguish drinks with a festive touch.
4. Drink Decals: Write your guests' names and stick these Chalkboard Vinyl Decals ($12) to drink glasses for a fun addition to your next party.
5. Colorful Coasters: Have guests grab a Donna Coaster ($10) to tell drinks apart and prevent any unsightly furniture rings.
6. Festive Flags: Easily add a playful vibe to your party with these Paper Pennant Flags ($5). Simply write out guests' names and add to straws or drink stirrers.

Pick up plastic platters, bowls, or even wineglasses from the dollar store, and transform them into chic party supplies with the help of homemade chalkboard paint. For less than $5, you've got the ingredients needed to mix together enough paint for upscaling dishes, turning them into seriously cool party provisions. Once the dishes are dry, write the names of snacks and appetizers on plates and bowls to let guests know what they're digging in to. And you can even coat the bases of wineglasses for guests to write their names, ensuring no one loses a drink.

Keep reading for the simple directions.

Over on Craft Foxes, there's a terrific roundup of seven DIY New Year's Eve party decorations. As Brie notes in the DIY New Year's Eve decorating post, "When you’ve made it through the big holidays, it’s tempting to skimp on the decorations for your New Year’s party. But the beauty of throwing a New Year’s Eve or Day party is that between the champagne and cocktails your guests will have, no one will notice that you didn’t break the bank. Just having a few small details is enough to make a big impact."

My favorite idea from the roundup is this cute confetti bag. The DIY confetti has the advantage of being made from paper, not Mylar, which means it won't stick to your furniture and rugs. Well worth the time to whip these up, I'd say! Head over to Craft Foxes to discover six more DIY New Year's Eve crafts.