• Throw a homemade party.Arts and Crafts image by ne_fall_photos from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  For your next party, don't blow the budget on party favors that get thrown away. Instead, plan a party where your guests use their hands to create one-of-a-kind items that they can display, use or wear. Your guests may find a new hobby, discover a latent talent, or just have fun. In any case, a homemade party theme can be fun for children and adults.
  
  

Children's Party

• Many children love to create things with their own hands. The next time you are planning a child's birthday party, encourage this creativity with some simple crafting activities. Start by showing them how to fold party hats from wrapping or newsprint paper. With some paint, glue and imagination, the children can create their own special hat. Next try a simple homemade play-dough recipe, and let the partygoers add their own icing dye or food coloring to make their own personal color. To take the modeling clay home, give them a zip-close bag or resealable container that can be decorated with markers.
  
  

Spa Party

• Invite your friends over for a spa party -- but you don't have to provide the clay masks and massage therapists. Instead, provide supplies and recipes to create their own special spa products like bath bombs, glycerin soaps, lip balms and facial masks. Make sure to have a lot of small containers on hand for their creations. Include soft wash cloths or body puffs in the favor bags, or a CD with music suitable for relaxing in the bathtub.
  
  

Christmas Decorations

• Instead of decorating your house for the holidays and then having a party, reverse the order. Host a make-your-own Christmas decorations party in October or November. Provide some of the basic materials like glass or plastic balls, paint, hot glue guns, scissors and craft knives. Ask guests to bring leftover holiday wrapping paper, cards and ribbons. Spread long tables with brown craft paper and let the fun begin. Give everyone a gift box large enough for two or three ornaments as the favor box.
  
  

Tie-Dye Party

• You don't have to be a hippie to think tie-dye is groovy. Both youngsters and those young-at-heart will enjoy creating a tie-dyed T-shirt. Visit a craft store for the supplies including the dyes and shirts, or ask your guests to bring their own wearable item. Don't forget, you can also dye table linens, scarves and curtains. And don't forget to send tie-dyed invitations.