[Freebird]

Does anyone have any advice about making homemade birthday decorations? Money is very tight this year and I want to spend the budget on presents, not decorations.

[Housepedia]

The first thing that comes to my mind is to make a banner out of continuous paper/stationery. Time to use your drawing or lettering skills and write a big and colorful "Happy Birthday" on the paper...Also, get some crepe paper. Cut here and there until you come up with streamers and frills!