There is something you should know about me before I share with you today’s project.

I am the Scrooge of New Year’s Eve.

I’ve never understood the hulabaloo, am underwhelmed by the big countdown, and see no reason to stay up past my usual bedtime of 11pm. If I could work my will, every fool who goes about with “Happy New Year” on their lips should be boiled with their own champagne, and buried with a dollar store noisemaker in their heart.

But this year is different. This year, I was visited by the Three Spirits of DIY, and I am a changed woman.

First came The Pinterest of New Years Past, with her gold-dipped champagne flutes and pom-pom dessert table backdrops. Then, The Blogger of New Years Present, wielding sparkly drink stirrers and crying “Pop! Fizz! Clink!,” while bedecking her booze bottles with glitter.

And finally, with words not of warning, but of hope, The Martha Stewart of New Years Yet To Come, promising that even I can have the vibrant (and meticulously organized) New Year’s Eve party I dreamed of long ago, when I was a young un-jaded lass.

So now, as a first attempt to become a celebrant of this once-loathed holiday, I give you the DIY Kiss Me At Midnight New Year’s Eve Garland.

This project is so so simple. The letters are cut from fancy scrapbook paper—a must-steal idea I discovered on this triangle garland by Almost Makes Perfect. (If you pay attention to my DIY roundups, you’ve probably figured out that I have a gigantic blogcrush on Almost Makes Perfect. Can I help it if Molly is a crafting/styling/photographing/designing genius?).

What You Need:

• 3 sheets gold scrapbook paper (I used different textures to mix it up. And to “accidentally” get glitter on my cats).
• pencil
• tape
• scissors
• craft knife/Xacto knife
• cord, ribbon, or string for hanging

What You Do:

Using a word processor, type up “KISS ME AT MIDNIGHT” (or any other phrase, I’m not the boss of you) and print it out. The font I used here was Britannic Bold at 200pts. Unless you are practiced in the art of Scherenschnitte, you should try to stick with a chunky, simple font, for easier cutting.

Cut out all the letters, and trace them onto the back of the scrapbook paper. Be sure to trace them backwards so that they end up facing the right way later.

Now cut the scrapbook paper letters out, using a craft knife for any tough spots. Cut out some diamonds too if you want (you can find an image to trace online).

Tape the letters to your cord or string, and hang. And that’s it!

I’ll admit this garland does put me in a festive New Year’s Eve mindset. Thank you, Spirits, for giving me another chance! I’m ready to party.

Just don’t ask me to make any resolutions, that’s going too far.

What are you doing for New Year’s?