DIY Gilded Place Cards for a Children's Party

Nothing makes a small guest feel more important than finding their own name at the table. These gold-edged place cards take about an hour for a party of twelve, cost almost nothing, and photograph like they came from a stationer.

What you'll need

• Heavy cardstock in white or cream (65 lb or heavier)
• Gold paint pen or gold ink pad with a foam dauber
• A ruler, pencil and scissors or paper trimmer
• Optional: a gold marker or your best cursive for the names

Step 1: Cut tented cards

Cut rectangles about 3.5×4 inches, then fold in half so each card stands on its own. A paper trimmer keeps edges crisp, but a ruler and sharp scissors work fine.

Step 2: Gild the edges

Here's the trick that makes them look expensive: run the gold paint pen along the cut edges of each card — not the face, the edges. Hold the card closed and drag the pen along the paper's rim in one smooth pass. The gold catches the light every time a card is picked up.

Step 3: Write the names

Big, joyful first names only — children hunt for their own name, so make it easy and generous. If your handwriting isn't your favorite, print the names in a pretty serif font first, then trace over them with the gold marker against a bright window.

Step 4: Add one tiny motif

A hand-drawn star, cherry, crown or heart in the corner — matched to the party theme — ties every card into the tablescape. One motif, one color. Restraint is what reads as luxury.

Our styling note

Place each card on the plate rather than above it — at a children's table, everything sits low and close. And if you'd rather skip the scissors entirely, our Foam Board Atelier makes custom place card stands that give each name a little pedestal of its own.

For an autumn table, the seasonal version: DIY mini pumpkin place cards.