One year, Donna Martin of Holyoke, Massachusetts, spiced up her New Year's Eve party by releasing a shower of balloons over the celebrants. Her homemade balloon drop proved so simple and effective, it's been the highlight of the festivities ever since. Here's how to do it:

Line up two rectangular paper tablecloths and punch holes every 2 to 3 inches down one long side of each.

Stitch the tablecloths together with yarn, leaving a foot or so at the end for a rip cord.

Tape the cloth to the ceiling on three sides, leaving the side opposite the rip cord open. Tape the cord up separately, so it's accessible. Let the center of the cloth hang down to allow space for the balloons.

Inflate at least 75 balloons. Donna, husband John, kids Allison, 10, and Sean, 9, store their balloons in large garbage bags until it's time to fill the cloth.

Buy thin streamers and metallic confetti. That last point is important. One year, Donna bought paper confetti; someone spilled champagne, and she had hundreds of colored dots on her hardwood floors.

Stuff the cloth with balloons, then add the confetti and streamers on top. (Reverse it, and the confetti will weigh down the cloth and filter out ahead of time.) Tape up the last side of the cloth.

Let her rip! At the stroke of midnight, just one strong pull tears through the paper, releasing a cascade of balloons and confetti--followed by stomping feet and a cacophony of pops.