I desperately need help in decorating a float. My club is a motorcycle club and last year we made a sled and painted it orange and black, we had a seat in there for Mr. and Mrs. Santa to sit in, then we had children sitting around.
This year the theme is : "A Storybook Christmas", and we would like some ideas on how to decorate the float, and maybe the motorcycles, they ride in front of the float that is being pulled by a pick-up truck. Thank you for your ideas. Ann
By Ann from Wytheville, VA
You could make the float Santa's workshop and barn,use materials to turn the motorcycles into reindeer,and have a stuffed reindeer with a red nose on the float,with Santa talking to and petting him, asking "Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" Then have that phrase on the sleigh somewhere where people can read it. A fog machine would be wonderful!
I would make "storybooks" out of two pieces of plyboard hinged together so you can have one book on one side and another title on the other. Paint the story book pictures on the outside cutting out holes for the characters in the book to be played by people dressed as the characters riding on the float. If using a flat bed trailer you should be able to get 4 books on the trailer.
This is almost like a 3 dimensional book where the characters come alive. (think about the wooden cut outs you stick your head in and get your picture taken.) Base the books on popular xmas stories such as A Charlie Brown Christmas. The people on the float can then throw candy, coloring books or story books to the kids in the crowd. Parades are for kids so if you don't know any xmas books just ask the children what their favorite is. You can still dress the cyclists as reindeer. Hope this helps. Please post pictures of your float.
I see a variation of the little kid's book The Little Engine That Could. Make an open cover with plywood with a motorcycle replacing the train engine, and other cycles behind (this is for if you have an artist to call on). Hole in the middle for a cycle and driver to stick through. The lettering could say This Cycle Can or something better that you can think up in 10 seconds.
My first thought was, what are the most recognizable storybook characters? Perhaps riders could dress as Mother Goose, the bike could be her gander with a little imagination. Other riders could be other classic storybook characters like Winnie the Pooh and his bunch, or the Velveteen Rabbit.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My husband and I dress up like Santa and Mrs. Claus and we also belong to a motorcycle group. Last year we rode a red trike and other members rode their bikes dressed like elves. Their motorcycles had reindeer names on them, it was a big success. But this year we need new ideas. Does anybody have any ideas?
What about names of other characters like Jack Frost, Sugar Plum Fairy, Freeze Miser, Heat Miser, Mother Nature, Frosty, Yukon Corneilius....etc.?
How about white sheets and angel wings?
Why don't you guys build a small sleigh and pull it with your bikes? Then you dress up as deers, and put gifts in the sleigh and give then away to needy kids.
Can you really try for a new idea every year? Why not do the one you have done well and make it a tradition for several years?
How about an international Christmas, there are lots of websites that tell about Christmas celebrations in other countries. Dress in costume for whatever country, use lots of tinsel on the bikes. Toyland with pinatas, stuffed kangaroos, Dala horses, raggedy ann, teddy bears etc.. OR, Make it Winter Holiday instead--Some Christmas decorations, some Hannakah, some Kwanzza.
The Twelve Days of Christmas should give you some ideas.
We are riding in a Christmas parade this year on our motorcycles and the theme is "Toys in Toyland". What kind of decor would you recommend that we place on our bikes? We are a Christian motorcycle ministry and we need some ideas.
By Patty from Norman, OK
The way I decorate my Harley for toy runs is really simple. I get garland (the fake green tree-type, not the shiny plastic type), and wrap it around my handlebars. If it's too long, I get wire cutters and snip the excess off.
Then I get a battery-operated light string and attach (be sure you pack extra batteries) to the garland with cable ties (you don't want 'em to fly off!).
Next step is to tie a beautiful red bow in front, below headlight or above it - DO NOT COVER IT.
Finally, I take small stuffed animals and tuck them in the garland around the bow with cable-ties. I usually use 4 small bears (4 to 6 inches)- two on each side of the handlebars. (Make sure you don't cover the Christmas lights with them).
To top it all with, I have a larger bear (around 1-1/2 ft tall) and sit him/her on my front fender, below the red bow. I tie it on my front forks with bungee cords which I cover with ribbon so it's not noticeable, or with cable ties also ribbon-covered to disguise.
SAFETY NOTE: Make sure the red bow does not have ribbon hanging down to catch in your front axle and also the bears' legs can't hang down (which is why I use a a 1-1/2' bear...his legs stick straight out).
If you have a sissy-bar, buy a HUGE bear and sit him/her on your back seat. It can be your passenger bungee-corded in. Put a pair of goggles on it and a Christmas bandanna and "biker" it up! (I pinned fake holly on it's ear and one of my leather vests). It'll get lots of smiles and photo shoot opportunities!
If you're riding a "cruiser bike" which has a CD player, put on some Christmas music. Deck out that bike and have fun!!!!
Have a Blessed Merry Christmas! :-) ~Perla in TX
We are a non-profit group, just getting started. We are trying to promote motorcycle safety, and we want to try and incorporate this into a float for our local Christmas parade. The parade theme is (A Rocking Christmas). Please help if anyone can. Thank you.
By nanas8 from DeRidder, LA
Help! Lets do (a rocking christmas) without the motorcycles. We need some ideas
How do you turn a little red wagon into a motorcycle for a Halloween parade?
By Nadine from Pittsville, MD
This is a page about parade float ideas. Schools, organizations, and businesses often participate in parades for homecoming and holidays. Part of the fun and sometimes the stress is coming up with an idea for your float.
