A pompom is a fluffy ball made from yarn, fabric, or other soft material. Cheerleaders wave pompoms to add energy and excitement to their routines, shaking them to create a burst of color and movement that fires up the crowd. These cheerleading pompoms are usually made of shiny plastic strips that rustle and shimmer.

Pompoms also show up as decorations on hats, especially winter beanies, where a soft yarn ball sits on top. You might see them on scarves, blankets, or even as craft projects. Making pompoms is actually pretty simple: you wrap yarn around your fingers or a piece of cardboard many times, tie it tightly in the middle, cut the loops, and fluff it into a ball.

If you're making decorations for a celebration or adding flair to a homemade gift, pompoms are an easy way to make something look festive and fun.