Birthday Balloons

Birthday Balloons - Balloons and birthdays go hand-in-hand, enhancing the festivity of any celebration.

Here are a few ideas about decorating with balloons and creative ways to incorporate balloons into this year's birthday celebration.

• Balloon Arches: Balloon arches pack a big visual punch, but are easy on the wallet - especially if you use air rather than helium. For air-filled balloons, start by creating an arch-shaped framework of PVC pipe. Next, attach clusters of four balloons to the pipe. With helium balloons, attach clusters of four balloons to a lightweight nylon cord weighted at each end; the helium in the balloons will suspend the cord into an arch. Whether you're using air or helium, you'll need to make sure all balloons are uniformly sized. To do so, make a template by cutting a hole in a piece of cardboard to use as a size checker. Plan on using six balloons for every foot of archway.
  
  


• Balloon Curtain: Have guests make a dramatic entrance by pushing their way through a balloon curtain. Simply affix air-blown balloons to streamers or ribbons and hang them across doorways.
  
  


• Balloon Centerpieces: Add a festive flair to tabletops by tying helium-filled balloons together with curled ribbon or lace, and weighting the base to create a bouquet balloon centerpiece.
  

• Balloon Animals: Balloon animals make whimsical party decorations, and also serve as a great source of entertainment for children and the young at heart. Be sure to purchase balloons made specifically for twisting, such as 260s and 360s (choose 160s for smaller hands), and learn how to make balloon animals beforehand so you can demonstrate. Print out balloon animal instructions or make posters for your balloon animal station.