How to decorate a party or event with balloons

Helium-filled decorations

A simple table decoration is easy to make with helium balloons, either all latex or a mixture of Mylar and latex.  Anchor the bunch to the table with a safety pin in the cloth or with a small wooden block covered in decorative paper.

Do not forget that latex helium balloons only stay afloat for about eight hours. So do this on the morning of the party.

For all these decorations it is best if all the balloons are the same size.  To achieve this cut out a cardboard template and check the size each time you inflate a balloon.

The simple "paperclip" arch is easy to make with helium filled balloons. Either latex or Mylar balloons can be used. Obtain some tough fishing line and attach either end to a brick wrapped in silver paper or to a table leg or stair rail if one is handy.  Attach the balloons with paperclips at one foot intervals along the line (if you are experienced you can tie them directly onto the line as you fill them. Adjust the spacing of the balloons and the tension in the line to get the upwards curve you require.

Still using your fishing line and paperclips you can move on to the spiral arch. This is made of groups of four helium balloons fastened together by paperclips and threaded onto the line like pearls on a necklace. You will need heavy weights wrapped in paper to secure each end of the arch. Try using a five litre plastic container filled with sand.

Pierce the necks of the inflated balloons with the end of the paperclip until you have all four balloons hooked on, Then hook the paperclip over the fishing line and push the cluster of balloons up against its neighbour. alternating colours give the swirl effect.

AIR-Filled decorations.

These have the advantage that they can be prepared one or two days before.  Not too long before, the balloons tend to attract dust and one or two may burst.

A simple cluster can be affixed to a lamp bracket or tied up high near the ceiling with fishing line. You can gather the balloons together with paperclips as described above.

Spiral garlands using air-filled balloons are made in the same way as the helium  spiral arch described above. They are of course non-floating and have to be hung downwards  from the ceiling.

A balloon heart can be made using a wire frame and five-inch air filled balloons. The frame can be made of thin steel or aluminium wire like that used for coat-hangers. The inflated five -inch balloons are gathered into groups or three or four and twisted around the wire. Once they are pushed up tight together the effect is very attractive.