Balloons

JAJ_2

It is my 40th In Sept and I would like helium balloons on the tables at my party. Has anyone used the small helium party kits you can buy?
Would you recommend them?
Where is a reliable place to buy from?
Also any other suggestions for reasonable price decorations (as it is all getting quite expensive ) Would be appreciated !!

sethsgran

Whenever we have done wedding etc I always get helium cylinder from British Oxygen, local in yellow pages. The balloons are easy to find in shops particularly the party type shops that are springing up all over the place. When you order the helium tell them approx how many balloons you want to inflate. My sons love doing this. I always buy a spool of ribbon and cut that first so you are ready to tie them straight away. Also you can get balloon lights that you put into the balloon. When the party starts simply go round and twist the light firmly and it comes on, or if you tighten it less you can have flashing balloon lights.
http://www.partystuffonline.co.uk/Description.asp?ProductID=8156

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAycUKVQHis&feature=related

JAJ_2

Thanks SethsGran I love the idea of the Balloon Lights :T

bravobeastie

I used the balloon lights at my wedding. The lights weigh the balloons down and none of mine floated, we had to sit them on the tables and buffet table

JAJ_2

I did wonder if they would do that

Think again !!

Thanks

Limara

you can get 16" balloons which take approx 3 times the quantity of helium to fill as an 11" balloon and will fly with the flashing balloon lights.
you can also get sparkle ribbons which have tiny leds set into the ribbon but are a lot more expensive than the lights that pop into balloons.
Helium is very expensive and the most expensive way to buy it is in the disposable canisters, the quantity of ballons their guide says it will inflate is calculated on 9 " balloons and is considerably less for the 11".
most party shops/ balloon decorators will rent larger canisters of helium.
Balloons are not all the same quality, get a good quality balloon qualatex are the decorators choice other good makes are sempertex /betallic avoid cheap balloons. search qualatex on e bay there are loads available.
get a quote from a balloon decorator it may be cheaper for them to do it than you could purchase the balloons and helium for a diy job.

cha-cha_2

I bought my helium canister from Costco for£20 with balloons and string - when I had my milestone birthday I bought balloons off ebay (to be colour co-ordinated!) - they were lovely. However, now that I've had two occasions I noticed that the balloons leaked the helium so that they weren't as good as the the foil ones - I have another do in a couple of weeks and will be buying the foil ones to see if they last any longer.

I did some lovely table decorations that were really a hit with the guests - some took them home. I used the batery operated flicker tea lights and placed one in an opaque glass - I topped up with acrylic crysals. They were so beautiful as the tea lights changed colour and really looked something. They were around £18 for 12 and although the decorations added to the whole cost - I have them for future occasions (in spite of some of the guests taking them hom.)

cha-cha_2

Forgot to say - I bought balloon lights and they were a waste of money as they pulled the balloons down.

Limara

cha-cha wrote: »

I have another do in a couple of weeks and will be buying the foil ones to see if they last any longer.

a standard foil will last for a mininum of 3 to 5 days,the odd one can go on for several months be careful not to over inflate a foil if you do when the temperature in the room increases so does the helium inside the balloon and they will burst the seams if they are overinflated.
The biggest advantage of the foils is you can inflate them the night before if you are short on time on the day of your event

Oscar

sethsgran wrote: »

Whenever we have done wedding etc I always get helium cylinder from British Oxygen, local in yellow pages. The balloons are easy to find in shops particularly the party type shops that are springing up all over the place. When you order the helium tell them approx how many balloons you want to inflate. My sons love doing this. I always buy a spool of ribbon and cut that first so you are ready to tie them straight away.

How much does it work out roughly per balloon? My nieces 21st is coming up and they have been quoted £5 per balloon from a local party shop!

Limara

Oscar wrote: »

quoted £5 per balloon from a local party shop!

what Balloons were you quoted that crazy price for? latex and reg foil shouldnt be that price maybe if you were getting into speciality foil.
Even buying the small canisters of helium it wont cost you anywhere near that much.
see if you can find a home based balloon decorator in your area they are cheaper than shops nd most take far more care with their work as well.