When you have to inflate a bunch of balloons for a party, use a nebulizer with the tubing attached. Just remove the mask and voila, you have your own balloon inflater. Quick, easy and saves a whole lot of breath.
By tammie from Auburn, GA
How do I make homemade balloon weights for graduation?
By Pam from MT
You can use almost anything as a weight. Small candy bars, small rocks that you can leave natural or paint with craft paints. You could even use unlit tea light candles, that you wrap in tissue paper to conceal what they are. You could even use play dough and work it into funky shapes and let them harden. You can probably think up more ideas without having to make something that looks like what comes with the balloons.
Anything can be used as a weight as redhatterb said. Check with your Dad or other male relative who may have a workshop & tools. Ask if they have any spare metal washers.
For my daughters graduation I went to Home Depot and purchased the largest (and heaviest) washers that I could find. Also went to the paint department and purchased some black spray paint ($1.00), then on to Michael's to purchase silver glitter. After spraying the washers, while the paint is still wet, sprinkle glitter (on both sides) and you not only have a baloon weight, but a pretty one at that. Have fun. The kids all loved theirs.
I would find a smooth, nice looking rock, paint a face on it, and wrap it with shiny wrapping paper. Then tie tie balloons string to it along with some curling ribbon or other decorations.
This is an easy, cheap, recycled decorating tip for kids' birthday parties. I do it for every party my kids have. Cuts the cost of helium for party balloons.
For my husbands 40th birthday, we were on a tight budget. Instead of purchasing weights for the dozen balloons that I bought, we tied them to water glasses with a stem, and put a bit of foil confetti in the bottom of each glass, and then sprinkled some on the table as well.
A pal, who has several parties a year, told me it's cheaper in the long run to buy a tank of helium and your own balloons, than to have the store blow up the balloons for you or to rent a helium tank. By Terri H.
Helium balloons to decorate a party are expensive, and you have to get or fill them on the day of the party. Instead, fill the balloons ahead of time and make a circle of Scotch tape to stick them on the ceiling.
Making your own balloon weights allows you to customize the look of them. You can choose the design and the colors to match the event.
Don't spend your money on overpriced balloons when you can get the same quality at Dollar Tree for a buck each!
For a party take blown up balloons and using a sponge or foam stamp (circles, triangles, spirals, hearts) dipped in glitter paint, dot the outside of the balloon to give it a more detailed look.