How to Hang a Balloon Garland: 7 Simple Steps
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
Balloon garlands are something that always makes a statement. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of different events, including weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and holiday parties. A balloon garland will instantly elevate your party’s atmosphere and make for a great photo opportunity for guests. If you have always wanted to hang a balloon garland but don’t know where to start, we have you covered.
Here are seven expert tips on how to hang a balloon garland for the best results.
The 7 Steps to Hang a Balloon Garland
1. Gather Your Supplies First
Before attempting to hang a balloon garland, you should gather everything you need. Doing the job in one session will reduce the risk of mistakes and make everything go more quickly. You do not want to leave a half-hung balloon garland dangling from the wall as you run out to get more hooks or more fishing line. Here is what you will need to hang a balloon garland:
- Balloons
- Balloon pump (optional)
- Balloon garland tape/strip
- Fishing line
- Hooks (about one per foot)
- Scissors
Make sure you have these things on hand before hanging your balloon garland for the best results.
2. Blow Up Balloons Before Doing Anything Else
Before attempting to hang the balloon garland, you should blow up all of the balloons you want to use on the garland. This will make it easy to arrange and attach them to the balloon tape. Set the filled balloons aside and cluster them into the groups that you want to be together on the finished garland.
To avoid making yourself lightheaded and taking all afternoon, you can get a balloon pump or helium tank to fill the balloons. That will save you some time and a lot of breath, but it will cost extra money.
3. Take Time to Construct Your Garland on the Ground
The garland is built from a balloon garland strip or balloon tape. These are items you must purchase online. They are either sticky or have holes to insert the base of the balloon into. This will be the spine of your garland and is the most important part. If you are inclined, you can buy an entire balloon garland building kit online that will have everything you need to create your perfect balloon garland. Take time to put your garland together on the ground using your filled balloons. You do not want to try to put your garland together in the air or on the wall.
Attach the balloons in the pattern that you desire. This is where clustering your balloons ahead of time comes in handy. It will make it easier to fill the garland when it comes time to do so.
4. Look at Your Garland Before You Hang It
It is a good idea to get some help with this part. Have someone help you hold the garland up so you can get a good idea of what it will look like in its finished state. Try to hold the garland up roughly where you want to hang it. This will help you get a visual of how the garland will look and will allow you to plan out exactly where you want to put the hooks.
If you do not like the look of the garland, adjust it on the ground. It is much harder to change the appearance of the garland once you string it to the wall. Once the garland looks good mark the wall where you want to hang it, taking into account that you will want a hook every foot for the length of the garland.
5. Use Command Hooks
Once you are happy with how your garland looks, you can attach the hooks to the wall where you want to hang the garland. Experts agree that the best thing to use for hanging a balloon garland is Command hooks. These products are easy to install and take off the wall once you are finished with your balloon garland. These hooks are fairly inexpensive, adjustable, and work very well for balloons.
You want to place one Command hook every foot where you want to hang your garland. Start from the end of your balloon garland and work towards the opposite end. Some people like to make their garland into shapes like an L or a U. Be sure to place your hooks in the proper locations to get the shape you desire.
6. Use a Fishing Line to Attach Garland to Hooks
The best thing to use for tying your balloon garland to the hooks is a simple fishing line. String the fishing line through your balloon garland strip and tie it around the hook. Pull the string tight and tie it so that the garland strip is flush with the hook. When you are attaching the garland to the hooks, it is easiest to start in the middle and work outwards. If the fishing line is hidden by the balloons, you do not need to trim the ends. It can be a risky prospect to wield scissors around your nearly finished balloon garland.
7. Finalize Your Look
Once your garland is on the wall, it is time to finalize your look. You can add glitter, stickers, and streamers or make small adjustments. Hopefully, you don’t have too many adjustments to make if you arrange everything ahead of time. Then all you have to do is protect it before your event. Avoid putting the garland near any hot lights or sharp objects to keep it looking fresh for the duration of your event. Hot ceiling lights or lamps can cause the air inside the balloons to expand and burst the balloon.
Balloon Garland vs. Balloon Arch
Balloon garlands and balloon arches are very similar, but they are not the same thing. Balloon garlands typically hang from the ceiling or are hung on the wall. Balloon arches are freestanding and use a cage to attach the balloons. You can make a garland into the shape of an arch, but unless it is freestanding, it is not a true arch. Building a balloon arch and a balloon garland have many of the same steps, and the tips will likely apply to both, but they are two distinct objects.
Conclusion
These tips will help you construct and hang your ideal balloon garland. Be sure to get a proper balloon garland strip and use fishing lines and Command hooks for the best results. Whether you need to spruce up a baby shower or bring joy at a birthday party, you will be able to have a balloon garland ready to go for your next event.
Featured Image Credit: Olga Pilnik, Shutterstock
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