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How to Make a Hot Air Balloon Centerpiece

A hot air balloon centerpiece is a beautiful decoration idea for any kind of party that symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter, like a baby shower, wedding, graduation, moving house, or even a "round" birthday.

It can also be a spectacular "wrapping" for a hot air balloon ride gift voucher. 

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Let me show you how to make your very own hot air balloon centerpiece with this step-by-step tutorial. It's really quite simple and you'll be surprised by the impressive result.

How to make a hot air balloon centerpiece, using a 36 inch latex balloon, helium, netting, tulle, 5 inch balloons, a wicker basket and a stuffed bunny or teddy bear.Like this Hot Air Balloon Centerpiece tutorial? Pin it for later or share with friends!

DIY Hot Air Balloon Centerpiece - What You Need: 

Materials for creating a hot air balloon model

Step 1: Inflate the 36 inch balloon with helium

Start by inflating the large balloon with helium. Keep a firm grip round the neck while you are inflating it (fig. 1). Once the balloon is fully blown up, tie a knot (fig. 2).

Inflating a 36 inch balloon with helium
After inflating the balloon, tie a knot.

Step 2: Drape the netting over the balloon

It may be easier if you have an assistant help you with the following steps. With the neck of the balloon pointing upward, drape the balloon net over it (fig. 3). Then divide the strings of the net into two halfs (fig. 4). 

Draping the hot air balloon netting over the inflated 36 inch balloon.
Helium filled 36 inch balloon held by the strings of a hot air balloon net.

Now tie the first bunch of strings to the basket handle (fig. 5). The length from the bottom of the balloon to the handle should be roughly 55 cm (22").

Tie off the second bunch of strings to the other side and check that the basket is sitting level (fig. 6). Finally tie a second securing knot to both sides. 

Attaching a wicker basket to one side of the hot air balloon netting.
Wicker basket attached to the strings of the hot air balloon net.

Step 3: Add finishing touches to your hot air balloon centerpiece

Take four 5" balloons, inflate them with air and tie them off into groups of two.

Attach both duplets to the basket, either by tying them on with ribbon or by simply bringing them round the net strings and twisting them once around on themselves (fig. 7).

Another delicate finishing touch is to tie some tulle bows at intervals around the balloon net (fig. 8). 

Adding duplets of 5 inch balloons to both sides of the hot air balloon basket.
Adorning the hot air balloon net with bows of white tulle.

The final part is to dress up the knot on the top of the balloon. So, blow up another four 5" balloons and once again, tie them into groups of two. 

Take the first duplet and while pulling up slightly on the big balloon knot, bring them around (fig. 10) and twist them once (fig. 11).

Adding a duplet of pearl balloons to the top of the large balloon.
Twisting the duplet of 5 inch balloons to fix them to the top of the large balloons.

Now take the second pair of balloons (fig. 12) and push them centrally between the first set of balloons (fig. 13). 

Attaching a second pair of small balloons to the first pair on top of the hot air balloon model.
Pushing the second balloon duplet in place to create a 4 balloon cluster on top of the large balloon.

Be sure to push them all the way down (fig. 14) and you will find that the tension of all four balloons keeps the cluster firmly in place (fig. 15). 

Securing the balloon cluster on top of the large balloon.
Top of the hot air balloon model adorned with four 5 inch balloons in pearl color.
Hot air balloon centerpiece with 36 inch white balloon, wicker basket and a stuffed bunny in front of dark red background.That's your hot air balloon centerpiece finished!

To display this beautiful decoration, you can either weight the basket down to make it floor or table standing, or - for its best effect -, tie it off using nylon line so that it floats in mid air.

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