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Monthly Calendar Trends and Why You Need a Paper Calendar

Monday, January 3rd, 2022

animal and quilt monthly calendars on display

Sure, there are 100+ digital calendar apps, but there’s just something about going analog. Writing things down sticks them in our mind better, is soothing to anxiety, and allows us to put important appointments and goals front and center, where we can see them.

Besides, wall calendars in particular are extremely cute! There are so many available, all catering to different interests. They’ve become trendy again, and can even help add a decorative touch to your home or office. Many contain beautiful photography or gorgeous artwork. The trick is to choose something that appeals to your interests, as well as one that appeals to your organizational style.

Animal Calendars

monthly cute animal calendars on display shelf

There are two kinds of animal calendars. There are those with the same kinds of animals on every page, or there are groupings like safari animals, farm animals, underwater animals, or woodland creatures.

Sometimes these can get both funny and silly. For example, have you seen the new trend of animal calendars that place animals in various yoga positions? That’s right! You can enjoy photos of cow or llama yoga all year long!

They’re all photoshopped of course. No animals were harmed in the making of this yoga!

This year’s bestseller? Goats in trees! Who doesn’t love the sight of an adorable goat hanging out in a tree?

Other popular options:

Underwater dogs
Cats
Llamas
Underwater sea life
Playful pigs dressed in costume

Destination Calendars

Right now most of us are still struggling with the pandemic. We’d all love to get away, but it’s just not feasible for most of us.

Destination calendars can help you feel a little less claustrophobic.

Here are some popular options:

Beach or island themes
Provence
Tuscany
China
Cuba
Vietnam

Humorous Calendars

Who couldn’t use a laugh?

If you go for a funny calendar you have a lot of options. There are weekly calendars that offer silly anecdotes. There are desktop calendars that give you a daily joke.

There are quite a few that revolve around cartoon characters too, or which reprint old, funny comic panels.

They even make great gifts. For example, the Wrinkled Wit calendar is full of old age jokes. Perfect for the grandparents!

Yoga & Spiritual Calendars

monthly inspirational calendars

This is human yoga, of course, but these calendars offer a calming visual that can help you get through your week. They also often come with enlightenment quotes that can help you maintain a more philosophical outlook on life.

Big Grids

Big grid calendars make outstanding family planners or desk calendars. They offer so much space to write up commitments and deadlines! They’re also great for those who can’t see very well, need lots of space to write, or have a lot going on.

These calendars offer less of a focus on imagery and use that space to give you great big squares.

Want even more space? Monster grid calendars or mammoth grid calendars can even offer you a 12×12 square!

Page-a-Day Calendars

If you like looking at something every single day, a page-a-day calendar is a great option. You can get images, jokes, or crossword puzzles.

Horoscope calendars are especially popular: for those who believe in or are amused by horoscopes, they offer a little boost on what you can expect at the start of each day.

Vintage Calendars

Vintage calendars are really trendy right now! The photos on these monthly calendars are posters for advertisements, old crate labels, all of that old 1920s and 1930s advertising industry art that everybody loves. They usually are centered around a theme or a category.

The first ones that got really popular were orange crate and vegetable crate labels. The hottest calendars right now are travel posters, WWII posters, and old movie posters. The popularity of these calendars has really gone through the roof!

Engagement Calendars

An engagement calendar is really just a pocket calendar or basic planner that lets you record all of your engagements and appointments.

They rarely have pictures inside of them but they do often have some great patterns or images on the covers. Yet this is changing. We’ve now seen engagement calendars that have the week on one side and the picture on the other.

Monthly Planners

There are of course planners for every organizational style. Some of the best ones offer daily, weekly, and monthly goal planning options. The daily pages have space for to-do lists and appointments alike.

How Calendar Trends Work

flower monthly calendars on display paper plus

If a calendar that’s available this year becomes really popular, companies will make many more of the same next year. They’ll vary up the themes, which is why you’ve got lizards doing yoga on your monthly calendars right now.

Eventually, people will get bored with a trend and something else will start flying off the shelves like hotcakes.

What to Do With Calendars After the Year is Up

Did you know some people buy old calendars at the end of the year, when they’re cheap, just for the artwork? Some people use them to make stationery or use photos to make envelope liners.

Some use them in crafts. They make earrings out of them, for example.

Since they are 12×12 pages some people use them for origami since they’re perfectly square.

You’re only limited by your own creativity and imagination. So don’t think of a calendar as a disposable indulgence. Think of it as a gift that keeps on giving!

Right now we have fewer calendars in stock than usual, thanks to Covid. If you want a new 2022 calendar stop by Paper Plus at 1629 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA today to get yours today!

Tags: calendars
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Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions with A Goal-Setting Calendar

Wednesday, January 1st, 2020

It’s January, and the new year calls for new resolutions. A key to long-term success in following through with resolutions and goals is to write them down, look at them often, and break them up into bite-size chunks so they work for you. Pave the way to success this year with a new goal planner or new year’s resolution calendar.

We have all types of goal planning calendars stocked at Paper Plus, waiting for your pen and your new year’s resolutions.

Here are some reasons why you should invest in a goal-setting calendar.

The Benefits of Creating and Mapping Goals

You probably have an idea of where you want to be a year or a few years from now. But how do you get there? Writing down goals, especially on a goal-setting calendar, provides direction and focus, increasing your chances of arriving at your desired destination. Here are some other benefits of having a goal-planning calendar:

It’s motivating
It provides structure
It breaks up big plans into smaller, doable tasks
It creates an opportunity to reexamine your plan
It’s extremely satisfying when you complete a goal

How to Use a Goal-Tracking or Goal-Setting Calendar

Working backward is a great way to set up your goal-setting calendar. Think about your long-term goal – maybe it’s to launch a new business, plant a garden, or graduate with a 4.0 GPA. Whatever it is, be clear about what the end result will look like and mark the date on your calendar. Then, work backward by defining one thing that needs to be completed every month in order to get there. Once you have the monthly goals filled in, create smaller weekly goals. At the beginning of each month, read over your entries, and set small daily goals that will help move you forward.

Why Hard Copies Are Better Than Digital

Digital calendars are convenient and accessible. However, there is nothing like holding a calendar, planner, or journal in your hand that outlines the overall scope of a project or plan. Physical calendars create a great visual tool for long-term planning. Some would even argue that a paper calendar or planner is more easily digestible and less overwhelming than a digital version. The process of writing things down is helpful for committing appointments and meetings to memory.

There is something to be said about laying your calendar out in front of you, looking at tasks, goals, appointments, and more, and then checking things off as you go.

Keep it Fun!

Remember to keep it light and don’t take goal-setting calendars too seriously, or you’ll lose the fun in your journey. Find a calendar with a theme that makes you smile. Sometimes it’s that photo of a secluded island, foreign cities you’re longing to visit, or cute pups that will motivate you to use your daily, weekly, or monthly goal planner throughout the year. Find a resolution calendar that will continue to inspire and drive you to your ultimate destination.

Paper Plus has all types of goal tracking calendars and goal planners to set you up for long-term success. Map out your days and weeks, write down what went great, what went wrong, and what you are grateful for.

We stock very basic weekly and monthly planners as well as book-like journaling planners. If you’re looking to plan further ahead, we carry pocket two-year planners as well.

Don’t need a calendar for yourself? Calendars are great as gifts for students, busy professionals, and business owners.

Call us at (510) 525-1799 or drop in at 1629 San Pablo Ave. in Berkley to browse our selection of daily, weekly, and monthly calendars.

Tags: calendars
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No Helium, No Problem! Decorating with Non-Helium Balloons

Thursday, November 1st, 2018

non helium balloons heart wedding decoration

For a long time, helium has been the essential element that makes balloons so magical. From the 1956 French film The Red Balloon to childhood birthday parties, it’s hard to imagine decorating without helium balloons.

But with the recent helium shortage, artists and designers have been doing just that … and their creations are mesmerizing. Even before the helium shortage, creative and crafty types have put no helium balloons (i.e. air-filled balloons) to great use.

orange, sea green and white balloon arches

You can find the most impressive air-filled balloon designs at the World Balloon Convention–no, we’re not making this up! This international balloon design convention and competition has an air-only balloon event where contestants from all over the world come to showcase furniture, mythical creatures, fictional characters, massive archways, fashion and hundreds of other clever pieces made entirely of balloons without helium. The convention shows first-hand that the design possibilities with no helium balloons are un-ending.

While your no helium balloon needs probably aren’t as extravagant as the designs at the World Balloon Convention, no helium balloons can be used on a smaller scale for many of your traditional party decorations.

The Benefits of No Helium Balloon Designs

Even though it’s nice to have party decorations that float, choosing air-filled balloons slows the demand for helium without compromising the look of your decorations.

non helium balloons table decoration

In general, helium balloons are more sensitive to temperature changes (they deflate in cold temperatures and expand in hot temperatures) which can affect your decorations. Helium is a smaller molecule than oxygen, so helium balloons deflate quicker than air-filled balloons.
If you are hosting a party outdoors, air-filled balloons are a stronger choice. Since air-filled balloons are held together with sturdy materials like poles, vases, and string, you can keep balloon decorations from floating around and tearing apart if the wind picks up.
Helium centerpieces are typically less innovative because the main attractiveness is the floating part. With air-filled balloons, your centerpiece can be as elaborate as you want.
Helium balloons tend to be more expensive because helium is a more expensive commodity than air. If you have big ideas for balloon decorations but you need to stay on budget, air-filled balloons are much more economical.
You certainly aren’t limited to latex balloons either. Air-filled Mylar balloons of all shapes and sizes are available for balloon bouquets, cake toppers, photo booth decorations, and centerpieces. Whether you use Mylar or latex, you never have to worry about your balloons floating away with this type of centerpiece.

Big No Helium Balloon Designs

Air-filled balloons are perfect for big decorative columns and arches because they are suspended with poles, vases, and frames. This makes outdoor balloon decoration much more dependable. Even if you are hosting a party indoors, big air-filled balloon structures don’t move around as much, so they can be incorporated into more complex designs. We’ve seen “columns” that look like Mickey and Minnie Mouse and archways that look like portals to new dimensions. You can make your vision come to life with air-filled balloons; all you need is a strong, flexible frame to keep it in place.

Small No Helium Balloon Designs

Air-filled balloons can also be used for smaller decorations, props, cake toppers, party favors, and centerpieces. Small balloons suspended on short poles create lovely multi-tiered designs that can be customized by theme or type of occasion. We’ve seen elaborate centerpieces that touch the ceiling, centerpieces that look like flower bouquets, and others that include candles or lights. A classic air-filled balloon design features a single latex balloon on top with little latex balloons attached around the bottom. You can also create small topiary trees and structures with air-filled balloons.

Air-filled balloons are also used to make inflatable props like balloon animals. Balloon animals are traditionally made with long or “tube” air-filled balloons and add a little magic to children’s birthday parties, festivals, and other occasions. Another popular prop is the air-filled balloon on a hand-held stick. This party prop dates back to before the popularization of helium balloons, and now they are making a comeback!

multi colored balloon animals

Reimagining balloons can lead to some magnificent designs while also reducing the demand for helium. We thank you for considering air-filled balloons for your next event. If air-filled balloons sound like the perfect option for you but you don’t know where to start, stop into Paper Plus at 1629 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley and chat with our balloon-loving staff. Or, give us a call! 510-525-1799

We love balloons, so we write about them a lot!

How to Order Balloons

We’d love for you to swing by our store to place your order!!

Don’t get us wrong, we’re happy to chat over the phone (510‐525‐1799) and take your order that way, but there’s something special about seeing all the colors and styles in person.

Plus, when you come into our store, we can get a sense of what you’re going for and help you pick out the perfect balloons for your occasion.

Whether you want to create an elegant balloon arch for your wedding, or a fun and festive display for a birthday party, we’re here to help. So swing by and let’s make some magic happen!

Just a heads up, we don’t take orders over email or messaging, so let’s chat in person or over the phone to get your order started.

Tags: balloons, party decorations
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Decorating and Entertaining with Compostable Products: A Growing Trend

Saturday, September 1st, 2018

If you walk into a party supply store, you will notice a growing selection of compostable plates, cups, utensils and even decorations. Compostable products have certainly grown in popularity, and as Berkeley residents, we have front row seats to this sustainable shift in an industry that is typically viewed as extravagant and–sometimes–wasteful.

Only a few short years ago the first attempt at compostable cutlery was a bit of a flop. Compostable spoons would disintegrate in hot tea, and party supplies hardly screamed fun. Now that manufacturers have perfected their formulas, we’re seeing an impressive evolution from function to form.

recycled and compostable party napkins green wave

As the demand for compostable plates, utensils, and decorations continues to increase, manufacturers are getting creative with textures, colors, and shape to make them more attractive. In a brief time, we’ve gone from brown, pulpy paper plates to single-use hot cup technology that looks and functions like plastic. We no longer have to compromise looks for sustainable products, which makes the appeal for compostable decorative products much stronger.

When You’re Done – Is It Recyclable or Compostable?

Composting and recycling are two different, though equally essential methods to keep unnecessary waste products out of the landfill. So, how do you tell the difference?

Recyclable Party Supplies

Recyclable means that the disposed waste is reused to produce new products. This doesn’t necessarily mean your kombucha bottle will come back as a kombucha bottle in a second life. Typical party recyclable items include glass containers, paper decorations, and plastic cups. Recyclables can certainly have prints and dyes in them, but they must be rinsed and cleaned before disposal, otherwise, they could be sent to the landfill.

Compostable Party Supplies

Compostable materials are biodegradable products that given the right conditions degrade to create

compostable corn and wood utensils

what is called humus (no, not the delicious chickpea dip!). Humus is a nutrient-rich, all-natural soil that can be returned to your garden, just as nature intended.

Food is typically compostable. Also, look for compostable party supplies like napkins, cups, plates, and utensils made from corn, recycled crushed paper, bamboo, and palm leaves. Longer-lasting compostable products are typically made from a type of wood.

Partially Compostable

In some cases, party products can be considered partially compostable or biodegradable. For example, latex balloons are compostable but the string is not, so you must dispose of each piece separately.

Exciting New Options

Take a look at a compostable plate versus a traditional paper plate now and you probably won’t notice a difference. Compostable decorative and single-use items (cutlery, plates, napkins) hold their own in the decorative department nowadays, and they also hold up better and have more longevity in terms of daily use.

compostable plates made of palm leaves

Manufacturers have recently come out with compostable decorations, including placemats, gift bags, banners and place cards. Compostable plates made with palm leaves look modern and are available in various textures and patterns.

For compostable decorations like crushed paper you might notice a little difference in texture, but now manufacturers are coming up with stylish shapes like squares with borders.

Compostable products are not made with paints, lacquers or chemical dyes. Instead, they use texturing, crushed paper, cuts, shapes and naturally derived dyes to create a diverse selection of attractive designs. Some designs even include prints!

compostable corn cup with stars

They have come a long way, and we are thrilled to see what they come up with next.

Looking to decorate your next occasion they ec0-friendly way? Call us 510-525-1799 or drop in at 1629 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley to browse a wide selection of stylish earth-friendly decorations, utensils, and more.

Tags: latex balloons, party decorations, serving ware
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Balloon Safety and Myths

Sunday, July 1st, 2018

Colorful balloons floating on the ceiling of a party

Balloons are synonymous with fun. From birthdays to graduation to the 4th of July, they always add the right touch of joy to the occasion.

Well, we hate to burst your balloon, but our favorite floating celebration decoration has also caused a big debate about balloon safety, toxicity, and environmental impact. While this issue has been inflated by a few misconceptions about proper use and disposal of balloons, a quick study of best practices can help keep balloons available in California for safe and responsible fun!

Let’s take a look at some balloon safety myths and good balloon practices.

berkeley school color balloons red yellow

MYTH #1: All balloons are toxic for humans and the environment.

False. Latex balloons are made from the rubber tree and are completely environmentally friendly. The latex is as biodegradable as an oak leaf, which means animals have an extremely small chance of choking on them. This does not mean that we should toss our deflated balloons on the ground and pretend they are leaves (even oak leaves take a few years to fully decompose). If your latex balloons end up in the ocean, they can take a year to decompose. Plus, the ribbon is NOT biodegradable, and this is the part that often harms animals. In general, don’t release balloons – reuse the material for other crafts and decoration

MYTH #2 Releasing of a Mylar balloon has the same effects as releasing a latex balloon.

False. You might have noticed all Mylar balloons come weighted down. This is meant for more than your convenience and extra decoration. It’s a law. Unlike a released latex balloon that falls back to earth in shards, when you release a Mylar balloon, it goes up, up and up until it hardens and breaks into a flat piece of metal before falling toward earth. If it lands on power lines it could compromise power for whole blocks.

MYTH #3 Balloons are dangerous for all children.

False. Balloons are not toxic to touch and are safe to play with, as long as children have supervision. However, this is true for children 3 and under, just like most objects at that age. If a child is biting on a balloon and it pops, the release of pressure can lodge the balloon into their little throats, causing them to choke. For children old enough to know better, balloons are completely safe.

MYTH #4 Balloons are bad because releasing helium is a non-renewable resource.

This one has some truth to it. While helium isn’t technically pollution, it’s unsustainable. There is a limited supply of helium, and it would be bad news if we ran out. Helium is needed to operate MRI scanners and LCD screens, so we should be mindful about how many balloons we use.

The more we learn about our favorite things, the more mindful we can be. Celebrate responsibly!

Love balloons? You’ll love our blog post on the history of balloons too!

Ready to order balloons? Check out our balloon ordering guide, and then come on into the store or give us a call at 510-525-1799.

Tags: balloons, latex balloons, mylar balloons
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5 Facts About the History of Balloons

Friday, June 1st, 2018

Why do we use balloons for celebration? What is it about balloons that makes us smile? If movies like Pixar’s Up have any sway in the matter, it’s probably because we just really love watching pretty things float. But there’s so much more to balloons than simple decoration. Here are 5 historical facts about balloons that you didn’t know you needed to know.

The History of Balloons

While we couldn’t possibly imagine a kid’s birthday party without colorful balloons or Valentine’s Day without floating hearts that say “Be Mine”, balloons haven’t been around for very long. The concept for balloons was initially invented for transportation (like the hot air balloon) and military communication, not celebration.

The Invention of Latex Balloons

So when did balloons become a staple party decoration? In the 1840’s a couple of scientists, first Michael Faraday and then Thomas Hancock started playing with rubber, glued two sides together and inflated it–little did they know they had paved the way for a cultural phenomenon! The first commercialized rubber balloon came onto the U.S. market around the turn of the century. In 1912 those long noodle or “sausage” balloons popularized and people began twisting them into different shapes to look like animals.

multi colored balloon animals

Movie Magic Balloon Facts

The Red Balloon, the 1956 short film directed by Albert Lamorisse, played off the simple pleasure a balloon provides. The 34-minute film is simple, whimsical, and has a way of awakening the child in all of us. The film’s only special effect is the mechanism used to get the balloon to follow the boy. The Red Balloon also spurred a deep love for floating balloons in the US. Before that, balloons were manufactured on sticks. While you can still buy stick balloons today, floating balloons are still the more popular choice.

Environmental Facts About Balloons

Colorful balloons Today, there are some misunderstandings about the environmental safety of balloons and how we should dispose of them. While the string of the balloon is not biodegradable, the latex balloon is. Mylar balloons, on the other hand, are not biodegradable. When these types of balloons get high up in the atmosphere they harden into a solid plate and fall back to earth, occasionally taking out whole power lines. That’s why Mylar balloons come weighted down. To properly dispose of a Mylar balloon, cut it into strips and recycle them. You can also re-use them for art projects. Whether your balloons are Mylar or latex, be sure both the balloon and the string are disposed of properly.

Helium Balloon Facts

A series of issues over the last 15 years have also led to a fear of a helium shortage since helium is needed to run MRI scanners and other important devices. Because of this, air-filled balloons have come back into popularity, replacing some helium sales (though the switch isn’t very significant). The balloon industry changes rapidly, and it’s possible the rules and expectations around helium will change again, and again.

While governments and environmental groups are discouraging people from buying helium-based balloons, the use of balloon material for other projects is completely fine. In fact, some of the most incredible artwork can be created using balloon material.

There you have it! The life and history of the balloon is an interesting one. Where will balloons take us next?

Come by our store in Berkeley at 1629 San Pablo Ave (510-525-1799) to purchase balloons for your next party! And check out our helpful balloon ordering guide first!

Tags: balloons, latex balloons
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Candle Decorating Ideas for Every Room to Keep You Cozy All Winter

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018

So, you’ve already decked out your house for fall, now it’s time to warm it up for winter.

What is it about candles that bring us such joy?

Their soft light warms our hearts while making even the coldest winter evening cozy and calm. The rhythmic cadence of their burning provides a whimsical note to the atmosphere, providing an ambiance so intimate and familiar.

Whether you prefer scented candles for the ambiance…

…beeswax candles for their air purifying qualities or tea lights for decorative luminescence, there’s nothing quite like the flickering of a candle. They are versatile and can add a warm touch for both home and event decorating.

With quite a bit of winter left, let’s take a look at some simple ways to add that lovely touch to your winter decorating that only candles can provide.

Lighten up the Short Winter Days

Adding scented candles to any room is a simple way to lighten up these short winter days and set a soothing mood. When decorating with scented ones, look for containers that match the colors and theme of the room you’re decorating. (Plus, you can re-use the containers for planters, pen holders or your own DIY candles once they’ve burnt out).

Best Places to Display Candles

Start by displaying candles in areas that get the least natural light, like reading nooks or the study. Complement scented candles with flowers, candy bowls featuring seasonal snacks or other sensory elements. Together they create a decorative delight to the senses.

In The Bathroom

During the winter months, finding soothing ways to warm up takes precedence. We curl up by the fire, bundle up in soft blankets, and we definitely take more baths to heat up those bones after cold days in the rain or snow.

Decorating the bathroom with scented candles can transform your ordinary bathroom into an intimate space for relaxing in a hot bubble bath. Choose a neutralizing scented candle for the bathroom, like ocean, linen or citrus.

Line your bath tub with scented candles or tea lights to create a soothing place to wind down in the evenings. You can also use floating tea lights in the bath tub to create a soft, intimate mood.

In The Dining Room

As your warm your spirit with seasonal comfort foods, enhance the dining room center pieces and decorative spreads with candles too. The subtle lighting offers a relaxing mood for dining and entertaining.

Coordinate the scent of the candles with the flavors of the dinner menu. Taper candles also look formal yet comforting when arranged into floral centerpieces. You can use flameless candles if you’re creating centerpieces with flammable elements.

In The Bedroom

Nothing says romance quite like candles in the bedroom. Turn off those harsh fluorescent lights and swap them for decorative pillar candles on the dresser.

Line tea lights on the bed side table and complement them with scented lotions or perfumes for added sensual notes and intimacy.

Lanterns are another neat way to surround yourself in candlelight. Hang one on both sides of the bed for an extra touch of romance.

In The Living Room

The main gathering area for entertaining friends and family should be the warmest room in the home. Get a little liberal with candles in this area, placing one or many on the coffee table, tea lights or a row of taper candles on the mantle, and some decorative pillar candles on end tables or on the entertainment center.

One unique way to use pillar candles is to arrange them in the fireplace during the winter. This is perfect if you have a fireplace that doesn’t work but you still want to create that feeling of warmth you can only get by sitting around a fire with friends and family.

In The Entryway or Outside Walkway

The entrance of your home is a brilliant place to decorate, as it creates a more welcoming atmosphere.

In the walkway just outside your door, use flameless candles, luminaries or LEDs, since all these options give a welcoming feel to the front of your home. Placing flameless candles in paper bags can also enhance the warmth of the light.

In the entryway, scented candles are great for lighting the area up. Candelabras add a neat touch to entry tables also!

Stay warm this winter, and come on down to Paper Plus at 1629 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley with your decorating ideas.

We have lots to choose from to keep you cozy this winter! Open Monday – Saturday 9am – 7pm and
Sunday 10am – 5pm.

Tags: candles
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Your Guide to Ordering Balloons

Monday, October 31st, 2016

At Paper Plus we take pride in delivering festive and creative balloon solutions for any and all celebrations under the sun. Our balloon artists are here to help make sure your occasion is one to remember! We’ve compiled a few helpful tips to help you plan your next shindig!

Things to Consider Before You Order

Budget – We are happy to work with any budget! From a few large statement balloons to arches and numbers and rainbows, oh my! We strive to make every experience with us special for you. Let us know what works within your budget and we’ll do our best to get creative.
Theme – What’s the occasion? From a 25th wedding anniversary to a 1st birthday, we can find the perfect personalized décor from our stock or customize a bouquet especially for the big day.
Color Scheme – We can create pretty much anything you have your heart set on.
Bring in a few photos of ideas you love and we’ll brainstorm together how we can make it work for you!
Weather – This is an important factor that’s easy to overlook. Balloons don’t do well in the rain or the heat, so consider their fragility when placing your order. For balloons that will be displayed indoors, make sure they are kept away from heating vents and properly weighted down so they don’t bump against the ceiling.
Delivery – If you won’t have time to pick up your balloons before the festivities, we offer delivery for an extra charge. We recommend ordering for delivery at least a week in advance.
Timing – For big events that require a lot of balloons or complicated structures, we appreciate 10 days notice. Thank you!

3 Ways to Order

In person (Day Of) – We’d always prefer that you come into the store! One of our experts will guide you through your decorating needs, help you plan a color scheme and theme that are just right for your high-flying needs. Please allow a couple of hours for larger orders.
In person (Advance Order) – Great for those busy times, especially the holidays or for those who may not have time right before an event to go through the process of choosing balloons. Come on in a few days before you need your balloons, assuring one of our associates has plenty of time to spend with you to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. For big events, please come in 10 days ahead of time.
On the Phone – This is a time-saving option for customers who know exactly what they want and are familiar with our inventory of balloons and our custom options. For those who are new to ordering balloons, we’d prefer you come into the store and let us help you get creative. Plus, we always love to see your faces!

Our Selection*

Latex – We offer the highest quality, eco-friendly latex balloons available. All of our latex balloons are completely biodegradable – meaning they cause absolutely no harm to the environment. We offer 64 basic colors and hundreds of novelty designs for you to choose from. These balloons float for 8-10 hours and should be picked up the day of your event.**
Mylar – Mylars are a crowd pleaser because of their festive, shiny designs and their long-lasting properties. Mylar balloons will float for up to 10 days making them a great solution for customers that need to pick them up a couple of days before a big event and have them still look great. We have hundreds of styles to choose from including letters and numbers.
Bubble Balloons – These exciting see-through, plastic balloons are the newest and hottest product in the balloon market today. They offer increased float time and an ability to get super creative and custom. Lasting for weeks, these balloons can be inflated ahead of time for displays as well as bouquets.

Learn more about our balloon types here.

*We follow all eco-friendly, balloon safety practices by making sure our balloons are properly weighted so as not to blow away into the atmosphere.

** For customers wanting to pick up latex balloons more than 8 hours in advance of an event, we recommend Hi-Float. Hi-Float is a non-toxic substance that coats the inside of the porous latex so the helium doesn’t escape as quickly. The balloons will now float for up to 4 days. Additional cost of $0.25 per balloon.

Tags: balloons, table decorations
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Five Ways to ACE Your Gift-giving This Year With Calendars!

Monday, December 14th, 2015

Make someone happy this year and next with one of our unique 2016 calendars.

1. Save Money

All of our 2016 calendars are 50% off the marked price. That’s HALF off, just for coming into the store.

2. Be choosy.

We have literally thousands of calendar titles of high-quality print calendars with an extensive range of imagery, including:

Dog breed calendars
Famous artist calendars
Celebrities, A- to C-list
Food photography calendars
Travel calendars
Countries, Cities calendars
Landmarks calendars
National Parks calendars
Animal calendars
Flowers calendars
Cars calendars
Motorcycles calendars
Vintage image calendars
and so many more!

3. Get them something they need.

Our calendar selection isn’t limited to large wall calendars. We also carry quick glance mini-wall calendars, engagement calendars for appointments, assignments and more, and pocket calendars for a purse, backpack or desk drawer.

4. Get them something that suits their tastes.

Whether it is a classic engagement book for the teacher in your life, or a sweet kids’ calendar for a new student, calendars are perfect end-of-year gifts. They make great stocking stuffers, and with Paper Plus’ 50% off pricing, you can afford to buy one for every friend and family member.

5. Start the tradition.

Calendar-giving is a friendly way to look forward to the new year together. Unlike digital calendars that stretch on into infinity, paper calendars can be individualized to the hobbies and interests of the receiver and mark the passage of time. Not only are they attractive, they’re actually useful! What better way to show someone you care?

Come to the Paper Plus 50% Off Calendar sale, while supplies last! These titles go fast!

Tags: calendars
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Stroll through the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s at Paper Plus

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

The decades of the past are alive at Paper Plus!

MI0001745283 With a section each dedicated to the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s (not to mention a fun Wigs section), Paper Plus is your go-to party supply store in the East Bay for decade-themed parties.

Rockabillies can rock around the clock with 50s party goods. Guys, get your facial hair tuned up with packs of assorted mustaches, record centerpieces, and other 50s wearables and accessories. Add some pomade and a pack of cards tucked in your sleeve, and you’re a dead ringer for Danny Zuko. Your Jello fruit salad will look great on our 50s-inspired servingware. 70s

Party people, dress up your swinging 60s party with groovy buttons, psychedelic confetti, glasses and beads. Or put on your outrageously large collared shirt and find your disco beat with 70s photo props and 70s memorabilia.

Reaganites, find that old leotard and your Culture Club cassettes and kick back with food and drink served in our 80s serving ware. Or recreate your John Hughes Prom days with colorful balloons from Paper Plus’ balloon section and a ridiculously frilly dress. With our great prices, you can afford that extra scrunchy for your hair.

Whatever decade you’re in the mood for, Paper Plus Outlet in Berkeley is a wonderland of throwback party goods and accessories.

Don’t forget one of these!

Looking for something specific for your blast from the past? Paper Plus probably has it. Call (510) 525-1799 to ask one of our staff members, or browse our Berkeley store.

Tags: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, throwback
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