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Posts Tagged ‘birthday’

Build a Balloon Bouquet for Any Interest or Occasion

Sunday, August 1st, 2021

pink and gold stars balloon bouquet

Balloon bouquets are a fun alternative to sending flowers to mark just about any occasion. They’re fun and festive, often last a little longer without special care, and carry some other benefits, as well.

For example, there are so many shapes and sizes of balloons available that each bouquet can be tailored to the recipient. You can theme the balloons around hobbies like football or Fortnite. You can focus on fandoms, creating a Spiderman balloon bouquet or a Frozen balloon bouquet. Or you can just focus on the occasion.

You can fit the balloons to the recipient’s personality too. If they’re serious, use elegant balloons. If they’re a bit more laid back, use humorous ones. You know your loved one best, so use your imagination.

Another benefit? You can send a balloon bouquet across the country, having it delivered just about anywhere, any time. That’s a boon during a time when travel is still feeling a bit dicey.

Birthday Balloon Bouquets

purple and red balloon bouquetThe right bouquet will depend on the age and temperament of the recipient.

For example, if it’s a 50th birthday you can send a funny balloon shaped like the Grim Reaper that says, “Relax, I’m just here for the cake!” If you’re putting together a Sweet 16 balloon bouquet you could go with an elegant rose gold balloon bouquet.

Look at anything that interests the person. Dog lover? Grab balloons in the shape of paw prints, frame them with a few confetti balloons beneath, and put it all together with a weight to make a fine arrangement.

Graduation Balloon Bouquets

We covered these at length in our graduation balloons post, but these are a fine way to make your grad feel special. There are dozens of congratulatory graduation-themed balloons out there that you can take advantage of.

Valentine Balloon Bouquets

red valentine heart balloon bouquetYou can combine flowers with balloons to create some truly unique Valentine’s day gifts. Get balloons shaped like roses or simply find a collection of Valentine-themed balloons that you like.

They’re especially fun and festive to deliver to your significant other at the workplace!

Mother’s Day & Father’s Day Balloon Bouquets

Tired of overthinking your Mother’s Day or Father’s Day presents? Balloon bouquets for the occasion mean that you can show your parents you’re thinking of them without stressing over figuring out yet another gift to give.

Anniversary Balloon Bouquets

There are some truly great Happy Anniversary mylar balloons available. There are even mini 5-inch mylars that you can attach to larger balloons so you can customize them for the anniversary date or occasion.

Another popular option are giant hearts, which are available in up to 36″ in all colors.

Baby Shower Balloon Bouquets

pink and white balloon bouquetBalloon bouquets make great decorations for baby showers even if they aren’t necessarily good baby shower gifts. Combine them with a balloon arch to make the parent-to-be feel especially special on the big day!

Get Well Soon Balloon Bouquets

The tradition of giving out get well soon balloons is alive and well. Listen, any stay in the hospital is hard and stressful. So is any recovery from surgery or any major illness. Getting balloons can help your friends or loved ones know that you’re rooting for them in their hour of need.

They’re even better than flowers because scents can be very difficult for people who are sick to bear.

Make sure any balloons you send to hospitals are made of mylar and not latex.

50 Balloon Bouquets: A Showstopper for Any Occasion

You can really go for it with some giant balloon bouquets, and you can mix and match all sorts of options.

Not sure what to do, what balloons to include, or how to arrange them in a pleasing fashion? Reach out to your local party store! It’s a great way to create a memorable bouquet while working with experts who create these fun gifts every day of the year.

 

Here at Paper Plus we have an enormous selection of balloons available. We don’t have any cookie cutter bouquets, but we will help you make your own. We have letters to spell names, Hawaiian balloons for luau themes, flowers, emojis, hearts, stars, diamonds, cubes, teardrops, and more. We’ve got a plethora of colors, characters, and encouraging messages to share. Browse some of our selection or give us a call today.

Goodie Bags for Kids

Monday, March 1st, 2021

goody bag favor small toys

Favor bags are a staple of most kid’s birthday parties. How can you put together a great one?

Find a Goody Bag Theme

star wars figurines for gift bagsUsually, the theme of your goody bag should match the theme of your party. In the past we’ve helped parents make some of the following:

  • Mickey Mouse Goody Bags
  • Baby Shark Goody Bags
  • Dinosaur Goody Bags
  • Paw Patrol Gift Bags
  • Mermaid Goodie Bags
  • Spiderman Goodie Bags
  • Pokemon Goodie Bags
  • Minecraft Goodie Bags
  • Unicorn Favor Bags
  • Moana Goodie Bags
  • Sesame Street Goodie Bags
  • Trolls Goodie Bags
  • Winnie the Pooh Gift Bags

You’re only limited by your imagination here! You can generally find small toys that fit almost any theme, as well as decorative bags that fit any theme.

Gather Gift Bag Supplies

fun pencil as favor bag ideasYou can put almost anything in a goody bag. Given a wide variety of health concerns, dietary preferences, and allergies you probably want to stay away from food-based bags. Many parents go overboard on the candy, but it’s not necessary.

Try puzzles, coloring books, game books, and small toys. You can include candy, but try to limit it to a few pieces.

Remember to limit the “goodies” by bag size. Overstuffing your bag will make it bulky, unattractive, and difficult to pretty up. Under-stocking your bag makes you seem like you’re giving out something dinky and cheap.

Make Them Beautiful

goody bags in green and blueThe easiest bags to use are usually craft bags with rope handles. They come in a ton of different sizes. The best ones have gusseted bottoms and pleated sides so they open up square. They come in dozens of colors, and some will be pre-themed for you.

Use stamps and glitter to add each child’s name. The more visually attractive and personalized the bag, the more kids will be excited to tear into them.

Fill in the bags with tissue paper so the kids can’t see what’s in them right away. You can find tissue paper in a variety of colors and designs, too!

Want to get a little fancier? Get cellophane, wrap everything up in it, and put a big ribbon on it.

Deliver Your Goody Bags

During the pandemic we’ve been telling our customers to offer “curbside gift bag delivery.” That is…we recommend driving out to each birthday guest’s house and dropping off the bags, then having all the kids open their bags at the virtual birthday party later.

It’s just an easy way to honor your child’s birthday while building some anticipation for the party to come.

Eventually, of course, you’ll be able to offer your goodie bags in person!

 

At Paper Plus, we have all the goody bag supplies you could possibly need. Stop by and see us today at 1629 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley or call us at 510-525-1799.

12 Big and Small Birthday Party Ideas for Adults

Monday, October 1st, 2018

big or small birthday party ideas for decorations

 

It’s Not One Size Fits All – Big and Small Birthday Party Ideas

In the billions of birthdays that happen each year, it’s lovely to think each birthday celebration can be as unique as the person being celebrated. From the decorations to the guest list to the venue, there are so many details that make a birthday party yours.

 

Big birthday parties set a gigantic stage for all the you-centered festivities, while minimalistic and small birthday parties can say a lot about what’s truly important to you. Whether you plan on inviting a few of your closest friends over for a low-key dinner party or you’re designing an elaborate murder mystery dinner, we’re wishing you the best birthday of your life with the help of these big and small birthday party ideas for adults.

 

Small Birthday Party Ideas for Decorations

Sometimes simple is the best way to go. Minimalistic birthday parties for a guest list of 10 or fewer keep the flash and flare on the low and the limelight on you.

 

small birthday party ideas for party hats and decorations

For this size party, you might decide to host at home and the timeframe will likely be under two hours. Guests won’t be expecting a full meal (especially if the party is set for mid-afternoon) and they might even be planning on bringing their own beverage. No matter how minimalistic you choose to go, a birthday doesn’t feel quite like a birthday without a few key decorations and essentials.

 

1. Cake and Ice Cream

The first essential that distinguishes a birthday party from any other party is (of course!) the cake and ice cream. If you don’t like cake, that’s OK too! Serve up a delicious treat that you do love, like brownies, a seasonal tart, or even a signature cocktail.

 

2.Basic Decoration

butterfly multi tier teal cake cartoon

Even for minimalistic parties, it feels good to add a little decoration to amp up the celebration. For smaller birthday parties, choose the decorative-but-functional route with party necessities like paper plates, utensils, and maybe some streamers or a centerpiece for the table. You can also order a decorated cake that acts as a centerpiece.

 

3. Activities

If you’re inviting friends from different friend circles, include a simple game to help break the ice.

 

Activity-Oriented Birthdays for Small to Midsize Parties

If you have a slightly larger guest list (20-25 people), you may be hosting a party at a venue where the activity is provided. This could be at a brewery, an art studio, a teahouse or anywhere that offers an activity that you enjoy.

Because these parties tend to take longer, there are some additional essentials that will improve the experience for your guests.

 

4. Pizza

Ordering a few pizzas or another quick, universally enjoyed food makes feeding guests simple. However, you will need

young adults at small birthday party with friends

to check with the venue to make sure bringing your own food is OK. You can also plan to grab pizza after the activity. For breweries or other venues that provide food, call ahead of time so they can best serve your food and beverage needs.

 

5. Reserve a Room

Reserving a party room can give you more liberties with basic decorations (though you still have to ask!), and it can also help distinguish your party from the rest of the guests at the venue. Think balloons and banners.

 

6. Basic Theme

An activity-oriented birthday party will likely have some sort of theme, whether that is age-related or activity-related. If you’re engaging in a sport, buy sweatbands or team jerseys to spark the competitive spirit!

 

Family-Friendly Birthdays with All the Frills

If you plan on having a family-friendly birthday party, then more activities, decorations, and snacks are a must. Depending on the size of the guest list, it might be helpful to rent a large space or have your party at a park so the kids can run around. Some additional essentials for a family-friendly outdoor party include:

 

7. Bouncy House

children playing in bouncy house Bring the activity to you! Having a family-friendly activity keeps the kids occupied and the parents available to mingle.

 

8. Balloons

Don’t skimp on the balloons! Decorate tables, chairs, and archways with balloons to add classic birthday fun to your theme. Create a balloon bouquet or many bouquets! Balloons are extremely versatile nowadays. You can order name arches, balloons that spell your name or age, and arrangements with stunning balloon colors like chrome. If any of your guests have never been to your home–or you’re hosting the party at a venue–use balloons on the street to show where the party is located. In addition, air-filled balloons have recently become a popular alternative to helium balloons. While they don’t float, air-filled balloons are often used as accents in centerpieces, cake decorations, and party favors. Air-filled balloons can also be purchased on a stick and make a fun addition to bouquets or photo booth props.

 

9. Elaborate Decorations

Take advantage of a simple theme (monochrome, age, etc.) to inspire more elaborate decorations like centerpieces, lighting, entryway guest books or interactive decorations, tabletop decorations, decorative appetizer trays, streamers, and more.

 

10. Favors

old fashioned popcorn cart concession rental

Thank your guests for celebrating with you by preparing party favors. Give away succulents, bake and wrap cookies with decorative packaging, or whip up some seasonal lotions or scrubs.

11. Concessions

In addition to a meal, provide party snacks like cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn or any other treats that fit your birthday theme. (Remember: if you’re hosting a party outdoors you will need a generator or access to electricity for concession machines).

 

12. Seating and Other Amenities

Depending on the seating availability, you may need to rent tables, chairs, linen, and chair covers. You could also rent plates and cloth napkins for a more elegant birthday.

Whether you’re hosting your own birthday or you’re planning an elegant surprise party for a loved one, we hope this birthday essential checklist is helpful! For additional assistance with decorating, give us a call at 510-525-1799 or stop by Paper Plus at 629 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley today!

 

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