Celebrate graduates with DIY party decor, gifts

Graduation marks a major milestone in any student’s life, and the event calls for a celebration to remember. Whether you’re planning a party in honor of the graduate or commemorating the accomplishment from afar, consider these fun DIY party projects.

Borrow an idea from Kelly Mindell, author of the Studio DIY blog, and look to the yearbook committee for inspiration to make your party decor ultra personal. Graduation Balloon Superlatives feature colorful floating balloons, which bring fun and whimsy to any occasion. The project uses pictures of guests to give each one a special or funny recognition such as “Best Hair” or “Most Likely to be President.” Get creative to recognize all your guests, and have fun watching everyone discover their very own piece of the party.

The best part is this colorful craft can be created anywhere. With Balloon Time’s portable helium tank, you can inflate balloons in all sorts of color combinations for creative uses at home, schools, parks or anywhere you want to celebrate. When you can’t attend the festivities but want to honor a deserving student’s accomplishment, surprise them with a Money Confetti Popper instead. This easy-to-assemble popper, also created by Mindell, is filled with money and confetti, which creates an instant celebration when the graduate covers himself with confetti in order to retrieve the goods inside.

DIY Graduation Balloon Superlatives

Supplies:

• Photos of guests
• Printer
• Thin cardstock (optional)
• Marker (optional)
• 11-inch (or larger) latex balloons
• Balloon Time Helium Tank
• Twine or other string
• Tape

Instructions:

1. Drop photos from your computer into a text editing program and crop/resize them to same or similar sizes.

   Leave a large white border (at least 1/4 inch on sides and top, and about an inch on bottom) around each photo.

   Below each photo, type the superlative then print photos.

   (Or print photos first and trim, leaving same white border.

   Then handwrite superlatives with a marker.)

2. If your photos are already printed, cut them down to same size and tape to cardstock.

   Cut out, leaving the same white border above and write superlatives.

3. Inflate balloons with the Balloon Time Helium Tank and tie with twine or other string.

   Attach superlatives to twine using tape.

4. Let balloons float on ceiling if you’re indoors, or attach weight to bottom of string, behind superlative, and display around party.

Tip: If you want superlatives to be visible from all sides, make two copies of each photo and tape them back to back when attaching to twine.

Use a thinner cardstock or paper if you want balloons to float on ceiling.

Latex balloons will typically float for 5-7 hours.

Temperature, humidity and altitude may affect float time.

DIY Surprise Money Confetti Poppers:

Supplies:

• Confetti Poppers
• Confetti
• Money

Instructions:

1. You can create your own confetti poppers by picking up some clear cake push-pops at the grocery store and filling them with confetti.
2. If you have pre-filled poppers, empty them.

   Then put a thin layer of confetti on the bottom, drop in the cash (not too much or it won’t be able to “pop!”).

   You can always give multiple poppers! Then cover completely with confetti.

   Close them up and you’re ready to go!

For more ideas for honoring this year’s graduating class and all of life’s other celebrations, visit www.balloontime.com, or check out Balloon Time on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.