Balloons are the perfect gift to amaze and excite people of all ages. Regardless of the occasion, balloons are synonymous with parties and celebrations. They always add an element of excitement and joy to any occasion. With all the different ways to use them, choosing the right balloons for your party or occasion can feel overwhelming. Not to poetry! At Joi Gifts, we love all things balloons and are here to help. Let’s look at everything you need to know about balloon gifts and balloon delivery.
Types of Balloons
Not all balloons are alike. In fact, different types of balloons are better fit for different occasions and environments. Regardless of the type of balloon you choose, they come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and designs to meet your specific needs.
Latex Balloons
Often considered the golden standard for party balloons, latex balloons are elastic and can expand up to 5 times their normal size. Regular latex balloons, not to be mistaken with helium latex balloons, should be filled with air. Although normal latex balloons can still tolerate helium, they won’t last as long as helium latex balloons. For example, a regular latex balloon filled with helium will last 8-10 hours. Helium latex balloons are specifically designed for helium and can stay inflated for up to 4 days.
Foil Balloons
Foil balloons are designed to last longer than both latex and latex helium balloons. When properly inflated, foil balloons can remain inflated for up to two weeks. More durable than latex balloons, foil balloons are less likely to pop but they are not elastic. This makes foil balloons more vulnerable to heat damage. Similar to latex balloons, foil balloons can be blown up with air or helium.
Letter Balloons
Typically made from foil, letter balloons are an amazing way to celebrate a special event. Whether you want to spell the guest of honor’s name, congratulations, or another special message, alphabet letter balloons are perfect for birthdays, photoshoots, bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, and so much more.
Mylar Balloons
Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, are made from nylon with a metallic coating. When they are plain, these balloons look like shiny silver metal (although they are often printed). Unlike traditional latex balloons, foil balloons are not porous, so air does not leak out of them easily, if they are properly sealed.
Cloudbuster Balloons
If you are looking to make a statement, then cloudbuster balloons are just what you need to up your “wow” factor. Cloudbuster balloons are giant statement balloons reaching upwards of 8-feet in diameter. Like other balloons, they are filled with helium (although it takes significantly more helium to inflate it fully). Cloudbuster balloons are typically used for advertising purposes and other celebratory displays. When fully inflated with helium, they can last up to 2 weeks floating high in the sky.
How to fill balloons: air vs. helium
Once you’ve chosen your balloon type, it’s time to decide what you want to fill your balloon with. Depending on your specific needs, you can fill your balloons with air or helium.
Ability to float
Helium is lighter than air, so helium balloons will float. This makes helium balloons an ideal choice for events where you are looking to make visual statements, such as for decorating for weddings and birthday parties. Just be sure to anchor your helium balloons down or they will float away. See our blog post with event balloon decoration ideas.
Air-filled balloons cannot float. However, they are still great for decorating walls and furniture. Simply hang them with tape to add some fun and excitement to your party space. Most letter balloons are filled with air, as letter balloons are typically used for decorative purposes. However, you can fill letter balloons with helium.
Lasting power
One of the more significant differences between helium and hot air balloons is their longevity. Air-filled balloons can stay inflated for weeks or even months. Helium filled balloons typically start to deflate after a few days. This is because helium molecules are tiny and can easily escape from the balloon.
Balloon Gift Ideas for Different Occasions
Balloons are the perfect gift to celebrate a special event or to show someone you care about them. Depending on your specific needs, there are many different balloon gift ideas for different occasions.
- Balloon Birthday Gift Ideas: celebrate their big day with a large multi-color helium latex balloon bundle, spell out the guest of honor’s name or celebratory message with jumbo foil letter balloons, mixed foil and latex helium balloon bouquet, balloon arrangements to compliment a flower arrangement, or a giant cloudbuster balloon.
- Balloons for Valentines: you can’t go wrong with red or pink helium latex balloons for your special someone on Valentine’s Day. You can even take it up a notch and include a few silver hearts “I Love You” foil balloons to compliment your floral arrangement. If you are really looking to create the “wow” factor, consider creating a balloon garland archway or spell out your sentiments with letter balloons.
- Balloons for a Newborn: what better way to say congratulations and welcome a new life into the world than with some celebratory balloons. Whether you opt for a bouquet of rainbow surprise latex balloons or opt for a few single helium filled balloons to compliment a stuffed animal or floral arrangement, balloons are sure to send a message of love, joy, and congratulations. You can even use balloons to celebrate before the baby arrives, by adding your favorite-colored balloons to your baby shower.
- Anniversary Balloons: adding balloons to your anniversary bouquet is a perfect way to take your anniversary gift to the next level. From stand-alone balloons to mixed balloon bouquets with stuffed animals, balloons are guaranteed to make your loved one smile.
- Balloons for Wedding: balloons are a great way to take your wedding decorations to the next level. From spelling out the bride and grooms name in letter balloons to creating stunning balloon archways and elegant centerpieces accented with balloon bouquets, there’s a balloon theme for every wedding.
How to get your balloons to last longer
Air-filled balloons last longer than helium-filled balloons; however, they will not float. In most cases, air-filled balloons will last up to 6-8 weeks. Standard size latex balloons stay afloat for approximately 8-12 hours when filled with helium. Helium-filled foil balloons can float for 2-5 days. To make helium balloons last longer, avoid bringing them outside. The outside heat can compromise the balloon material and increase the rate at which the helium escapes. To make your air-filled balloons last longer, make sure to keep them away from sharp objects and surfaces, and avoid hitting them with blunt force.
Take it to the next level with Joi Gifts
Are you looking for something special to mark your next special occasion? Perhaps you just want to let that special someone know how you feel about them. Regardless of the reason, at Joi Gifts we have something for everyone. From helium balloon bouquets to flower arrangements with stuffed animals and delicious treats, we can help you find the perfect gift.
We encourage you to browse our online catalog by occasion to find exactly what you’re looking for. Need a little inspiration? We encourage you to browse our entire online gift collection. You’re guaranteed to find something for everyone on your list!
