A DIY on a Friday? Yes — I’m feeling a little adventurous. With the holidays approaching I always have so many projects and ideas to share that I can barely fit them all in. Instead of my usual round-up, here’s a quick and easy DIY for making giant ornament balloons. These were whipped up at the last minute on set for a holiday shoot, and they’re wonderfully simple to make. No photo tutorial necessary—follow the short instructions below and you can scale up your holiday décor in minutes.
Supplies Needed
17″ balloons (available from party suppliers or online)
Metallic cardstock or heavyweight metallic paper
Metallic pipe cleaners or wire
Strong tape and/or a low-heat hot glue gun
Scallop scissors or decorative-edge scissors (optional)
Step-by-Step Tutorial
- Inflate a 17″ balloon to your desired size and knot it securely.
- Cut a strip of metallic cardstock to form the ornament topper. A good starting size is about 4″ tall by 12″ long, but adjust to fit your balloon.
- If you like, scallop one edge of the strip with decorative scissors for a finished look—this is optional.
- Form the strip into a short cylinder by overlapping the ends and securing them with tape or hot glue.
- Attach a metallic pipe cleaner or a small loop of wire to the top of the cylinder to create the ornament hanger.
- Cover the balloon’s tied tail by placing the topper over it and securing the topper to the balloon with tape or a small dab of low-heat hot glue. Press gently until it holds. Be careful to avoid excess heat on the balloon.
- Adjust the loop so the ornament hangs nicely, and repeat to make as many giant ornaments as you like.
All photos by Mary Costa Photography
There you have it—giant ornament balloons that make an immediate holiday statement. They’re fast, inexpensive, and perfect for parties, window displays, or adding oversized festive flair to any space. Happy crafting!