In July I surprised the winner of my first birthday giveaway with a homemade cake piñata. When the second winner’s birthday came around last month, I wanted to send balloons—but shipping inflated balloons is impractical. So I made my own reusable paper balloons from honeycomb decorations and strung them into a garland. They fold flat for mailing and open into dramatic, full shapes when hung—perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any celebration.
Thank you to everyone who helped me choose the color scheme—I received so many great suggestions it took ages to decide!
Supplies:
- Honeycomb balls (I used 8″ honeycombs from Shop Sweet Lulu and Devra Party)
- Paper or cardstock (for making a template)
- Sharp scissors
- Twine
- Awl or similar tool to make small holes
Instructions:
1. Make a template: Fold paper or cardstock and draw a half-balloon shape that fits inside your folded honeycomb. Think of an upside-down egg with a small triangle at the bottom for the balloon neck. Cut out the template.
2. Trace and cut: Place the template on the folded honeycomb and trace the shape. Carefully cut through the honeycomb’s cardboard edges with your sharp scissors. Cutting through the thicker cardboard can be tricky, so take your time.
3. Make a hole: On one side of each cut honeycomb balloon, use an awl or the tip of the scissors to poke a small hole near the top corner of the cardboard edge. This is where the twine will pass through.
4. String the garland: Thread twine through each hole to form your garland. Because the honeycombs fold flat, the garland stores compactly. When it’s time to display, open each honeycomb and secure the layers with paper clips or small clips to hold the half-balloon shape.
Finished result: Lightweight, reusable balloon shapes that never deflate and make a bold visual impact when hung. They’re easy to ship flat and simple to assemble on arrival.
All photos by Studio DIY
Happy Birthday, Bethany—hope you had a wonderful celebration!
I enjoy transforming honeycombs into new shapes; these balloon forms join earlier projects like Easter eggs, shamrocks, and Christmas bulbs. If you have ideas for the next honeycomb shape, I’d love to hear them!