Simple Balloon Cactus Is Perfect Anytime!

This balloon cactus party centerpiece idea is truly a keeper, and I will very likely be making many many more of these simple balloon cacti in the future. I tend to need ideas that can be made for 8 to 10 tables, on a budget, and this is perfect! I can’t take credit for this idea, but I can take credit for using egg cartons to make the cactus flowers, which I just love! I made these cactus balloons for my son’s birthday party this past shabbat, and since the parsha of the week was bamidbar (which means “in the dessert”) well, the cactus theme was just perfect! The truth was I was in a big hurry and we happen to have lots of cactus themed items in our house, so I rounded all of them up to fill the table and dining room with festive items in keeping with the theme. Ah yes, and all the decorations had to be things that I could quickly assemble or bring into the room Friday night after everyone had left the house to go to the synagogue, as we have a custom of making the birthday a “surprise”.  Phew, another festive birthday accomplished, with all the usual fixings! Okay, lets learn how to whip up these festive cactus balloon centerpieces, and with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot quickly approaching (Thursday night) this might be something to make for that as well, perfect infact!

Just one little warning, some folks will think that these are chickens, but just ignore them as they are obviously cacti! (Though I can’t wait to make some chickens too…….)

You’ll Need:

• large green balloons, mine were round, but would love some oblong ones as well, spend extra money and get quality balloons
• small green balloons (optional) I used one size but the small balloons (which were just less blown up) deflated more quickly than the larger ones
• a black permanent marker
• recycled egg carton flowers
• pink acrylic craft paint
• small plant pots (these are from Ikea, and they stack, making them especially brilliant)
• clear tape
• a low temperature glue gun (optional, i didn’t have one)

How To:

1. Make this craft no more than one day ahead of the party, as balloons deflate over time, well mine did anyway.
2. Make flowers from egg cartons, you can take a look at my egg carton flower tutorial here. For the largest flower I used 3 egg carton cups, for the medium sized flower I used 2 egg carton cups and for the smallest flower just one egg carton cup.
3. Blow up balloons to size necessary and add spikes with a permanent black marker. For the bottom balloon I placed the knot into the planter. For the upper portions I used the knot at part of the flower, so keep that in mind when you draw your design.
4. I used clear tape to hold everything together which was just fine for our family birthday. If you need a more professional result, try using a low temperature glue gun and supplement with tape if necessary.
5. Cut slits in the egg carton flower, and remove a small circle from the center of the flower so that it will fit around the knot of the balloon. Secure the flower layers to one another with hot glue or tape, and to the balloon with tape or low temp hot glue. If you do a good job of wrapping the flower around the knot, that basically keeps it in place.
6. Enjoy the cutest party decorations ever!

These balloon cactus centerpieces are also easy to transport, relatively speaking, so perfect for making for a large party. Just remember they really can’t be made more than a day in advance (though do a test and see, maybe I just used really low quality balloons) so plan accordingly.

Look at photos of cacti or cactus illustrations for more inspiration as to how to decorate the ballooons. I was in a total rush so just did my best, but next time I might not opt for the pattern on the above right, as it looks a bit too much like barbed wire?

Enjoy!