I didn't want to use any real flowers at the Balloons party--not when "floral" arrangements of twisted balloon flowers are so easy, fun, and perfectly on theme!

I love using fresh fruit on a dessert table.  It's incredibly easy (the ultimate no-bake treat!), and I love providing a healthier option.  The fruit is always incredibly popular with kids, too.  Very often it's one of the first things to disappear!

Store-bought meringues from Trader Joe's made adorable, light-as-air treats at the low effort version of the Balloon party.

I love working with talented graphic designers, because that is not one of the skillsets I have.  I can do a lot, but I know my limits!  The Balloon Whimsy set of printables from Frog Prince Paperie provided great inspiration for the direction of the Balloons Party for Festivities magazine.

I bought five spools of inexpensive florist ribbon for the Balloons party for Festivities Magazine.

The favors from the Balloons party for Festivities magazine are my favorite to date.  

Recipe for making amazingly delicious homemade bagels.  They have approximately 1/3 fewer calories than bagel shop bagels, taste unbelievably delicious, and are actually easy to make, because you let a bread machine do the hard work for you.

I thought it might be fun to do a side by side comparison of the different elements of the two versions of the Balloons party.  

Inspiration and ideas for a Balloon theme birthday party.

This party is a special one.  Not because it was such a fun theme (it was!).  Not becaue I got to learn a new skill (balloon twisting).  But because this was the first party I've ever done two different ways for Festivities magazine's High/Low feature.  In every issue, we feature at least one party styled two different ways:  one with little time, effort, and cost; and one with high effort and lots of over the top details.