How-to balloon Christmas tree decoration

This week: How to balloon Christmas tree decoration (okay, ornament) to spiff up your holiday tree.

The Holiday Season is now in full swing, and I, Stephanie, am knee deep in Holiday crafting projects! Over the long weekend, I made this pretty ornament with my mom (see forthcoming disclaimer) that will look lovely on a tree or mantle or anywhere else you want to add some holiday bling.

Disclaimer: This how to isn’t quite as simple as the past projects I’ve shared with you, and it is MESSY! Make sure you have a large drop cloth and a friend (or two) to help embark on this process, and get ready to get your hands a little dirty!

How to balloon Christmas tree decoration supplies:

• Balloons – I used 7” round balloons
• Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
• Glue, Plain school glue or craft glue both work fine
• Yarn
• Ribbon / Glitter, optional (for embellishments)

First things first to make the ornament(s), mix up some glue and water until it is a smooth consistency, and pour the mixture into a container. We used a bread pan lined with plastic wrap because the longer, skinnier shape of the pan worked well for moving the yarn through it.

Blow up the balloon so it is about 4-5” in diameter (of course you could go smaller or larger depending on the size of the finished product you want). Then slather a thin layer of Vaseline on it.

Have one person feed the yarn through the glue mixture and squeeze off the extra glue while the other wraps the yarn around the greased balloon. Make sure to wrap in all different directions so the yarn looks random.

Once you are done wrapping, hang it up to dry above your drop cloth or something you don’t care about because this bauble is going to drip for a bit. Give it a good day or so dry completely.

Once it’s dry, pop the balloon with a pin and pull it out (some tweezers may be necessary). You’re now ready to display your new ornament! Simply tie some ribbon around a strand or two on the ball and hang it on the tree or wherever you choose!

Separate the pieces and fluff them up to make a bow!

// A designer, maker, crafter, and blogger, Stephanie Hayward spends her days designing  buildings in Columbus, Ohio and nights blogging about design, DIY, and (attempts at making) good food at Stuff Steph Does. She lives with her partner in crime, Brandon, and their spunky little dog, Lucy. //

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.