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Hot-air balloon centerpiece for summer parties

MATERIALS

With summer fast approaching, sunny skies and bright colors come to mind. Create something unique that will bring the spirit of fun and giggles to your family and friends—like a hot-air balloon centerpiece!

What you’ll need for one tabletop-size centerpiece:

1 clay or plastic terra-cotta flower pot (approximately five-inch opening that tapers down to a four-inch base) with a hole at the bottom center

1 regular helium-filled balloon with string

GLUE 3 banana-que sticks to 3 sides of pot at equal distance from each other

1 pc floral oasis/dry foam

3 pc banana-cue sticks (longer than regular BBQ sticks), spray painted in gold

Scotch tape

Scissors

CUT foam to fit the flower pot. Leave about half an inch below the top of the pot.

Assorted lollipops with colorful wrappers, assorted loose candies

Glue gun

Japanese paper

Colored stickers for scrapbooking the balloon (optional)

Here’s how:

1) Pull balloon string through the center hole of your flower pot, about 4.5 inches’ space, enabling the balloon to float centrally. Secure the string by taping underneath pot.

2) Cut foam to fit the flower pot. Leave about half an inch below the top of the pot.

STICK your lollipops starting at the center to make neat circular
rows. Fill in the outer gaps with loose candy.

3) Glue gun the three banana-cue sticks to three sides (inner edges) of pot at equal distance from each other. Approximately eight inches of the stick is exposed, enough to hold balloon steady at the center.

4) Stick your lollipops, starting at the center, to make neat, circular rows. Fill in the outer gaps with loose candy.

5) Wrap Japanese paper around the clay pot for added detail/color

Tips: Choose bright-colored balloons to really liven it up.

Fit your pot into a basket for a more authentic-looking hot-air balloon.

Remember that the attention to detail will be well worth it in this case, since your creation will be up for closer scrutiny. Have fun, and good luck!

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Tags: hobby , Hot-air balloon , summer parties