NYE Balloon Memory Wall

Do you have big plans for your New Years’ Eve? Usually we head up to a family friends’ cabin, but this year we’ll be at home snuggling. One of my favourite things to do to welcome the new year is to reflect on the memories from the past one. Last year I created this DIY Balloon Memory wall for NYE and shared it over at The Little Umbrella. I thought it’s the perfect time to bring it back out and share it with you all this year!  Each of the balloons is filled with a fun pop of confetti and a memory. Every hour, pop a balloon to read what’s inside or see a favourite photo from the year. This is a great activity just for the family, or if you’re hosting a party, have guests send in a favorite memory.

This activity is just as much fun to put together as it is to enjoy with your friends and family throughout the evening. It costs hardly anything (my kind of DIY!) and can match almost any party decor scheme (but really, it’s NYE… who isn’t going black and glitter?). Oh, and one more plus… anyone, I mean anyone can pull it off.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own DIY Balloon Memory Wall:

• Balloons
• Funnel
• Paint pens
• Confetti
• Tape
• Memories! Cardstock to write them on or photos

Start by collecting memories. If you’re doing this with your family- that’s easy. If you’re hosting a larger party, have guests send memories in ahead of time. You could even have a game where guests guess who’s memory it is that they are reading. I used a shiny black cardstock and a silver paint pen to write the memories on. Try picking memories that will bring a laugh or have a good story. And might I suggest that in your 12:00 balloon your ‘memory’ be: “That time we… kissed as the clock struck midnight, excited to fill 2015 with new memories.” I also had some black and white photos I added in to each because… well, I love reminiscing over photos.

Roll your memories up and then, using a funnel, slide them into your balloons along with some confetti. Now inflate them, either all the same size or in a variety of sizes as shown. The hardest part of this DIY is to write the hours on the balloons! They’re tricky suckers. By the way… I’m loving the word ‘tricky’ right now. If my kids need help with something it’s always because ‘it’s a tricky one’… zippers, shoes, getting a door open… it’s adorable. Back to the DIY though, paint pens like these ones work best because you don’t need to apply pressure to get them to write, they just flow metallic ink and it’s wonderful. The larger the balloon the easier it is to write on (it’s firmer). Make sure to write on the side opposite to the tie off so when you tape them to the wall you won’t see the tie.

Tape them to the wall (I just rolled masking tape for this) as a fun party backdrop, then every hour on the hour have fun popping the balloons and reading the memories aloud!