Thank a Teacher!

The school year is coming to an end. Students, teachers, and even parents are counting down the days and hours until the last bell rings. As students are preparing to run for the doors of summer it is a good time to look back at all the hard work, dedication, and efforts that were put into the past 9 months of education.

Teachers have worked hard to help the students learn vital information over this past school year. Because of their hard work and dedication we should thank our teachers for what they had done. Show your teacher or your child’s teacher all that they mean to you and their hard work didn’t go unnoticed with a balloon bouquet from Balloons By Mail. Choose from the many teacher related balloons or a combination of thank you balloons to be sent directly to his/her classroom. If you would like to show your appreciation to the entire school staff, send a bouquet to be placed in the staff lounge or office so all can enjoy and know they are cared for.

A Memorial Day History

Many Americans look at Memorial Day as a day that provides them with a three-day weekend, a day to have a barbeque with potato salad, or a day that represents the beginning of the summer. While all these are great reasons to celebrate, they aren’t the true purpose of Memorial Day.

While there is some debate as to where Memorial Day began, in 1966, Congress and President Johnson declared Waterloo, NY the “birthplace” of Memorial Day because of a ceremony on May 5, 1866 in which veterans who had fought in the civil war were honored. In 1868, an organization of Union veterans declared May 30th to be Decoration Day. They chose May 30th because flowers would be in bloom all over the country and they wanted to ensure flowers were strewn on both Union and Confederate graves.

It wasn’t until after World War I, that the day was expanded to honor those who have dies in all American Wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by congress and was to be placed on the last Monday in May.

As American citizens, it is our job to celebrate and honor those who have fallen, fought, or are still fighting for our freedom and the freedom of others. If you know someone who has served our country or has lost someone for the freedom of others, show them you care this Memorial Day. Send a Thank You or Patriotic balloon bouquet from Balloon By Mail.

Retirement

Although I am no where near the time of retirement I have had the privilege of seeing those I love retire and thoroughly enjoy the benefits. A great friend and neighbor of mine retired last year. It was a bitter sweet occasion. She had fretted over being able to retire, leaving those she worked with, and if she really wanted to leave a job she loved. She knew she would miss her time at work with the co-workers she had gotten to know so well, however on the flip side she would now have that time to spend with her four children and grandchildren. When she finally made the decision to retire, we (her friends and family) knew it was an occasion to celebrate. We wanted to make sure her 30+ years of service didn’t go unnoticed and her future years of rest and relaxation weren’t overlooked. When her final day of work came we surprised her with goodies, events, and parties throughout the day (balloons included of course).

Do you know someone in your life that is going to retire soon? Make sure that their last days of work are celebrated. Send them balloons from Balloons By Mail. Check out our retirement and celebration balloons. Make sure your balloon bouquet is exciting and original by adding smile balloons or even an extra large singing congratulations balloon. Choose from our many gift ideas or select a specific retirement koozie to add to the bottom of your balloon bouquet. But most of all, don’t forget to celebrate this milestone in your loved one’s life!

Graduations to Celebrate

In addition to doing social media and design for Balloons By Mail, I am a teacher of special education in middle school and high school. Because of this I have get to see the accomplishment of graduation twice a year. I get to watch m 8th grade students walk across the stage to become high schoolers. I get to watch my high schoolers walk across the stage to become college or career bound adults.

These graduations, in addition to primary school and kindergarten graduations, are huge milestones for our children and young adults. The graduation ceremonies represent the movement from one position in life to another with added independence and responsibility. As a teacher I recognized the increased demand on our youth and the true accomplishment it is when these graduations take place.

When the child or young adult in your life graduates let him or her know how proud you are! Send balloons that sing celebration, and show congratulations to the graduate. Include a graduation singing bear or a “Great Job” tiger. Choose from our pre-designed graduation balloon bouquets or make your own combination of graduation, good luck, and congratulations balloons to send. But no matter how you send your blessing make sure you let these graduates know they have crossed a milestone, should be proud, and ready to concur the world!

Saving Money on Great Gifts

In today’s world money is often a hot topic for conversation. Our financial stability has changed in our homes and our country. The majority of America, and the world for that matter, have had to make changes in their spending. We are trying to spend our money wisely, make every penny count, and give up some things to purchase others. So today it can be difficult when a birthday or other celebration comes up, because we know our budgets are tight. However, there are still ways to provide the perfect gift to someone without breaking the bank or looking cheap. Here are a few tips for saving money when buying gifts:

1. Buy from the sale section: When looking for the perfect gift, start in the clearance or sale section of the store or website. Often time items in these areas are not there because no one liked them; they are on sale because stores are overstocked. When a store orders 6 of an item and accidently receives 12, there is limited space and the products are put on sale to help make things less crowed. Check out the Balloons By Mail Clearance Section to find great balloon weights for the balloon bouquet you want to send!

2. Use coupons: Coupons are a great way to buy what you want, but save money while you do so. Clip coupons from the paper; search the internet for special deals, and sign up for email specials. Balloons By Mail sends out weekly or biweekly emails with specials on product and savings coupons. Mailing lists are not only great for savings but also provide inspiration of other great gift ideas. Sign up for the Balloons By Mail Email list for information on specials and coupons!


3. Send food: The common saying is “Food is the way to a person’s heart.” Giving the gift of food will not only satisfy the belly but also the soul. While, food is always a well appreciated gift, it is also typically less expensive than stuff. Choose from traditional and gourmet candies, salty treats, coffee, or soups from Balloons By Mail to make someone feel special on their special day.

4. Ship directly to the gift recipient: When ordering a gift on-line, instead of having the gift sent to you, send it to the true gift recipient. Shipping costs can be expensive if you personally receive the gift, wrap it, and then send it on to that special someone. Often times the shipping and handling you pay on a product is less than the actual cost, leaving the business to absorb the extra. Most online stores offer the item to be sent as a gift for a small fee, resulting in a nicely wrapped package and an invoice without the price. Balloons By Mail always packages and ships balloons and gifts decoratively. In addition to arranging and packaging the items neatly, Balloons By Mail will include gift messages and tags at no extra cost!

A Tribute to My Mom

In honor of Mother’s Day I would like to note what an awesome mom I have and thank her for all she has done for me over the years. My mom, the founder and owner of Balloons By Mail, has worked so hard to provide her children, my two brothers and myself, with everything we ever needed. Growing up my mom was always there to help point us in the right direction, but allowed us to make our own mistakes so we could learn and grow. When a mistake hit one of us hard and we stumbled, she was there to catch us when we fell. Although I didn’t appreciate it at the time she took notice in the things I did and where I went as a teenager. She put up with my sometimes bratty attitude and still took the time to let me know she cared.

Today my mom and I are best friends and rarely do a few days pass without a phone call. When I got married last summer I came across a song that seemed to say it all, “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion. Here are a few of the lyrics I would like to present to my mom.

“For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful for you
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through, through it all”

Make sure you tell your mom what she means to you by sending her a gift that shows you care.

40th Birthdays

As I have mentioned before “birthdays often come in themes.” What about the theme of Over the Hill? When talking about these birthdays people like to include anything from 30 to 80 as OVER THE HILL, but today let’s discuss the 40th birthday.

The 40th birthday is definitely a birthday that most would refer as crossing over into the “Over the Hill Era.” A 40th birthday is the transition from those thriving 30sand even farther from those terrific 20s. So when it comes time to celebrate a 40th birthday it is time to play! Make this birthday an enjoyable one, party with friends, share a drink, and let everyone know that you are tickled to be 40!

Think of the people who are turning 40 in your life, or are you turning 40? A wonderful way to any 40th birthday boy or girl feels loved and enjoy is by sending a balloon bouquet from Balloons By Mail. Choose from a wide selection of birthday balloons, over the hill bouquets, 40th birthday specific balloons, and other great gift ideas for a 40th birthday. To make your bouquet special choose a “4” and “0” balloon or an over the hill singing balloon to add with 40th birthday koozie or beer mug. Also take a look at our “Aged to Perfection” woozie. If your loved one has a sense of humor, don’t forget to look through the other Over the Hill gifts as well, and celebrate this true milestone birthday!

College Graduations

College is a time to grow up, experience new things, understand how to manage yourself, and gain academic knowledge. When the 4, 5, or sometimes even 7 year pass by a college student is faced graduation. This time can be both rewarding and stressful. Graduating college with anything from an Associate’s degree to a Ph.D. is a great accomplishment, and opens so many more doors. Choosing which door can be stressful. Often times this is the moment when students are truly “on their own” to start a new life.

Because college graduation is such a large accomplishment, it should not just be recognized, but also celebrated! When that college student in your life walks across the stage to receive their diploma, be there with the perfect celebratory gift! Balloons By Mail has a wide selection of graduation, congratulations, and good luck balloons available individually and in groupings. Don’t forget to add a weight to the bottom of the bouquet in the form of a bear that plays the graduation song or a great job tiger. But most importantly, don’t let a graduation go unnoticed or uncelebrated, make it a day to remember!

National Teacher Appreciation Day

All of us work hard at our jobs and we all deserve to be recognized for the hard work that we do, however today I would like to focus on teachers. Teachers are presented with the job of teaching America’s future. These individuals take on the role of teacher, parent, social worker, care taker, nurse, and friend to the students in their classrooms. None of our lives would be the way they are today if it wasn’t for those special teachers in our life. I can easily remember my favorite teacher, Mrs. Maxwell. She was always so caring and truly concerned about her student’s well being.

May 4, 2010 is National Teacher Appreciation Day. Take this time to thank the teachers you have had in your life. Send #1 teacher and thank you balloons from Balloons By Mail to your current teachers, your child’s teacher, or the teacher you appreciate from when you were in school. Don’t forget to add a small apple bean bag or an apple for the teacher bear to the bottom of your balloon bouquet. So don’t forget to let these wonderful educators know how much they mean to you and how appreciated they really are.

Mother's Day

Everyone looks at their mother in a different way, but most would agree that moms take on many different roles. Moms are shoulders to cry on, best friends to laugh with, teachers that hold us accountable, and so much more. Because our mothers have so many roles and play such a key part in our lives, they deserve a day dedicated to them!

Mother’s Day has been nationally recognized in the United States since President Woodrow Wilson’s term in office. However, some historians believe that the ancient Greeks started celebrating mothers long ago. Regardless of who started the celebration, it is our job to continue it.

May 9 is Mother’s day, show your mom how much you appreciate her efforts and love with balloons from Balloons By Mail. Choose from one of the pre-designed balloon bouquets created for the traditional mother or a trendy momma. Don’t forget to add a gift to the bottom of the bouquet from the Gifts for Moms page.

Balloons = Smiles

I happen to love math. Now I realize that puts me in the minority, but I am truly proud to say that I do indeed enjoy math. One of the things I like most about math is that there is always a correct answer. I take pleasure in working though a problem to find that there was a purpose and a final answer. I find that I can relate this same feeling to balloons. You may be thinking to yourself, “This lady is crazy!” But it is true. Let me present the equation: AP+1BB+1-6B=HS You may be asking what in the world does that stand for?

Any Person + One Big Box + 1-6 Balloons = Happy Smiles

There it is! No matter what type of person you may be thinking of the odds are if you put them into this equation you will get the same result. So try it out, make someone in your life smile today! Check out Balloons By Mail to find just the right balloons from our huge selection to make someone smile. Pick out anywhere from one to six balloons to be arranged in a bouquet and add a gift to the bottom. We will carefully package your inflated balloons into a box and send them on their way. When the box is opened and the balloons float out, as in math you will always get the right answer… a smile.

A 60th Birthday

As I have mentioned before “birthdays often come in themes.” What about the theme of Over the Hill? When talking about these birthdays people like to include anything from 30 to 80 as OVER THE HILL, but today lets discuss the 60th birthday.

The 60th birthday should definitely be honored with a celebration despite the earlier 50th birthday celebration. Sixty is a great time to look back on all that you have experienced and learned, and a great time to look forward to what is to be learned and experienced. It represents another 10 years of life with friends, family, and fun!

Think of the people who are turning 60 in your life? Do they need a great way to celebrate being six decades old? A wonderful way to ensure they feel loved and enjoy their 60th birthday is by sending a balloon bouquet from Balloons By Mail. Choose from a wide selection of birthday balloons, over the hill bouquets, and other great gift ideas for a 60th birthday. To make your bouquet special choose a “6” and “0” balloon or an over the hill singing balloon to add with a “no” spring chicken or an “Aged to Perfection” woozie. If your loved one has a sense of humor, don’t forget to look through the other Over the Hill gifts as well, and celebrate this true milestone birthday!

NASCAR

When presented with the topic of NASCAR, I have to say I struggled with what to write. Having never been a fan of NASCAR I was at a loss for what to write, so I decided to look into the love of NASCAR. I found that fans of the sport grow very fond of specific drivers, enjoy the suspense of the race, and are intrigued by the possibility of a crash. For those who are NASCAR lovers, proudly displaying their favorite drier on their car, clothes, and other goods is important.

When purchasing a gift for the NASCAR lover in your life it is a good idea to bring that component into a gift. Check out Balloons By Mail to send a NASCAR specific or general racing balloon for a birthday or just because. Don’t forget to add racer specific collector playing cards either!

Ways to Say "I'm Sorry"

As a newlywed I totally understand the need for the words, “I am sorry.” Over the last eight months my husband and I have begun blending our lives together. We have each had to make compromises including what color the curtains would be, where he can hang his prized deer rack, and which family we will spend holidays with. Sometimes, however, we each can be a little stubborn which often leads to a disagreement or a fight. We have found that the power of “I am sorry” is phenomenal. Those three little words make a huge difference in the way the rest of the day, week, and even month will play out for us.

Throughout our lives we need to learn how to say we are sorry. Even though we try to do the right thing most of the time, we still mess up and make mistakes that may hurt our relationships. Saying “I am sorry” is a great way to start mending and rebuilding relationships with significant others, parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, etc. However going above and beyond the words can magnify the sincerity of your message. In order to go this extra mile, try sending balloons! Balloons By Mail provides the opportunity to send the perfect unique and personal gift to say sorry. Choose from our selection of “I’m Sorry” balloons to create a one of a kind bouquet. Add floral, love, thinking of you, or other balloons to the bouquet to make it even more special. Don’t forget to also add a weight to the bottom that your significant other would enjoy. For example include a stuffed animal, candy/food, or koozie that is meaningful.

So go on, send the perfect sorry balloon gift and watch as you are forgiven and your indiscretion forgotten!

Happy Birthday Sue!

We at Balloons By Mail truely believe in celebrating life's joys and experiences! Today is our CEO and founder is celebrating her 53rd brithday. In order to celebrate with her and the staff of Balloons By Mail we would like to offer our blog readers a 20% discount on all birthday balloons and gifts! But hurry because this coupon is only good until April 15, 2010.

Thanks for celebrating Sue's birthday with us!

20% off all birthday balloons and gifts

Coupon Code: SUESBDAY

Spring is Here!

Spring is in the air! Finally the weather is getting warmer, the trees and flowers are beginning to bud, and we are starting to partake in spring time activities. Spring sports are in full swing, spring cleaning is waiting to be finished, and spring flowers and butterfly's are happy to show off their colors. Although spring is a wonderful time of the year, we do have to remember to be careful.

You certainly can’t have enough fresh air, but watch out for those allergies that spring up around this time. If you know someone who is down in the dumps with allergies, send them a get well soon or smile balloon to cheer them up.

Also remember that even though there is great fun to have outside, we must be careful to keep ourselves protected from the sun. Care for your skin with natural lotions and balms and cover your eyes with sunglasses!

Lastly remember to keep a jacket or sweatshirt with you at all times. Although the days may be warm the nights chill quickly. If you do get chilled warm yourself up inside with yummy soups or coffee to prevent getting sick!

So get out and enjoy the sunshine and warmth for the next few months of spring and into summer!

"Hello Kitty"

In 1974 a new Japanese cartoon came out called “Hello Kitty.” The cartoon was about a white cat with a bow in her hair that would stress “Hello Kitty says be yourself.” By the 1980s every young girl had something with Hello Kitty on it. Today we still see the Hello Kitty character on book-bags, pads of paper, key chains, balloons, plush, etc.

BalloonsByMail.com also carries the popular figure Hello Kitty in balloons and plush that can add the perfect touch to your loved one’s balloon bouquet. So go ahead and pair a Hello Kitty doll and balloon with your happy birthday, get well soon, or thinking of you balloon bouquet from BalloonsByMail.com!

Young Milestone Birthdays

Every few years we pass through a milestone birthday. Depending on our religion and the law these birthdays represent different, but significant things to each of us. A 13th birthday in the Jewish religion represents becoming an adult, for others it may represent transferring into the age of a teenager. Then there is the 16th birthday, a favorite amongst teenagers because it means driving; freedom to go off wherever and whenever (as long as you are in by curfew and clear it with your parents). The next milestone birthday is the 18th birthday when the law recognizes you as an adult. Eighteen means you are “independent,” able to go off and get a different job, join the military, or gamble and smoke if you wish to do so. The last milestone birthday I will mention today is the 21st, one I have mentioned before. This is the birthday where drinking is the theme.

In order to celebrate these milestone birthdays make sure you recognize them with the appropriate glory and excitement. Send the perfect balloon bouquet from BalloonsByMail.com. Choose from a super sweet 16 or a driving 16 birthday bouquet. Pick out the best 13th or 18th birthday balloon! Add extra numbers to the bouquet scream the age or just general happy birthday balloons to make the bouquet perfect for your loved one!

Sesame Street

Sesame Street is one of the longest running children’s television programs to date. Over the years as Sesame Street teaches letters, sounds, social skills and more, it has evolved. In the early years, Sesame Street stared with a few key characters: Elmo, Big Bird, Oscar, Snuffleupagus and a few others. Today the show has many more friends and guests including the Cookie Monster, Zoe, Abby, Count, and many more that capture the hearts of young children and adults around the world.

A Sesame Street toy or plush doll is a staple in most young children's toy boxes and even a decoration for adult offices and houses today. Although there are many different companies that make these dolls and toys, I have found that GUND makes them (in my opinion) in the highest quality. The push dolls are covered in a silky soft fur and great big plastic eyes. Extra care is taken to ensure that the dolls and toys look just like the ones in the show, even down to the cut on Abby’s dress. GUND also has produced some wonderful Sesame Street play sets that include sensory crinkles, rattles, squeakers, and more for little ones. Check out BalloonsByMail.com to see all these wonderful toys and dolls as well as balloons to send to the little loved ones in your life.

Easter Traditions

Easter is celebrated differently for each family. My Easter celebrations seem to change from year to year. When I was a kid, my brothers and I would have an Easter egg hunt in the back yard while the Easter bunny would hid our baskets. Years later there would be a trail of clues we needed to solve before we found piles of candy and goodies at the end. Since then my family has celebrated with dying eggs, going to church, making egg salad sandwiches, and even taking the boat out in the crisp spring air.

As you begin to near the Easter season don’t forget about those Easter baskets and traditions with your loved ones. While the traditional basket can be loaded with candy and fun, why not start a new tradition this year. Send balloons from BalloonsByMail.com to those you may not be able to share the holiday with or to even surprise those in your home. Check out our fun egg shaped balloons, bunny and basket balloon bouquets, and other colorful and bright Easter balloons. Don’t forget to add candy, a fun egg, a stuffed bunny, or chick to the bottom of your bouquet to weigh it down and make it even more special. So celebrate your Easter with a new tradition from BalloonsByMail.com.

The Big 5-0 Birthday

As I have mentioned before “birthdays often come in themes.” What about the theme of Over the Hill? When talking about these birthdays people like to include anything from 30 to 80 as OVER THE HILL, but the whole celebration started with the 50th birthday.

Therefore, the 50th birthday is definitely a birthday to celebrate! It is a great time to look back on all that you have experienced and learned, and a great time to look forward to what is to be learned and experienced. When my mom turned 50 we went all out! We threw a great party with everything from balloons (of course) to a margarita machine. She spent the evening relaxing and celebrating with her closest friends and family. Even though she had a great time, I think she still struggled making the step “over the hill.” She needed her family and friends there to share this time and remind her that the fun had just begun.

Think of the people who are turning 50 in your life? Do they need an extra pick me up or just a great laugh? A wonderful way to ensure they feel loved and enjoy their 50th birthday is by sending a balloon bouquet from BalloonsByMail.com. Choose from a wide selection of birthday balloons, over the hill bouquets, and other great gift ideas for a 50th birthday. To make your bouquet special choose a “5” and “0” balloon or an over the hill singing balloon to add with a 50th beer mug or feathered koozie. If your loved one has a sense of humor, don’t forget to look through the other Over the Hill gifts as well, and celebrate this true milestone birthday!

What is a Woozie?

There is nothing I love more than a nice chilled glass of wine with friends over dinner, outside at a barbecue, or after a long day at work. This time gives us the opportunity to relax, reflect on the day, and move forward into a tranquil evening. However, often times I find that my wine glass is too cold to hold in my hand or that my wine gets too warm too quickly. Can and bottle koozies seem to always be available to prevent this, however what about my glass of wine?

BalloonsByMail.com has the perfect new product to keep your wine chilled and your friends laughing and feeling loved. It is called a “Woozie.” That’s right, a Woozie – a koozie for your wine glass! This new product available on BalloonsByMail.com is a great gift to add to the bottom of anything from a 21st birthday balloon bouquet to a cheer up balloon bouquet. With great sayings like “Aged to Perfection,” "Girls just want to have wine!" and “Good Wine, Good Friends, Good Times” they are sure to make a great impression when send it to your friends and family! Keep in mind the Woozies aren’t limited to just sayings: be sassy with fun animal print or cute with a colorful pattern. Your friends are sure to love their gift when you send it from BalloonsByMail.com.

Cheers!

One of the more social activities is drinking. Often times we go out to the bar for cocktails after a long week with our co-workers, share a bottle of wine on a date, or relax at home with a beer and our families/ friends. Many of us adults over the age of 21 have a favorite drink whether it is a shaken cosmopolitan, cold Bush Light, glass of pinot grigio or a simple Hard Lemonade. When we learn what our friends and love ones enjoy the most, we tend to be reminded of them whenever we see something resembling that drink. I know when I see mint leaves or limes I think of my friends who love mojitos on the lake in the summer time, or when I see a short martini glass I think of my days in college drinking martinis with my best friends on girls night.

Why not remind your friends and family of the great times you have all had and the good times to come with some of BalloonsByMail.com drinking memorabilia? Use these great gift ideas to prepare for the up coming shared drinks at milestone birthdays or any other occasion to celebrate.

BalloonsByMail.com has everything from birthday girl martini glasses, to beer can koozies that have neck straps so you are guaranteed not to lose your drink. What about a freezable beer mug that expresses the celebration or a shot glass to commemorate the birthday. Don’t forget about the soon to come Woozies (koozies for your wine glass), the sports and hobby related koozies and EVEN drinking related socks available from BalloonsByMail.com. In order to pair this memorabilia with the appropriate drinks and food, don’t forget to include a 101 recipes with beer cookbook, mojito/martini/margarita recipe guide, or beer and food guide with you balloon and gift bouquet.

The History of St. Partick's Day

Most people don’t know why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or what it stands for. Instead they dress in green, drink green beer, and sing Irish songs at the bar. But some may be surprised to know that St. Patrick’s Day started out as a religious holiday.

Although we don’t know much about the man, Saint Patrick, we do know that he died on March 17, some time around 460AD. The Irish chose to celebrate this day as a religious holiday. Because the day falls in the middle of the Christian season of Lent, the Irish would attend church in the morning and would dance, drink, and feast in the afternoon (meat was not allowed during lent).

The image of St. Patrick’s Day became a drinking scene when Irish immigrants celebrated their heritage in the streets of American cities. However when newspapers reported on the events they portrayed the immigrants as drunk and violent monkeys.

As time pasted many American cities began to celebrate with parties, parades, and even dyeing the rivers that flow through town. It wasn’t until 1995 that Ireland began to campaign on the party idea of St. Patrick’s Day to improve tourism and show off its land to the rest of the world.

Whether you celebrate March 17th as a religious holiday, remembrance of the Irish culture, or an occasion for green beer, don’t forget to send your loved ones a St. Patrick’s Day balloon bouquet from BalloonsByMail.com to celebrate the holiday!

SpongeBob Square Pants!

SpongeBob Square Pants has entered almost everyone’s home in the United States and numerous other countries. Something about his obviously peculiar shaped pants and his high pitched voice has gotten people excited. As he navigates his ocean bottom surroundings with his friends: Patrick, Mr. Crab, Plankton, Gary and many more, he encounters adventure after adventure.

SpongeBob has become a party and celebration favorite as well. He shows up at Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and birthdays throughout the year. We at BalloonsByMail.com wanted to let you know of all the fun balloons and gifts we have to celebrate this dynamic character. Whether you want to say get well soon, I love you, or happy birthday (in Spanish too!), SpongeBob will be there to help with his balloons. My personal favorite SpongeBob balloon is a square shape of his smiling face. Don’t forget to add gifts to the bottom of your loud and smiley SpongeBob balloon bouquet such as SpongeBob and his friends various sized plush and thrilling SpongeBob shaped playing cards.

And in the words of SpongeBob himself, “This is the BEST DAY EVER!”

The Luck of the Irish

We are often surrounded by idioms, expressions in language, day after day. In the spirit of the upcoming holiday celebration, St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I would share the origins and meanings behind one such idiom: “The luck of the Irish.”

There is no cohesive agreement on where this phrase came from but there are two widely accepted origins. One of the suggested origins is that the Irish are just inherently lucky. Despite the hard circumstances we see in history, the Irish have had to deal with they still seem to be able to land back on their feet, (i.e. The Potato Famine). Another suggested origin of “The luck of the Irish” came from the California Gold Rush in the 1800s. Many of the most successful gold diggers were Irish. When it got out that the Irish people got lucky finding large quantities of gold they were talked about in the terms of “The luck of the Irish.” Often times the Irish would refer to their good fortune as their “pot o’ gold.”

With all this luck floating around for the Irish, why don’t we send some good luck to out friends and family to brighten their day? Take a look through BalloonsByMail.com and find those St. Partick’s Day or good luck balloons to send. Don’t forget to add a small gift or good luck charm to the bottom to ensure the luck lasts forever!


Source

Grandparents

Grandparents are often hard to buy for… They often times have everything that they need and if they do come across a need they are more than willing to go out and buy it for themselves. My grandma’s birthday is coming up soon and it always seems to be the same story for me. I am at a lost of what to buy.

In years past I have purchased some of her favorite foods, small trinkets for her china cabinet, and cards. This year I thought about what would really make her smile when she opened it. BALLOONS!

Balloons floating out of a box, from BalloonsByMail.com, is a great way to make my grandma and so many other grandparents smile. They bring along with them a joy that only watching balloons can bring and are sure to create conversation when there are guests.

When making a balloon bouquet for a grandparent remember to include a balloon for the occasion, let them know you love them, and don’t forget to add in a smile or solid fun shaped balloon for extra appeal. Weigh your balloon bouquet down with a grandparent specific item from our “Gifts for Grandma” and “Gifts for Grandpa” selections.


Great Grandparent Gift Giving Occasions:
New grandbaby
Happy Anniversary
Birthday from the Grandkids
Thinking of you/ To Cheer you
Retirement
Smiles galore
Get well soon

The Love of Coffee

As I thought about writing on the newest coffee that we have available at BalloonsByMail.com I was stumped. “The Love of Coffee” is a tricky thing to write about because coffee is a ritual part of most Americans’ lives. We wake up and before we do anything else, even open our eyes all the way, we go for the coffee. So to inspire my writing I went out and got one of my favorite specialty coffees, a non-fat French vanilla cappuccino. Yummm... As I slowly drank it on my drive to work I remembered what the “Love of Coffee” is all about.

Plain coffee is great for the jolt in the morning to get us moving after we wake up or take a shower, but really good gourmet coffee is what can set to tone for our day and be enjoyed throughout. Starting the day with a warm flavored coffee, weather its cinnamon chocolate, hazelnut mocha, or butter rum, we can get in the mood of the season.

BalloonsByMail.com’s newest product is a gift box of eight different instant flavored coffees that are designed to sooth the pallet and invigorate the senses. This great gift box of coffee contains creamy single serving packets of Cinnamon Chocolate, Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Covered Cherry, Coconut Creme, Butter Rum, Vanilla Nut Fudge and Hazelnut Mocha.

But don’t feel left out if you are a gourmet tea or chai tea drinker, BalloonsByMail.com also has gift sets for you as well that include equally inviting drinks. So next time you want to send someone warmth and flavor pair your coffee themed balloon or any other balloon bouquet with one of these gourmet drink gifts sets.

The History of BalloonsByMail.com

Often times we are asked how we came up with the idea for BalloonsByMail.com. It is a valid question… Who else would think of putting helium filled balloons in boxes?

The idea started when I was away at college. My mom and little brother’s birthdays (only one day apart) were coming up right around the time final papers, projects, and exams were due. I was too bogged down and didn’t have time to come home for a birthday visit. Bummed out that I wouldn’t be there I wanted to make sure they had a great day.

I headed off to the local party store and bought a boyish birthday balloon, a girlie birthday balloon, and an “I love you” balloon. On my way to the post office I stopped at the small retail shop I worked at to find a box big enough to fit my three balloons. Sure enough I found a beat up old box in the back that would fit the balloons just perfectly. In the parking lot of the post office I struggled to keep the balloons from flying away as I placed them in the box. Finally I taped the box closed and took it inside to send on its way. I am pretty sure the lady behind the counter was confused as to what I was sending because the box didn’t weigh much at all, but she took my money and I was on my way.

Two days later my mom called to tell me how much they loved their balloons. About two months after that she called again to tell me she wanted to market this idea of balloons being sent in boxes. She thought it was such a great gift and exclaimed, “Everyone should have the chance to send it!” A few more months passed that involved lots of research on opening a business, creating a website, and picking out a variety of gifts and balloons. In October 2005, BalloonsByMail.com was launched.

Over the last four and half years we have added three more employees and thousands of new items. Today we love to see the loved passed on through balloons and are always excited to hear back from the happy customers.

Refresh and Reuse Your Balloons!

Now that Valentine’s Day has come and gone, we have these wonderful balloons in our homes and the homes of our loved ones. We are going be able to enjoy our balloon bouquets fully for at least 21 days, way longer than flowers! However as time passes and the temperature changes the balloons can seem to crinkle slightly and lose their splendor. While they are still fun and a reminder of those that love us, we know that the balloons looked best when they were filled tight with air.

Don’t worry! You can refresh your balloons in three easy steps!

1. Find a regular straw (non-flexible works best).
2. Carefully insert the straw into the air hole at the base of your balloon (where the string is attached) leaving just enough of the straw out to the balloon to blow through.
3.Once you have blown up the balloon as much as you desired, remove the straw and admire your fresh looking, still floating bouquet

Once you are finished admiring your balloons don’t be tempted to throw them away!! Again, insert the straw into the balloon (as directed above) and lightly press on the balloon to allow excess air to escape. Once your balloon is flat you may lightly fold it for storage. The next time you would like to celebrate, pull out the balloons and have them filled with helium for an additional 21 days of enjoyment! Once again another great way to enjoy BalloonsByMail.com!

The Wintertime Blues...

Here we are in the dead of winter, the snow crunching under our feet, our skin feels dry and cracks from the lack of humidity, and the sun barely shines on our faces. Our bodies are craving vitamin D and heat from the sun. We are in the middle of what I like to call “The Wintertime Blues,” a time that is filled with depressed days and grumpy attitudes.

How can we keep ourselves from this blues? One way to get the vitamin D from the sun is an all-inclusive vacation to a Caribbean island. If that is a little out of your price range, try a tanning bed to give you skin a healthy glow and the much needed feel of warmth. However, don’t forget to use lotion and balms before and after to keep you skin hydrated. Another way to avoid this wintertime blues is to eat warm and comforting foods. Try out a new recipe book, some hot soup or gourmet coffee. As you fill your frozen body with this warmth you are sure to feel better about the temperatures outside. These are both great ideas, however, I feel the best way to overcome “The Wintertime Blues” is to put a smile on your face. Studies have shown that smiles are contagious and automatically send endorphins through our bodies!

So, how do we evoke these smiles? My answer is balloons! Balloons bounce around with happy pictures and messages. BalloonsByMail.com has a great selection of balloons that will definitely make a person smile. Look through the To Cheer/ Thinking of You balloons as well as the many different smile face and flower balloons. Add special items, like lotions, cookbooks, and comfy foods, to the bottom of the bouquet and help your friends, family, co-workers, and even yourself through “The Winter Blues.”

Singing Balloons

Sending a gift is a great way to surprise someone whether they live across the country or in the same house. The reaction is similar; the joy of receiving a large package that weighs almost nothing can ignite curiosity and excitement. When you send a gift from BalloonsByMail.com the balloons will float from the box as it is opened and they will show the message that you wanted to send. Whether it is a Happy Birthday balloon or congratulations bouquet, the recipient is sure to know you care! However wouldn’t it be even better if your loved one could also HEAR the message you wanted to send?

It is all about seeing AND hearing with the new balloons available from BalloonsByMail.com. Choose from our selection of singing balloons for a birthday, an occasion requiring congratulations, or just to say “I am all yours.” As the balloon is released and floats from the box, your loved one will hear the balloon singing its own unique song. Each balloon is 28 inches wide and would pair well with out many other selections of balloons to create a wonderful singing bouquet.

So next time you want to send a gift, remember the gift that literally says the very thing you wish you could be there to say yourself!






** Check out more BalloonsbyMail.com videos and audio!

The Famous 21st Birthday

Birthdays often come in themes, there are those first birthday parties we celebrate with our favorite cartoon character or dream career (i.e. Cowboy). Then there is the sweet 16 birthday centered on driving, or the over the hill birthday with jokes about being old and seeing black. But the one birthday that is widely celebrated with friends, family, and even strangers is the 21st birthday.

Because the legal drinking age is 21 here in the United States, that is the birthday that is themed as the “Drinking Birthday.” You often here stories about sharing a beer with your parents for the first time, drinking shots at the bar, throwing ambition to the wind to sing karaoke, and all those things that come after a long night of drinking. In order to go along with the theme of drinking for a 21st birthday gift go to BalloonsByMail.com.

BalloonsByMail.com has a great selection of gifts about drinking and birthday balloons to match. My favorite is the Koozie with a necktie around it so it can’t be lost. It comes in two sayings, “Where’s my beer?” and “21-Legally Bombed.” These pair well with the beer shaped balloon bouquet! However, no 21st birthday would be complete without a commemorative shot glass or feathered martini glass. Again they pair nicely with the other 21st balloons and bouquets on BalloonsByMail.com.

Valentine's Day Isn't Just for Lovers

The image of Valentine’s Day is all about lovers eating romantic dinners and giving each other cards and chocolates. What about those without lovers? Or those you care about who are just friends or family? What about those little ones running around? We must not forget that Valentine’s Day is a day to show all the people we love how much they mean to us. This includes parents, grandparents, children, aunts & uncles and best friends.

Go outside the box by getting in the box! Order balloons from BalloonsByMail.com to send to your mom at work or your child that lives away from home. There is a huge variety of Valentine’s balloons that go beyond lovers! Check out our Valentine’s Day balloon bouquets that are under $35, or click around the children’s Valentine’s balloons that are sure to evoke hours of giggles and joy. Don’t forget to look though our gifts for him, for her, and for kids to add to the bottom of your bouquet.

Don’t let someone you care about be forgotten this Valentine’s Day, order a Valentine’s balloon bouquet from BalloonsByMail.com and make their day special!

Over the Hill Celebrations

There are certain things in our lives that we choose to celebrate and then there are those things we wish no one would know about. I think when it comes to “Over the Hill” celebrations the waters are split right down the middle. There are those 40, 50, 60, and anywhere in between birthdays that simultaneously get a response of excitement and dread. What we need to do is remember to make these birthdays fun for the birthday boy or girl and the best way to do this is to send a memorable and fun gift.

BalloonsByMail.com has a great selection of memorable and fun Over the Hill gifts. Throughout the website you will find a great selection of birthday balloons and gifts. Create a balloon bouquet of our Over the Hill balloons and pair it with a few black or numbered balloons to spice it up. Then add an “Old Buzzard,” a chicken that squawks “You’re no spring chicken,” or one of our other fun gift ideas. Take a look around the website and order your Over the Hill celebration in a box from BalloonsByMail.com today.

Spa Products!

Today we venture off to the Chicago Gift Show to buy new products for the Balloonsbymail.com website. I was thinking about which vendors I am most looking forward to visit. I enjoy looking around all the venders because we come up with some great gifts for the store. However, if I were to pick one type of vendor above all else I would have to pick the spa vendors.
There is nothing more I love then relaxing with beautifully scented spa products. I particularly love some of the products we have purchased already. When I want a travel kit to take with me I use the
Green by Nature Beauty Supply Kit.
It is filled with wonderful natural items that keep my body free of preservatives, soft, and smelling wonderfully. When I have time to relax for a bath or even a quick shower, I love to use our sea salt scrubs and bath salts. Nothing can relax me more than the smell of lavender. I am excited to revisit these spa vendors to try out some of their new products and invigorate my senses with the old. I am sure you or your loved one could use a moment of relaxation. Send out a bouquet of balloons with some of our spa products to your loved ones and they will be sure to thank you for the moments of joy and relaxation you have provided.
Written by Jamie Cressman

Reflecting on finding new products

As I prepare for my 5th trip to Chicago for the Gift Show (where we find new companies to buy our cool products from) I reflect on what it was like that first year and all the cool things we got for the website based store. I thought I would walk down memory lane and recap how we came across my three favorite things we bought that year.

1. I think I should start with the one gift idea that took us the most amount of time to decide to buy… Sesame Street stuffed animals by Gund. We knew right away that we wanted them, but we didn’t know if we could afford them. At this point we were a small business and had a strict budget. We discussed back and forth what we should do. I think we went back to the Gund exhibit at least 3 times to look at them! They were so soft and cuddly, and look just like the characters my children watched as kids and today’s kids watch. As we sat at dinner the night before we had to go home we decided YES, we had to get them. We couldn’t resist! In reflection of that tough decision, I am glad we decided to buy them. I am sure that those stuffed animals have fallen asleep in the arms of kids that couldn’t have been more excited about receiving a box filled with balloons and a stuffed Sesame Street characters from our store.

2. We could also never forget finding the Angel Cheeks that year either. They are these adorable angel figurines that are dressed up holding a sign that relays a little message “I love you,” “Get Well,” and so on. I am not sure my daughter liked them so much, in fact I believe if I remember correctly, she told me there were other things to spend our money on. Against her judgment (which I do from time to time) I bought them. These Angel Cheeks have been great, flying off our shelves because they say the perfect thing for loved ones around the country. In fact, I sold an Angels Cheek that ended up on my daughter’s desk. After all she said about not liking them, she surely treasures the one she has that says “I Love You” from her new husband.

3. Now, I know you have heard of the saying “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I would like to submit that the way to a man’s heart is also through cold beer (or soda if you prefer). We found the perfect idea for a man’s gift… Koozie cups!! Oh yes, they make a wonderful weight for any of our balloon bouquet and I know there are men (and women) out there loving how these 3D double walled Koozies are keeping drinks cold around the country. That first year we started selling just a few hunting related koozies. Now we have fishing, hunting, horse, golf, dog, skull, and over the hill koozies to choose from. My whole family has them they use every time they pullout a can to drink.

Be Careful Out There! Winter Driving Safety Tips
We are well into the winter season, and the weather warnings have just begun. Rain and snowstorms will pummel many cities throughout much of America. Drivers there can expect slush and snow conditions that will add hazard to their commutes. Of course, drivers can minimize these risks by planning ahead and remembering a few safety tips.
1. Make sure your car is winterized. Check your coolant and windshield fluid levels, inspect your windshield wipers, and have your headlights realigned. Preparing now can keep you safe in an emergency.
2. Check the weather forecast and road conditions. You can find your local weather forecast at >weather.com .
3. Have an emergency package. As soon as snow starts to fall from your sky make sure you have a safety kit in case the worst happens. Pack a blanket, a flashlight with batteries, jumper cables, waterproof matches and a can for collecting water.
4. Avoid using cruise control over icy roads. It can cause accidents by kicking in at inappropriate times.
The most important safety weather tips are the most obvious. Wear your seatbelts, drive the right speed for the road conditions, and look out for potential hazards before you get to them. It all begins by taking care and having respect for the road and your fellow driver. Take some extra time and make sure you get there safe.
Even with the winter weather, FedEx is faster than ever. At BalloonsByMail.com, we can offer 2 day delivery farther than ever before! Check out our selection at BalloonsByMail.