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Why do people get rid of birthday balloons

48 replies

MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 20:51

I see this so much on Facebook and never understood it. Parents who buy huge birthday balloons for their child's birthday and as soon as evening comes they're literally on FB trying to get rid of them. Why can't the child enjoy their beautiful balloons a bit longer??

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Daffodilsandbees · 31/05/2023 20:51

Helium balloons can last a couple of weeks in my house. After 2 days my son completely ignores them and they’re just in the way; why not let someone else get some joy out of them?

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LotsOfBalloons · 31/05/2023 20:52

I've wondered this too. Mine love playing with them. Don't they ask where they are?! Or is it all about the photo opp...

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nahwhale · 31/05/2023 20:54

They probably are trying to sell them on? Or if there's a kid who has a birthday people might like a free balloon. I only ever get a few to blow up any way

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MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 20:56

They're all given away for free. Huge ones which must have cost a fortune. Maybe it's just for the social media picture and parents are done with them. My child wouldn't be happy if I tried to get shot of them but I wouldn't spend that much for the display in the first place.

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dontgobaconmyheart · 31/05/2023 20:57

Maybe they just want to see if someone else can make use of them and create enjoyment for another child. I've never seen anyone charging or trying to sell when they do this and it's usually just the displays. I'm sure the children are allowed to keep balloons if they actually want them.

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Theimpossiblegirl · 31/05/2023 21:11

I see it as a kind act, asking if someone else could also enjoy them.

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TheSnowyOwl · 31/05/2023 21:13

MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 20:56

They're all given away for free. Huge ones which must have cost a fortune. Maybe it's just for the social media picture and parents are done with them. My child wouldn't be happy if I tried to get shot of them but I wouldn't spend that much for the display in the first place.

You know that they are usually a couple of pounds per balloon and you can buy a canister that will fill up a balloon at what works out to be in the region of 20p? I’m not sure many people would agree with you that £2.20 is a fortune.

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MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 21:15

I'm not talking about £2.20 nonsense... These are huge birthday displays which have taken a while to professionally put together.

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Readingisgoodforyou · 31/05/2023 21:16

It's an act of kindness. They only get in the way anyway.

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MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 21:19

I just feel sad for the child that their birthday balloons are gotten shot of as soon as their special day is declared over.

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Cornettoninja · 31/05/2023 21:20

If it’s huge displays maybe they let them keep a couple for a few days.

Otherwise I think it’s great that they’re getting more than one use out of the them.

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MeinKraft · 31/05/2023 21:21

MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 21:19

I just feel sad for the child that their birthday balloons are gotten shot of as soon as their special day is declared over.

My kids never got any to start with

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MrsMitford3 · 31/05/2023 21:22

A lot of times these aren't balloons for children-often 21st or 30th etc etc and once the event is over, instead of throwing away the balloons they offer to pass it on and give to someone else.
Great idea IMHO

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ThreeRingCircus · 31/05/2023 21:22

I actually think it's great. Way better environmentally if multiple people get use out of them compared to everyone buying their own individual balloons. I think it's nice to share the enjoyment a bit with other children.

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NewPinkJacket · 31/05/2023 21:23

MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 20:56

They're all given away for free. Huge ones which must have cost a fortune. Maybe it's just for the social media picture and parents are done with them. My child wouldn't be happy if I tried to get shot of them but I wouldn't spend that much for the display in the first place.

In my area there are a lot of very small homes and the balloons (often bought for halls) take up too much room, especially balloon arches.

It's nice though, seeing people doing a good turn for others.

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NewPinkJacket · 31/05/2023 21:30

Someone was giving away two helium balloons in my local FB group the other day - two balloons that made '21'.

I jokingly posted, "Such a shame. I'm looking for balloons for my nephew's birthday but he'll be 12, not 21" 😕

She replied with "Sorry hun, I've only got these two" 😂😂😂

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TheSnowyOwl · 31/05/2023 21:33

MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 21:15

I'm not talking about £2.20 nonsense... These are huge birthday displays which have taken a while to professionally put together.

You really have no idea how they are put together or what they cost. Perhaps they are ones they received for free from someone else once their birthday is was over.

Regardless, far better that they are reused and not wasted. Just like it’s far better people don’t wrap presents instead of spending money on shiny paper that cannot be recycled.

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Angelik · 31/05/2023 21:39

The question is why waste money on environmentally unfriendly balloons?

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Sugarfree23 · 31/05/2023 21:41

A few years ago a big silly 1 balloon 🎈 set off our alarm.
We were out, one of our neighbours alerted the police, another neighbour called us ending our evening early
Didn't make that mistake again.

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fguuh · 31/05/2023 21:47

I know the ones you mean op. My DC would want to play with them the next day day but maybe some don't. It is very nice of people to give them away whilst they're still 'fresh' though so another child can enjoy them.

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StripeyDeckchair · 31/05/2023 21:49

Angelik · 31/05/2023 21:39

The question is why waste money on environmentally unfriendly balloons?

Absolutely
Helium is a limited resource and has some valuable medical uses yet humankind persists in using it in balloons that will be on display for a limited time then destroyed.
And don't get me started on people who release balloons for any reason - SO bloody irresponsible and damaging to animal life.

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MucozadeOnLucozade · 31/05/2023 21:53

Thank you to the sensible replies, I totally understand why now.

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Fam23 · 31/05/2023 21:54

Definitely all about the photo opportunity! Poor kids! We kept our sons’ balloons until they’d fallen to the ground 😆. Even then he was devastated that they’d gone!

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Treasureboxkey · 31/05/2023 21:55

They last ages. We gave away a display that had been given to us and had been up at our house for a week.

It's the same as the Christmas tree: first it's nice, then it starts to get in the way, clutters up the house, the kids are not bothered and it starts to piss me off.
It's nice to pass it on to someone else.

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ChickenShedLife · 31/05/2023 21:55

I did this. I think helium balloons are a massive waste but my daughter was desperate for one. After her birthday was over, rather than have it being ignored in the corner for days, I asked on facebook if anyone wanted it. Saves another one being made, and thought of it as a kind thing to do for another child. Didn't imagine anyone would see it as weird to give it away - my daughter didn't even notice!

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