DIY Balloon Christmas String Lights

I LOVE Christmas lights! I think it's what makes Christmas magical! So, of course I wanted to make them out of balloons. I wanted to make them over-sized but not HUGE. I'd seen a couple of versions on the internet, but nothing that was really in my brain. So after a few experiments and using what was already out there as inspiration, I came up with these cuties. My favorite thing about them is you can do ANY color combination you want!

Tools:

• Low temp Hot Glue Gun
• Xacto knife
• Balloon Pump

Materials:

• Small Hole puncher 
• 5" Balloons (always order extra just in case of popping accidents!)
• Cardstock paper (1 cardstock sheet makes 6 light bulb toppers)
• Bakers twine

Instructions: 

1. Cut the sheet of cardstock paper in half. Cut the 1st half of the cardstock paper into 6 equal pieces (each measuring 2"x6"). Cut the 2nd half of paper into 12 strips (each measuring 1/2"x12").
2. Take each 2"x6" strip of cardstock paper and glue the ends overlapping each other (about 1/8" to 1/4" over).
3. Then, take 2- 1/2" strips and begin gluing them as you wrap around the bottom edge of the 2" strip of cardstock that is glued together.
4. Once the 2- 1/2" strips are completely glued and wrapped around the 2" cylinder, punch a hole on either side of the topper towards the top. Make sure they are evenly across from each other.
5. Using a balloon pump, give your 5" balloon 5 even pump (each way is one pump). Tie the balloon and cut of the excess tail.
6. With the low temp hot glue gun, drop glue in 3 spots to the bottom of your bulb topper and adhere to the round part of the balloon (tail end facing down). 
7. Once you've completed the amount of light bulbs desired, string bakers twine through the holes and tie off the ends. 

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