So, my kid’s birthday was rolling around, and the big request this year? Helium balloons. Loads of them. I thought, “Alright, simple enough, I’ll just grab some balloons and find a place to fill ’em up.” That was my first mistake, thinking it would be a walk in the park.
My First Stop: The Big Supermarket
I figured the huge supermarket near us, the one that has everything, would definitely have a helium tank. I mean, they have a floral department and a party aisle, right? So, I bought a pack of nice, colorful latex balloons and a big foil number balloon. I confidently walked over to the customer service desk after checkout and asked, “Hi, can you folks fill these balloons with helium for me?” The lady just gave me a blank stare for a second and then said, “Oh, we don’t do that here. We sell those small disposable helium tanks, though.” Great. I wasn’t about to buy one of those expensive little tanks for the mountain of balloons my kid was expecting. Plus, I’d heard mixed reviews about how many balloons they actually fill.
Attempt Number Two: The Craft Store
Next on my list was a big craft store. They sell TONS of party decorations, so surely, they’d offer helium. I trekked over there, balloons in hand. Found an employee in the party section. Same question, slightly different answer: “We only fill balloons that are purchased here, and only the foil ones.” Well, that wasn’t going to work either. I already had my balloons, and some were latex. I wasn’t about to rebuy everything.
Getting a Bit Desperate: Calling Around
Okay, at this point, I was getting a little antsy. The party was the next day! I started thinking, “This can’t be this hard.” So, I got on my phone, not to browse websites, but to actually call places. I figured a direct question would be quicker.
My list of calls went something like this:
- Another supermarket chain: Nope, don’t offer it.
- A discount variety store: “Sometimes we do, but our tank is empty right now.” Super helpful.
- A local florist: “Yes, we can, but it’s quite expensive per balloon, especially if you didn’t buy them here.” Getting warmer, but “quite expensive” scared me a bit.
The Breakthrough: Party City (or similar dedicated party stores)
Finally, I remembered seeing a dedicated party supply store, you know, the kind that only sells party stuff. I gave them a call. “Yes, absolutely! We fill balloons, whether you bought them here or brought your own,” the cheerful voice on the other end said. Success! I asked about pricing, and it was much more reasonable than the florist, especially for filling balloons I already owned. They charged a small fee per latex balloon and a bit more for the big foil ones, which was fair.
So, I gathered up my collection of un-inflated balloons and headed over. The process was super easy. They had a big helium tank right there. The staff knew exactly what they were doing, even tied them off nicely with ribbons. Watching all those balloons float up was a huge relief.
What I Learned Through All This
So, what stores fill balloons with helium? From my little adventure, here’s the lowdown:
- Dedicated Party Supply Stores: These are your best bet. Stores like Party City or other local shops that specialize in party goods almost always offer helium filling services, and they’re usually cool with you bringing your own balloons. This was my winner.
- Some Grocery Stores with Floral Departments: Some larger grocery stores, particularly those with substantial floral sections, might offer it. It’s hit or miss, and sometimes they only fill balloons bought in-store. Definitely call ahead. The one I initially tried didn’t, but I’ve heard others do.
- Florists: Many florists can fill helium balloons, but it can be pricier, especially if the balloons aren’t theirs. They often use helium for their own balloon bouquet arrangements.
- Dollar Stores/Discount Stores: This is a real gamble. Some do, some don’t. Some have tanks that are often empty or broken. If they do, they might only fill balloons purchased there. Again, call first.
What generally doesn’t work, in my experience, are general craft stores (unless they have a specific balloon counter and policy) or most regular supermarkets without a very robust floral/party service section. They’ll likely just point you to disposable tanks.
So yeah, it took a bit more running around than I expected, but the kiddo was ecstatic with the cloud of balloons at the party. Next time, I’m heading straight to the dedicated party store. Lesson learned!