Pretty Recycled Paper Garlands (balloon alternatives)

East End Press makes gorgeous decorations printed on thick recycled paper and/or cotton waste with nontoxic inks. Made in India, these are designed to be used year after year, just hang up on the cotton thread. Packed in recycled paper sleeves.

Don’t use paper decorations in high-moisture areas (kitchens, bathrooms) as it will damage paper and cause ink to run. Use a gentle fluffy duster to clean, to avoid disturbing folds.

Keep paper decorations away from heat and light (and string away from children and pets. Read about keeping pets safe at Christmas.

The Scottish designer had just returned from a trip to Mexico. Inspired by all the colourful art there, she decided to create inspiring designs, which can be used for garlands.

Why choose balloon alternatives?

Balloon releases may look like fun, but they cause incredible harm to marine creatures (sea turtles think they are their favourite food of jellyfish, once they land in the sea). And eat them, which causes choking and death, to them and many other species.

On land, cattle eat them (resulting in belly ulcers). And one horse recently died in Yorkshire, after choking on balloon string. Even children can choke (you can’t do CPR on a child, as the balloon would expand in the throat).

Most balloon companies will tell you that latex balloons biodegrade. They do, but it takes 6 months. And meanwhile, those released burst into thousands of pieces, and fall to the ground (or more usually sea, as 70% of our ocean is covered in water). And most balloon string is not biodegradable.