The Event Helium Guide: Choosing the Right Helium Canister for Your Party or Gathering

If you’re planning a party, birthday event, or a small family get-together, using balloons with helium is an easy way to make your decorations stand out. To have visually impressive balloons, you don’t need to hire a professional or rent an entire set-up, with a helium tank for balloons, you can do it all from the comfort of your home. 

At Adams Gas, we stock a wide range of helium gas canisters that suit everything from smaller gatherings to large-scale events. This event helium guide will help you pick the right size canister, give you an indication of how many balloons can be inflated with each tank, and provide tips on how you can responsibly use and recycle canisters.  

Do I Need Helium for Balloon Décor?  

Helium is not required to blow up a balloon. If you’ve got a small number of balloons to use, or you’re not worried about how they look, you can get by without using helium. However, it’s become a recent trend to get creative with balloon décor, whether it’s for centrepieces, balloon arches, or floating displays. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or a baby shower, helium tanks are easy to use, and they take your event to the next level.  

Choosing the Right Helium Tank Size 

Choosing the right helium tank is dependent on both the size of your event, and the number and type of balloons you’re inflating. Here’s a simple breakdown of our helium canisters:  

Small Events (10-25 balloons) 

• Small Disposable Helium Gas Bottle for 10 Balloons – This fills up to 10 standard balloons and is perfect if you’re using balloon centrepieces or just want a few balloons across your event.  

• Medium Disposable Helium Gas Cylinder for 25 Balloons – For a slightly larger event, this cylinder is equipped to fill 25 balloons for your event.  

These helium balloon canisters are lightweight, portable, and perfect for quick and hassle-free use.  

Medium Events (25-150 balloons) 

• Large Disposable Helium Gas Cylinder – Ideal for things like garden parties or office celebrations, this cylinder can inflate up to 40 balloons.  

• 9.4L Refillable Helium Cylinder (with Filling Adaptor) – For those milestone birthdays or other medium-sized events, this cylinder can inflate up to 150 10-inch balloons or 95 18-inch foil balloons.  

This size is ideal if you’re looking to decorate multiple areas or are mixing foil and latex balloons. 

Large Events (150+ balloons) 

• 20L Refillable Helium Cylinder with Filling Adaptor – Perfect for weddings, corporate events, or large-scale themed parties, this cylinder inflates up to 400 10-inch balloons or 170 18-inch foil balloons.  

We offer a broad range of helium canister sizes, and don’t forget that you can contact our friendly team for advice; we’re happy to help! 

Creative Balloon Decoration Ideas 

There are a range of ways to decorate using helium balloons. Here are some ideas to inspire your next celebration: 

Balloon Arches and Columns 

Balloon arches have become increasingly popular in recent years, for both personal celebrations and corporate events. They can act as archways for an entrance, or as a fun backdrop for taking pictures. The bigger the arch, the more helium you’ll need.  

Floating Table Centrepieces 

If you’ve got a wedding, awards ceremony, or another event that utilises tables, use ribbons to anchor balloons to centrepieces. If you need table numbers, you can find creative ways to attach numbered signs to the floating balloons. Not only is it picturesque, but it makes it easy for guests to find their table!  

Foiled Characters and Numbers 

For birthdays, there is always the classic option of incorporating number balloons around the venue, and for children’s birthdays you may want to get some character balloons for some extra flair.

Ceiling Balloons 

If you’re wanting to avoid having to arrange balloons in an arch or display, then simply letting them rise to the roof of the building is always an option. Of course, this is not applicable for outdoor events but can be a great way to transform a bland venue space. You could even incorporate different colour balloons for a layered effect. 

Eco-Friendly Tips for Helium Use 

When using helium for parties or events, it’s important to be aware of the environment, and implement sustainable practices where possible. This might include reusing tanks, through our refillable helium gas cylinders, when possible. Additionally, invest in high-quality balloons to reduce the risk of balloons popping and waste being created. Also, avoid releasing balloons outdoors, as helium should not be wasted and wildlife can be harmed by balloon debris. Finally, many disposable tanks can be recycled, so be sure to check this before they just get thrown away. 

Celebrate in Style With Helium Balloons 

We hope this guide has been helpful in narrowing down the helium canister options for your balloons. At Adams Gas, we offer fast delivery and helpful customer support to make sure you get your helium gas on time. If you’re unsure on how much helium you’ll need, call us on 0800 195 445 or 01843 220 596 and we’d be happy to talk you through your order.