Kmart selling $5 version of expensive party item

A discounted DIY version of a popular party product that costs hundreds of dollars to buy assembled is being praised online.

When it comes to home birthday parties, parents aren’t just tying a few balloons to the letter box anymore.

Thanks to Instagram and Pinterest, many are now seriously stepping things up with Kim Kardashian-style flower walls, multi-layered cakes and of course, balloon garlands.

Fancy balloon arches can cost hundreds of dollars when purchased already assembled through a party planner, but Kmart is selling a DIY version that costs just $5. And putting it together is apparently pretty easy.

In a video posted to TikTok, @tennilles_deals shared how you could create a professional style arch – complete with confetti – using the Kmart kit.

From this … Picture: TikTok/@tennilles_deals

To this. Picture: TikTok/@tennilles_deals

Available in both pink and blue tones, the pack contains 50 balloons which can be strung together to create the arch.

“If you guys are looking to do some party decorating on a budget I came across this balloon garland in Kmart,” she said.

“It’s really easy to put together, it goes on this [clear plastic] strip and the balloons just attach. It comes with 50 balloons, but the strip attached could definitely allow for a lot more balloons.”

Tennille’s video has been viewed more than 241,000 times, with other parents also swearing by the cheap DIY version.

After blowing up the balloons they can be arranged in a garland by attaching them to this plastic strip. Picture: TikTok/@tennilles_deals

The mum confirmed she had blown up the balloons herself with “a lot of help from the kids”.

“I used this few weeks ago and my balloons are still up – it is amazing,” one person commented. “So good for the price! Kept the strip so I can reuse it again.”

“Loved it. I used it for my graduation party and looked lovely,” another wrote.

“Works really well over an arch doorway,” one person also said.

Kmart sells a range of different balloon garlands starting from $5 for the pink version that went viral on TikTok, as well as a 90-piece rainbow version for $10.

The garlands have been praised by other parents on Facebook. Picture: Facebook/Kmart Hacks & Decor

But several people warned that patience was needed to blow the balloons up. Picture: Facebook/Kmart Hacks & Decor

In a post shared in the Kmart Hacks & Decor Facebook group earlier this month, other mums also praised the balloon garlands as “easy” to assemble – but warned you may want some extra help to blow them all up.

“Easy but tedious. They are bigger than you’d imagine, look fantastic and the balloons last for months,” one person wrote.

“It was easy but much easier if you blow up balloons with air compressor or electric pump. Great look for the price!” another commented.

Originally published as Kmart selling $5 version of expensive party item