Instructions

1. Open the clear fillable ornaments balls. Put on gloves and a mask to spray paint the inside of the plastic balls. Hold the the ball halves by the hanging tab to spray the inside without getting any paint on the outside. To check coverage, hold it up to the light. Spray any areas that need more coverage. DO NOT over spray to prevent any drips. Let dry and set aside for later. Optional - spray with clear acrylic coat. Let dry. Set aside.
2. Cut the dowels into 3 equal pieces (4" each). Paint each piece white. Let dry and set aside. A second coat may be needed. Tip: place dowels into styrofoam when drying.
3. Cut ribbon. For each balloon present, cut two (2) 8" pieces, two (2) 12" pieces, and one (1) 19 1/4" piece.
4. Place a bit of glue on the inside center of the present cover and place the end of the 8" ribbon on it. I just eyeballed the center, but you can measure and mark it. Bring the ribbon around the present top to the opposite side, making sure to add glue in various places to hold it in place. Next, use the 12" ribbons and do the same to the bottom of the present box. Set aside and let the glue dry. Note: Do not add too much glue. Just add enough to hold the ribbon in place.
5. Take the last piece of ribbon and tie it into a bow. Use a dovetail cut on the ends. Set aside.
6. When the ornament balls are dry, put them back together. Make sure the tabs at the top are lined up. Using string or the ribbon, run it from the top tab to the bottom and mark the center spot with a pen.
7. Use a hand drill to make a hole on the center spot. This will be the starting point to drill and will help prevent breakage of the plastic. To enlarge the hole further, switch to a regular drill. Using noi pressure (let the drill do the work), start using a 3/16" bit. When it breaks through the plastic ball, switch to a 1/4" bit. Drill again till it breaks through the plastic. Note: You can skip from the hand drill to the 1/4" drill bit, but make sure to not use any pressure or the plastic will crack.
8. Grab a dowel to make sure it fits into the drilled hole and the ornament ball can close. If not, use a sander mandrel bit or grinding stone bit to enlarge the hole a little at a time. Set aside. Note: Be careful not to over enlarge the hole or the ornament will be very unstable.
9. When the glue on the ribbon decorated box is dry, use an awl or ice pick to poke a hole through the center of the present cover. Do this by slowly applying a bit of pressure and twisting the awl back and forth. When the awl goes through, wriggle it in a circular motion to open the hole a bit more.
10. Again, using the drill and a 3/16" drill bit, enlarge the hole made by the awl. Switch to the 1/4" drill bit and enlarge the hole again. Note: there may be a bit of pulling/snagging on the satin ribbon. Just smooth it out the best you can after.
11. Grab a painted dowel and push it down through the top of the present cover. Place the o-ring or washer on both ends. The rings/washer will hold the dowel in place. Place the top of the dowel into the balloon top drilled hole. Close the two halves of the ornament top, making sure the washer is on the inside. The balloon top may slide down the dowel, but it will slide back up when hung. Note: I do not glue these in place, as I want to be able to take the ornament apart for better storage. If you don't plan on taking the ornament apart, glue the washers in place.
12. Place the cover with the balloon ornament onto the present bottom. Add fishing line through the top tab hole and tie into a loop. Glue the ribbon onto the top of the box.
13. Optional - Add a gift card or something light inside and hang on the tree. Note: The balloon top may be a bit wobbly, but that won't matter once it's hanging on the tree.