Better Than A Balloon Release

It must be Tuesday, because EventLucky is here! 

I know, I know, balloon releases are pretty.

How can you resist these pictures?

Well, I can resist. I just think of all the dead birds that ate and choked on the colorful pieces of rubber.  Balloon release just make me sad.  I won't get on my high horse about it (like I did here), but I did want to share an alternative with you-- that may be even more beautiful.

Sky lanterns are airborne paper lanterns mostly seen in Thailand. They are made from oiled rice paper on a frame, and contain a small candle . When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern,  the lantern to rises  (similar to a hot air balloon).  When the candle dies out the lantern floats back to the ground.

As these lanterns are made from natural, biodegradable materials, they will not cause harm to wildlife when they return to the ground. Granted that while the original lanterns used a bamboo frame, manufactures have been using wire frames, which were not good. But as of this year, many lantern frames are made from flame resistant wool, which can be ingested, making these sky lanterns a better option.

Even better,  it is considered good luck to release a sky lantern, and many Thais believe they are symbolic of problems and worries floating away.

Aren't they beautiful? I was in Thailand one Christmas when the locals released the sky lanterns over the ocean throughout the night. It was magical. It would be a fantastic ending to any event-- ecological, different and beautiful. Can you get any better than that?

You can purchase sky lanterns here or learn to make your own here.

Next week I will show you the details from my fabulous dinner party this past weekend. Until then...xoxo