Lots of safe alternatives to balloons

Dear Readers: The letter from “No More Balloons” caused quite a reaction, with many of you offering suggestions for other ways of celebrating. Here is a sampling.

Dear Annie: Bubbles are the answer instead of balloons. There are bubble machines, and there are large hoops to make your own. Dish soap is best if you are making your own. Bubbles are beautiful and iridescent. — Bubble Lover

Dear Annie: In The Villages, Florida, we have thousands of golf carts. When someone has a birthday, we make a parade caravan. People decorate their carts with party regalia and then take their turn in line to drive past the hospital, senior center or the home of the special person. Usually, the person is sitting outside so we can see each other.

No balloons in sight, but lots of funny gifts are left at a “gift corral” at the recipient’s driveway. My dad and I are poets, and we like writing a special poem for the occasion. But some paraders sing a favorite song. Lots of veterans are here who love to hear our national anthem, and everyone in the caravan joins in.

I don’t like fresh-cut flowers because they die quickly. I just can’t keep them alive for more than two days. So I appreciate your idea of planting a tree. It makes a forever gift. I’ve attended parties where we get a few people to pitch in to buy a tree or shrub or even seedlings. And we have people signed up to do the planting.

Great idea to keep our ocean life safe from plastics: Use reusable bags for shopping. I give them as gifts with pictures to match the recipient’s favorite things or places. — New Ideas

Dear Annie: I have many suggestions for how to celebrate special occasions and help our world.

• Plant a tree. Contact your local parks department, state parks department, national parks. They know all about this and can help make it very special. The Nature Conservancy could also help. Do it right with experienced arborists to make sure your tree has the best chance to thrive and procreate. Some people buy cheap trees, plant improperly and then endure grief when the tree fails.

• Gather donations for a homeless shelter, extended-care facility, animal rescue or other acts of mercy.

• Sponsor a memorial for a walkathon, bricks for a new hospital, a park bench, a picnic table, a bus shelter (if allowed) or any number of needed things.

• Pay for spaying or neutering.

Work with local wildlife agencies to sponsor nesting boxes for birds, bats, butterflies and other wildlife.

• Contact extended-care facilities to see what their residents and employees need.

• Sponsor a service animal for wounded veterans or others needing help.

• Contact your humane society for memorial ideas.

I could go on and on. Let the memories of your loved ones make a positive impact. And don’t forget to do it again on anniversaries of their birthdays. You don’t have to be rich to do these things. Any good done in their names keeps their memories alive. — May Your Hearts Find Peace

Dear Hearts: What beautiful sentiment and wonderful suggestions. Thank you!