A balloon holder and balloon holder base for holding a balloon having a tail, including a securing element having flexible biased opposing projections bounding an elongated channel opening, an elongate member insertable into an opening in the tail of the balloon such that a first portion of said elongate member abuts a tapered self-closing bladder, creating an overlapping elongate member and balloon tail section, and a support element configured to be in contact with and support the inflated balloon, wherein the balloon is secured to the elongate member by transversely passing the overlapping elongate member and balloon tail section through the elongated channel opening and held in place by the projections.