My Favorite Basic Party Supplies

A cute, Pinterest worthy party doesn’t have to break the bank! Consider adding a few basic party supplies to your collection that you can reuse for tons of parties in years to come, year round! Fill in the rest of the party scene with disposal items and special tools that make your party complete and are budget friendly purchases. Check out my list of what I consider my favorite basic party supplies!

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Today is my birthday! To celebrate I’m sharing some of my favorite party supplies I’ve used in over the 70 party themes I’ve styled and shot for Wholesale Party Supplies and Birthday in a Box over the last 3 years. Check out the evergreen collection of party basics that require no replenishment and the disposal basics that are affordable to pick up yet allow for tons of party uses if you end up buying them in bulk and have leftovers!

Evergreen Party Basics / Tools:

Cake Stands – White matches pretty much almost any theme and allows your homemade dessert to stand out! I’ve used a single style as a centerpiece, stacked nested sizes to give more height to a special birthday treat, and made a mix of cake stands to offer a variety of desserts to guests.

Tin Buckets – This is one of those basic party supplies that i have in a ton of different colors as I use them almost every party! I have them in a variety of colors and often fill them with chocolate covered pretzels, colorful lollipops, or rock candy sticks as a way to corral edible treats. Add them to party displays to hold glow sticks, silverware, or extra napkins. Or use tin buckets as a stand to hold up a decorative element to fit your party theme.

Crinkle Paper Shred – I consider this an evergreen item as I’ve used my colorful paper shred for TONS of parties and just keep reusing it! Most times it covers Styrofoam or floral foam that’s stuffed in the tin buckets but I’d also used it in baskets, glass vases and crates. Tip: during the holiday season, save any of the colorful crinkle paper shred that comes in gift baskets! I’ve rarely had to buy my own as I’m been able to rescue  most colors from holiday gifts!

Styrofoam – I have lots of pieces that are blocks, cones, discs and half spheres that I’ve used for TONS of parties now! I often wrap it up in wrapping paper or crepe streamers to disguise it but it’s always here to support lollipops, centerpieces and other decorations.

Oh and there was that time I made a dinosaur lollipop holder with different shapes all together!

Plastic Trays – Laying snacks out on a table is fine, but putting them in a tray helps add a pop of color, a little bit of order to your dessert buffet. Trays can also help the clean up, especially for desserts covered in sprinkles that become loose, or options that are inherently crumby.

Balloon Pump – Grab a balloon pump to avoid passing out when working on balloon garlands!

Disposable basics:

Plastic or Paper Plates – Long time followers will not be surprised this if the first on the disposable basic party supplies list! I have a deep love for a paper plates, not for eating but for decorating! See my full post about all the ways I’ve used paper plates for wall backdrops, centerpieces, and garlands to dress up your party space. Add printable components, cut them into shapes and add dimensional elements on top for a colorful display!  

Painter’s Tape – Use it to temporarily hang tablecloths or paper plates on your wall as a budget friendly party backdrop! If it fits the party color scheme, it can also be obviously used but blend in, like when used in this carnival display or this Minecraft party.  

Balloon Strip – This plastic balloon strip is the easy way to make those trendy galloon garlands, without helium! I’ve used them to include balloons of different sizes, prints and textures, including foil mixed with latex and shaped designs. The 50ft roll can be used for more than one occasion and worth the purchase. Tip: see how to easily put together a balloon garland here!

Clear Cups – Plastic wine goblets are fun for drinks, jello, desserts, and snacks alike! I’ve spray painted them and turned them into DIY trophy cups, glittered the stems and used them at a 21^st birthday party, dressed them up with hanging charms and painted the bottoms to blend in better at a Witch’s Night Out celebration.

I also love shorter plastic cups for snacks but also as decorative ways to offer Jello!

Crepe Streamers – I’ve already shared a full post how these colorful, budget friendly basics can add texture to a wall, create a shaped background or wrapped to make a surface colorful.

Party Printables – You can buy a file and print as many as you need for all your guests making it an economic purchase, especially when you have a big party! Etsy has a great assortment for pretty much any theme, including my most popular design, these mermaid favor tags.

With these basics you’ll be all set to throw dozens of fun parties without having to buy too many specialized items!