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The party supplies checklist you'll find everywhere says: plates, cups, napkins, balloons. Thank you. Very brave.
This is the other list. The things nobody mentions until you're standing in your kitchen at 9am on party day, holding a balloon with no way to inflate it and a tablecloth that won't stay on the table. We keep all of these in one bin. You should too.
The "why is nothing sticking" kit
- Glue dots. For attaching anything to anything without damaging walls, tables or your relationship with your landlord. [AMAZON LINK: glue dots]
- Removable mounting putty. Holds signs, garlands and backdrops in place, peels off clean. [AMAZON LINK: mounting putty]
- Clear fishing line. Hang butterflies, kites or paper decor so they look like they're floating. Nobody will ask how. [AMAZON LINK: clear fishing line]
- Adhesive hooks. For garlands across doorways and windows. [AMAZON LINK: removable adhesive hooks]
- Double-sided tape. The small-scale fix for everything else. [AMAZON LINK: double-sided tape]
The balloon situation
- Electric balloon pump. If you are inflating more than six balloons by mouth, you are making a choice. [AMAZON LINK: electric balloon pump]
- Balloon decorating strip. Turns a pile of balloons into an arch. [AMAZON LINK: balloon arch strip]
The table, before the table
- A plain or gingham tablecloth (or a shower curtain). Yes, a shower curtain. Wipeable, cheap, comes in better patterns than most tablecloths. We've done it. No regrets. [AMAZON LINK: gingham tablecloth] [AMAZON LINK: patterned shower curtain]
- Tablecloth clips. For outdoor parties and wind with opinions. [AMAZON LINK: tablecloth clips]
- Cake stand. Height makes a table look styled. A cake on a stand looks like an event. A cake on the counter looks like Tuesday. [AMAZON LINK: cake stand]
- Risers or a tiered tray. Same principle, for snacks and favors. [AMAZON LINK: tiered serving tray]
- Bud vases. Five small vases look more expensive than one big one. [AMAZON LINK: bud vases set]
The food part
- Food-safe markers. Draw on macarons, cookies, marshmallows. We used them to turn macarons into tiny sports balls. Highly recommend. [AMAZON LINK: edible food markers]
- Serving platters and boards. [AMAZON LINK: serving platters]
- Drink dispenser. So kids stop asking you for juice every four minutes. [AMAZON LINK: drink dispenser]
- Long candles or number candles. [AMAZON LINK: birthday candles]
- A long lighter. You will not find the matches. [AMAZON LINK: long lighter]
The cleanup you'll thank yourself for
- Large trash bags in a color that isn't ugly. Hang one discreetly at kid height. [AMAZON LINK: trash bags]
- Wet wipes. Two packs. You'll use both. [AMAZON LINK: wet wipes]
- Food storage containers. For leftover cake, which is the best part of hosting. [AMAZON LINK: food storage containers]
And then the actual party goods
Everything above holds the party up. The tableware is what people see. Plates, cups, popcorn boxes and favor bags are the difference between "cute" and "wait, where did you get these?"
Ours come in complete themed sets so you don't have to match five stores' worth of pink. [OOGA LINK: Shop all themes]
Printable checklist
- Glue dots, putty, fishing line, hooks, double-sided tape
- Balloon pump + arch strip
- Tablecloth (or shower curtain) + clips
- Cake stand, risers, bud vases
- Food-safe markers, platters, drink dispenser
- Candles + long lighter
- Trash bags, wipes, containers
- Plates, cups, napkins, favor bags [OOGA LINK]
FAQ
What supplies do I need for a kids' birthday party? Tableware (plates, cups, napkins), decorations and a way to hang them, a cake stand, candles, serving pieces, favors and cleanup supplies. The checklist above covers all of it.
How do I make a party table look expensive on a budget? Add height with a cake stand or risers, stick to one color palette, and use a cohesive set of tableware instead of mixing random pieces.