When you dig into the details of planning a great party, you’ll invariably find that the costs mount quickly. There are some things you have to buy fresh, like food, but other things like decorations, plates and serving ware, and goodie bag components you can all buy at closeout stores extremely cheaply. And because you’re typically buying these goods in bulk, the bulk ordering procedure standard to many closeout shops is a perfect fit for your needs!
Because you can usually buy in large quantities as well, closeout shopping for party supplies is absolutely ideal for large functions such as corporate parties, charity party events, and extended family get-togethers.
Here are some ideas to illustrate how bulk shopping for party supplies with closeout stores could work for you.
- Imagine you’re planning a large corporate party with a masked ball theme. You’ve got many dozens of employees and their guests attending. You want to provide them each with a simple mask in case they don’t bring one, so everyone can get into the fun. With a closeout store you can sometimes find blank or paper masks available in bulk, enough to cover hundreds of guests. Whatever you have leftover you can donate to the local school, theatre, or rec center for activities.
- You’re having a big Christmas party and want ambient décor to set a great mood. At closeout stores I’ve seen candle luminary bags with a classy Christmas theme to dot around your tables or even line a walkway outdoors. Even if you have a minimum bulk order you’ll find the bags end up costing pennies each and give you a sea of glittering, glowing possibilities for your party decorations. Group them in centerpieces, line your buffet tables, and place them on the counters in bathrooms. You’ll soon find you’ve used the lot, and since they’re reusable, you can give them to your guests to take home and use in their own seasonal decorations. The same applies to votive candle holders which are frequently available in closeout shops.
- What if you’re planning an enormous extended family get-together outdoors? You’ll certainly need table cloths, and with closeout stores you can buy plenty to ensure not just your guest tables but your serving tables are kept clean and protected. Imagine if you could buy 50 plastic tablecloths for less than $.50 a piece, making it a real steal for a disposable item. Or sponge them off, fold them up, and use them again next year!
- Party favors are a constant concern for parents planning a party for their children. Kids expect to go home with a goodie bag in hand and with a lot of attendees – especially if they have siblings who attend or who are present when the parents pick their child up at the end of the party, and you don’t want them to go home empty-handed – the costs really add up. At closeout stores you can often find small toys specifically designed as party favors such as figurines or puzzles to order in bulk at incredibly cheap prices, stretching your budget and giving you breathing room when it comes to ensuring you have enough to go around.
- Confetti is a fun addition to any party, particularly themed confetti to match a theme party’s décor. But buying in small packages as often sold in retail, the cost of confetti can be prohibitive. If you want to scatter your tables or centerpieces with it to add color and shine, or put some in balloons for a unique visual, you’re looking at a substantial investment. It’s not an uncommon item to find in closeout shops, however, so you can buy in bulk for extremely cheap prices per pack, and have all the confetti you want to accomplish your glimmering vision.
The sky’s the limit for how closeout shopping can help you pinch pennies the next time you plan a big party. If you’re looking for ideas, simply browse the offerings of any closeout store and you’ll find lots of alternatives to expensive retail purchases jump out at you!
Image c/o Henry Burrows.
