HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PARTY SUPPLIES FOR YOUR OCCASION
Hosting a party can be exhilarating, but it can also be quite overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right party supplies and decorations. With so many plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery options available, it’s easy to get lost in the tornado of tableware.
That’s why we’ve outlined this expert party planner list to help you choose the best party supplies for your cocktail party, baby shower, or any celebratory occasion. From deciding on a theme to finding the correct appetizer plate size, we cover everything you need to know to make your event a success!
Cocktail Parties
A cocktail party menu traditionally consists of simple hors d’oeuvres and drinks, so the tableware can be kept to a minimum. All you really need are some small plates, beverage napkins, and plastic cutlery. Believe it or not, size does matter when it comes to the paper plates and napkins you pick. Fortunately, manufacturers usually make things easy by aptly naming them.
So, we suggest looking for “lunch plates,” “salad plates,” or “side plates” and “cocktail napkins” or “beverage napkins.” (For those that want to get technical, a traditional cocktail napkin size is about 5” x 5” and the plates tend to be around 8” in diameter).
Since cocktail partyware is so simple, it gives you plenty of room to play around with colors and patterns. If you have a specific party theme, we recommend showcasing that in the tableware you choose. For example, these El Arroyo cocktail napkins are perfect for a cocktail party with a fiesta flair. Though, if you’re going sans theme, a simple gold foil plate, and napkin will compliment any cocktail party beautifully.
Barbecues
It doesn’t matter if it’s for the 4th of July or the Super Bowl, BBQs are all about the food! So, we suggest sticking to dinner plate sizes, large napkins, plastic utensils, and ample cups. If you aren’t celebrating a specific holiday or special occasion, barbecues are another excellent excuse to toy with tableware.
These bright eco-friendly plates are a great choice because they’re durable and big enough to pile on heaps of party food. Pair them with the coordinating napkins, a sturdy set of cutlery, and a colorful highball-size cup to complete the look! Lastly, we love a good Eco-friendly option, and when you’re pilling your burgers and dogs high with toppings, you’ll want something sturdy!
Eco Party
Speaking of eco-conscious options, it is important for us to include reusable party supplies for those who want to bring the party to the table more than once! When it comes to reusable party supplies, there are plenty of options to choose from. For example, melamine trays and cake stands are a great way to reduce waste while still adding a fun, festive touch to the party. Reusable straws and colorful paper straws are also great options. Lastly, opting for biodegradable materials such as bamboo or palm plates and cutlery shows your guests that you care about the environment!
Brunches
If you’re hosting a brunch, you’re probably looking for a more sophisticated assortment of party supplies. Place settings with lots of layers and details are perfect for brunches. We recommend layering two types of plates, like a luncheon plate and a charger-sized plate, and pairing them with a tall guest towel.
Whether you’re serving brunch at a garden birthday party or a Mother’s Day gathering, a tea party theme is always appropriate. These Laduree Paris side plates and large Laduree Paris dinner plates are a fabulous coupling for brunches. Style them with these darling macaron pyramid napkins and shiny gold cutlery for a tablescape that’s très magnifique!
Every celebration should have party favors of some kind, and we suggest choosing ones that can double as table accents. These macaron surprise balls compliment this Parisian party perfectly, but they’d make a brilliant brunch party favor no matter what the theme is.
Showers
Baby showers and bridal showers follow a similar tablescape aesthetic. We recommend finding a good plate duo and a fun on-theme napkin to tie the entire setting together. Floral patterns and pastel color palettes are our favorites for showers. We especially love these English garden plates for wedding showers and baby showers alike!
We suggest choosing cups and napkins that emphasize the colors on the plates. For example, these pink and blue baby stroller napkins are the perfect setting statement piece! Depending on your theme, you can find a similar napkin idea for your bridal shower. (These ring-shaped cocktail napkins are a must-have for a bridal bash!)
Napkins are a party staple that you can never have too many of, especially if you want your place settings to look more elevated and refined. So, we suggest adding another small cocktail napkin and a set of gold cutlery to complete your shower tablescape.
We hope you’ve found this petite party planning guide helpful, and feel confident in choosing the best party supplies for your bash! For more party tips, tricks, and ideas, check out our other blog posts, here. From our fête to yours, Bonne Chance!
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