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My Party Closet

Sometimes I like to spend a lot of time preparing for a party but most of the time I just put everything together last minute. I have this theory that that you can throw a really great party with the just the following:

-Keep a nice stock of items in your party supply closet
-1 hour of errands
-1 hour of crafting

When I run errands I usually pick up a cake or make a quick stop to a party store. In addition I like to spend an hour making something so the party feels special whether it is tiny hats for party animals, fringey garland, or homemade party hats. But the key to pulling out a great party last minute is keeping a well stocked party closet. When you keep a few of these party supplies on hand it is easy to pull a great party together at the last minute. I’ve been wanting to do some posts like this where I show some of the most-used items in my closet and how to pull them together for different events. We will be sharing some party ideas this week but first I wanted to talk about some of the things I keep on hand in my party closet.

1. Candles. I choose candles based on the cake size and style and who is blowing them out. These number candles are great for small cakes or if you are celebrating a large number and you don’t want to go all out. I love these tall graceful candles for classic birthday cakes. They come in really good colors. I always keep these “Happy Birthday” Candles for a quick and festive cake topper.

2. Paper. I really like to keep some raw materials around like white butcher party and folds of crepe paper. The crepe paper I use for everything: dot garlands, giant fringe, fringe garlands, and flower party blowers. If you read this blog then you know it is my medium of choice because you can do so much with it. The paper is great for backdrops or making giant signs or making homemade wrapping paper. It is a good thing to keep around.

3. Confetti. I really love this confetti from Party City, it comes in great colors. The giant confetti I got in France couldn’t find a good source.  And party poppers are the best for when there is a special moment like an announcement or New Years Eve, etc.

4. Napkins. I get napkins from pretty much everywhere: Ikea, Target, etc. But I swear when I need them, they never have good ones. So I always pick up the good ones when I see them.

5. Balloons. A bunch of balloons whether they are helium or just hanging out on the floor, it is the easiest way to make a room feel festive. I usually keep a few bags of basic balloons and a few of the giant balloons.

6. Treat Bags. I use these little bags to print on and to package food or toys for favors. I like the selection over here.

7. Straws and Picks. I love a good striped paper straw and I use these wooden skewers all the time, for cupcake toppers, drink stirrers, and for food presentation.

8. Decorations. These decorations are the easiest way to add color in a just a minute or two. They are inexpensive and look great in masses. Pearl River Mart is a great source for garlands.

Photography by Aubrey Trinnaman for Oh Happy Day
Art Direction by Jordan Ferney
Coordinated by Stacy Wichelhaus
Styling by Caitlin Barker
Crafting by Jessica Heywood
Assisted by Harper Casimiro

  1. Cerise

    February 26, 2013

    What a great list! I have a little cabinet for my supplies and it desperately needs to be cleaned out and reorganized.

  2. Rachel

    February 26, 2013

    You really have a great selection! I love being able to throw up a garland for an instant party theme.

  3. natasha

    February 26, 2013

    This is a great post! I always end up running around at the last minute too but having a “party closet” would help so much is now on my to do list for 2013!

  4. Brittany

    February 26, 2013

    Thank you so much for sharing so many wonderful resources for party supplies. This is such a helpful post and the pictures are amazing.

  5. Little bird celebrations

    February 26, 2013

    Great post! I always love your color combos too!

  6. Lisette

    February 26, 2013

    Is is true, when you see good stuff you have to grab it before it is gone!

  7. Heather

    February 26, 2013

    How great! I think I need to have a whole party closet! At the moment, I have a party drawer in my kitchen which is more donated to cake/cupcake decorating than room decorating, but you’ve certainly inspired me!

  8. Chianne Hood

    February 26, 2013

    I love this! I throws parties all the time for my friends and family so this is really helpful! xx

    http://thehonestfox.blogspot.com

  9. lyn

    February 26, 2013

    How do you store it all? 🙂

  10. Ana

    February 26, 2013

    Ha, you are so right on how to get a great napkin collection. 🙂 I always buy new ones, even if I have already collected napkins for the next two years.

  11. little kitchie

    February 26, 2013

    Wow! You have a great selection – would love to have all this! I adore all the colors!

  12. DBlyBamba

    February 26, 2013

    Party supplies is my weakness. I find that purchasing good supplies when it is available and on sale ensures that there is less chaos and more effortlessness when planning an actual party. I would love if you did a post on storing and organizing the supplies. I feel like I could do a better job of this….

  13. Maggie

    February 26, 2013

    I love that giant confetti from France! When you find a good source, please let us know!

  14. Mags @ From the Mind of Mags

    February 26, 2013

    Great post! I totally always have cute napkins and straws but I need to get a few other items so I am more party ready. LOL

    xoxo
    Mags
    http://magsmind22.blogspot.com

  15. Jess

    February 26, 2013

    Best post ever! I feel so inspired, and like having a great party at my fingertips is within reach. Thank you for all the sources and for putting together such a thoughtful, thorough post.

  16. Sarah

    February 26, 2013

    I LOVE this post, it’s so inspiring. It also happens to be very timely as I’m in th erocess of sorting out my party supplies so that I can throw impromptu shindigs at the drop of a hat. I wonder of you can recommend party supply shops in Paris, I’m going next month and would love to buy some giant confetti. Merci!

  17. jill wignall

    February 26, 2013

    Great post. Now I want to have a party.

  18. Maggie

    February 26, 2013

    Jordan, I’d love to know more about how you logistically store this stuff. It is SO hard to contend with storage in San Francisco.

      • jordan
      • February 26, 2013

      I have a ton of supplies at my studio I keep in an Ikea armoire. But at home I just have a cupboard in the kitchen where I keep all this stuff.

  19. Carina

    February 26, 2013

    Wonderful post! I tend to buy things when I see them (or when I catch them on sale.) I also tend to forget that I have them. Thanks for the reminder to start centralizing all my supplies so I can throw more parties on the fly!

  20. Lauren Lou

    February 26, 2013

    Thank you for this wonderful post! I have some shopping to do! And if you’re ever in need of replenishing your French confetti just ask and I’ll pop some in the post 😉 xx

  21. Jessica

    February 26, 2013

    This is a great idea! I have something similar sort of on accident. It’s a credenza in my dining room that has a sort of ‘party drawer’. It just has leftovers from other parties that I’ve thrown but I’m sure that there is more than enough supplies in there to scrape together a party or two.

  22. little t

    February 27, 2013

    Loved this post! It is MY DREAM to have a party supplies cupboard!

  23. sharon

    February 27, 2013

    love this post!!

  24. Amanda Louise

    February 27, 2013

    A party closet?! I want one! This is so fun, I need to start stocking up to create a party closet of my own!

  25. Kyong

    February 27, 2013

    Jordan I loved this post! Such great tips. Thx!!

  26. LARY@ Inspiration Nook

    February 28, 2013

    Jordan I wish we could be best friends! 🙂

  27. Irene

    February 28, 2013

    Brilliant!
    More than 50 percent of what is shown here i already have, stored in different parts of my home. I should definitely store them all together. Like always, you share such bright ideas**

  28. Christina

    February 28, 2013

    After seeing giant confetti on your blog I bought some for my wedding (in those exact colours you picture!) from here: http://www.decodefete.com/-c-124_138.html?page=3&sort=2a

    I was only shipping to the UK so I hope they ship to the US too, but that link has a great selection including heart and star shapes. One tube will last you forever, I only used half an inch pile of each colour – I’d recommend the multi-coloured packs because that will last you for several events.

    Christina 🙂

  29. Madeline

    March 1, 2013

    Love! I can’t wait to pull together a party closet which is currently in various places around the house. Too fun!

  30. Erin

    March 3, 2013

    I do the same thing with napkins! Great ideas, thanks for sharing!!

    Erin
    Plannin4paris.wordpress.com

  31. Carina

    March 3, 2013

    I am such a hoarder of paper goods and party supplies. I am so thankful to know I’m not the only one. I really appreciate this post because there are things in my stash that I know I should keep like my paper napkin collection. But yes, I need to do some cleaning out and reorganizing. Thank you for this post. It’s brilliant!

  32. What a great post!

  33. Asia

    March 5, 2013

    Here in Spain I love picking up napkins at Tiger, which I think is actually Danish? I’m not sure. But I swear I can’t leave there without more napkins … now I have justification. (Buy the cute ones whenever you see them!)

  34. Geraldine Starks

    March 7, 2013

    Wow! I totally love all those stuffs!!! I love its colors.. I can’t wait for my daughter’s birthday this coming July!! 🙂

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