Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Party City Review

Thursday, January 16th

2025 Party Planning Supply Store Reviews

Party City Review 4.5 Star Rating

Party City

4.5 Star Rating
  • Save 15% with email signup
  • Free shipping on orders over $59
  • Same-day pickup or delivery options
  • 30-day return policy
  • Return in-store or via mail
  • Unfiltered customer reviews

Party City is a leader in the celebration industry, with operations in over 70 countries around the world. They're the largest integrated distributor, manufacturer, and designer of retail party goods in North America. Party City is headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey with other locations throughout the Americas and Asia. Their online store hosts all of their inventory for you to browse in one convenient location.

Extensive inventory

Party City really is as their name suggests. This is a store that knows how to throw a big celebration. To give you an idea of just how many items they have, you can look at their balloons category and find 30 sub-categories with different types of balloons, balloons to celebrate milestone birthdays, holiday and occasion balloons, helium tanks and pumps, and more. You can buy plates and cutlery in every color, find photo booth props, yard decorations, serving trays, backdrops, custom big heads, centerpieces, and everything else you might dream of for a party.

Competitive pricing

When you shop at Party City, you can buy things individually or as a set. You could buy a single yard sign, but plates usually come in quantities of 10 or 20. You don't have to buy excessive amounts here, which we like, but you can get reasonable amounts of an item for a big group. If you plan to spend at least $30 at Party City, it would be worth signing up for their email list to save 15% off your total order. Overall pricing here is competitive and similar to what we've seen through other stores. You'll get 20 plates for about $4, a birthday icon yard set for $5, a 10-piece birthday icon set for your yard for $10, balloon banners for $6 - $12, and centerpieces for $7.50. You should be able to mix and match a selection of different items and come out with a reasonable cost in the end.

Hassle-free pickup or delivery

When you select an item, you'll input the quantity you want, select the color (if there is more than one option), and select your delivery preference. If you live near a Party City that has your items in-stock, you can head over to the store and pick them up after you purchase them on the website. You might even be eligible for same-day delivery if you live close by, or you can get free shipping if you spend over $59. Party City makes it easy to get your order without a hassle.

Best Party Planning Supply Stores

Limited seasonal item return window

You can either make returns to your local Party City or send it back through the mail. They'll accept returns and exchanges within 30 days with the original receipt. However, if you're purchasing seasonal merchandise for a holiday like Halloween, Christmas, or Easter, you have to make returns at least 7 days prior to the actual holiday. You can access printable return labels by providing your order number through the link provided on Party City's returns page.

Refer to product reviews

Party City didn't respond to one of their customer complaints through the Better Business Bureau, so their rating dropped to a "B-”. Unfortunately, their third-party reviews make this "B-” rating seem glowing. People mostly say that they've had bad in-person experiences here. From messed up graduation announcements to poor customer service, people don't love shopping at their stores. Since we're only planning to shop online, this isn't as big of a deal to us. Party City lets customers leave reviews on their products and they are actually impressively really high. Some of them have hundreds of ratings and many photos for you to browse through. If you rely on these, you shouldn't have any issues with your order.

Winning selection

Party City is known for having one of the biggest selections of items for every type of celebration. We like that you can find all the essentials for a birthday party or graduation celebration or just a backyard BBQ event here. Party City has good pricing and since they have so many locations, their delivery and returns processes are a breeze. This is one of our top choices for party planning supplies.

Where is the Best Place to Purchase Party Planning Supplies?

One of the most exciting things to do is plan a party. This usually means a big milestone is around the corner like a birthday, holiday, graduation, retirement, or a new baby in the family. You could think of any excuse to throw a party and maybe we should all be doing that more often.

It's the perfect reason to gather your family and friends close, forget about the cares of the world, and enjoy good food and activities. It's little celebrations throughout the year that always give us something to look forward to. As a party host, there are endless ways to create a memorable, unique atmosphere for your guests.

The Best Party Planning Supply Stores Compare Party Planning Supply Stores Compare Party Planning Supply Store Reviews What are the best Party Planning Supply Stores Best Party Planning Supply Store Reviews

Party Planning Supply Store FAQ

Whether you're having a small gathering or planning a huge company-wide party with hundreds of people, party planning supply stores can help you take care of all the small details. Many companies have in-house designers that can make customized party goods like invitations, drink coasters, ribbon, gift bags, candles, and any other item you want at your event. Party planning supply stores help you stay on-theme and accessorize for special events.
There is a lot that goes into planning a party. What will the entertainment be for your guests? What will they eat? How will you invite them to the party in the first place? You have to know how to decorate, what gifts you want to give the guests (if any), and coordinate who will make it all happen. It can be overwhelming when you get put in charge of an important event, so party planning supply stores help take care of a lot of the essentials.
One of the best things about party planning supply stores is that you can make it completely your own. Some companies allow you to upload your own art or graphics to be printed on invitations, napkins, plates, bags, masks, cups, and other accessories. You can choose your colors, a theme, and select from a variety of different styles of products. On the other hand, if you want to keep things simple, party planning supply stores also offer a wide range of products that look amazing without having to customize them.
The cost of party supplies will totally depend on what you're buying and how much. Most of the time you'll be buying in bulk, which actually ends up being a better deal than if you are only buying a few of something. For example, if you want 300 personalized napkins, you might expect to pay about $115. If you want 300 customized party favor bags, you will pay around $130. You could pay $300 for high quality, frosted cups, and so on. The quantity of each product and the variety of things you buy will largely determine your end cost. It is a good idea to set a budget beforehand so you can shop wisely! You can also usually get a discount on your purchase if you sign up for a company's email list!
Some companies offer vendor referral services. This means you can choose the service you need (e.g. artists, bakeries, balloons, flowers, musicians, photography, etc.), your location, and the radius you want to shop within and get recommendations. This is a fast way to find a list of contacts to reach out to for your party planning needs.
If you're planning a party that doesn't already have a set theme, it's fun to browse party supply stores to get ideas. This way you can see what products are available for your potential theme and choose your favorites. Some party planning supply stores have photos of real weddings and parties to give customers ideas of how other people have pulled events together and how they've decorated.
It's never too early to start planning a party! You might find that the products you need are backordered or take a while to customize. You'll also probably think of more ideas as time goes on, so you'll want to give yourself enough leeway to make sure you get everything perfect. There is nothing more stressful than feeling like you aren't going to be ready for a big event you're in charge of. We recommend starting at least 6-8 weeks before a party is going to take place to decide a theme, put together a guest list, find a venue, and secure your entertainment.
Unless the party planning supply store sends you items that are defective or have a misprint, it's unlikely that you'll get a refund on customized products. If you change your mind about what you've ordered or realize you made a mistake, you'll probably have to eat the cost if it was personalized in any way. If you buy pre-designed products, you'll have a better chance of qualifying for a refund if it's within the company's designated timeframe. Be sure to read up on the return policy of a company before buying anything from them.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Creating an immersive environment with themed party supplies helps everyone be engaged in the experience and get in the spirit. You'll want to think of everything from a photo backdrop to the design of the napkins. You can bring in props, get a piñata, hang banners, do a balloon arch, have themed dinnerware, and even let everyone leave with a fun party favor. Add in some music and good company and you've got yourself a party that everyone will remember forever.

Party supply stores aren't as common as they used to be, now that everyone can shop online and have the biggest selection at the best prices. You can usually find packages of party decor that match the theme you're going for or you can mix and match the plates, streamers, props, tablecloths, and all other party items to curate your own vibe.

You can quickly check out a few different stores to find your favorite products and compare prices between them. Then you can quickly gather everything you need, checkout online, and have it all delivered straight to your door in plenty of time for your big party. It couldn't be easier.

There are quite a few party planning supply stores to choose from that have a great selection, so keep the following things in mind when choosing who to go with:

  • Selection. Does the company have a range of themes and events that they stock products for? Do they have a wide variety of options for children's parties as well as those for just adults? Many companies have plenty of products for the food and drink aspects of the party, but what about the rest? Look for somewhere with games, decor, and party favors galore that would add to your theme.
  • Pricing. Whether you're planning a big or small party, the cost of decor and supplies on top of food can add up really quick. Find somewhere with competitive pricing that allows you to get a lot for a little. If you're hosting a big group at your party, you might see if the company offers bulk pricing to help you save a bit of money.
  • Return policy. What if you purchase extra of your dinnerware or change your mind about some of the decor? Are you able to send it back for a full refund within a reasonable timeframe? Ideally you'll want to find somewhere that doesn't charge any fees for returns.
  • Customer satisfaction. What do customers have to say about the company? Do they deliver on time and provide high quality items? If the company is rated by the Better Business Bureau, it is a good indicator of how reliable they are.

We're so excited for you to explore all the supplies out there to bring your party to life. Top Consumer Reviews has researched everything you need to know about the best party planning supply companies you can buy from online. We hope this information helps you find everything you need to throw a party that your guests won't ever forget!

Compare Party Planning Supply Stores

Select any 2 Party Planning Supply Stores to compare them head to head

best-party-planning-supplies
The Best Reviews of Party Planning Supply Stores