Keeping A Well Stocked Party Pantry

Column 1:  A Bit of Sunshine / A Darling Day /  Sew Many Ways / How About Orange Column 2: BM’s Paint Chip Garland / Capital B / My Hands Made It

6. Straws. I bought a huge package of krazy straws, so whatever color I need, I almost be guaranteed to have.  I also try to buy big mixed packages of striped paper straws, with different colors so that the leftovers might suit the next party. Don’t want to shell out the money for paper straws?  You can make plain old straws fancy too with a tag or strip of washi tape.

Row 1: Make Something Happy / Preppy & Pink Row 2: Plucky Momo / Craft & Creativity

7. Ribbon.  Michaels often has the basic thin ribbon on sale 3/$1 and I honestly do have every color of this.  It is so easy to use and a quick added decoration to finish things off.  I also shop their special value ribbon bin a lot – it’s a pain to dig through, but there are often good finds hidden in there! The dollar store often sells cute ribbon too in a variety of sizes.

8. Cardstock.  Keep lots of solid colors on hand, and any patterns that you find on sale.  Michaels often has open stock sheets on 4/$1, so stock up!  Those suckers are expensive to buy full price.  I found the cheapest place for white cardstock was WalMart, its about $6 for 100 sheets.  And I always buy my colored pads at Michaels with 40% off coupons.

9. Paint.  Small bottles of acrylic paint are always on sale at Michaels for 2/$1, or you can shell out $1 for them at the Dollar store.  I also keep a can of each general color in spray paint – so I have one red, one orange, etc… It would be too costly and too space consuming to collect them all, so I find one in each color area works for now.  (If I need to, I run out and buy one more can closer to the party date.)

If you keep those very inexpensive things on hand, you have the basics to a great party already.  There are a few things you should invest in, however, and they will last you for eternity… hopefully.  Some examples of things I put the money down for?

1. Cake stand.  A good cake stand, usually in a neutral color like white, will last for years and years.  Mine has a beaded pearl edge (very similar to the PB one above), and I am dying to find one that you lace ribbon through!  I just find it’s a classy touch, and you can use it for so many things.  I also have a three tiered glass stand that is super handy, since the three tiers separate to make individual stands as well.  You can easily make your own cake stand – do a pinterest search and you will find tons of tutorials – but I love the elegance of a “real” one.

Top: Layla Grace / Amazon Bottom: Pottery Barn

2. Frames.  I have a selection of frames that I repeatedly use for parties.  For starters, there is the frame that I swear appears at 90% of the parties out there – the Ikea Tolsby frame.  At 99 cents a piece, I think I bought 10.  They are double sided and hold two pictures (or menu cards or activity station signs, etc).  You could also use the frameless plastic stand up frames that you find at the Dollar Store.  Lastly, I like to keep one pretty, more ornate frame that I use as a sign on the table.  Mine started ugly plastic thrift store gold, but I spray painted it pink… and then red… and then orange… and you get the idea.

Column 1: BM’s Lovebird’s Party / BM’s Ballerina Birthday Column 2: BM’s Silly Summer Photo Booth / BM’s Monster Bash/ BM’s Lovebirds Party

4. Beverage Dispenser.  I finally invested in one of these things this year, and I love it!  I managed to score a big glass one over at Liquidation World (Big Lots) for $14!  I wish I bought two.  They are so simple but so elegant, they add a perfect touch to the table.

Left: Amy Atlas / Right: Kara’s Party Ideas

5. Mason jars.  I buy mine at a local thrift store where I pay 4/$1.00 for the small ones and 4/$1.69 for the big ones.  These beauties can serve so many purposes, so make sure you grab them whenever you see them!

Column 1: BM’s Boo’s Monster Party Column 2: Elizabeth Anne Designs / BM’s Lovebirds Party

6. A White Sheet.  This wasn’t really an investment for me, as I don’t use a flat sheet but they always come packaged together.  I put my flat one aside and I always use it for a table cloth.  It fits perfectly and that way I don’t have to worry about fancy linens.  If you see sheets on clearance, its a great thing to snag them up for, and you can use the lower thread count ones perfectly!

Silhouette America

7. A Silhouette Cameo.  Okay, so this one is a stretch, but it makes life so much easier.  I received  mine as a Christmas gift, and I use it to cut out letters and pendants for banners, cupcake wrapper shapes, and many, many more things.