Countdown to Memorial Day!

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The unofficial kickoff to summer is right around the corner, so dust off the barbecue and get out the party supplies to create a great first day of the season! Memorial Day is one of the favorite times of year – it means school is almost out of session, vacation time is coming up and spending time at the pool or beach is a daily or weekly occurrence. If you want to throw a fun and memorable Memorial Day party, there are plenty of wholesale party supplies you can purchase to ensure the day goes perfectly. Here are a few fun ways to celebrate the holiday:

Send out invitations – Since Memorial Day is the last weekend in May, send your invitations out now so guests have plenty of time to make arrangements. Two quick ways to hand out invitations include sending them through email, known as Evites. These are fun because you can personalize the look and style of the invitation to complement your Memorial Day party. If the party is going to be close friends and family, you can hand them out in themed holders, such as miniature sand pails.

Purchase party supplies – Aside from Fourth of July, Memorial Day is a holiday dressed in red, white and blue. Use these three colors throughout the party, such as white plastic tablecloths with red and blue napkins. Streamers, balloons and paper banners are simple ways to decorate for this festive holiday. Since Memorial Day is usually a kickoff for summer, blow up a few beach balls and place them around the yard to create a fun ambiance.

Create a menu – A grill is one of the most important features of a Memorial Day party, so create a list of foods to grill. Hot dogs, hamburgers, kebabs and sausages are easy to make in large quantities and provide plenty of variety to your guests and their dietary needs. Side dishes such as nachos, coleslaw, potato salad or watermelon slices are the perfect complement to the Memorial Day fare. For dessert, keep the red, white and blue theme going – fruit salad or shortcake with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream is perfect!

Order your plastic plates and cups as soon as possible so you have most of what you need leading up to the Memorial Day party. Purchasing party supplies wholesale means you save money while ensuring you have enough serving supplies and decorations for a fun, memorable start to summer!

Helpful Tips for Throwing a BBQ Gathering

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The unofficial start to summer is just a few weeks away, so now is the perfect time to start planning for a Memorial Day barbecue! Barbecues are a late spring and summer staple and there is nothing better than gathering friends and family for delicious food, warm weather and music. If there’s one thing we all know to be true about barbecue food, it’s the messy factor! Stocking up on plenty of wholesale party supplies such as paper plates, tablecloths and napkins is essential if you are serving up some saucy goods. Here are a few other tips to throwing a fun barbecue gathering:

Personalize your barbecue party: Whether you want a casual party or looking to create an overall theme, use paper goods to add color and personality into the event. Wrap plastic forks and knives in paper napkins and accent with a strip of fabric – gingham print always works for a barbecue! – and then tie together with twine for a country feel. Using accents is a great way to infuse color and style into any type of event.

Repurpose items: Mason jars are perfect for a barbecue and they are versatile in their use. Serve guests ice tea or lemonade in ice-filled jars, or set out wispy bouquets of wildflowers in a Mason jar vase. A barbecue always works wonderful with vintage or antique items! Create a bohemian chic feel by adding a few repurposed pieces – a wrought iron headboard is rustic when propped up near hay bales or use antique birdcages for centerpieces on long picnic tables for a country touch.

Serve great barbecue: A barbecue can feature any number of food items – the most traditional are hot links, hamburgers, steak and even ribs, but you can serve anything you want! Grilled kabobs, vegetables, chicken and even smoked brisket are all perfect barbecue options and satisfy any dietary requirements your guests might have. Don’t forget to serve the sides and dessert! Corn on the cob, potato salad (keep it cold!) and fresh fruit salad are all tasty sides. Serve up sweets after the barbecue to finish off the party – cake, pie or even ice cream cones are fun and appropriate for a barbecue.

A barbecue is fun and casual, so don’t get too stressed planning it out! Create a list of menu items and think up some games – horseshoes or a bean bag toss is always fun outdoor games. Have fun and enjoy the unofficial kick off to summer!

Throwing a Spring Garden Party

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Spring is gearing up around the country and there is no better time to gather friends and family to welcome in new weather and beautiful blossoms! A spring party is a wonderful chance to use a garden theme and there are plenty of ideas to incorporate into the event. The idea of a spring garden party is to simply celebrate being outside and enjoying the greenery as it begins to develop on plants – here are some fabulous theme ideas to use at your next spring garden party:

Serve appetizers – A garden is beautiful to look at, but it also provides a great concept for the appetizer set-up. A crudités centerpiece is a fresh way to serve raw vegetables in an elegant, eye-catching fashion. Fresh vegetables are essential for any spring garden party, so assemble radishes, baby carrots, asparagus and cherry tomatoes in a rectangular tin or wooden box for added effect. Accompany fresh vegetables with a variety of dips or spread, such as hummus or homemade ranch dressing. Provide guests with a variety of plastic plates and forks, so they may serve themselves throughout the party!

Incorporate flowers into the centerpieces – Flowers are a beautiful touch to a spring garden party and you can use them as sparingly or dramatic as you want. Simple, single stems of your favorite flower look lovely in small glass vases, surrounded by votive or tealight candles. Peonies, tulips or hydrangea are perfect spring flowers.

Use natural elements in the decor – A spring garden party should include natural elements to keep it authentic and elegant. Delicate arrangements of moss and river rock are a wonderful alternative to a floral centerpiece. When purchasing wholesale party supplies, look for Earth tones – brown, green, blue – to create a decorative palette. Use colors that complement or contrast, for example, if you like the look of a dark green tablecloth, use lighter flowers or accents in the decor, or, complement a white tablecloth and plastic plates with pastel flowers and candles for a romantic look.

Provide gifts – A final touch on any party is a thoughtful gift for guests. A beautiful floral gift bag is the perfect design for a spring garden party – hand out packets of wildflowers or create a small planting kit, complete with pot, seeds and a small amount of soil. Any garden related gift is a great token of appreciation for guests coming to the party!

A spring garden party is a perfect chance to kick off the coming months of socializing and beautiful surroundings. Create a list of party supplies and purchase them wholesale, you’ll find plenty of selection and obtain what you need at an ideal price!

How to Throw an Office Party!

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Throughout the year, there are plenty of ideal occasions to throw an office party. Retirement, promotions, holidays or themed causal days are all perfect reasons to throw a party for your co-workers or employees. Depending on the environment of the office, party themes range from casual to corporate events – and if you are the individual in charge of the party planning, be sure to create a great theme that fits within the vibe of the office. Use these tips to impress your boss and entertain your co-workers during the next office party:

Send an invite – While it’s easy to send an email blast around the office regarding the party, take the extra time to create invitations. You don’t want the party to feel like it’s an extension of the work day, so send out invitations to get your co-workers in the party mood. An email or paper invitation is a fun way to energize the other employees about great food, drinks and entertainment.

Create the ambiance – Depending on the office environment, there are plenty of party themes to complement the office setting. Swanky cocktail hour, casual barbecue or banquet-style picnic are all ideal party themes. Plastic tablecloths will provide color to the space and music or lighting will complete the look. If you are doing a specific theme, be sure to include elements of the theme into the party!

Provide entertainment that’s not work-related – Since you want guests to enjoy their time during the party, try to separate the event from work. Themed or holiday games are ideal, and enhance the competition by giving out prizes! Create games that don’t single out employees or make them feel embarrassed – icebreaker games are always a great choice and they naturally bring co-workers closer together.

Serve delicious food – Complement the theme of the party with a tasty assortment of foods or appetizers. Provide plenty of plastic plates, cups and cutlery for all of the guests – wholesale party supplies offer a great deal and ensure you have enough supplies for everyone. Again, create a menu based on the type of office party or setting you have – a casual barbecue event likely won’t work with an upscale corporate business setting!

If you are chosen to plan and execute the office party, it can be overwhelming to throw an event that impresses the boss and entertains the co-workers, but these simple party planning tips will help you stay organized and inspired to throw that perfect office party!

Hosting Tips for Bridal Showers

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Bridal showers are an exciting time before the big day – they gather the bride’s girlfriends and important women to celebrate the upcoming nuptials and have fun in a relaxed setting. Whether you are a part of the wedding party or offered to throw the bridal shower, organizing and executing the party is easier when everything is planned out and ready to go. Here are a few essential hosting tips for a bridal shower:

• Plan it in advance – Traditionally, a bridal shower should be thrown no later than two weeks before a wedding. It’s best if you plan it a few weeks earlier so the bride can truly enjoy herself – planning it too close to the wedding might cause nerves to be a bit frayed, not to mention adding even more party planning stress to an already hectic event. Send out invitations and make a final check with the bride to ensure you are including everyone she wants there.

• Choose the location – Whether you throw the bridal shower at your house or a swanky downtown rooftop deck, you need to find an ideal space that will fit the entire party and create the ambiance you want. The location and decor theme should fit with the bride’s personal style – it is about the bride, afterall!

• Purchase party supplies – Depending on what you will be serving during the bridal shower, be sure to order plenty of elegant or contemporary plastic plates, napkins and drinking glasses. Bridal showers usually have light fare – tea sandwiches, appetizers and dessert are often on the menu. Again, when decorating the party space, be sure to use colors or design that reflect the bride’s personality. Many party hosts create a theme – such as tea party, spa retreat or champagne brunch to create a special environment for the bride and her closest friends.

• Plan the entertainment – A bridal shower is a fun time to relax and laugh, so create a list of games to play during the shower. Fun games such as Bridal Trivia, Bridal Bingo, Pass the Bouquet and Wedding Pictionary are entertaining and include a large number of guests. As a host, have a few party prizes to pass out to all the winners!

Hosting a bridal shower is fun, but can also become quite overwhelming if you don’t have the proper supplies or enough preparation. Purchasing wholesale party supplies ensures you have what you need without becoming too costly. Enjoy the special day with the bride and her friends and family!

Tips for Ordering Party Supplies

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With warm weather right around the corner, you might find yourself looking for excuses to get outside and throw backyard parties or barbecues. Graduations and weddings are also prominent events during the early summer, so it’s a good idea to stock up on wholesale party supplies now so you have what you need during the early planning stages of any party.

Wholesale party supplies are a great, economical option. High quality plastic plates are an exceptional alternative to flimsy paper or cheap plastic plates. Plan on grilling up ribs or chicken? You will need a sturdy plate to serve guests, and that’s where high quality disposable plates come in handy. Depending on the type of event you are hosting, there are plenty of plate shapes and designs – a backyard barbecue goes perfectly with square plastic plates, while an elegant spring brunch or Mother’s Day luncheon looks beautiful with wavy or round dishes. When ordering bulk party supplies, you will get much more value for your money than if you purchased party supplies at a retail store and not many party hosts can afford to go and buy an entire collection of ceramic dishes for a party as an alternative!

Disposable plates, tablecloths and cutlery make it easy on everyone. Guests don’t have to worry about keeping their silverware close by or ensure they use the same cup for each drink refill and you don’t need to worry about your expensive plates breaking! After throwing a party or celebration, you will welcome the easy clean-up and simply gather all of the party supplies and dispose of them without filling up the kitchen or dishwasher. Disposable plates and tableware makes clean-up simple and efficient so you have more time to spend with the guests.

Begin ordering your bulk party supplies a few weeks prior to the event. Always order more than you think you will need – wholesale supplies are inexpensive so you can easily double your order. Any extra plates, silverware or napkins can be used for your next party! Grand Settings Party Goods offers a wide selection of colors, styles and patterns to suit any event.

The spring and summer are perfect seasons to get out, light up the grill and invite friends and family over, but throwing a party can become quite expensive. Save money without compromising quality and purchase a selection of wholesale party supplies to have on hand for any celebration!

Appetizer Ideas for any Party

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Appetizers are perfect for any party and they are very easy to make the day of the event (or even leading up to the celebration!).  Whether you want something sophisticated like goat cheese and preserves with crackers or a casual finger food like cocktail sausages and cheese, there are plenty of appetizer ideas out there on the Internet or inspiration boards like Pinterest. If you plan on offering appetizers to your guests, serve food on plastic plates — they are lightweight, inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. Plastic plates come in many elegant designs to complement any party or celebration style. Here are a few great appetizer ideas for any party:

Fondue – A cheese fondue with toasted crackers or slices of bread is delicious and pairs well with many cocktails. Use a soft cheese for better melting – Brie is a great option! Guests may spoon some of the bubbly cheese onto a small appetizer plate and enjoy with fresh fruit or baguette slices.

Marinated olives – One easy, but tasty, appetizer is an assortment of marinated olives. You can find marinated olives in a grocery’s fresh salad bar – look for pimento, kalamata, Spanish or black olives for variety. Display the olives in a bowl with a serving spoon and then provide decorative toothpicks so guests can easily manage the olives while eating.

Cheesy Baguette – Everyone usually loves a nice crunchy baguette with melted cheese and garlic, so whip up an easy cheese spread and toast bread loaves until they are golden brown. Cut the bread into slices and serve with a marinara sauce or other favorite dip.

Deviled Eggs – This classic appetizer is easy to make and can be created using a variety of ingredients or flavors. The traditional method simply includes mashing up the yolk with a bit of mayonnaise or sour cream, Dijon mustard and a dash of salt and pepper.

Depending on the number of appetizers you plan to serve at your event, choose elegant plastic plates that provide plenty of room for a variety of servings. Cocktail and salad plates come in different colors, such as clear, black, bone and white, to complement the decor or style of any party. The benefit of disposable tableware is it allows for easy clean up and is an inexpensive alternative to using real dishes. When planning a party, choose the number of appetizers you want to serve and then purchase cocktail plates accordingly!

Four Essential Party Planning Tips

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No matter what type of party you’re planning to throw, it needs to be organized and thought out so it doesn’t become a major dud! With a few tips, you can create a spectacular gathering for friends and family, whether it’s a causal backyard barbecue or elegant anniversary celebration. There are plenty of ways to make party planning easier – one of which is purchasing wholesale party supplies to keep costs down without compromising the look or feel of the celebration. Avoid feeling stressed or overwhelmed by following these four essential party planning tips:

Create a list – There are a few lists you can create to make party planning a bit easier in the weeks leading up to the event. The first, and probably most important, list to make is the guest list. Send out invitations three or four (or more!) weeks in advance to ensure the guests set the date aside. You’ll also want to make a list of party supplies you’ll need, including plastic plates, cutlery, bowls and cups.

Design the menu – Whether you are having a themed party or a simple gathering at home, design the menu a few days in advance so you can purchase the proper ingredients and make any last minute changes to food or drinks. If you are having a themed event, spend time researching great cocktail recipes, appetizers or entrees that fit perfectly with the party! Guests will love the attention to detail.

Purchase party supplies – Party supplies include everything from the streamers and balloons down to the tablecloths, serving bowls and plates. Make sure to order enough plastic tableware to accommodate each guest – and always order a few extra just in case. In addition to the basic party supplies, look for fun pieces of decor that really enhance the event, such as tiki lamps or faux flower leis for a Hawaiian-themed barbecue.

Plan the entertainment – At a party, the entertainment is a big feature. Whether you plan on just socializing and eating or playing games, music is a great backdrop to any party. Use an iPod or music channel to filter music into the party space – elegant jazz adds the perfect touch to a sophisticated cocktail party, while the golden oldies pair great for a pool party during warmer weather!

These are four essential party planning tips that will help make creating and throwing any type of event much easier. Stay organized and cross things off the list early to keep party planning stress free!

Planning Tips for a Spring Wedding

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The spring season is a beautiful time for a wedding – lush greenery and fresh flowers make the perfect backdrop for a garden wedding, while the weather is exceptional for indoor or outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Spring weddings can be as casual or formal as you want, so high quality party supplies are ideal for any style wedding. Durable plastic plates come in a variety of designs including contemporary or elegant to complement your décor or ambiance wonderfully. If you aren’t sure what color combinations to use for a spring wedding, consider some of these planning tips:

Green and Pink – These are classic colors for a spring wedding and complement the surroundings of a garden or brighten up an indoor venue. Create a look with these two colors by keeping the tables and chairs white – a crisp, fresh color like white looks beautiful with green and pink. Play up the textures by using different shades of these two colors and incorporating some patterns, like paisley or chevron, into the table runners or paper napkins.

Chocolate and Robin Egg Blue – One of the iconic colors for a spring wedding is Robin egg blue – and this shade pairs wonderfully with a rich chocolate brown. Use brown wooden tables and chairs, or go rustic with picnic tables and benches. Cover the table with a chocolate brown plastic tablecloth or table runner and accent the brown with blue napkins. Similar colored flowers in clear vases, surrounded by tea lights, create an elegant and romantic tablescape.

Poppy and Coral – Since spring evokes feelings of warmth and bright colors, vibrant shades like coral or poppy brighten up any space. Keep the look fresh by using white tablecloths and paper napkins in the complementary, bright shades. High quality clear plastic plates and cutlery in a contemporary design completes the look of the entire table. To keep the style modern, look for flowers in vibrant hues – daisies are perfect for a spring wedding! If you want something unique, wheatgrass in small wooden containers looks great with bright orange and pink.

There are no rules when it comes to decorating for a spring wedding, but the use of bright, fresh colors is a perfect way to welcome the season. These colors work perfectly with any style of wedding – contemporary, rustic and vintage weddings can all use these colors in a table setting. Purchase wholesale party supplies to keep costs of the wedding reception down without compromising style or beauty!

Decorating for March Madness!

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If you love college basketball, the spring season is the perfect time to watch the playoff games and get excited as your selected teams advance in the bracket. If you want to gather your friends over for some great food and excitement, but aren’t sure how to throw a March Madness party, don’t worry! There are only a few things needed for a great party: décor, food and fun. With a party supply store, half of the stress is gone when you are able to choose from a wide selection of high quality plastic plates, serving dishes, cups and cutlery. Here are a few things you need for your March Madness party:

  • Choose the color – There are dozens of teams that play during March Madness so you can either use your favorite team colors or coordinate with the teams that are playing. Since some sports channels carry games all day, a general basketball theme is a great alternative. White plastic tablecloths and orange plates or napkins to mimic the color of basketballs are a fun way to incorporate color.
  • Pick out décor – Streamers and balloons in solid colors like orange (or the team colors) is a simple way to decorate without spending too much money. Add a few fun features to the party by giving guests mini pompoms as they enter the space – people like to cheer during games and what better way to celebrate than with pompoms? If everyone at the party likes college basketball, request a dress code for attending – such as wearing team jerseys!
  • Set out finger foods – Basketball is a fast-paced game, so the guests aren’t going to want to be strolling outside or to the kitchen for food between plays. Set out numerous appetizers or finger foods to satisfy hunger until the halftime show. Set out a few dips or create a bar on the coffee table, such as a nacho bar, where guests can heap chips on their plate and top them off with cheese, jalapeños, re-fried beans or meat. Think of stadium food when you are serving guests – hot dogs, nachos and beer or soda is great party food for sports games.

After a day of having fun, keep the cleanup simple and just throw the tablecloths and serving dishes away! Plastic plates are a great way to hold up any food you might serve at the party without going over budget for a fun gathering.