All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Throwing a memorable party isn't just about cake and candles — it's about atmosphere, details, and the little touches that make guests smile. Picking the right party store can save you time, money, and stress while giving you access to themed decorations, reliable supplies, and clever extras that turn a simple gathering into a celebration. Whether you’re planning a kids’ birthday, an anniversary bash, or a backyard picnic, the UK has a wide range of stores — from specialist online retailers to high-street bargain spots — ready to help you bring your vision to life.
Think about what you need first: themed decorations, bulk basics, eco-friendly options, or bespoke items. Are you working with a tight budget or hunting for handmade, personalised pieces? Consider delivery speed, product variety, and whether you want to DIY or pick up ready-made sets. Measuring your space in feet — for example a 10 ft by 12 ft room — helps when choosing banner lengths, table covers, and balloon clusters sized in inches. A quick checklist of needs and a theme will steer you to the right store fast.
Online stores make it easy to browse thousands of items and compare themes at a glance. They often carry seasonal ranges, offer bundles for birthdays and baby showers, and make bulk buying painless. Below are some popular online options that UK party planners gravitate towards.
Party Delights is a go-to online store for themed partyware, balloon sets, and novelty items. They stock large character ranges for kids’ parties as well as adult party kits, making it easy to find matching plates, napkins, and hanging decorations. If you’re after a specific theme, this store usually has a wide selection that’s easy to mix and match.
Party Pieces specialises in curated party packs and creative décor. Their boxed sets and bundles are great when you want a coordinated look without the legwork. They often offer seasonal and event-specific lines, so you can pick everything from bunting for a street party to classy tableware for an anniversary dinner.
Hobbycraft is brilliant when you want to DIY or personalise decorations. From card stock and ribbon to craft kits and letter balloons, this retailer lets you customize centerpieces, banners, and party favours. It’s perfect for crafters who like to add handmade touches — think paper flowers, custom garlands, and unique cake toppers.
Best known for toys, The Entertainer also stocks partyware and novelty gifts that suit kids’ celebrations. If you want to combine presents with decorations, this shop offers character-themed plates, party bags, and small prizes that fit party games perfectly. It’s a tidy one-stop shop for family-friendly gatherings.
Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay can be treasure troves when you’re hunting for obscure items or bulk deals. They’re particularly useful for last-minute or niche requests, and you can often filter by seller ratings to find reliable picks. Just be sure to check sizes — balloons commonly come in 12-inch and 18-inch options — and read reviews for quality before you buy.
If you want handmade or personalised partyware, Etsy and Not On The High Street connect you with independent sellers. These platforms are ideal for unique invitations, bespoke cake toppers, or eco-conscious favours crafted from sustainable materials. They’re great when you want something with personality rather than mass-produced styling.
When you need bulk basics or quick bargains, high-street discount stores are lifesavers. They’re terrific for simple decorations, tableware, and party essentials that don’t need to be custom or themed to a tee.
Wilko provides a practical range of party items — think paper plates, streamers, and affordable balloons in classic colours. Their shelves are good for quick grabs when you’re organising a simple event or topping up napkins and cups for a large guest list.
B&M and Home Bargains are both bargain-friendly stores offering surprising variety for party planners. You can often find themed items, party sweets, and seasonal decorations at great prices, which makes them perfect for bulk buys and filler decor when your budget needs stretching.
When you’re on a strict budget, pound stores help you kit out a room without breaking the bank. You’ll find classics like paper bunting, small balloons, and simple party favours that look great when grouped together. These stores are especially useful for school parties or community events where low cost and high volume matter.
Balloon decor can transform a venue, and specialist suppliers offer the variety and materials that make striking installations possible. From oversized foil letter balloons to eco-friendly latex options, these retailers focus on quality and breadth.
Specialist balloon shops like Balloons.co.uk typically stock everything from 12-inch latex balloons to large metallic 34-inch numbers and full garlands. They often sell balloon accessories such as ribbon, balloon tape, and weights, which are crucial for stable displays. If you envision an arch or a balloon wall, these shops are where to look.
For a show-stopping installation, consider local balloon artists who design bespoke garlands and arches. They can tailor sizes to suit a 12 ft ceiling or a 6 ft backdrop and help with colour palettes so everything harmonises with your theme. Hiring a pro is an investment that makes photos pop and saves you hours of fiddly work.
Personalised items give a party personality. Whether it’s name banner, a cake topper with a custom message, or bespoke napkins, several UK stores specialise in customisation.
Etsy and local printers can produce personalised invitations, banners, and labels. If you want a banner that spans 6 ft with a custom message or cake toppers in a specific font, these sellers can deliver unique results. Personalised items turn a standard party into something unforgettable.
Some online party retailers offer print-on-demand services for napkins, plates, and bunting. This option is handy for weddings or milestone birthdays where a repeated logo, monogram, or photo adds a cohesive look to your setup. It’s worth ordering a sample first to check colour and print quality.
More hosts want sustainable parties, and many shops now offer biodegradable balloons, compostable plates, and recycled-paper bunting. Choosing sustainable items reduces waste and raises the style quotient with natural textures and muted palettes.
Look for sellers (especially on Etsy and specialist eco shops) that highlight compostable materials and recyclable packaging. Simple swaps — paper straws, wooden cutlery, and recycled card invitations — make a big difference. DIY craft shops like Hobbycraft also supply materials for making reusable decor that becomes keepsakes rather than rubbish.
Anyone who’s planned on a shoestring knows clever hacks can make a party look expensive for less. Try mixing a few statement pieces with budget basics, or choose one high-impact item — like a balloon arch or photobooth backdrop — and keep the rest simple.
Bulk packs from party wholesalers and discount stores cut costs significantly. Buy inexpensive plain plates and top them with a single feature item from a premium retailer, like printed napkins or a themed centerpiece. Grouping colours and repeating simple motifs helps everything feel coordinated without spending a fortune.
DIY decorations from craft stores stretch budgets and add charm. Paper lanterns, handmade tassel garlands, and upcycled jars for centerpieces are easy to make and look bespoke. Plus, crafting can be a fun pre-party activity if you invite close friends to help.
Plan ahead: for custom items allow extra time for production and shipping. Measure your space in feet — a table might be 6 ft long or 3 ft wide — so you order tablecloths and runners that fit properly. Balloons typically come in 12-inch or larger sizes; 12-inch is standard for clusters, while 18-inch or 34-inch numbers make bold statements.
If you’re using helium for floating balloons, check whether the balloons are rated for helium and how long they’ll stay afloat — big foil shapes can last for days, while latex often lasts hours to a day depending on size. Use balloon weights to anchor them, and keep helium canisters in a well-ventilated area if you’re inflating on site.
Different stores suit different themes. Big themed ranges are perfect for character parties and licensed looks, craft stores are ideal for rustic or handmade styles, and discount retailers are brilliant for colour-blocked basics. Match the store to the vibe you want — luxe, rustic, playful, or minimal — and you’ll achieve coherence quickly.
For a princess party, combine a themed tableware set from an online specialist with glittery craft crowns from Hobbycraft. For a boho picnic, source macramé bunting and earthy tableware from independent sellers and keep plates neutral from a discount store. The contrast between bespoke highlights and affordable basics keeps cost down while maintaining style.
Finding the right party store in the UK is all about matching your priorities — budget, speed, sustainability, or bespoke design — to what each retailer does best. From specialist balloon suppliers and curated online shops to high-street bargains and creative craft suppliers, there’s a perfect mix of places to buy what you need. Plan with measurements in feet and inches in mind, pick a few hero pieces to anchor your theme, and use bulk basics to fill the rest. With a little planning and the right stores on your side, you’ll create a celebration that guests remember for all the right reasons.
