Surroundings Market Blog

When it comes to planning your next get-together, make sure you have the top must-have supplies for the perfect party. It can get a little overwhelming trying to keep up with everything you need, so use our list below to make all your future party plans much more convenient! How to Choose the Best Party Supplies Before going out and spending money and ending up with things you don't need, first decide what kind of party you are having. Some gatherings will call for certain things whereas others will not. If you're having a birthday party, chances are your supplies will be much different than if you were hosting a wedding reception or anniversary party. Another thing to keep in mind is how often you plan on having parties. If you are known for having parties often, then you may want to consider the type of supplies to invest in. With having parties every so often, you could easily get by with paper (or plastic) supplies that will be thrown away after one use. However, if you'll be having parties quite often, we highly recommend investing in party supplies that are reusable. With these things in mind, let's look at the top 15 supplies you will need for most parties, no matter what kind you're having! 15 Must-Have Supplies for the Perfect Party Decor The theme of your party will always take center stage. It's one of the first things people notice when they get to your place. Here are some versatile décor pieces that can be used for any occasion: balloons streamer paper tablecloths picture frames flowers garland Although you may not keep balloons and streamer paper after they are used, they make for some pretty cool and creative decor setups. Consider keeping a few different colors on hand for party time.  Use the picture frames for table markers, menus, and/or announcements. You can insert a white piece of paper and write directly on the glass part. This will save you printer ink and paper. Eating & Drinking What's a party without food and drinks? Even if you're only planning to have finger foods and mini bottles of water, you still want to make sure you have the things necessary for setting them up. Besides the common cups, plates, and flatware, below are a few ideas for supplies to hold those necessities: cup holder (with marker slot) utensil caddy plate holder More Supplies to Consider Continuing with things that are most commonly used at any and every kind of party, let's now talk about the least thought of. These are the things that are quite natural to get, but can sometimes be left of the get-list. This will help you keep those things in the forefront of your mind: party invitations tables and chairs ice cleaning supplies (paper towels, napkins, hand sanitizer, etc.) garbage can (and bags) other party decorations Practical Tips for Making the Most of Your Party Supplies We touched base with a few good tips earlier, such as deciding whether or not to get recyclable or reusable supplies. But there are a few other things to keep in mind. First, always set a budget when it comes to purchasing party supplies. Without one, you may find yourself over-spending and buying things you may not necessarily need. Set a budget and stick with it. Another practical tip is to think about storage for the supplies that you plan to use again. Typically small to large plastic totes, buckets, or baskets will help you keep everything together and in one place. Don't forget to label your storage solutions so you know what's in them.  Last but not least, look into supplies that can be rented. Oftentimes, this can help you save money in a few areas. If you need extra tables, chairs, industrial-size trash cans, and the like - most of those can be rented from a party place. Final Thoughts Gathering the supplies you need for your next amazing party doesn't have to be stressful. Use our suggestions and lists above to get exactly what you need for every party you plan.  We'd love to hear from you! What are some must-have supplies you need for your parties? Let us know in the comments below!

If there is one thing about hosting the perfect summer gathering, it's trying to keep it stress-free. If you've been the host of any type of get-together, then you are probably already familiar with everything that goes into it. Use our tips below to keep your summer gathering easy and special. 5 Tips for Hosting the Perfect Summer Gathering Whether you're bringing people together for a special occasion or to simply wind down from the fast-pace nature of life, a summer gathering is the perfect way to do it. As you begin planning your party, keep these things in mind. Be sensitive to your guests' schedules. In most cases, summertime doesn't necessarily mean a lighter calendar. In fact, these can be some of the busiest seasons for families. Between vacations, family reunions, sports games, and so on - you'll want to give your guests plenty of time to put your gathering on their calendar. Whether you plan to invite via mailed invitation, evite, or word of mouth, make sure there is a sufficient amount of time between the notification and gathering day. Casual gatherings typically need a week or more notice, while more classy gatherings should be announced three weeks or more in advance. If you'd like to keep an eye on attendance, be sure to include an RSVP note. This will come in handy as you navigate through the next several suggestions. Prepare a simple menu. The last thing you want to do is worry about the food. That's why the saying "less is more" is very applicable to this situation. Having lots of different food and beverage options can make gathering-day a bit stressful. The most important aspect to the menu is catering to any dietary needs of the guests. To get an idea of no-go foods, put a question in the invitation and encourage them to respond. It can be something as short as "please let us know of any dietary needs and/or restrictions."  Use your responses as a guide for creating a menu everyone will enjoy. Also, consider keeping drink selections to a minimum. You can't go wrong with offering bottles of water, lemonade, and/or tea. Depending on the type of gathering you are planning to have, you could consider having a potluck. This will alleviate the stress of providing all the food. Not to mention, you could put a slight twist on it and have a best dish contest. Consider a theme. We'll have a special post dedicated to summer party theme ideas, but for now just know that you can do just about anything. With summertime in mind, you could have one of the following themes as the main mood setter: Island (or luau) Farmhouse Beach Nautical Backyard BBQ If you plan to carry out a theme, be sure the look for decorations that can be reused in the future. This will cut back on future financial costs. Make a list of things you need to purchase or rent. Do you need to purchase (or rent) additional tables or chairs? Are there any other party elements you need? Will you be purchasing paper or plastic? There are also other options to consider such as bamboo or melamine. And don't forget about the decorations. Adding a chic cup holder (with a marker slot) with a matching utensil caddy and plate holder can make all the difference. This is another area where asking others to pitch in and bring what they have can come in handy.  Get your home gathering ready. Are there any interior or exterior projects that need to be completed in your home? Now is the time to make sure your home is ready to receive your guests for the perfect summer gathering. Also keep in mind the type of summer gathering you're having and if you need to "cater to comfort." This could be providing blankets, bug spray, hand sanitizer, and the like. Final Thoughts The overall goal to the perfect summer gathering is to have fun and be able to relax in the process. Beyond the theme, food, and activities, your guests will remember the hospitality and how you made them feel. Don't focus on the possibility of something going wrong, and instead have back-up plans for those just in case moments.  Regardless of why you're having a summer gathering, make the most of it. And most importantly, make LOTS of memories! We'd love to hear from you! Do you like hosting summer gatherings? If so, tell us about your favorite one in the comments below!