Birthday party supplies to pull the whole day together, whatever the age. Start with plates, cups and napkins, then add birthday balloons, birthday decorations and a banner so the table and walls match. It all goes in one order, from a toddler tea party up to a big milestone birthday, and you can browse every age in the main birthday range. Buying foil balloons? Add a disposable helium canister so you can inflate them at home on the day, since latex starts to sink after a few hours.
Planning it all? Our Birthdays guide walks you through it.
Show moreThe right birthday party supplies do two things: they suit the age, and they pull the room together. Here's how we'd plan them, after more than 3 million orders.
Start with the age. Younger children's parties, from a first birthday up to around 12, usually follow a character or a favourite colour, so pick the theme first and match the tableware and balloons to it. Teens tend to want something less babyish, so lean on bold colours and photo-worthy backdrops. The big milestones, 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th and on to 100th, are led by the age itself, so make the number the star with an age banner, number balloons and matching candles.
Banners, balloons or tableware? A birthday banner carries the message and the age, so hang it where guests walk in or behind the cake. Balloons fill the space fast and float above the party. Tableware, the plates, napkins and cups, ties the food table into your theme and is the easiest way to add colour on a budget. Most parties use all three.
Pick a colour or glitz theme. Choose two colours and repeat them across the banner, the table and the balloons. For a grown-up milestone, a glitz range in black, pink or rose gold looks smart and saves you matching pieces one by one.
How much to buy. Count heads for the tableware, allowing one plate, cup and napkin per guest plus a few spare, then add one banner, a table centrepiece and a bunch of balloons per room. A party pack covers the basics in one go.
Party sneaking up on you? Order by 4pm and next-day delivery gets the supplies there with a day to spare.
A: It is organised by age and milestone, from a first birthday right through to a 90th. Each age section pulls together the balloons, tableware, banners and decorations that suit it, so you can shop by the birthday you are planning.
A: Start with the age section that matches, for example 18th, 30th or 60th. From there you can pick a colour or design you like and add matching pieces so everything ties together on the day.
A: Both. You can buy single items like a number balloon or a banner, or build a coordinated look by adding matching napkins, plates and decorations from the same age or colour theme.
A: There is a mix of formats. Milestone round foil helium balloons are around 48cm / 19in, and you will also find latex balloons alongside them. Each product page lists the exact size so you can check before you order.
A: Birthday napkins are typically 33cm and 2-ply, sold in packs such as 16. The pack size and dimensions are shown on every napkin listing.
A: You will see age-specific Glitz designs plus popular finishes like rose gold, gold, silver and black. Designs vary by age section, so browse the milestone you need to see what matches.
A: Small personalised birthday banners are around 4ft x 2ft. You add the name or message during ordering, and the finished size is listed on the product page.
A: Yes. Every milestone has its own section, including first birthday, 10th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 30th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th, so you can go straight to the age you are celebrating.
A: Number and milestone balloons are the easiest way to show the age, and they photograph well behind the cake or by the front door. Add a matching banner above the table to pull the theme together.
A: Yes. Younger ages lean towards bright, playful designs, while milestones like 40th, 50th and beyond use more grown-up finishes such as rose gold, gold and black.
A: No, foil and latex balloons need helium to float. You can fill them with a helium canister at home, or buy them ready inflated where that option is offered on the product.
A: Foil balloons hold helium longer than latex and can stay floating for several days, while latex tends to last around a day. Keep them out of direct heat and sun to get the most from them.
A: Fix both ends first, then the centre, and pull it taut before you secure it. Hanging it against a flat wall rather than a corner keeps the lettering readable.
A: Uninflated or burst latex balloons are a choking hazard for children under 8, so keep them away from little ones and clear up any pieces after they pop. Adult supervision is advised when children are around balloons.
A: Yes, when you follow the instructions on the canister. Use it in a ventilated space, never inhale it, and keep it away from heat and out of children's reach.
A: Never leave lit candles unattended, keep them clear of banners, napkins and other decorations, and put them out fully before leaving the room.
A: Paper items like napkins are widely recyclable through household paper collections. Where balloons are made from biodegradable latex it is noted on the product page, so check the listing if that matters to you.
A: Sort by material. Recycle clean paper banners and napkins with paper, and put popped latex and foil balloons in general waste. Please never release balloons outdoors.
A: If you are inflating at home, add a helium canister from our Helium gas range. Curling ribbon and balloon weights help keep floating balloons in place and stop them drifting off.
A: Look at Tableware and catering for matching plates, cups and napkins, so the table matches your balloons and banner in the same colour or age design.
A: Party bags and fillers give younger guests something to take away, and our Party accessories range covers candles, sparklers and party poppers for the big moment.
A: Yes. The Personalised range lets you add a name or message to banners, balloons and sashes, which works well for milestone birthdays.
