Party Rentals, Supplies & Favors
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Party Rentals, Supplies & Favors
May 2011
My kid and I were driving down San Pablo a couple months ago
and saw to our great distress that the Party Warehouse in El
Cerrito (near the Natural Foods Store) was empty!!! What
will we do for party balloons, not to mention all the other
fine junk we used to buy in there? Can someone recommend a
balloon place anywhere from Hercules to Berkeley? And don't
tell me to buy one of those machines, because we use up to
30 balloons for our parties and ain't no way I'm going to
blow up 30 balloons.
Thanks
Loves Balloons
Have you ever checked out Paper Plus (also on San Pablo) in
Berkeley? I've done balloons and party favors from them
before, and they've always been nice and professional. Good
luck! I Heart Jackalopes
Paper Plus Party on San Pablo near Hearst has lots of party
supplies & balloons. If you just need balloons, Lucky's at
El Cerrito Plaza does balloons for $1.00 each.
My best recommendation is the Dollar Tree stores ... they
sell many types of mylar helium filled balloons for $1 and
they last and last ... as well they have many great party
supplies for every occasion and holiday throughout the year
as well as everyday items and really they are all a $1.
There is one in El Cerrito by the Staples and one in Pinole
by the Big 5 store.
It has become our go to store for birthday parties and other
holiday supplies. Lisa
Party Warehouse closed in January. We were very sad to see
it go! (But did score a few good clearance deals before the
store went dark for good.)
For balloons, you must go to Paper Plus Outlet on San Pablo
in Berkeley, near Virgina. The balloon guy is a character,
and really quite good. (Order your balloons ahead of time.
Tell him about your party theme and listen to his
suggestions. Often they are excellent.) The store is also a
good source for inexpensive paper plates, cups, etc., other
types of party decorations and favors, pinatas, stationery,
and so on. The place feels like a bit of a dump, but the
prices are low and they have some really nice things.
My second choice would be Party City in Richmond, in the
strip center on Klose Way between the freeway and Hilltop
Mall. (Richmond Parkway exit) Party City is a big chain
store with mostly licensed character stuff, not at all as
'homey' feeling as the El Cerrito place, but it's a large,
well-organized store with decent prices, a good selection of
all the basics including some cake decorating items,
supplies for weddings, carnivals and fairs, and other events
beyond the basic birthday party, and Halloween costumes and
accessories year-round. I can't remember if we've ever
bought balloons there but they do have a pretty big balloon
department, and certainly parking is very easy there
compared to San Pablo Ave! Partying Mama
the paper outlet in berkeley on san pablo, a few block south
of gilman, sells much of the same stuff- including balloons.
and sorry to possibly pop your balloon (haha) but did you
know that helium is a finite resource, ie, when we use it
all up, it's gone forever? so those balloons are
precious....
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/why-the-world-is-running-out-of-helium-2059357.html
anon
Paper Plus on San Pablo X Virginia in Berkely is really
wonderful. The balloon guy is a treasure. He is! You owe it
to yourself!
try paper plus outlet in berkeley, on san pablo, near
cedar...they have great supplies and awesome selection of
balloons: http://www.paperplusoutlet.com/ anon
August 2005
Hi,
I live in Kensington, CA. We are planning to organize our
birthday party for my three-year old son. We will probably plan
to have it at our house - outdoor. We are interesting in renting
for a tent, toddler chairs, and a big table for about 10 kids.
Any suggestions where we can find the vendors in the Eastbay?
Thank you!
Matty
I just rented these for my son's party from C&M Party Props in
Walnut Creek (925-934-3181 or cmparty.com). C&M delivers for a
fee or you can pick it up yourself.
July 2003
Is there a place that exists in the East Bay where one can
rent attractive garden chairs and small tables? I would
definitely NOT like to rent the standard folding metal chairs
and tables. Thanks.
anon
Try Chairs for Affairs in Martinez (might be Pleasant Hill?). It
is right on the border of PH/Martinez on Alhambra Ave. They
do several different types of chairs with decorative
slipcovers if you'd like. A great little place!
Trish
September 2002
I am looking for paper tablecloths, plates, napkins, and plates
for my son's 2nd birthday. I want to have an outer space theme
but everywhere I look I can only find Star Wars, Thomas the Tank
Engine, Bob the Builder, and various other media inspired
materials. Any ideas? We are a visual media-free household and I
would even prefer monochromatic items to those that are really
advertisements. Any ideas? Many thanks.
Heidi
Go to the Party Warehouse at 10425 San Pablo in El Cerrito.
Although the customer service leaves something to be
desired, they have all kinds of party supplies, not just stuff
with tie-ins to kids shows.
Karen
What about using silver-toned napkins, plates and hats? Some
party supply stores carry these colors in the wedding section.
You might make your own rockets out of paper towel tubes with
paper rocket tops taped to the top for favors or as a craft
project or for a centerpiece. Maybe make moonrock cookies
(meringues come to mind). You could also paint real rocks with
silver paint or have the kids do it as an activity during the
party. Have fun!
Denise
Try Mr. Mopps in Berkeley. They have some commercial stuff but
also a really wide selection of nice party goods with generic
themes. We got the decorations for my son's 3rd birthday
(tropical fish plates, napkins and hanging crepe paper fishies)
from there. Have fun!
Rebecca
Birthdayexpress.com has a birthday party theme called ''Retro
Rocket.'' It does not appear to be associated with any
television program or other commercial theme.
Stephanie
You'll find inexpensive, fun stuff at www.orientaltrading .com.
Visit their site and use the search option ''space'' or ''alien''
and you'll have lots of stuff to choose from. I have used
them twice and I think they are great. Beware though - after
ordering you'll receive a lot of their catalogs (but there is
probably a way to stop this). Have fun.
Susan
I'm anti-licensed-character too, mostly, so I understand your
frustration! The Paper Plus outlet on San Pablo (near Virginia)
has decent prices on solid color plates, napkins, etc. and also
often has some cute kids' party designs that are non-licensed.
I know I've seen rocket ship things there before. But I bet the
kids would love to decorate the tablecloth -- and party hats and
goody bags to keep -- themselves, using crayons and markers and
space-themed stickers and/or rubber stamps. Get plain blue or
black paper goods and an assortment of stickers and let 'em at
it. For that matter, a party hat would make a pretty good
rocket, with a few construction paper tailfins taped on!
Holly
What about getting some dark blue or purple party goods at the
supermarket then dressing them up? You could toss those glow-in-the-
dark stars across the table, and get some outer space, star, and planet
stickers and either decorate the plates and cups yourself or let the kids
do it as part of the fun. The left-over stickers could make fun party
favors. Sounds like a good time--I hope all enjoy! And happy birthday
to your son.
Carolyn
There is a party goods store on Oak Street in Oakland near
Embarcadero (right by train tracks and just South of Jack London)
that has all sorts of paper supplies with non-commercial themes.
They also have great inexpensive party favor type stuff and
balloons, and wrapping paper etc. I used them for business
luncheon events for adults, as well as parties for kids. Also
Beverages and More has solid paper goods and tablecloths, more
expensive though.
Cheryl
Try birthdayexpress.com. In addition to scads of trademark-
themed party stuff, they do have ''generic'' themes, including one
called Retro Rocket that's got cute cartoony spaceships on the
plates, napkins, etc.. They may also have other non-trademarked
outer space themes if you search their site.
Elise
BirthdayExpress.com has everything you could need for a rocket
ship party and party planners and activity ideas, too. Have fun!
Julie
1999
When I was shopping for my wedding/bridal shower supplies (such as party
favors, matching napkins/plates/cups, invitations, etc), there were 2
stores that I used. I am not sure if they have things for 3 year olds, but
either way they are both good stores for party supplies.
One is called Craft Depot. It's got things for Art, Crafts, Floral, Hobby,
and Wedding Supplies. It's at the Floresta Center, 14801 Washington Ave.,
San Leandro, 510-483-5454. This store may not have what you are looking
for for 3 year olds, but it's worth a call just in case. (By the way, if
anyone is planning a wedding, this is the place to get items to make
wedding favors. They've got tons of stuff!)
The other place is called Party Warehouse. They have locations in Oakland
(near Jack London Square), Alameda, and I think San Leandro. I think the
El Cerrito store closed. Again, I don't know if they have items
specifically for 3-year olds, but I think they have knick-knacks for kids.
This place is in the Pacific Bell Yellow Pages, so you could see their
advertisement.
Teddies Party on Solano Ave in Albany might also be a place to check out.
Habitot Children's Museum has a great selection of unique items for party
favor bags. Some are very inexpensive. Buying things from their store is
also a great way to help support the museum.
-- Kathy
Two suggestions for cheapo party favors: Paper Plus Outlet store on San
Pablo between Univ. Ave. and Cedar in Berkeley: 1643 San Pablo Ave.,
525-1799. And Grocery Outlet on 5th St. of University Ave. in Berkeley (at
the overpass ramp). They always have goofy specials, like Pez dispensers 3
for $1, and various kinds of toys and snacks, some fairly nutritious. For
my last party I used regular lunch bags decorated with glitter and magic
markers, and the kids seemed perfectly happy. I went to another party where
the mom used white paper bags with rubber stamp designs and I thought they
were very cool. Have fun!
party favors in Berkeley: Mr. Mopps on Martin Luther King & Rose has a nice
selection. There's also a party store on Solano Avenue near the top (Teddy's
Party? or something like that).
Party City in Walnut Creek has tons of party favors at what I think are very
reasonable prices. Good luck with your party! --Melissa
The Party Warehouse in El Cerrito is NOT closed (at least it wasn't 2 weeks
ago.)
Betty
(6/99)
Try Party Warehouse. They have stores in Oakland and Alameda.
Jane
Dec 2002
Please help! I am in desparate need of recommendations for
where I can rent a tent (simple canopy style, 10x10) and several
chafing dishes for an outdoor party next week. I am looking to
rent in the East Bay Area, preferably Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill
area, if that's possible, but any recommendations for the Bay
Area would be welcome. If you have any ideas, please email me
as I am running out of time!!!! Thanks very much!
maritelb
Try Concord Rentals on Monument Blvd. in Concord. They rent all
types of party equipment - tables, chairs, huge trailer
barbecues, etc. and probably have a canopy/tent to rent.
nancy
Try C&M party rentals in Walnut Creek. I have used them
several times, they have a larget selection of
anything/everything your could need and they deliver!
ks
The Stuart Rental Company, 2033 No. Broadway in Walnut Creek is
great for party rentals. They have everything from tables,
chairs, silverware, napkins, etc. 925-933-5454. Many of our
friends have used them.
Ali
I recently rented some champagne glasses from Piedmont Party
Rentals, on Broadway near 51st in Oakland, 601-6900. I don't know
whether they carry tents, but I sure saw chafing dishes amongst
lots of other party equipment in their warehouse. The people who
work there were very friendly and helpful, and the rental fee for
the glasses seemed reasonable.
Peter
March 2002
We are planning a seated luncheon in June. Does anyone
know of a place besides Hertz on Eastshore where we
could rent a large dining canopy? June is wedding season,
so I'd like to reserve one right away.
Thanks!
Rue
Taylor Rental in Castro Valley has them (or did last year).
They are at the west end of town, right off the freeway.
Tina
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