You can buy party supplies in bulk online for 40-70% less than retail, but only if you pick the right store for the right occasion. GiftExpress, Oriental Trading, Amazon, and Dollar Tree Online each win in different situations, and we'll break down exactly where your money goes furthest.
The short version: GiftExpress and Oriental Trading beat everyone on per-unit pricing for large orders. Amazon wins on speed and convenience. Dollar Tree Online works best when you need small quantities of basics without a big minimum order.
How the Four Stores Compare on Price Per Unit
Price per unit is the number that actually matters when you buy party supplies in bulk. A pack of 50 plates for $12 sounds cheap until you find a pack of 100 for $15 somewhere else. We compared common items across all four stores to see where each one stands.
| Item (per unit) | GiftExpress | Oriental Trading | Amazon | Dollar Tree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid-color plates (9″) | $0.08-0.12 | $0.10-0.14 | $0.12-0.20 | $0.14-0.17 |
| Paper napkins | $0.03-0.05 | $0.03-0.06 | $0.05-0.10 | $0.06-0.08 |
| Latex balloons (12″) | $0.06-0.10 | $0.08-0.12 | $0.10-0.18 | $0.12-0.15 |
| Plastic cups (12 oz) | $0.06-0.09 | $0.07-0.10 | $0.08-0.15 | $0.08-0.10 |
| Plastic tablecloths | $1.00-1.50 | $1.20-1.80 | $1.50-3.00 | $1.25 |
GiftExpress consistently has the lowest per-unit cost on solid-color basics like plates, napkins, and balloons. Oriental Trading is close behind and often cheaper on themed items. Amazon's prices look competitive at first glance, but many listings are smaller packs with higher per-unit costs buried in the math.
GiftExpress: Best for Large Solid-Color Orders
GiftExpress specializes in bulk party supplies, and it shows. They sell packs of 50, 100, and 200+ in a wide range of solid colors. If you need 150 red plates and 200 matching napkins for a school fundraiser, this is your first stop.
Their prices are hard to beat on single-color items. Plates often land under $0.10 each, and napkins can go as low as $0.03 per piece in large packs. They also carry color-coordinated bundles (plates, cups, napkins, and tablecloths in one order) that save time.
The downsides: themed designs are limited, shipping can take 3-7 business days on standard orders, and the website isn't the smoothest shopping experience. But for straightforward color-matched supplies at the lowest price, GiftExpress wins.
Oriental Trading: Best Selection of Themed Supplies
Oriental Trading has been in the bulk party business for decades, and their catalog is enormous. Where GiftExpress sticks mainly to solid colors, Oriental Trading carries hundreds of themed collections: dinosaurs, unicorns, superheroes, seasonal designs, and everything in between.
They're also the best source for party favors and small giveaway items. Bags of 48 mini toys for $12, sticker sheets for $0.15 each, and small trinkets that fill goody bags without draining your wallet. No other store comes close on bulk favor pricing.
Shipping is usually free on orders over $49, and they run frequent sales (often 20-30% off sitewide). The trade-off is that some items feel thinner or flimsier than what you'd find at a party store. For kids' birthday parties and school events, that's perfectly fine. For a wedding, you'll want to check quality closely.
Amazon: Best for Speed and Mixed Orders
Amazon rarely wins on per-unit price alone, but it wins on everything else. Two-day shipping with Prime, easy returns, and the ability to mix brands in one cart. If you need supplies by Thursday and it's already Tuesday, Amazon is your only realistic option.
Amazon's real strength is variety. You can find premium heavy-duty plates next to budget basics, and customer photos show you exactly what you're getting. The reviews help too. A listing with 4,000 reviews and photos of the product at an actual party tells you more than any product description.
Watch out for misleading pack sizes. A listing that says “party supplies set” might include only 16 plates and 16 napkins for $15, which comes out to $0.47 per piece. Always click into the listing and do the per-unit math before adding to cart. Sort by price and check the “per count” column when available.
Dollar Tree Online: Best for Small Budgets and Low Minimums
Dollar Tree's online store lets you order in cases (usually 24 or 36 units per case). Each unit is $1.25, which means a case of 24 packs of 20 plates costs $30 and gives you 480 plates total. That's about $0.06 per plate, which is competitive with anyone.
The catch: case ordering means you're committing to 24+ of the same item. If you only need 50 plates, you're buying more than you need. But for a school function where you're feeding 200 kids, the case pricing works out well.
Quality is basic. Plates are thin, napkins are small, and cups feel flimsy. For a casual cookout, a school event, or a kids' party where things get destroyed anyway, that's fine. For an adult dinner party or a wedding reception, look elsewhere.
Shipping Costs and Minimum Orders
Shipping can erase your bulk savings if you're not careful. Here's what each store charges and requires:
| Store | Free Shipping Threshold | Minimum Order | Standard Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GiftExpress | $49+ | None | 3-7 business days |
| Oriental Trading | $49+ | None | 5-9 business days |
| Amazon (Prime) | $0 (with Prime) | None | 1-2 business days |
| Amazon (non-Prime) | $35+ | None | 5-8 business days |
| Dollar Tree Online | $50+ (case orders) | Full cases only | 7-10 business days |
If you're ordering less than $50 worth of supplies, Amazon with Prime is the only free shipping option. For larger orders, GiftExpress and Oriental Trading both hit free shipping easily since bulk orders add up fast.
Dollar Tree's shipping is the slowest of the group. Order at least two weeks before your event. For the other three, one week of lead time is usually enough with standard shipping.
Best Store for Each Type of Event
Different events have different needs. Here's where to shop based on what you're planning:
Kids' birthday parties: Oriental Trading. Themed bundles, cheap party favors, and enough variety to match any character or color scheme your kid picks. Order the themed plates-and-napkins bundle, then fill in solid-color cups and tablecloths from GiftExpress to save a few dollars.
Weddings and bridal showers: Amazon or GiftExpress. You'll want heavier-weight plates and nicer-looking napkins. Amazon carries premium disposable dinnerware (gold-rimmed plates, linen-feel napkins) that looks upscale. GiftExpress works if you're going with an elegant solid-color scheme and buying in quantity.
Corporate events and office parties: GiftExpress. Solid colors in company branding, large quantities, and the lowest per-unit cost. Nobody at a corporate event notices whether the plates have a design on them.
School functions and fundraisers: Dollar Tree Online. Budget is usually tight, quality doesn't need to be high, and case ordering matches the scale. A school carnival serving 300 students doesn't need fancy plates.
Quality Differences You Should Know About
Not all disposable plates are the same thickness, and not all napkins absorb the same way. Here's the honest breakdown:
- GiftExpress plates are mid-weight. They hold up to a standard meal but flex under heavy or wet foods. Double up if you're serving something saucy.
- Oriental Trading plates vary by line. Their basic plates are thin. Their “premium” line is closer to what you'd find at a party store.
- Amazon carries every quality tier. Read reviews and look for “heavy duty” or “sturdy” in the title. Avoid listings with no customer photos.
- Dollar Tree plates are the thinnest of the group. Fine for cake and light snacks. They'll buckle under a full meal.
For napkins, GiftExpress and Oriental Trading sell standard 2-ply. Amazon has 3-ply options that feel closer to cloth. Dollar Tree napkins are small and thin, so plan on guests grabbing two or three.
How to Save Even More on Bulk Orders
A few tricks can push your costs down further no matter which store you choose:
- Mix stores. Buy your solid-color basics from GiftExpress (lowest per-unit price) and themed items or favors from Oriental Trading. Use Amazon only for items you need fast or can't find elsewhere.
- Order one color. Multi-color packs often cost more per unit than single-color packs in larger quantities. Pick one or two colors and buy big.
- Buy off-season. All four stores run post-holiday sales. Stock up on generic supplies (white plates, clear cups, solid napkins) after major holidays when prices drop 30-50%.
- Check Oriental Trading's clearance section. Discontinued themes go for 50-75% off. If your kid loves a character that's “so last year,” you'll find those plates for almost nothing.
- Skip the matching sets when possible. A themed tablecloth costs $3-5. A solid-color one in a matching shade costs $1-1.50. Your guests won't notice the difference.
What to Order and How Much
The biggest mistake people make when buying party supplies in bulk is ordering the wrong quantities. Here's a simple formula that works for most events:
- Take your guest count and add 15%. People drop plates, spill drinks, and kids go through cups like water. If you're expecting 40 guests, plan supplies for 46.
- Budget 2 plates per person if you're serving a meal and dessert. One plate per person for cake-and-punch events.
- Plan 3 napkins per guest. Two is technically enough, but you'll run out.
- Count 2-3 cups per person if the event lasts more than two hours. People set drinks down and forget which one is theirs.
- One tablecloth per table. Buy two extras for spills or tears.
For a 50-person kids' birthday party, that's roughly 115 plates, 173 napkins, 173 cups, and enough tablecloths for your table setup plus two spares. Round up to the nearest pack size and you're covered.
Your Next Step
Pick your event type from the list above and start with that store. Add up your guest count, run the quantity formula, and place your order at least two weeks out. If you're planning a big event on a tight budget, split your order between GiftExpress for basics and Oriental Trading for themed extras. You'll spend less per plate than you would at any local party store, and everything shows up at your door.
