GiftExpress wins on price for most basic party supplies, but not everything. We compared per-unit costs for plates, cups, napkins, balloons, tablecloths, and utensils across four popular online stores so you can see exactly where to buy party supplies online and save the most money.
The short version: no single store is cheapest across every item. Your best bet is splitting your order between two stores depending on what you need. Here's the full breakdown.
How We Compared Prices
We pulled prices from GiftExpress, Amazon, Dollar Tree (online), and Oriental Trading in March 2026. Every item is a basic solid-color option, not licensed characters or specialty designs. We calculated the cost per single unit so you can compare apples to apples regardless of pack size.
A few things to keep in mind: Amazon prices shift daily, Dollar Tree's online store charges $1.25 per item (not $1 anymore), and shipping costs vary. We've noted where free shipping thresholds matter, because a “cheap” order that costs $8 to ship isn't actually cheap.
The Full Price Comparison Table
This is the main table. All prices reflect the cost per single unit when you buy the most common pack size available at each store.
| Item | GiftExpress | Amazon | Dollar Tree | Oriental Trading | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9″ dinner plates (per plate) | $0.08 | $0.15 | $0.17 | $0.10 | GiftExpress |
| 7″ dessert plates (per plate) | $0.06 | $0.12 | $0.15 | $0.08 | GiftExpress |
| 9 oz cups (per cup) | $0.05 | $0.08 | $0.07 | $0.06 | GiftExpress |
| Luncheon napkins (per napkin) | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.03 | Tie: GiftExpress / Oriental Trading |
| Beverage napkins (per napkin) | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.02 | Tie: GiftExpress / Oriental Trading |
| Plastic tablecloth (per cloth) | $1.20 | $1.75 | $1.25 | $1.50 | GiftExpress |
| Latex balloons, 12″ (per balloon) | $0.06 | $0.07 | $0.10 | $0.05 | Oriental Trading |
| Plastic forks (per fork) | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.05 | $0.03 | Tie: GiftExpress / Oriental Trading |
| Plastic spoons (per spoon) | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.05 | $0.03 | Tie: GiftExpress / Oriental Trading |
| Plastic knives (per knife) | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.05 | $0.03 | Tie: GiftExpress / Oriental Trading |
GiftExpress takes the win on plates, cups, and tablecloths. Oriental Trading matches or beats them on balloons and utensils. Amazon and Dollar Tree are more expensive per unit on almost everything.
What a 50-Person Party Actually Costs
Per-unit prices are helpful, but what matters is the total bill. Here's what it costs to supply a 50-guest party with plates, cups, napkins, a tablecloth, utensils, and a pack of balloons at each store.
| Item (qty for 50 guests) | GiftExpress | Amazon | Dollar Tree | Oriental Trading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner plates (50) | $4.00 | $7.50 | $8.50 | $5.00 |
| Dessert plates (50) | $3.00 | $6.00 | $7.50 | $4.00 |
| Cups (50) | $2.50 | $4.00 | $3.50 | $3.00 |
| Luncheon napkins (100) | $3.00 | $4.00 | $4.00 | $3.00 |
| Tablecloths (3) | $3.60 | $5.25 | $3.75 | $4.50 |
| Forks, spoons, knives (50 each) | $4.50 | $6.00 | $7.50 | $4.50 |
| Balloons (25) | $1.50 | $1.75 | $2.50 | $1.25 |
| Total | $22.10 | $34.50 | $37.25 | $25.25 |
That $22.10 at GiftExpress is before shipping. They offer free shipping on orders over $49, so you'd need to add more items to hit that mark or pay around $6-8 for delivery. Oriental Trading has a similar threshold at $49. Amazon Prime members get free shipping, and Dollar Tree charges a flat delivery fee that varies by order size.
Even with shipping factored in, GiftExpress usually comes out ahead for orders of this size. For smaller parties (under 20 guests), Amazon Prime's free shipping can close the gap.
Store-by-Store Breakdown
GiftExpress: Best Overall Value
GiftExpress sells party supplies in bulk packs, and that's where the savings come from. A 50-pack of dinner plates runs about $4, while Amazon charges nearly double for a similar pack. Their color selection is solid, with 20+ solid colors available in most items.
The tradeoff: GiftExpress is a specialty party supply store, so you won't find much else there. You're making a separate order just for party supplies. Their website is straightforward but not fancy, and shipping takes 3-7 business days on standard delivery.
Amazon: Convenient but Pricier
Amazon's strength is speed and convenience. Prime members get next-day or two-day delivery, and you can add party supplies to a cart you're already filling with other stuff. The per-unit cost is higher on almost every item, though.
Where Amazon does well: themed and licensed party supplies (think Bluey or Marvel), specialty items like balloon arches, and last-minute orders when you need things tomorrow. For basic solid-color supplies, you're paying a premium.
Dollar Tree Online: Not the Deal It Seems
Dollar Tree's in-store pricing used to be unbeatable. But their online store tells a different story. Pack sizes are small (often 8-14 items per pack at $1.25 each), which pushes the per-unit cost above both GiftExpress and Oriental Trading.
If you have a Dollar Tree nearby and can shop in person, the math changes. In-store, you skip shipping costs entirely. But for online ordering specifically, Dollar Tree is the most expensive option on this list for most items.
Oriental Trading: Strong Runner-Up
Oriental Trading is the closest competitor to GiftExpress on price. They win outright on balloons and tie on utensils and napkins. Their bulk packs are large (often 50-100 units), and they run frequent sales that can drop prices below GiftExpress.
Oriental Trading also carries a huge selection of themed decorations, party favors, and craft supplies. If you need supplies plus activities for a kids' party, you can get everything in one order. Their free shipping threshold is $49.
Which Items Are Worth Buying Where
If you want the absolute lowest total cost, here's how to split your order:
| Buy From GiftExpress | Buy From Oriental Trading |
|---|---|
| Dinner plates | Latex balloons |
| Dessert plates | Foil balloons |
| Cups | Party favors |
| Tablecloths | Themed decorations |
| Napkins (or either store) | Craft/activity supplies |
| Utensils (or either store) |
The catch with splitting orders: you might pay shipping twice. If your GiftExpress order is under $49 and your Oriental Trading order is also under $49, you'll eat two shipping charges. In that case, pick the store where you're buying the most items and get everything there. The per-unit savings on a few items rarely justify a second shipping fee.
Shipping Costs and Free Shipping Thresholds
Shipping can wipe out your savings if you're not careful. Here's what each store charges:
| Store | Free Shipping Minimum | Standard Shipping Cost | Delivery Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| GiftExpress | $49 | $6-8 | 3-7 business days |
| Amazon (Prime) | $0 (with membership) | $0 with Prime / $6-9 without | 1-2 days (Prime) |
| Dollar Tree | $35 (store pickup) / varies for delivery | $8-12 | 5-10 business days |
| Oriental Trading | $49 | $7-10 | 5-9 business days |
For parties with 30+ guests, your GiftExpress or Oriental Trading cart will likely hit $49 naturally. For smaller gatherings, Amazon Prime's included shipping makes it competitive even though the per-unit prices are higher.
Tips to Save Even More
- Order 3-4 weeks before your party. Rush shipping adds $10-20 and kills any savings.
- Buy one color scheme instead of mixing. Multi-color packs cost more per unit because pack sizes are smaller.
- Check GiftExpress and Oriental Trading's clearance sections. End-of-season colors (pastels after Easter, red/green after Christmas) drop 40-60%.
- Skip the pre-made party kits. They bundle items at a markup. Buying plates, cups, and napkins separately is almost always cheaper.
- Round up your order to hit free shipping. Adding a $5 bag of balloons is smarter than paying $8 for delivery.
When Amazon Is Actually the Right Call
Amazon isn't the cheapest for basic supplies, but there are situations where it makes sense:
- You need supplies by tomorrow. Prime's speed is unmatched.
- You want licensed character themes (Disney, superhero, etc.). Amazon has the widest selection.
- You're buying specialty items like balloon garland kits, photo booth props, or LED decorations that GiftExpress and Oriental Trading don't carry.
- Your total order is small (under $20). The shipping charges from other stores would eat your savings.
For everything else, GiftExpress and Oriental Trading are the better buy.
Your Next Step
Make a quick list of exactly what you need and how many guests you're expecting. Then price it out at GiftExpress first. If your cart hits $49 for free shipping, you're set. If not, check Oriental Trading for the same items and see which total (with shipping) comes out lower. For anything you need fast or can't find at either store, fill in the gaps on Amazon.
The five minutes you spend comparing will save you $10-20 on a typical party order. That's money better spent on food or the birthday cake.
