Works for me wednesday … the party bin
Creating a Party Bin
I kind of have a small obsession for cute paper products – adorable napkins primarily. They get me every time!! And ones on sale usually make them completely irresistible.
Several years ago I decided to purchase a large rubbermaid & create what I call my “Party Bin”. It stays filled with either left-over or still new paper goods. Plastic cups, utensils, paper plates, and of course lots of adorable little napkins! It’s my go-to bin! Without any notice and no additional money I could easily pull off a baby boy shower or another Bee-Themed birthday party. I’m all stocked up for any Christmas parties I might host next year. And just this past Saturday, we had an impromptu World Cup Party with all the black & white decorations & paper products I had in the bin!
Here’s some tips to create your own party bin:
1. Purchase a good size Rubbermaid type container.
2. Buy after season - Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day … when the products are clearanced snag them for next year!
3. Buy solid colors – Yes, I like cute little napkins but it’s really best to buy solid colors. Red napkins go on sale after Valentine’s Day and after Christmas. But there’s a good chance I’ll host a birthday party, baby shower, or something similar where I can use red napkins. So think outside of the reason that they’re actually on sale.
4. Buy at least two packs of something - If it’s a good price I always buy more than one just because I never know what party I’ll use them for or how many guests we’ll have.
5. Think beyond napkins – Anything party related goes in my bin. Extra plastic utensils, goodie/treat bags I find on sale, plastic cups, even random things like streamers or party favors I might find.
6. Think beyond cute - Sure I buy cute things but I also pick up the plain boring “red Solo cups” if they’re on sale too. I can always use those for impromptu music nights where my husband has friends over or to watch a game or something.
Do you have a party bin? What are some tips you have or what types of things do you look for to fill it?
- Post linked to Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family.
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about 2 months ago
I recently started a party bin when I bought some invites and favors on clearance (great minds think alike) and gathered other party stuff scattered around my house. Great ideas, thanks!
Eos Mom´s last blog ..Five Question Friday-June 25
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mandi (mandi@itscome2this.com) Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Invites is a great idea!! I don’t usually think to look for those on clearance, but I will start:)
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about 2 months ago
Well I’m impressed little sis! This is great! You might have just inspired me!
Staci Brown´s last blog ..4tunate 4 friends
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mandi (mandi@itscome2this.com) Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Well every now & then I come through!
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about 2 months ago
What a fun idea!
I don’t have a party bin, but what a huge time saver.
Thank you for sharing!
Sherry
Sherry´s last blog ..WFMW – Cheap College Textbooks
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about 2 months ago
What a great idea! I have a few items stuck in the back of a cabinet but really like the idea of having a dedicated space!
Christine (iDreamofClean)´s last blog ..10 Ways to Sell or Donate Items so You Can Clean Out Your House and Simplify Your Life
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about 2 months ago
Very clever!
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about 2 months ago
I do the same thing! I keep all my stuff in 2 big metal party tubs that I keep on the top shelf in my pantry.
Amyswandering´s last blog ..wfmw – make an online cookbook
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about 2 months ago
I just started a party bin this year after my children’s birthday parties left me with random leftovers that I decided could possibly be used for another time. Because I can imagine it getting pretty full (especially now that I’m going to buy it with clearance party supplies!), I had started an inventory list of what it contains. I even counted each individual napkin, as it may be good to know there are 11 purple napkins for some event and I don’t want to pull every single thing out trying to decide what is in there that will go together.
Michelle @ From the Same Nest´s last blog ..Buying Coupons
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mandi (mandi@itscome2this.com) Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Great idea!! I’m short on storage & it’s always a pain to get into the bin to see what’s left! Thanks for the tip:)
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about 1 month ago
LOVE this too!! I guess I shouldn’t be freecycling all my old party stuff, huh? I just never think I’m going to use it again. And I do tend to buy the theme of whatever my girls are into that year. I was proud of myself, however, for saving my first daughter’s” First Birthday” stuff and using it for my second daughter.
Melissa@SimplyMel´s last blog ..A Girl And Her Puppy
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mandi (mandi@itscome2this.com) Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
That was super smart to keep all that!!
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