Hosting At Home: Creating the perfect at-home party By Ellen Wagner

As seen in Celebrations and Occasions 2025.

No matter the occasion, at-home celebrations are here to stay. Kevlyn Zierk, founder and CEO of partyware wholesaler Festive Gal, said more people are choosing to host celebrations at home since it can be more budget friendly and offer hosts more flexibility over the schedule, food, décor and overall guest experience.

“People also feel more comfortable entertaining in their own space, especially with the rise in remote work and more flexible daily routines,” she said.

From décor to tablescapes, three wholesalers share tips for retailers to help party hosts create a perfect at-home party atmosphere that is festive, affordable and memorable.

THEMED FUN

A few must-have elements for an at-home party include wall décor like balloon garlands, banners or a themed backdrop that creates a photo-worthy focal point. Personalized party favors also go a long way in making guests feel special and elevates the entire vibe.

“There seems to be a rise in DIY styling, where hosts want to create something beautiful without hiring a full production team,” Zierk said. “Experience-focused gatherings are big, too, where people want their guests to walk away feeling like they were part of something special.”

A fun trend is the popularity of pun-based party themes, such as a good wordplay moment — think “Taco ‘Bout a Party,” “One in a Melon” or “Let’s Shellebrate.” These punny themes bring a playful, lighthearted energy that guests love and are perfect for signage, favors and photo ops.

“Who doesn’t love a good theme? A cohesive theme brings structure and elevates the party from a casual gathering to something that feels thoughtfully planned,” she said.

Hosts are also craving more personalization and pieces that help create standout moments without feeling overdone. Festive Gal offers party headbands, custom party favors, custom sashes and custom cake toppers. Festive Gal’s bestsellers are its U.S.-made, customizable party headbands.

“Our products are that extra ‘wow’ factor to your party décor,” she said.

THE LITTLE DETAILS

The economy also plays a role in more people hosting at home. Mykal Franklin, president and gift expert at Wholesale Gift Experts, said in times of uncertainty, people will pull back on travel or big expenses and invest in their homes instead.

“They focus on creating spaces where they can gather, celebrate and make memories with friends and family,” he said. “Hosting becomes not just a way to entertain, but a way to feel grounded and connected.”

Simple parties are feeling more intentional now with hosts putting thought into details, even if the party is casual. Franklin calls it “intentional simplicity.” Hosts might not go overboard with décor but add one or two standout elements that make the party special.

“Maybe it’s trying something they saw on Instagram, a fun drink moment, a big reveal with confetti or something interactive that gets guests involved,” he said.

Franklin said there are also more small, curated gatherings, such as themed dinners, backyard celebrations or elevated game nights. It’s less about spending more — and more about creating connections.

“I think that’s why the party category is growing again,” he said. “People want to celebrate, but they want it to feel personal and real, not cookie-cutter.”

Wholesale Gift Experts looks to cover every angle of the party experience. Instead of the basics, it brings in products that make the party, Franklin said. Some of its offerings include Caftari Neuroscent candles for setting the mood, Ultimate Confetti Cannons for that big wow moment, Glitter Lab Cotton Candy Glitter Bombs to make cocktails sparkle, and Wish Cards that double as both a greeting card and a gift.

“Parties are supposed to be fun. And it’s the little details that bring the fun — the sparkle in someone’s glass, the smell that hits them when they walk in, the pop of confetti overhead,” he said. “Those details add up to joy, and that’s what people remember long after the party’s over and what they’ll remember about the store that helped to make it happen.”

CELEBRATORY SPREAD

People are craving comfort and connection — and home is the hub for it, said Lindsey Van Leuvan, director of design for home at Mud Pie. Hosting at home allows guests to feel more relaxed and gives them a place to truly unwind and be themselves.

“It’s also a chance for the host to personalize every detail, from the décor to the menu to the music, creating celebrations that feel genuine and meaningful,” she said, adding that there is a growing appreciation for slowing down, saving on costs and celebrating life’s moments in ways that feel more intentional.

Van Leuvan predicts there will be more intimate, casual gatherings this year — think cozy dinners and backyard get-togethers that put meaning over spectacle.

“It’s less about throwing the biggest party and more about creating unforgettable moments with the people who matter most,” she said. “The small details will shine, from the playlist to the table setting, making celebrations feel thoughtful, warm and truly personal.”

Tabletop trends follow the same direction: layered textures, mismatched pieces and cozy details that add personality without feeling overdone.

“No one wants to feel like they are in a banquet hall when they are in someone’s home,” she said. “Hosts are leaning into personal touches. It’s less about perfection and more about creating an atmosphere that feels personal and genuine.”

The key to a great tablescape is setting the right mood, Van Leuvan said. Whether you’re going for a cozy, intimate vibe or a vibrant, festive atmosphere, layering in textures and incorporating candles can make a big difference.

“The most important thing to remember is to always keep the table functional. It’s important that guests feel comfortable and connected, which is just as much about ease as it is about beauty,” she said.

Mud Pie offers Personalized Frame Cake Toppers and Singing Candle Holder Plates, which bring a special touch to the celebration at hand, Van Leuvan said. The personalized cake toppers allow a host to customize their event and give it their own flair, whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary or just because.

“It’s all about making those little details memorable,” she said.

HELPING THE HOST

With more people choosing to entertain at home, retailers have a huge opportunity to inspire hosts and make their planning easier. Van Leuvan said having party supplies and tabletop essentials in-store lets customers see, touch and imagine their gatherings coming to life before their customers’ eyes.

“I recommend retailers buy an assortment of partyware so that hosts can grab everything they need in one fell swoop,” she said. “Think serveware, linens, candles, glassware and easy décor pieces that mix style with function.”

Van Leuvan said hostesses look for ways to make gatherings feel thoughtful, personal and easy. Retailers can win them over by offering curated, ready-to-go solutions — think stylish tabletop essentials, mix-and-match décor and bundles that make setting a scene effortless.

“Inspiration is everything, she said. “The more ideas retailers provide, the more shoppers will see their stores as a go-to source for effortless entertaining.”

Additionally, offering grab-and-go hosting kits or even small giftables like cocktail napkins and tea towels can encourage impulse buys while making the store feel like a one-stop celebration destination. Some of Mud Pie’s hosting bestsellers include small tokens of appreciation, like a bottle of wine in a festive wine bag or a set of beautiful napkins.

“It’s all about thoughtful, simple gifts that show appreciation without feeling over the top,” she said.

Zierk said retailers offering party supplies give customers the chance to grab celebration essentials on the spot — often alongside gifts or home goods they’re already shopping for. It turns the store into a one-stop shop and often inspires impulse buys.

“Offering prepacked styling kits or showcasing styled vignettes in-store helps spark ideas and makes the process feel more manageable,” she said.

Overall, party supplies are a wide-open category for retailers right now, Franklin said.

“Party City has closed so many stores, and people are scrambling for a reliable place to shop,” he said. “We’ve all had that experience of ordering something on Amazon or Temu the week of the party. It shows up the day before, it’s absolute junk and you’re stuck either returning it or trying to make do. Customers are over that. They want quality, they want reliability and they want it now.”

In a world run by technology, people still crave getting together, celebrating milestones and making memories.

“Retailers who lean into party supplies get to be part of that and can fill a void in most communities,” Franklin said.