Birthday Party Supplies in the 7-Cities

My hometown is Virginia Beach, Virginia. However, locals like to refer to our location of South Hampton Roads as "The Seven Cities" because the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.

Where I live (for example) is on the border of Norfolk and Virginia Beach but, while taking the kids to school, I travel from Norfolk, to Virginia Beach for about 3 miles and back into Norfolk. So, while shopping we have several businesses to choose from. Being a mother of 5, this is important and finding a great deal is even better. But, here, party supplies stores are not very popular. So, I usually end up using a combination of stores; like I did with my daughters 17^th birthday tomorrow and having had two children in the same week, the price is imperative!

The first store that I usually pick is called Party City, located 1217 N. Military Hwy; near Military Circle Mall in Norfolk ,Virginia. If you plan on throwing a huge bash, this is the place to be for balloons, cake supplies, and decorations; For me, it is the for the odds and ends.

Party City has about 16 aisles of everything imaginable and half of these are for birthday party specific to Baby's First Birthday, Juvenile, and Adult themed Birthday Parties. All are the latest trends such as Barney, Sesame Street, and Disney Babies. For Juvenile parties, they have the Bratz, Barbie, Hannah Montana, Scooby, and many more. The adult themes range such as Over the Hill, and hula parties and such. For my daughter I chose a few items. She plays string bass and guitar and is absolutely in love with music so I decided on a theme of Rock n Roll. I bought some fake LP's to hang on the wall, some musical note confetti and skirt for the table that looks like a hula skirt that has records and guitars and it cost me under twenty bucks. The "look" reminds me of the movie Grease, and I love it. They also carry some Pinata's and the huge bag of candies used to stuff them with. This store also has the best party favors because you can mix and match different items while having a "theme" gift bag. In addition to all this selection, they have the coolest balloons in town. A huge over size cupcake can cost ten bucks but, if you have the money than it is considered a treasure because there is no other place to get balloons of this sort. They also have balloons with names and ages. If this is not enough, you can visit their website at www.partycity.com and sign up a Free party Guide and the Birthday Club to get discounts on various birthday specific items. Party City has the best selection in the area.

The second place to go for birthday supplies in the 7 cities is Michael's Arts and Crafts, located at 304 Constitution Drive inVirginia Beach; located right across the street from Pembroke Mall. As stated, it is an Arts and Crafts Store and while it doesn't have the selection that Party City has (an no other in the 7 cities do), then you can find some general birthday items here such as cake pans, streamers, and miscellaneous party favors. Here is where you can buy items to design for parties and not necessarily just outright buy the items. However, here you may also a arts and crafts gift they have a variety of crafts that even boys will engage in. The prices on party supplies and items are a little bit more expensive here but, if you are finding something specific or making something, it is always going to be more expensive. However, if you catch the Virginian Pilot Newspaper on Sundays, they usually have a flier that allows taking off 40 percent on one item. In this case, buy a couple papers and bring a couple do-gooder friends.

The third place to visit is Garden Ridge located at 1517 Sam's Circle in Chesapeake, Virginia. Previous to coming to Chesapeake, this was my favorite stores when I lived in Texas. They are basically a flea market/craft store that has some of the best kind of deals at low prices. Here you can buy balloons, cups, tablecloths, table toppers, cake pans, cake decorations, and pinata's for a birthday party. While they have party supplies (about 4 aisles) they are general items such as certain colors, animals, flowers, or sports. So, when I use this store for supplies, I usually buy odds and ends which come with really good deals. In addition, at Garden Ridge, you may also be able to find a nice gift for that special someone's birthday. They usually have good sales at the beginning of the month.

The fourth and fifth places to shop for birthday party supplies is known by most people; Walmart , 1811 N. Military Hwy, Norfolk and K-Mart, Norview Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia. Kmart and Wal-Mart are pretty well known for blue light specials and low, low prices but, in comparison on birthday products the differences may only mean pennies. K-Mart has a limited selection of items such as bags of party favors, balloons, streamers, and table supplies. Wal-Mart's selection in the past few months has grown from a potion of an aisle to about four separate aisles of popular themes for parties such as princess themes or hot rods for boys.

For me, again having five children, I am a frequent visitor of the Dollar Tree because they have the same basic items as Kmart and Walmart but, everything is one dollar. I can go in there with ten bucks and basically have everything I need. Since my daughters theme is going to be Rock n Roll, I bought a 2 pack of red streamers, 2 pack of black, and one of the birthday themed in addition, I got red cups, red plates, red silverware, and some other miscellaneous party bag items.

Depending upon the theme, and the budget you are on will probably depend on what store you choose to buy from. With me, here in the 7 cities where jobs are short and money is tight, I mostly shop at Party City and Dollar Tree.