Cute and Cheap Stuff for Parties and Holidays
Oriental Trading Company
Don't think that you're going to get Chinese handcuffs at Oriental Trading. Actually, you can get handcuffs, but you're looking at the plastic type that work for party favors. I'm not sure what kind of party calls for handcuffs, but I can imagine that someone would see these and say: "Hey, that's just what I didn't know I wanted to buy for my party."
The name (Oriental Trading) doesn't really tell you what you're going to find, but Oriental Trading Company is THE SPOT for little games and favors and especially for kid events. You buy items in bulk with a varied count. You might buy groups of 50 or 25 or even small groups of 4 of items like balls, plastic glasses, glider airplanes, and rings. Think of the prizes at the doctor or dentist's office, and you have a pretty good idea of the kinds of things you'll find at Oriental Trading.
I've bought from OT for years and more recently online which is really nice. The company has been around 65 yrs, so I was not in on the ground floor for that. I'm not sure when they went online, but it has not been a real long time. I think I saw the link in the catalog and shifted over to online where I most like to shop. If a company goes online, then I'm inclined to shop that way myself. It's nice to take my time and esp when a company has the wide range of products offered at OT.
I can look at the catalog they send (and I'm glad I still get that) and order by number or look around at the web site and make the decisions on the net. The catalogs don't seem quite as comprehensive, but it may be a little quicker to page through and decide on paper. It would be hard to put 10,000 items on paper and get those out for buyers to view. So, I would say that catalog or net site would be good for looking around — and about the same as far as user helpfulness. In many cases, the net sites aren't that great when a catalog company goes online, but this one has categories and a good search by word which pulls up what I have in mind. If you don't get the catalog, then you don't really need it. Save some trees.
Although OT has branched out with some yard and home items in the higher price range and by single item buy, they are best known for and best at small items that work out great for school parties, groups like Cub Scouts, church favors, and Halloween treats that don't rot your teeth.
Some of my favorites would be smiley face items in a range of products, pencils, and fake vampire teeth. I also love the holiday items that they have for all the events of the year. You'll see things that you never even thought about in the holiday section.
Prices are terrific. You can get items for a few cents each on up to a dollar or two per person. If you bought piece-by-piece, then you would pay a lot more. Sometimes I get pressed for time and do have to buy at brick and mortar stores, but I know I would get more stuff for the same price at OT.
Quality is good for little stuff for parties. Don't look for things to keep forever, but these do not fall apart like some items that you buy at stores that I won't name. The gliders do not break on the first flight though do not hold up a long time. Basically, the items last long enough to have a good time.
The really great thing about OT is that they do care about customers. That is surely why they have been around so long. They give you info about shipping for holidays so that you know if you can order and get your party stuff in time. They will make good suggestions if you call and they don't act "put out" that you don't know what you want to get for a party. I've never had a problem with any order over many years, but I would guess that they would help out if you did have a problem. That's just the kind of place this is.
I noticed that OT has a number of top awards for online, and I'm not surprised. They have always been great with mail order, and the site is tops and easy to use. The transition was very easy from phone to online, and many companies do not make that shift with ease. Someone obviously thought things out and knew what they were doing for online at OT. If you ever need stuff for a party for a kid or even adult favors for something special, then I would say that OT is a great place to check out.
