Oriental Trading Company has established itself as a primary source for value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, and novelty toys for over eighty years. Originally founded in 1932 as one of the first wholesale providers of carnival prizes, the organization expanded its footprint into a massive direct-marketing operation that serves schools, churches, non-profits, and families across the nation. The inventory spans thousands of unique items designed to facilitate celebrations of every scale, from intimate birthday gatherings to massive corporate events. By maintaining a focus on affordability and high-volume availability, the catalog provides a reliable resource for event planners and educators who require diverse materials without exceeding strict budgetary constraints. The selection includes seasonal decor, teaching aids, and customized giveaways that help turn ordinary spaces into festive environments. This guide explores how to navigate the extensive product categories to find the best solutions for specific event needs and organizational goals.
The catalog functions as a comprehensive database for finding specific party themes and educational tools that are often difficult to source in local retail outlets. Each section is categorized to streamline the search process for everything from Hawaiian Luau accessories to STEAM-focused classroom kits. Because the company manages a vast supply chain, it offers bulk pricing structures that significantly reduce the per-unit cost for items like stationery, stickers, and glow-in-the-dark jewelry. This efficiency makes it a preferred partner for charitable organizations and community groups looking to maximize their impact during holiday toy drives or fundraising carnivals. Beyond simple entertainment, the inventory supports developmental learning through hands-on craft projects and instructional games. Navigating the digital or physical catalog allows users to discover trending party aesthetics alongside timeless staples of childhood play. The following analysis provides insights into the diverse product lines and logistical benefits associated with sourcing materials from this long-standing industry leader.
Extensive Party Supply Categories
The party supply sector within the Oriental Trading Company Catalog is vast, encompassing everything from basic tableware to elaborate hanging decorations. One of the primary advantages of this selection is the availability of coordinated theme sets. Instead of searching for matching items across different stores, planners can find entire collections that share a consistent color palette and graphic design. These themes cover a wide range of interests, including popular motifs like space exploration, prehistoric dinosaurs, enchanted forests, and high-energy sports. Each theme typically includes plates, napkins, cups, and tablecloths, alongside matching invitations and thank-you notes. This consistency is vital for creating a cohesive visual atmosphere at any gathering.
Seasonal and Holiday Decorations
Seasonal inventory is a major pillar of the catalog, with specialized sections for every major holiday on the calendar. During the autumn months, the selection features a massive array of Halloween costumes, treat bags, and outdoor decorations ranging from friendly pumpkins to more traditional spooky elements. As the winter holidays approach, the focus shifts to Christmas ornaments, stockings, and nativity scenes. The catalog also covers smaller holidays and observances, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Mardi Gras, providing niche items like green fedoras, heart-shaped boxes, and purple, green, and gold bead necklaces. This year-round availability ensures that planners can prepare for events months in advance, securing seasonal items even when they are not currently in stock at physical retail locations.
Themed Event Kits and Tableware
Beyond standard birthdays, the catalog offers specialized kits for milestone events such as graduations, baby showers, and wedding anniversaries. These kits often include large-scale decorative elements like balloon arches, backdrop banners, and life-sized stand-ups. For those organizing school proms or homecoming dances, the catalog provides sophisticated options like metallic foil curtains, LED-lit centerpieces, and themed photo booth props. The tableware options extend beyond simple paper products to include durable plastic serving platters, cupcake stands, and candy buffet containers. By offering these items in bulk, the catalog allows for the creation of elaborate dessert tables and food stations that look professionally catered at a fraction of the traditional cost.
Educational Tools and Classroom Resources
Educators represent a significant portion of the catalog’s user base, and the educational section is tailored to meet the needs of teachers from preschool through middle school. The inventory focuses on classroom management, curriculum support, and student motivation. Teachers can find organizational tools like colorful storage bins, chair pockets, and desk nameplates that help maintain an orderly learning environment. The catalog also features a wide array of bulletin board sets that serve as visual aids for subjects like mathematics, language arts, and social studies. These resources are designed to be both durable and visually engaging, helping to create an inviting atmosphere for students.
Reward Systems and Novelty Prizes
One of the most popular uses for the catalog in educational settings is the creation of a classroom treasure chest or reward system. The catalog features hundreds of small novelty toys, such as erasers, stickers, bouncy balls, and finger puppets, which are available in large assortments. These items are cost-effective ways for teachers to incentivize positive behavior, academic achievement, or participation. The variety of the novelty prizes ensures that students remain interested and motivated throughout the school year. Additionally, the catalog offers personalized items like pencils and stickers, allowing teachers to create custom rewards that feature the school’s name or specific motivational messages.
Arts and Crafts for Early Childhood Development
The arts and crafts section provides a wealth of materials for hands-on learning and creative expression. This includes bulk supplies like construction paper, glue, and washable markers, as well as specialized craft kits. These kits are particularly useful for classrooms because they come pre-packaged with all the necessary components for a specific project, such as foam masks, beaded jewelry, or ceramic tiles. Engaging in these activities helps children develop fine motor skills and encourages artistic exploration. The catalog also emphasizes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) kits that combine creative building with scientific concepts, such as solar system models or basic mechanical assemblies. These projects provide a practical application for theoretical lessons, making complex topics more accessible to young learners.
Religious and VBS Materials
For faith-based organizations, the Oriental Trading Company Catalog is a primary source for Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Sunday School materials. The religious section includes curriculum-aligned crafts, toys, and decorations that reinforce specific biblical lessons and themes. These products are designed to make religious education engaging and memorable for children. Many of the items feature scripture verses or faith-inspired symbols, providing a consistent message across all classroom activities. From prayer journals to cross-themed craft kits, the selection supports a wide range of denominations and educational approaches.
Vacation Bible School Curriculum Enhancements
VBS programs often require a large volume of materials for a short period, making the catalog’s bulk pricing particularly beneficial. Each year, the company introduces new VBS themes that include everything from director’s guides to student take-home items. These themes often involve immersive environments, such as a desert oasis or an underwater adventure, and the catalog provides the backdrops, wall decals, and life-sized cutouts needed to bring these settings to life. Additionally, the religious novelty toys, such as WWJD bracelets and faith-themed glow sticks, are popular choices for registration gifts or carnival prizes at church festivals. This comprehensive approach allows VBS coordinators to source all their requirements from a single location, simplifying the planning process.
Wedding and Large-Scale Event Planning
While often associated with children’s parties, the catalog also offers a sophisticated selection of wedding supplies. This includes decorative elements for ceremonies and receptions, such as aisle runners, chair covers, and elegant lighting options like lanterns and fairy lights. The wedding section is organized by color and style, allowing couples to find items that match their specific aesthetic, whether it be rustic, modern, or classic. By sourcing these items through the catalog, couples can achieve a high-end look while staying within their wedding budget. The availability of bulk quantities is especially helpful for large guest lists, ensuring that every table and guest experience is consistent.
Personalized Favors and Gifts
Personalization is a key feature of the catalog’s wedding and event offerings. Many items, including napkins, favor boxes, and glassware, can be customized with the names of the couple and the date of the event. This adds a unique touch to the celebration and provides guests with a lasting memento. The catalog also offers personalized gifts for the wedding party, such as embroidered tote bags, engraved cufflinks, and custom apparel. Beyond weddings, this personalization service is utilized for corporate events, family reunions, and community fundraisers, where branded items help to build identity and awareness. The process is streamlined through the digital interface, making it easy to preview designs before placing a final order.
Sourcing and Shipping Logistics
Efficient logistics are central to the value proposition of the Oriental Trading Company Catalog. The organization maintains a sophisticated fulfillment system that handles a high volume of orders daily. This ensures that products are shipped quickly and arrive in a timely manner, which is crucial for event planners working on tight deadlines. The catalog provides clear information on shipping times and costs, including options for expedited delivery. Furthermore, the company’s customer service department is available to assist with order tracking and any issues that may arise during the shipping process, providing a layer of security for the buyer.
Bulk Purchasing and Wholesale Benefits
The core of the catalog’s business model is bulk purchasing, which allows for significantly lower prices than what is typically found at retail. This is achieved through direct relationships with manufacturers and high-volume sales. For businesses, schools, and non-profits, this pricing structure is essential for maximizing the impact of their budget. The catalog often features “buy more, save more” incentives, where the unit price drops as the quantity increases. This makes it the ideal source for stocking up on essentials like office supplies, basic craft materials, or recurring event prizes. By centralizing procurement through a single authoritative catalog, organizations can reduce administrative overhead and ensure a consistent supply of necessary materials.
Oriental Trading Company provides a centralized hub for budget-conscious planners and educators seeking high-impact decorative and instructional materials. By offering a vast array of novelty items, classroom essentials, and seasonal supplies, the catalog supports the creation of memorable environments without the logistical stress of sourcing from multiple vendors. Whether the goal is to outfit a Vacation Bible School program or to stock a prize bin for a school carnival, the diversity of the inventory ensures a match for every specific requirement. This authoritative resource continues to lead the industry by prioritizing variety and value for users across all sectors. To explore the full selection of party goods and educational materials, visit the Oriental Trading Company Catalog today.