The lilac-shelled Brighton Party Superstore is fun and cost-effective. Aside from being accosted by…read morethe colour of the store's facade, my first encounter with the place was for a mate's engagement party. The would-be bride (now a wife) wanted a little balloon bouquet/centrepiece for her party and she took me here to get it. The interior of the place is largely enclosed so I had no idea of what was in store (literally) for me. Despite it being blocked in, light quality is very good. Each row, and all stock, caters to every type of party you could imagine. I could imagine a Halloween party so bought inexpensive wall decals of skeletons and considered the various choices of tablecloth colours. Are you having a luau? Get your coconut cups here. Are you a five year old girl? Decide between a Princess or Mermaid pinata. All themes covered. Being well over five, my then affianced friend was helped in creating precisely the centrepiece she wanted for her party. Even though she didn't know exactly what that was when she walked in, the staff expertly guided her to silver and white helium balloons, a sign and a decorated weight which she put on order to be available that coming weekend--and so it was. Some months later I bought a voucher for 100 helium-filled balloons. I then had a party just so I could use said voucher. When I went to the store to use the gift certificate it was all really straightforward. There are so many types of balloons to choose from and you can see them in the pallet of jars behind the counter, and in bouquets by style behind your head if you're facing the counter. Eventually I chose metallic balloons in a collection of colours which were in the sample bouquet with a few colour exchanges. The staff also said for an extra $50 they could put a chemical in the balloons that would make them stay afloat for another week. I wanted them to last forever so I got the additional chemical, but they didn't last one week... they lasted over two! I don't live so far away from this place so delivery was free. Even if it wasn't, delivery looked pretty cheap. The store does have deals/systems where you can DIY amounts of helium balloons but I once saw a guy out the front of the store trying to stuff giant star-embossed balloons into his sedan and it looked hysterical for everyone but him. 100 helium balloons were cheap, really made a party and were so much fun. If you want to perk up your day, or make someone else's, buying balloons from here is a great gift idea. You can buy vouchers or just hand someone a giant bunch of balloons. Running through a room of strings attached to 100 brightly coloured helium balloons is the most fun anyone could ever have. My house never once went to Brazil like in Up, but it looked like it could.

I went here once to get about 4 helium balloons for my son (yes to show him how your voice goes…read morefunny on helium which I know is bad but it was sooo funny!). It's in a corner location (why do they do that with party shops all the time?) by some traffic lights and is quite difficult parking wise. They do have a very small carpark at the rear but it can be quite full, especially on weekends, and gets hard to turn around in if it is full. The store looks a lot smaller on the inside than it does on the outside for some strange reason. And it is so cram packed in there. Just trying to see everything can be impossible. Despite these things the store does have a rather good range of things you may need for any type of party as well as some specialty stuff at certain times of the year. Plus the wall of balloons behind the counter is almost as good as a lolly shop wall!

Don't let the faded paint on the outside walls fool you, these guys know how to party...well at…read moreleast decorate one. The whole shop inside was full of ideas, colour schemes, patterns, designs and decorations I hadn't even seen before. They had a great range of all the standard party supplies plus and were only too happy to help. They even gave my daughter a free helium balloon which was great...until every time we drive past it she asks if we can go get another balloon. They're definitely worth looking into when you want decos!

Coulrophobia...a fear of clowns. Each time I drive past this place I avert my eyes from the…read morehorrible, outdated, abomination of a mural, which no self respecting graffiti artist has altered...yet, perhaps they can't bear it either (when it does happen, it wasn't me ok!). With one eye closed and the other squinting I shall describe what they do, besides scare the bejesus out it me. Here goes: Balloons, party streamers, party plates, bowls, cups, etc everything for a parties.. themed or not. They also hire equipment such as speakers, microphones, lighting, heilium cylinders, urns, outdoor heaters, bain maries and clown...oops I mean 'crowd' control. They have been selling bread mix before it became fashionable to bake bread at home and there is a large variety available for the bread machine. In a nutshell, they sell everhything you'll need for a party or to make a perfect loaf of bread, scones, donuts, etc. And Peter, please change that tired outfit or go join the circus and scare the animals.

I found these guys in at Yellow Pages online when I was struggling to find spiders and decorations…read morefor a Spiderman party long after the Halloween stock had left the shelves. This really is a superstore with everything you could need for every kind of party. There is a full selection of kid's party products for every imaginable theme with a massive selection of balloons. They do helium-filled and can put in an additive to make them last longer than a few days. They also offer do-it-yourself packages. If you're not sure what type of party theme to have, then come here and get inspired. Their website is fairly up to date and can get you started on ideas before you venture out north. They have another location at Brighton if you're on that side of town.

Superstore is really more of what we are looking for, it has a great variety of party themes and…read morevery convenient for all kind of shoppers. It also has a very friendly staff who are willing to help you out in all the decos needed. Thanks to them for giving my daughter such as wonderful theme and making it more memorable.

Huge range of Christmas decorations, lights, Santa costumes, Christmas trees, flowers and festive…read moreapparel. Bring your loved one along, and make out under the mistletoe aisle. This place was pretty packed out, but then again, it is Christmas time in a couple of weeks. They should have named the place Starlight Christmas and Easter Superstore and perhaps expand the target market slightly and arouse more interest outside of the festive season. There is so much cool stuff in here, and they staff are very helpful also. Remember, Starlight Christmas Superstore isn't just for Christmas... Ah, Actually it is.

Starlight Christmas & Party Superstore looks a little dingier than most party stores, but it is…read morealso cheaper than most party stores. A year or two ago a party store opened in City Cross Arcade stocking all sorts of schmick Toy Story/Dora the Explorer/Sesame Street branded party gear that was ridiculously overpriced considering it was all mostly plastic cups and plates, doomed to be binned the next day. Starlight is the antithesis of that. It is a little bit shabby, but affordable - you don't need to shell out a thousand bucks on a 21st/anniversay/Christmas dinner etc. They specialise in Christmas gear, so you can get loads of Christmas lights and tinsel and whatnot. They do their own little Christmas display in a big dark room (or a 'Christmas Cave') too, which strikes me as somewhat odd - but I guess if you're an X-mas enthusiast then you'll wanna see the gear in action. As well as Christmas stuff, they've also got a whole lot of other party/novelty things - straws, plastic plates, table cloths, battery operated candles, cheap helium balloons, masks etc. A fun place to visit if you're really really into parties, Christmas, or plastic novelty crap.

Stirling Party Hire is run by The Party Company, a South Australian company that has been supplying…read morerevelers with all they need to celebrate for the better part of two decade. The first aspect of this company is their retail party element. Instead of hiking around a supermarket trying to find party hats, plastic cutlery, streamers and themed balloons, these guys have it all on their shelves. Pretty much any conceivable party necessity from costumes to wedding accessories can be picked up here. I used to come here for party poppers more than anything when I was a kid. Very wide range of stock at pretty good prices. The second part of their party business is the setup element for functions. They rent and set up marquees, bouncy castles, balloon decoration and a lot more. I've been to a good few functions set up by these guys and everything was set up and tied down perfectly. I'd recommend these guys as your one stop party shop.

Party World is THE destination for your party goods if you're on the north east side of the city -…read moreI know Peter Van the Party Man is iconic, but these guys have everything you could possibly imagine for a party. The range here is huge - if you want a themed party for kids or adults, they'll have the lot. If you need a 40th, 50th or something elseth party for a birthday or anniversary, they'll have it. I've seen people leaving here with more helium balloons than you can possibly fit inside a car - even a BIG car like mine. We've regularly dropped in for the ancillary bits and pieces for our kids parties, and they've always helped with a smile.

Party world has such a huge range of party gear and novelty decor/ideas and balloons. I had big…read morecolourful bunches of helium balloons made here for my 21st birthday and they were a great success. The big shop is host to staff who have helped so many people with their party ideas that they have suggestions you often wouldn't have thought of. They are balloon decoration specialists and have hundreds of examples of balloon bunches, table settings and arches. They are open 7 days a week which is incredibly helpful for planning a function and collecting centrepieces/ balloons etc on weekends. They are really helpful and have a huge range. If you have a party idea, these guys can help you out!!