Party Product Trends: Birmingham Spring Fair

The Trend Curve team has gone from one trade show to another since the year began. Today, Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf is at Spring Fair Birmingham. She is trend-spotting many categories, including party products. I spoke with her this morning about her top party-product trend takeaways:

Bridal is bigger than ever

It’s not just the number of collections that has taken a giant leap forward. A shift in language is keeping the category fresh. Mr. and Mrs. has moved into the basic column for showers and weddings. Newer are phrases like Bride To Be and Team Bride (Ginger Ray), Love Is Love (Hootyballoo), All For Love (Talking Tables) and Bride Squad (Neviti).

Alternative guest books are trending

How about wooden hearts that stack up on a peg, or a globe that everyone signs as they come in the door? These are just two of Ginger Ray’s newest guest-book substitutes.

Serving yourself has gotten an upgrade

Ginger Ray takes the innovation prize again, with take-your-own displays for everything from glasses of bubbly to paper cones filled with confetti.

It’s disposable, but that’s OK

Talking Tables’ Party Like There Is A Tomorrow collection is fully recyclable and plastic-free partyware. The packaging can be easily recycled at home. Pioneer Party has eco-friendly cups and plates that are compostable. Nearly every other vendor talked about reducing or eliminating packaging.

Balloons are going artsier

Printed messages on balloons and balloon-shaped numbers and letters are just the beginning. Qualatex/Pioneer Party says their Gummy Character Balloons, inspired by gummi fruit candies, are doing really well. Qualatex sells kits to create elaborate trees or, in one case, a swan on a pedestal. A Make Your Own Marble Balloons kit includes 5 balloons and pink paint to let consumers personalize them at Ginger Ray.

Qualatex

Qualatex

Ginger Ray

For more about trends at Spring Fair Birmingham and other trade fairs, follow @trendcurve on Instagram.