The party kit concept is simple yet impactful. It combines the benefits of using reusable items with the advantages of sharing.
Set up within the community, a party kit provides everything needed for an event—reusable plates, cups, cutlery, and more. Borrowed and then returned, it’s ready to be used again. By offering a practical, sustainable alternative to single-use tableware, party kits help reduce waste, lower the carbon footprint of events, and keep materials in use for longer.
There are hundreds of party kits available through various setups, including those run by individuals from home, zero-waste stores, community groups, school PTAs, and lending libraries. Libraries of things, tool libraries, kitchen libraries, toy libraries, nappy and sling libraries, and even some public libraries have already added party kits to their inventories.
In this article, I’ll explore how party kits can be incorporated into sharing libraries, the benefits they bring to library members, and how they support the growth of lending libraries and the local sharing economy.
What is a Party Kit?
A party kit is a box of reusable tableware borrowed for an event and then returned to be used again. All party kits contain reusable plates and cups, but many also include items such as bowls, cutlery, jugs, serving platters, table linen, and reusable decorations like bunting.
This makes it easier for people to access reusable tableware without having to invest in and store large quantities of items for occasional use.
Party kits are most commonly used for children’s birthday parties, with plastic tableware being the most popular choice as it is durable, lightweight, affordable, and suitable for young children. However, party kits have also been used for baby showers, workplace BBQs, community group meetings, and even gallery openings.
How Party Kits Fit into Sharing Libraries
The party kit concept aligns closely with the principles of lending libraries, and many have already successfully added party kits to their inventories. There are two main models for incorporating party kits:
Pre-packed party kits: These are boxes of tableware lent out as single items. This setup is common in locker-based sharing libraries or libraries where tableware is not the main focus, such as public libraries, toy libraries, and nappy libraries. It simplifies administration by reducing the effort required to prepare each rental, though borrowers may end up taking more items than they need. Here is an example of Share Bristol’s party kit listing: https://things.sharebristol.org.uk/product/2314
Customisable party kits: In this model, users build their own party kits by selecting items from the library’s inventory of tableware, decorations, and other party essentials. A basic party kit, such as a set of plates and cups, may still be offered as a pre-packed option, with the flexibility for borrowers to add other items as needed.
Regardless of the model, all lending libraries offering party kits require that items are washed before being returned. Clear guidance should be provided on which items are dishwasher safe (most plastic tableware can be washed on an Eco cycle at lower temperatures) and the importance of ensuring everything is thoroughly dried before repacking and returning.
Benefits of Offering Party Kits
Lending libraries that include party kits report numerous benefits for both the library and its members:
Benefits for Borrowers
Access to a broader inventory, including items like gazebos, bunting, party games, tables, chairs, tablecloths, jugs, and cool boxes. This reduces the need for one-time purchases that can often go unused after the event.
Affordability: For libraries with annual memberships, borrowing a party kit is often comparable with buying disposable supplies, with the added benefit that with each hire members are getting even more value for money.
Benefits for Libraries
Increased membership: Party kits attract new members, especially families. Anna Perry from Share Bristol said, “The party kits at Share Bristol definitely help us attract new members. Sometimes people find us through the Party Kit Network and join our Library of Things service to borrow one. Other times, people see the party kits as part of our inventory, which is enough to convince them to become members.”
Inclusivity: Libraries can make party kits accessible to everyone. Lindsey Campbell from Linlithgow Tool Library explained, “We offer a pay-what-you-can system, so we don’t exclude anyone financially.”
Broader reach: By nature, parties reach a lot of people, an opportunity to increase awareness of the library’s offerings and encourage more people to engage with local sharing.
Community Impact
Positive feedback: Borrowers consistently praise the ease of use and reduced waste. Helena Jackson from Stork and the Bees, a sling and nappy library with a party kit, noted: “People who have hired the kits have loved it. They’ve shared how easy it was to use, what a great idea it is, and how it means less waste. Plus, they didn’t have to buy or store reusable items themselves.”
Visible impact: Borrowers notice the environmental benefits firsthand as they tidy up—there are significantly fewer bin bags of waste! Sharing these stories can inspire others in the community to embrace the switch to reusables and borrowing.
Health & wellbeing: Borrowing and celebrating foster positive social connections, which are essential for mental health and wellbeing. Karen Elsbury, founder of the Elwood Kitchen Library, explains: “Our kitchen library is all about bringing people together through a love of food. By providing members of our community with access to kitchen items and party packs we enable them to entertain family and friends, celebrate together and get creative in the kitchen.”
Getting Started with Party Kits
If your library already includes reusable tableware in its inventory, you can join the Party Kit Network today! Joining is FREE and allows more people in your community to discover your library. Visit partykitnetwork.org/join to sign up.
If your library doesn’t yet have suitable tableware, consider these steps to get started:
Gauge Community Interest: Run a survey among your existing members to assess interest in a party kit. This can also be an opportunity to engage the wider community for their input, increasing awareness of your library’s services.
Assess Local Needs: Before purchasing tableware, think about the types of events your members are likely to host. For example, for children’s parties typically 20-30 place settings are needed with durable, lightweight plastic tableware being a practical choice. For adult events such as BBQs, plastic tumblers are often preferred to glass for outdoor gathering due to their lighter weight and safety.
Source Tableware: There are several ways to acquire tableware:
Community donations: Reach out to your local community to source reusable items.
Preloved party kits: Purchase second-hand kits to reduce costs
New tableware: Some libraries choose to buy new items, especially if they want to offer matching sets. Aesthetics can be important for members transitioning from themed single-use tableware to reusables.
Funding may be available from local authorities through waste prevention or small community grants, which can help cover the cost of purchasing reusable tableware.
Plan Hire Logistics:
Hire periods: Many party kits are offered for a three-day hire giving people time to collect, party, wash and return, with most bookings occurring over the weekend. Your opening hours will likely dictate the duration of a hire.
Storage: Using rigid plastic storage containers is the easiest way to keep tableware clean and organised. A party kit for 30 can fit into a 48 litre box meaning it doesn’t take up too much space. Choose a size that balances capacity and ease of transport—splitting items into multiple boxes if needed to avoid heavy lifting.
Reduce Losses: Include an equipment list with each party kit to help borrowers keep track of items and return everything they borrowed. Labelling items like jugs can also minimise the risk of them being left behind at party venues, while doubling as advertising for your kit.
Collaborate Locally: I always recommend people check the Party Kit Network map to see if there are existing kits in the area. Most communities can support more than one kit, and connecting with other members allows you to collaborate. For example, you can refer enquiries to another provider if your kit is already booked.
Getting More Support to Set Up a Party Kit
The Party Kit Network is committed to helping lending libraries include party kits, increasing accessibility and strengthening the sharing economy.
Here are some resources to guide you through the process:
Comprehensive Guide: Download our detailed guide to running a party kit at https://www.partykitnetwork.org/start
Facebook Group: Join our active community on Facebook, where members share advice and ideas: https://www.facebook.com/groups/partykitnetwork
Online Meet-ups: Attend our regular online sessions to ask questions and get tailored support: https://partykitnetwork.eventbrite.com
Tableware Materials: For more information on tableware materials, please see our guide to reusable tableware: https://www.partykitnetwork.org/post/which-type-of-reusable-tableware-is-the-greenest
Or please drop me an email with any questions or concerns, or to be connected with another library already successfully running a party kit - hello@partykitnetwork.org
Conclusion
Party kits are a perfect fit for lending libraries. Libraries have seen their members utilise party kits when added to the inventory and even join a library because a party kit was offered. It has been straightforward for libraries to set up a party kit, requiring minimal storage and experiencing low rates of loss.
By offering party kits, libraries empower their communities to celebrate more sustainably, reducing waste and promoting reuse. This not only strengthens connections within the community but also supports a thriving sharing economy, where resources are used efficiently and inclusively.
Adding a party kit is a small step with a big impact—encouraging more sustainable celebrations and reinforcing the vital role of sharing libraries in creating a better future.
