What’s the worst thing that could happen at a holiday party? Okay, there’s a lot that can go wrong… but from the perspectives of the retail and wholesale specialists that are supplying their customers, the worst thing could be missing an opportunity to provide the best products for the occasion, at a price that makes it easier to build the sale.

I’m talking about wholesale party supplies from Toptenwholesale.com, of course. We at TopTen would like to remind you that there is a crucial and vital side of party planning that is best served by those who offer the right supplies to those fearless, fun-loving customers who are going to be hosting a holiday bash for their guests and loved ones this year. This goes beyond simply bringing them the hottest merchandise that is making all the headlines now… it should also be taking into account the need for those less-glammy articles like napkins, plates, dinner ware, cups, bowls, and so much more. In fact, the buck doesn’t stop with eating utensils and clean-up goods… I mean, what about the foods themselves? There’s a lot of bulk foods and easy-mix recipes out there that will satisfy any party-goer’s palate, without putting the party-planner in the poor house!

Here’s another point to consider: most holiday shoppers are forced to go in and out of multiple stores, in the search for the perfect mix of costumes, accessories, party supplies, and gifts. Why not offer everything they need, under one roof? You online sellers should be jumping up and down right now, because it couldn’t be easier for those in the e-trade to line up a few good suppliers and vendors who can get the goods you need dropshipped directly to your customers. Actually, it doesn’t mean the ones with brick-and-mortar venues are left out in the cold, since a large – and rapidly-growing – number of shop keepers are also hosting fully-outfitted online stores as well, in an effort to build a potentially huge customer base, while being in touch with the more tangible realities of the consumer market. Best of both worlds, if you ask me.

Now let’s talk about the actual party supplies themselves… in spite of the media’s best efforts at bumming us out with the economic news headlines, the truth is that there are new opportunities and never-before offers for the wholesale market, due to the dizzying nature of the export/import industry, and once-successful companies looking for new ways to bring themselves back up to speed. You should be looking for those deals! Here’s a quick checklist of things to keep your eyes open for:

• Disposable napkins are a must, but have you seen the ones that are near-linen quality? This comes at an affordable cost, and gives your party a little touch of elegance that conventional paper napkins might not.

• Dinner ware was always a no-brainer, but now the companies that were making institutional-use plastic forks, knives, and spoons are struggling with a sagging economy. This could be the time to connect with them.

• Bulk foods to the rescue! I’m not even talking about making that obligatory trip to the local “warehouse” savings club, so you can add a few family-sized bags of corn chips to your sale. I’m talking about the companies that were supplying the entertainment and sporting industry with large-volume foodstuffs, who are going to be needing a helping hand this season. Your customers will be thrilled to see that you’ve found the goods for them.

• Tell your customers to think big… and cover their tables, and maybe even some furniture, with disposable table covers. It will spare them the headache of dealing with spills, and it will give you something to add to your arsenal of smart holiday party supplies!

• Look for the extra-special touch, as some party suppliers are offering customized and unique products like huge outdoor banners, signs/displays, and even smaller disposable paper and plastic goods that have custom messages at the customer’s request.

As you can see, there’s a lot of planning to do… and it won’t get done by itself. However, you can always make things easier by starting with a search on our site, and using my party planning points as handy reference. Good luck, and please let me know if I’ve left anything critical off the list, by leaving your comments on this blog!