Diddams Amazing Party Stores

This place is closing down. I think the last day is March 27.
I came by today and saw a 50% store closing sale. I’m bummed that it’s closing down although I have been here only a few times. They have a lot of neat toys downstairs. Awesome supplies for a kids party.

The balloon girl made me (yes, made me) purchase a special solution to put in the balloons that was supposed to make them last 4 days. The ballons were on the ground in under 48 hours, more like 36 hours. My advice: don’t let her squeeze the «special» solution into your helium ballons because it’s probably a hoax to squeeze an extra $ 0.40/ballon out of you.

How many Mylar* balloons can fit on the wall of a store? No, this is not one of those «how many angels can dance on the head of a pin» questions. THAT one has no answer, it’s just a philosophical mediation on space, corporeality, and the nature of life-​after-​death. Unless you don’t believe in angels (or pinheads), and then the question is moot.
At Diddams APS in Palo Alto, one of several Silicon valley locations of this bric-​à-​brac, knick-​knack party store emporium, they KNOW exactly how many shiny metallized nylon, «foil balloons» will fit on their walls, ’cause they will sell them to you for the right price, each and every one of them. Even the Elmos and Hello Kitties.
And, according to the round badge pinned to the chest of one of the salespeople — «We Rent Helium Tanks» — so that’s probably a good thing, I guess, if you need some inert gas for your next party function.
I actually stumbled into this place quite randomly in search of a bag of tea lights, since we were running low and I now boycott IKEA, our go-​to source of these things for years. Tea lights can be pricey (relatively speaking, mainly due to needless markups), esp. those that come in small 10 or 25 packs typically found at your average supermarket, pharmacy, or card shop. We burn through tea lights like … well, like candles, actually, and thus needed something in bulk. Here, at Diddams, I found 50 packs for $ 3.99 or so and grabbed a few for the road.
While waiting in line, and while finding the tea light section (hidden in the back), I took note of the massive collection of stuff here: party plates, stickers, multi-​colored M&Ms, Papyrus cards, scented candles, costumes, and napkins for every party and holiday occasion you could dream of.
Except for Festivus.
But other than that, Diddams is a good place to go.
(*) Note: Foil balloons are mistakenly called by members of the general public (like myself) «Mylar» balloons. But according to balloon web sites (I know! Who knew!!) this material made by Dupont (for NASA) is too expensive for balloon making and is officially known as metal biaxially-​oriented polyethylene terephthalate (boPET). Comic book collectors use Mylar to protect their precious things, among other uses, like the foil inside of coffee packages.
Foil balloons are made using nylon, polyethylene, and a thin metallic coating and were first developed in the 1970s for — get this! — the New York City ballet. How random is that?
But Big Balloon uses something cheaper than Mylar that can more easily be heat-​sealed. Foil balloons, unlike biodegradable latex, are very eco-​unfriendly and take years and years to decompose, so don’t buy them! Even if all those Sesame Street characters are so darn cute.

If you are interested in supporting your local community by shopping local, don’t waste your time at Diddams.
Diddams has stores from San Carlos to San Jose and I used to shop in San Carlos & Palo Alto. While I used to be annoyed at their return policy, that they didn’t take AmEx, and that their employees where unfailingly rude, it was the fact that the didn’t participate in the San Carlos family Halloween event — THAT WAS HELD IN FRONT OF THEIR STORE — that had me vow never to spend a dime in their stores again.
That’s right, folks. A store that sells costumes, toys and bulk candy couldn’t rally around the community enough to hand out lollipops to trick-​or-​treat-​ers. Absolutely pathetic. Come to find out (from a former employee) they don’t even belong to the Chamber of Commerce in San Carlos, where they occupy certainly one of the largest retail spaces in the downtown shopping area.
Looking for party supplies, toys and costumes? You’re better off hitting Target, Party America or Oriental Trading Company (online)

Oh store of randomness how I adore thee!
All Year Long Costumes? check
Ultra cheap glow sticks? check
Giant sticker collection? check
Basement full of knick knacks? check
Whether you need to decorate for a themed party or you simply need to soothe your inner child. Diddams is the place to be. Its my first stop in the search for things like plastic snakes or a Brazilian flag.

One word… AMAZING!
I went here with some friends to find a last minute costume for a party. Not only did they have a HUGE selection of «pre-​packaged» costumes, but they had an awesome selection of bits and pieces to put together something fantastic!
If you just need party supplies too this place is really great. I think they had every color or plates/​napkins/​streamers you could think of. I also spotted wedding and baby invitations! On top of that there was plenty of mylar and regular balloons to choose from!
I took off one star because they were restocking inventory while I was there and the place was kind of a mess. The customer service was awesome though and they made sure we had everything we needed.

I stopped by last weekend to exchange two kiddie Star Wars costumes I’d bought that morning at another Diddams (in San Jose). The experience was night and day.
Where the employees at the SJ location were friendly but all had the distinctively «deer in headlights» look of seasonal high school workers, the three people I spoke with at this Palo Alto store were extremely with-​it and able to point me right to what I needed. They also gave my kids balloons; always a win.
Where the aisles at the SJ store were littered with picked-​over costumes, the aisles here in PA were pristine.
They also had the two costumes I needed, and traded me uncomplainingly for the mis-​labeled ones I had bought in San Jose.
Will be back the next time we need party supplies.

this place is great for finding lots of cheap, interesting party favors. it’s also a good place to find accessories /​decoration supplies. their selection of halloween is kind of disappointing when compared with shops that specialize in costumes.
4 stars instead of 3 because their employees are really friendly are try hard to help you find what you want.

This place is great. Any of your party needs, you can get them here. I have been here for office gift exchanged (great Hello Kitty section) as well as for the Unilocal Elite Masquarade party (great, unique masks) and for Halloween. I got a great velvet Gothic cloak for my little red riding hood costume. (*side story — in my little red riding hood costume, I offered George Lucas a muffin and a cookie*)
The staff aren’t exactly the friendliest people, but they aren’t necessarily mean. Prices are pretty cheap, especially for random stuff like balloons and little toys. Anytime you need anything extremely random, this is the place to go!

Defintely the most helpful Diddams I’ve been to. They had a large selection of masks and the staff was very friendly and helpful. I almost didn’t see it as it doesn’t have the gaudy sign in front like in all the larger front face stores. It’s not as vast and cavernous as the ones in Mountain View and Cupertino, but they have exactly what you need and really, do you need 15 variations of pink streamers?
Note: seasonal items are non-​refundable.

Tucked along a side street of the elitist playground that is downtown Palo Alto, whether that be because of venture capitalists or Stanford students steeped in brains or money or both, is the great party store Diddam’s.
Diddam’s has quite a huge selection of items that are generally sorted by theme. This time of year, nearly half of the main floor is stocked with costumes and decorations to celebrate my favorite day of the year. Diddam’s also does a pretty mean balloon business, as well as bulk candy such as many flavors of jelly beans for most any occasion.
Down in the basement, there’s another impressive selection of toys and party favors for children of all ages, as well as for adults who wish that they were once again children. You’ve got to appreciate a store that dedicates about 16 feet of shelf space just to all things pirate!
This is a huge place! Take your time going through it, and you’ll discover that it’s quite a great resource.

Wow, huge selection of party favors, balloons, invitations, streamers, paper plates/​cups/​napkins in every color and design, stickers, etc. This place has pretty much everything you’ll need for any kind of party you’ll ever have.
There are pink and blue mints for baby showers, white ones for bridal showers, drink umbrellas, envelope stamps and monogrammed everything. The price is right, too.
I’m being stingy and giving only four stars because the atmosphere is a little warehouse-​y and cold (but the place is HUMONGOUS) while I think they should have a warm, low-​ceilinged, hardwood-​floored vibe going on.

This is my party supplier store! I always find anything and everything I need for my parties… from Halloween, birthdays, bridal showers, or weddings. I made several trips here this summer to find supplies for my cousin’s bridal shower and wedding and was never disappointed. I give them extra stars for carrying various colors of M&Ms candy and large selection of Papyrus greeting cards.
The staff here is more helpful than the staff at the San Carlos location.

Everything you need for any type of party. Balloons, plates, cups, pinatas etc. they have two floors so don’t forget to go downstairs as well.

What a great store! If you’re looking for themed toothpicks, party paper goods of every color, grass skirts (also of almost every color), candy, halloween items, candles… hey, you might not find what you’re looking for but it’d be worth giving them a call to see if they in fact do have that obscure party item you’re searching for. A couple of times I thought, «you’d never find that if you were looking for that!»
They also have lots of stickers… super cutes ones too… we left with froggy stickers, chicken stickers and super funny tropical bird stickers… fun store to wander into.

way too much stuff to choose from. I could be here forever choosing goody bag stuff.
LOTS of sticker options though still not enough for me. if you need that…
balloons 89 cents each regardless of pearl or «normal» latex color vs. $ 1 at safeway
$ 10 for giant mylar e.g. Dora, Sesame Street bus, the number 1 or 2 for baby birthdays.
and you can order ahead of time

Great party supplies — I’ll take one in every color! I am so happy that it’s in downtown Palo Alto. The toys aren’t fabulous, but if in a pinch, you can find something for the younger crowd.
It’s the only place I know of to order balloons for parties. But every time I go to pick up my order, I get jacked a balloon or two. Bummer. Make sure you take stock before you leave the store.
Other than that, the customer service has always been helpful and friendly.

neat store! When I have kids, I am totally coming here to get all the supplies and decorations, they have everything!
Lots of interesting costumes for Halloween and a whole Hello Kitty section of cutesy stuff.
Bought a little windup robot toy that made Hubster happy.

Diddam’s is the one stop shop for all your party planning needs.
I know that sounds like the cheesiest tag line on this side of the internet, but it is still an apt description.
Need to get balloons, party favors, and a toy gift for your 1-​year old’s birthday? Plus delivery of the balloons on the day of your party? Done. WARNING: see edit below…
Need a halloween costume for a party that is being thrown in March? Plus some candy? Done.
Need the goods for a bachelor party, you’re the best man, and you sort of waited until the last minute? Done.
Want good service for assistance on any or all of the above? Done.
This review? Done.
Postscript: Even though the clerk promised they could deliver down the block to my son’s birthday party, they in fact, CAN’T deliver. It makes no sense to promise something that isn’t a service one can do. This was an inconvenience, and I should ding down 2 stars as a result, but since I can excuse the fact that the clerk was perhaps new, I will only downgrade one star on this one…

Ever bought balloons and had half of them pop in your car as your drove without the use of your rear-​view mirror?
One trip or phone call to Diddams and this will not happen to you again. Why? Because they deliver balloons… and at a fair price!
In addition to the balloon service, they have almost anything you could need/​want for a party. I recently purchased items for a fiesta themed party and later a pirate themed party and found great stuff… like a treasure chest piñata and plastic fiesta shot glasses attached to a necklace… I shoulda bought more for post finals celebrations in dwn twn SC!