Packaway Parties

What's in the box: A themed hire box with decorations, planned games with props and prizes, crafts, costumes, music, certificates and a step by step party plan, with invitations, party bags and tableware in the Deluxe tier.

Packaway Parties is a UK party hire service, not a true subscription. You book a themed box for one party. It arrives by courier two days before the date and is collected on the next working day after. Delivery and return are included in the price for most of mainland UK, though the terms list some exclusions. There are plenty of themes, including Harry Potter, Lego, Pokémon, Dinosaurs, Star Wars, Frozen, Peppa Pig, Roald Dahl, Wicked and a toddler option, so it covers a wide age range. The Standard package costs £130 for up to 12 children, plus £4 for each extra child. It includes decorations, games, prizes, a party plan, crafts, costumes, props, music and certificates. Deluxe costs £190 for up to 12 children, plus £9 for each extra child. It adds personalised invitations, filled party bags and tableware. A Sweet Shop add on is £3.50 per child. The main appeal is that a parent gets a fully planned party built from good quality reusable kit, which saves planning time and cuts waste. The downside is that most items go back, so you keep little beyond the consumables. You also need someone in for both the delivery and the collection. It is not the cheapest option next to a simple homemade party.