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What is a Tupperware® Party?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 14,781
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A Tupperware® party is a marketing event hosted in someone's home. The host receives certain incentives for hosting the event, and his or her guests have an opportunity to see Tupperware® products demonstrated, and to order specific products. This sales method, a form of mulilevel marketing, was developed in the 1950s by the Tupperware® company, and it is used to sell a wide variety of products by numerous companies. Online versions are also available, for hosts who prefer a more modern approach.

At a Tupperware® party, the host provides refreshments and entertainment, and secures the services of a consultant who works for the Tupperware® company. The consultant brings a variety of products to demonstrate, along with order forms, and he or she answers questions, shows guests how various products can be used, and markets the product line to encourage people to buy. The goal is to have a stack of orders from guests by the end of the party.

In return for hosting a Tupperware® party, the host usually receives a discount on products, and he or she also has the opportunity to access gifts from the company. Typically the gifts are awarded on the basis of total sales, to give the host an incentive to sell as much as possible so that he or she can get the high-end rewards. While hosting a Tupperware® party can seem like a good way to make a little bit of money, it can be exhausting, and the pool of guests is only as wide as the host's friends.

The tradition of the Tupperware® party is mostly associated with women, and historically some women have used these parties as an excuse to get together with friends and have some fun. Some hosts have made careers out of hosting parties for Tupperware® and other products, investing a great deal of time and energy in expanding their marketing pool and encouraging friends to make purchases.

A typical Tupperware® party centers around a particular product line, such as storage containers or kitchen implements. Some hosts organize their parties around themes, such as a tropical Tupperware® party with tropical décor, Polynesian-style snacks, and tropical drinks such as fruit punch. At a minimum, the host provides small food snacks and drinks, and he or she may also put together grab bags for guests, along with other incentives to encourage them to come and to spend money on the products being demonstrated.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By shell4life — On Mar 15, 2012

I have never been to an actual Tupperware party, but I've been to other types of parties that were inspired by Tupperware's way of doing business. Many of these were makeup parties, and one was a food party.

At the makeup parties, we got to test out the products before buying them. I suppose that is one thing you can't really do at a Tupperware party. You can watch the sales rep put something in a container and slosh it around to see that it doesn't leak, but you need time with a product like this to see how it will hold up to a variety of factors.

At the food party I attended, the hostess had little games for us to play before she started her pitch. This broke the ice, and I've heard that the same type of thing goes on at Tupperware parties.

By cloudel — On Mar 15, 2012

I went to a luau Tupperware party, and the best thing about it were the snacks and drinks. There were a lot of pineapple and other tropical fruits involved.

The host even made little mini pizzas topped with ham and pineapple. We drank mango and other fruit slushies, and there were chips and crackers to balance out the sweetness.

Of course, all the snacks were served in Tupperware containers, and we drank from Tupperware tumblers. I didn't buy anything, because I had told my friend before coming that I just didn't have the money right then. She told me that just showing up would make her look good to the company, so I came, and I really enjoyed myself.

By OeKc05 — On Mar 14, 2012

@kylee07drg – I was pleasantly surprised at the first Tupperware party I went to, as well. I had only seen Tupperware on infomercials, and having a sales rep inform me of all the different items they had for sale was much more helpful.

I found it hard to believe that Tupperware sells a pair of salt and pepper shakers. They are made of that same transparent material, and they have hinged lids.

I think that everyone at the party wound up buying something. There was just too much to choose from to go home without ordering at least one thing.

By kylee07drg — On Mar 13, 2012

I went to a Tupperware party expecting to see nothing but containers for leftovers. I was amazed by the variety of products available.

There were tumblers with lids to seal in liquids that are perfect for taking with you in your car. I ordered a set of these, because I'm always making breakfast smoothies and drinking them on the way to work.

I was impressed by their snack cup containers. These are basically little versions of the basic plastic leftover container, but they are just the right size for a serving of nuts or berries. I take a snack to work with me in these handy little containers.

So, if someone invites you to a Tupperware party, you should go. If you have never been to one before, I can tell you that it will be more than you expect.

By SarahSon — On Mar 13, 2012

It seems like many party plan companies have come and gone, but Tupperware is one that most people have heard of, and is still around.

These products have been used and passed down to younger generations. I have bought cheaper plastic products in the past, and have ended up disappointed in the quality.

I always find myself going back to the high quality Tupperware products. I enjoy going to a party in someone's home. Many times I have told myself I don't need anything new, but always end up buying something I just can't live without.

One of the things I like most about their products is how easy it is to organize your whole kitchen and keep your products fresh at the same time. When I get home from the store, I put many things like cereal, pasta, and cooking staples in Tupperware containers.

The food stays fresh longer and I love having a kitchen that is organized and I can easily find what I need.

Two other Tupperware products I ordered from a catalog party at work were a container to hold bacon and one for ice cream. I use these all the time, and they look the same as the first day I bought them.

By Mykol — On Mar 13, 2012

@julies - I haven't actually been invited to a Tupperware party at someone's house for a long time either. The last time I ordered Tupperware products from someone was online.

I think this is a great way to have a Tupperware party. You don't have to rely on a host to open up their home and it really makes it a lot easier for them. Many people don't like to go to all the extra work to host a party.

You have to send out party invitations, clean your house, make refreshments and hope for a good turn out and a lot of sales.

I have hosted Tupperware parties before just to get some free product for myself. After doing this a few times, I decided it wasn't worth all the effort. It was frustrating when people would cancel at the last minute and only a few people showed up.

With an online party, you don't have to go to all that extra work and it makes it more convenient for everybody.

By myharley — On Mar 12, 2012

@julies - Yes, they do have products that don't wear out. Because of that, I use them all the time and have been known to lose them or leave them someplace.

I like going to Tupperware parties because I need to replace the items I have lost, and like to see the new products they have. Some of the new bright colors and designs are both fun and practical.

One of my friends has been involved with Tupperware as a home party business for a long time. She makes a little bit of extra money, but also enjoys the social time and a night out of the house without the kids.

She is pretty creative, and always tried to come up with new party ideas that will make the evening fun. I have been to other Tupperware parties where they just pass around the catalogs and think they will get a lot of orders.

It usually works better if you can engage the people who are there and get them excited about what you are selling.

By julies — On Mar 11, 2012

It's been a long time since I have been invited to a Tupperware party. I didn't know if they still had them or not. Years ago, it seemed like I would get an invitation to one several times a year.

Tupperware is one of the home party companies that has been around a long time. I still use some of the items I bought several years ago.

I know they are always coming up with new products and designs, but the products last forever! My mom has some Tupperware products she ordered from a party 20 years ago, and still uses them too.

Whether you like to go to a Tupperware party or not, one thing is for sure - they have products that last a long time.

By whiteplane — On Mar 10, 2012

I once decided to have a theme party in college and the theme was a tupperware party. It sounds kind of silly but people turned it in to a lot of fun.

I figured that everyone had old useless tupperware lying around in their cupboards. Why not round it up, fill it up with stuff like chips, glitter, poker chips, maybe even liquor and then bring it all together in one place? You would have no idea that you would end up with and then a party would ensure, or so the logic went. Well people brought tupperware, and they definitely partied. It was probably the wildest tupperware part ever.

By jennythelib — On Mar 10, 2012

@ElizaBennett - I like your suggestions! I actually enjoy attending these parties. I like the demonstrations of nifty things. Scrapbooking was my favorite; I think it was Creative Memories. I've even been to one that was for lingerie!

But I don't like to be pressured about them - nobody does. I used to work with a lady who was really into hosting these parties and she would nag people at work about coming to the party or purchasing from the catalog ahead of time. She did all the big name companies and some I hadn't heard of.

Well, she got on people's nerves so much that a few of us complained to human resources and she got fussed at. You have to be particularly careful about this sort of thing with people who are not your actual friends, but your coworkers.

By ElizaBennett — On Mar 09, 2012

Some people love these parties and some people just hate them. I think it's important to be careful when you're inviting your friends to them. Apply absolutely no pressure on them to attend your party. They don't "owe" you attendance at your party; it is not their job to help you get free stuff.

And don't pressure those who do come to purchase. People do often come to these things prepared to make a purchase, but maybe the prices turn out to be higher than they expected or they are not as impressed with the products as they expected. Either way, accepting the invitation does not convey an obligation.

Finally, you will want your guests to have a good time, but don't think of the party as a really social event. What I mean is, if you owe a friend an invitation, you can't pay off that obligation by inviting her to a Tupperware party!

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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