Envision walking into a room with balloons covering the ceiling, or beneath a spiraling balloon archway. For parents who want to create this kind of party extraveganza, but would rather order birthday cake than blow up balloons, A-Ballooningdales is happy to do it for you.

Balloons are available in any size, shape, design, and color imaginable. You can choose from simple designs, to helium bouquets, centerpieces, balloon drops/releases, or even a hot air balloon basket.

Gourmet Gift Baskets are also available, with assorted goodies of your choice: Godiva chocolate, pastries, baked goods, fruit, Jelly Belly jellybeans, Jolly Ranchers, Hershey kisses - you name it.

Minimum delivery is $50. Balloons run around $1 a piece. Gift baskets start at $50.

Adele's carries costumes and accessories for all occasions, in all sizes, for sale or for rent. Find plastic masks of recent US presidents, capes in all colors, noses, wigs, moustaches, Santa Claus suits, clown suits, devil suits, and Superman suits.

The store is located in a crammed few rooms upstairs from a lighting store in the heart of the Little Armenia section of Hollywoood. Boxes of costumes are stacked floor to ceiling, and the staff is friendly and accomodating. You can come with a specific costume in mind, or come to scrounge and browse.

Balloon Celebrations is one of the first balloon companies in the world, the inventors of Specialty Balloons, and one of the first to create balloon architecture.

Baskin-Robbins and its 31 flavors has been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like its ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick-up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. Baskin-Robbins decorates cakes on request.

The store has franchises everywhere; check the website for the nearest location, as they seem to be opening (or moving) all the time.

Baskin-Robbins and its 31 flavors has been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like its ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick-up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. Baskin-Robbins decorates cakes on request.

The store has franchises everywhere; check the website for the nearest location, as they seem to be opening (or moving) all the time.

Baskin-Robbins and its 31 flavors has been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like its ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick-up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. Baskin-Robbins decorates cakes on request.

The store has franchises everywhere; check the website for the nearest location, as they seem to be opening (or moving) all the time.

Baskin-Robbins and its 31 flavors has been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like its ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick-up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. Baskin-Robbins decorates cakes on request.

The store has franchises everywhere; check the website for the nearest location, as they seem to be opening (or moving) all the time.

Baskin-Robbins and its 31 flavors has been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like its ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick-up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. Baskin-Robbins decorates cakes on request.

The store has franchises everywhere; check the website for the nearest location, as they seem to be opening (or moving) all the time.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

You can also pick up an ice cream cake (or order in advance, if you have something special in mind), or try the sundaes, shakes, and fruit smoothies.

There are several locations around the LA area; check the website to find one nearby.

Beverage Brothers rents frozen and hot drink machines, Nacho cheese warmers/dispensers, canopies, and more. The company delivers, set-ups, and then cleans up when the party is over.

Beyond the Balloon designs original and creative decor for parties and special events.

The word of the hour at Buttercake Bakery is definitely cupcake. Every size, shape, flavor, and color is available (including 75 cent minis, perfect for satisfying plaintive cries while shopping!), as are yummy macaroons, brownies, tarts, and bars.

The bakery also does a good business in cakes for all occasions and gift baskets. All of the baked goods that we tried were light and delicious.

The shop is small, but there are a couple of tables; a very select cupcake party could be an option here. Buttercake also delivers.

Charm and Happy supplies clowns, face painters, balloon twisters, and more for party entertainment.

Also available for rent are trains, mini rides, sumo wrestlers(!), and ponies.

Chick P & G play fun tunes that make kids get up and dance, singing along to themes that parents appreciate (think "wash your hands" and "clean up your room"). The duo also offers face painting, birthday cakes, karaoke, and themed activities for everyone from pirates to princesses.

Videotaping services are also available.

Classick Cakes provides customized cakes for special occasions. A cake tasting and personal consultation is available, and customers can choose from the portfolio or request a new design.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

Shoppers must be members to shop here. The Costco website has information on joining.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

Shoppers must be members to shop here. The Costco website has information on joining.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

Shoppers must be members to shop here. The Costco website has information on joining.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

You must be a member to shop here. Call or visit the Costco website for information on joining.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

You must be a member to shop here. Call or visit the Costco website for information on joining.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

You must be a member to shop here. Call or visit the Costco website for information on joining.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

Shoppers must be members to shop here. The Costco website has information on joining.

Dairy Queen soft serve ice cream restaurants (often paired with Orange Julius) offer refreshment at several southland shopping malls. Because the majority of Dairy Queens are individually owned and operated franchises, quality, hours, and offerings vary greatly - you probably know what you like (or don't) about your local store.

Some locations offer ice cream cakes that are popular at kids' parties. Others offer a more complete fast food menu.

Most Dairy Queen restaurants nationwide participate in annual (and more frequent) fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network.

Faces & B'loons by Lauri offers a wide variety of entertainers (balloon artists, face painters, and more) for birthday parties. The company also provides twisted balloon centerpieces, party favors, buckets of water balloons (what a time saver!), and many other balloon-themed items.

Gloria stocks everything from novelty-shaped pans, tubes of icing, and gels, to bags and bags of colored sprinkles, nonpareils, and pink cake boxes to accommodate the littlest to the biggest delectable.

The shop is not a bakery but well worth a visit when you are decorating cookies or cakes, for holidays, class projects, or good old fashioned fun.

Heartschallenger is a specialty truck stocked with a selection of ice cream, candy, and toys from around the world. The truck is available for birthday parties and other private events.

Find the party paraphernalia you're looking for online at iparty.com. Packages for birthday parties and special occasions could be a life saver when you're pressed for time and ideas.

Halloween costumes in all shapes and sizes are available here, too.

While it's not exactly a 'general store' in the 19th century sense of the word, this Larchmont Village favorite comes pretty close.

The General Store has in fact divided into three separate shops in recent years, all still run by the same family:

Those in search of needles and thread, art supplies, picture frames, or office supplies need look no further than the original Landis General Store. The shop also carries plenty of toys, including stuffed animals and one of the best collections of sticker books around.

Next door, Landis at Home is the place to find greeting cards, gift wrap, and home accessories and gifts.

The well-established stationery side of the business has moved two doors down to Landis Gifts & Stationery. Here one finds a wonderful selection of stationery, photograph albums, and bound notebooks, along with an unbelievable selection of pens and writing implements. It's a good spot to find gifts for all kinds of people from teachers to grandparents.

The store also helps design, and then print, beautiful party invitations and birth or wedding announcements. Envelopes can be addressed by off-site calligraphers, who can also paint flowers on envelopes or award certificates.

Quirky French Chef Madame Chocolat creates a stir at birthday parties and other events with her interactive cooking show. The chef and her assistant solicit help from the audience to make a chocolate cake.

Not to be confused with Madame Chocolat the entertainer, this Madame Chocolat is a sweet shop, boutique, and cafe in the heart of Beverly Hills. The shop hosts birthday parties for children ages five and up.

Meltdown is a retro ice cream truck providing novelty ice cream, candy, and popsicles. The truck is available for hire for children's birthday parties and special events.

Mister Balloon supplies non allergenic balloons, balloon related supplies, jumbo balloons, and balloon imprints.

Mrs. Fields Cookies is a chain generally found in malls that bakes a mean chocolate chip cookie. Just about anything sweet falls into Mrs. Fields' domain, including cakes, brownies, and chocolate dipped fruit. Holiday themed sweets abound, too.

To avoid last minute dashes to the grocery store, only to find there aren't enough Barbie plates for the birthday guests anyway, dash to a store that specializes in party planning, and is sure to carry whatever accessories will make your child's special day a success.

From candy to pinatas to party favors, cards to balloons, Party America carries it all.

Party City offers discounts of up to 50% on party supplies. Everything from greeting cards, tableware, and invitations to party favors and accessories.

Little ghouls and boys appreciate the wide selection of Halloween costumes, as well as costumes for just about every other holiday on the calendar.

Party Layne offers a complete range of event planning for parties. The company handles everything from children's birthday parties to gala movie premieres.

Nostalgia buffs with a sweet tooth can revel in Old Town Monrovia's Scoops Soda Fountain & Candy Shoppe - an old fashioned ice cream parlor and candy store with over 400 types of candy and 30 flavors of Dreyer's ice cream.

The store also hosts birthday parties and other special events; prices start at $12.50 per person.

Fans of cupcakes can get a good fix at SusieCakes. The flavor selection is terrific and includes mini-cupcakes and frosting-filled cupcakes. What more could one ask?

Birthday cakes are worth checking out here, too - as are cheesecakes, cookies, and plenty of other items to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Fans of cupcakes can get a good fix at SusieCakes. The flavor selection is terrific and includes mini-cupcakes and frosting-filled cupcakes. What more could one ask?

Birthday cakes are worth checking out here, too - as are cheesecakes, cookies, and plenty of other items to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Fans of cupcakes can get a good fix at SusieCakes. The flavor selection is terrific and includes mini-cupcakes and frosting-filled cupcakes. What more could one ask?

Birthday cakes are worth checking out here, too - as are cheesecakes, cookies, and plenty of other items to satisfy any sweet tooth.