WHEN GOING GETS TOUGH, IT’S TIME TO PARTY

NOT even a pandemic has been able to halt the passion Tasmanians have for parties.

Party shops and event planners say they’ ve been as busy as ever in recent months, with Tasmanians still keen to throw elaborate birthday parties, baby showers, hens’ parties, weddings and other events, despite reduced numbers due to COVID-19.

In many cases people are spending just as much as they would usually spend on a larger party, to make their smaller party special for a reduced number of guests.

J en ni Ho wells’ Hired Style events business was relatively new when the pandemic hit in March.

But she says business has boomed, despite C OVID, and she suspects people are using money they’ d usually spend on travel to create memorable parties instead.

During lock down Mrs Ho wells did contact less dropoffs of balloon garlands for small-scale parties at home. Since restrictions started to ease she has been turning some clients away as she just can’ t meet demand. Most want impressive props to set the scene and provide an eyecatching back drop for photographs.

“Really, from July onwards, it has just gotten busier and busier ,’’ Mrs Ho wells, from Old Beach, said.

“People have had a taste of lock down… I guess it shows us just how vulnerable we can be and that we shouldn’ t take things for granted — we just have to make the most of all the celebrations we get to have.”

A Tiny Bit Marvellous owner Sarah Kin sell a-Brown said her South Hobart cake and balloon shop had been “exceptionally busy ’’ in recent months.

“People are spending what they would have spent on a party for 50 people on a party that has 10 people ,’’ she said.

Party Room Hobart operator Daniel le Wright said Tasmanians seemed keener than ever to support small local businesses.