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Introduction
When planning an event on a budget, every decision matters. Where you choose to spend your money has a direct impact on your guests’ experience and the things they’ll remember years later (good or bad). So if your budget is tight, you want to make sure you’re getting maximum value out of the things you buy.
With that in mind, we’re going to look specifically at Michaels for this review to determine if it’s worth the investment. I’ve shopped at Michaels for everything from wedding centerpieces to kids’ birthday parties to holiday dinners, and I’ve learned a few things about making it work on a budget.
In this Michaels review, I’ll break down what you actually get for your money, where to find value, where you might overpay, and the strategic approach that makes shopping there easier on your wallet.
Brand Overview and History
Michaels is one of North America’s largest arts and crafts chains, operating thousands of stores across the US and Canada. The brand positions itself as a one-stop shop for crafters, DIYers, artists, and event planners, carrying everything from basic supplies to specialty items.
For event planning specifically, Michaels has become a popular destination. They carry a wide range of decor, floral, and craft supplies in one centralized location, so you can find vases, faux florals, ribbons, paint, markers, and seasonal items all without hitting a million different stores.
Product Range for Event Planning
Michaels has a wide range of products to choose from. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a birthday party, a holiday gathering, or a themed casual movie night, you’re sure to find inspiration in its aisles. I’ve summarized some of the more popular categories below to help you determine if it’s a good fit for your event.
Floral Supplies: Michaels’ extensive selection of faux florals stands out for event planning. Whether you’re arranging wedding centerpieces or fun table arrangements for kids’ parties, you will find no shortage of options. They also carry a wide range of vases to suit any style and arrangement size.
Seasonal Decor: As with most stores, Michaels rotates inventory seasonally (although it does feel like holiday items appear in stores earlier each year – Christmas in March, anyone?).
Regardless of the season, you are sure to find plenty of options to suit your holiday-themed event. Whether you’re planning an elegant Christmas gathering, a romantic Valentine’s tablescape, or a spooktacular kids’ Halloween party, Michaels has you covered.
Craft Supplies & DIY Kits: Beyond event decor, Michaels carries craft supplies (paint, markers, paper, adhesives, yarn, glitter, etc.). Pretty much anything you need for crafting, they have it. They also have some great DIY kits! These might not seem like an event-y item… But if you can think outside the box you may find the perfect decor or statement piece for your event, cheaper than having something custom-made, and faster/easier than a total DIY from scratch. For kids’ parties, I’ve used their STEM kits as activity stations and have divvied up crystal growing kits as favors.
Ribbons, Tulle, Twine & Embellishments: These may seem small, but don’t underestimate their impact. Michaels has a wide variety of embellishments and finishing touches to tie your aesthetic together when customizing your decor (no pun intended).
Pre-Made Party Supplies: Michaels offers a great selection. In their aisles, you’ll find balloons, napkins, plates, banners, and other decorations in a variety of styles and themes. They have some unique options; however, if you’re on a budget and looking for something common like a solid-coloured paper plate, you’re likely better off running to a big-box store or checking Amazon (unless you’re going to Michaels anyway and want to prioritize convenience).
Printing Services: You may already know Michaels does custom framing but did you know you can get things printed there too? Their offerings include photo prints, photo books, and photo gifts (think mugs, blankets, ornaments, puzzles, etc.). So if you’re looking to print invites and signage for your party you might want to consider Michaels! That said, there are a lot of places that offer printing, and you might find a better deal elsewhere, so I’d recommend shopping around or waiting for a sale if you are able.
Quality and Performance
I’ve found Michaels offers good quality. Their products aren’t exceptional, but also won’t typically break after one use (that said, make sure to check individual product reviews before buying if quality is a concern). Generally speaking though, Michaels’ quality is sufficient for DIY events, which is perfect if you’re managing a budget; you’re not overpaying for premium but also not getting throwaway quality.
Pricing and Value
Michaels can be a bit pricey… A vase that costs $6-8 at Target or Walmart could be $12-15 at Michaels for full price. If you walk in and buy things without a coupon or sale, your wallet will usually feel it.
But if you’re looking for a strategy to maximize your value, here’s what you can do:
Michaels is almost always running a sale. And they almost always have an [active coupon] or promo code. If you can time your purchases around their promotions, you should be able to come out ahead.
Some tips I’ve picked up from shopping there over the years:
- Weekly sales rotate through categories. If you’re patient, most items go on sale.
- Coupons are frequent (usually 20-40% off single items or categories).
- If your timing is flexible, you can buy supplies for your event over multiple trips, buying things when they’re on sale or when a coupon applies.
This approach makes Michaels more competitive, BUT it requires planning and, at times, extra trips. If you’re pulling an event together at the last minute and need everything at once, Michaels will probably eat into your budget.
Customer Service Experience
In my experience, the customer service at Michaels is great – nothing to complain about. That’s probably not the case for everyone, but it is for me. If you’re shopping during peak hours or busy seasons, you may find long lines or out-of-stock items, but that’s pretty typical at any large retailer.
What I’ve found is that staff are helpful but not intrusive, the store is generally well-organized, and returns are straightforward. Their website is easy enough to navigate, though I usually shop in-store because I enjoy browsing and letting inspiration strike. For me, Michaels is less of an exercise in efficiency and more a journey of creativity, but if you’re short on time, they do offer curbside pickup as well.
Pros and Cons
If you’ve skimmed everything so far, here’s a quick summary to help decide if Michaels is the right fit for your event:
Pros
- Wide product range: You’ll find everything from florals to seasonal decor to craft supplies in one place to stock your event.
- Good quality: Michaels offers a good mid-range quality that holds up well for DIY events.
- Sales & coupons: If you plan ahead and time your purchases strategically, Michaels is actually pretty affordable.
- Specialty Items: You might have to browse a bit, but Michaels has some unique items you probably wouldn’t find elsewhere.
- Multiple locations: With over 1,200 locations across North America, there’s a good chance you can find a store close by.
Cons
- Full-price items: If you’re unable to take advantage of sales and coupons, Michaels can add up pretty fast.
- Limited online browsing: Online product selection sometimes differs from options in-store, and it can be harder to spot deals online.
- No bulk pricing: For large-quantity items, bulk retailers or Amazon might be a better choice.
Is Michaels Worth the Investment?
So the answer to this question is really “it depends”. If you approach it strategically, it is definitely worth it. But if you are expecting last-minute convenience at competitive prices, you’re probably better off shopping somewhere else.
Michaels might make sense for your budget if:
- You’re planning 4+ weeks in advance
- You’re able to time purchases around sales and coupons
- You need specialty items like faux florals, vases, or seasonal decor
- You value the in-store browsing and inspiration experience
You might want to look elsewhere if:
- You’re planning a last-minute event on a tight budget
- You’re looking for bulk pricing
- You prefer one-stop shopping over multiple trips
- You’re looking for common consumables (paper plates, disposable cutlery, etc.)
Recommended Michaels Products for Event Planning
If you’ve already hopped aboard the Michaels train and are wondering what to grab, here are my top recommendations:
- [Faux floral stems & bunches] – Great for centerpieces and arrangements
- [Clear & coloured glass vases] – Also great for centerpieces; watch for sales
- [Ribbons & tulle] – Perfect for adding texture without breaking the bank
- [Seasonal decor bundles] – Often discounted closer to (or just after) the holiday
- [Craft supply basics] – Paint, markers, and adhesives
- [STEM & activity kits] – Excellent options for party favours or activity stations at kids’ events
Final Recommendation
In my opinion, Michaels is worth the investment. The range of products, their quality, and a strategic approach to sales and coupons make it a valuable resource for anyone planning a party on a budget. It won’t be your cheapest option and requires some planning, but if you treat it as part of your broader shopping strategy (not as your only source for supplies), it is definitely worthwhile.