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Pop Culture

Woman throws her own Costco-themed birthday party and it's a Costco fan's dream

"Ain't no party like a wholesale party."

costco, costco deal, costco cake
@jasminebellepak/TikTok

The hottest party trend, all at an incredible discount

Many would easily forgo a trip to Disneyland in favor of a day at the magical, budget-friendly world of Costco.

There’s a distinct type of thrill at being able to bulk buy anything the heart desires—clothing, foods both general and niche, electronics, a tub of Nutella you could literally bathe in—all while being offered delicious samples. It’s as though you’ve entered the marketplace of a foreign land, and everyone knows you’re royalty.

And considering that birthday parties are often a time for people to treat themselves like kings and queens, is it really any wonder that someone decided to create their very own Costco-themed soirée?

Maybe not, but seeing how it comes together is still pretty spectacular.


Jasmine Pak decided to merge the celebration of her 28th go around the sun with her love of the discount retailer, featuring so much more than its well-known food items—though there was a lot of that.

First up, the culinary star of the show—a birthday cake, the stuff of Costco legend (with an equally legendary ordering process). Followed by “food court icons” like pizza, cookies, hot dogs, rotisserie chicken…each labeled with their Costco price in the exact same font you’d find at the store.

Even her birthday sign donned that signature Kirkland logo font.

Over at the pool, guests could relax with hotdog and pizza-shaped pool floats. Cause why not?

@jasminebellepak Aint no party like a wholesale party 😫💦 @Costco Wholesale i love u #costcotheme #costcoparty ♬ Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift

As for outfits—Pak and her friends also stayed in theme. And gloriously so.

While Pak sported a t-shirt featuring Costco’s classic hotdog and drink combo meal, her friends each took on a familiar Costco character. You know, the red-vested regional managers, the dude in a security vest asking if you need boxes, the hot dog cook and even the Sunday Costco mom.

And yes, they did have a samples lady. Can’t have a Costco-themed party without a samples lady.

@jasminebellepak All the fits from my @Costco Wholesale themed birthday party 😂 Motion to bring the combo pizza back please 😫 #costcotheme #costcoparty ♬ original sound - Jasmine Pak

Pak captioned her epic video with “Ain’t no party like a wholesale party,” even tagging Costco’s TikTok account and writing, “I love u.”

This party wasn’t just a hit for the party-goers. The clip quickly went viral on TikTok, with people gushing over how brilliant the concept and execution was.

“This is iconic,” one person commented.

“I am SO OBSESSED with this!! I hope ya’ll had the most amazing time,” wrote another.

Honestly, to say the party brought out the most hardcore Costco fans would be an understatement.

One even commented, “I would marry Costco if I could.” Next up: Costco-themed wedding, anyone?

Others were inspired to brainstorm their own store-themed party ideas.

“I need to do this, and a Trader Joe’s party” one person commented.

Between this genius party idea and an Ikea-themed kid’s party that went viral back in June of this year, it seems that beloved grocery markets have become the hot new celebration trend.

And truthfully, what a cool concept. So much of the party planning is baked right in, from food ideas to outfits to decor. Plus, there’s something about that special kid joy found in a grocery store that perfectly encapsulates the adult experience. Even as we grow older and life becomes a little more mundane, we’re still just kids at heart.

The funny thing about love is that the person we fall in love with, more often than not, we run into by accident. Another strange twist is that the love of our life is likely to show up when we least expect it.

The following story, which feels like the promise of a hit rom-com, comes courtesy of a twist of fate created by the World Cup and an Airbnb.

In 2013, after six years of battling an illness, Ana was living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Having been financially drained by years of being sick, she invested the last of her money to buy two bunk beds and convert one of her bedrooms into an Airbnb for small groups of friends.

The Airbnb was a last-ditch effort to pay her rent and medical bills. A year later, the modest investment grew into a success, Ana’s health began to return, and the World Cup, one of the largest sporting events in the world, was coming to Rio.

To take advantage of the soccer fanatics flocking to the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City), Ana and her roommate, Fabio, turned a half room in their apartment into an Airbnb rental to give tired soccer fans a place to sleep.

“Though it was a small (pantry!) room, we added a bunk bed and listed two beds on Airbnb. One day after the listing went live, we had tons of requests for ‘Fabio’s Pantry,’” she shared. “It was fully booked for the entire World Cup period except for one week in July.”

Around this time, Ana was feeling well enough to go on her first vacation in years and took a quick trip to Uruguay. Just before she left, Ana received a reservation from a man named "Darko B." for the only unbooked days in July.

“I have always been a big fan of the movie ‘Donnie Darko’ and thought it was a strange coincidence, but didn't think anything of it,” Ana wrote. “I accepted the request, let him know I would not be there for check-in and Fabio would care for him until I was back the following week.”

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