PartyLite, World Leader in Direct Sales of Candles, Candle Accessories and Home Fragrance Products, Celebrates 40th Anniversary in April

GREENWICH, Conn., April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Blyth, Inc. (NYSE: BTH) -- For the world's largest direct-seller of candles, candle holders and accessories, scent warmers and premium home fragrances, April 2013 marks a delightful milestone.  

It's the 40^th anniversary worldwide of PartyLite!

PartyLite officially entered the American scene in 1973, introducing its top quality candles and candle holders to delighted candle lovers from coast to coast.  The PartyLite name quickly became synonymous with high-quality products and a contagious sense of celebration.   PartyLite was personal and fun!   After all, who doesn't love a party?  

Best of all, at a time when women, in particular, were struggling to find the best balance between work and family, PartyLite began lighting the way to an amazing opportunity to be your own boss; manage your own time; be part of a terrific, supportive team; and reach exciting new financial goals for you and your family, succeeding -- often beyond your wildest dreams -- by helping others succeed, too.

It didn't take long for PartyLite to become one of the world's most successful direct-selling companies.  In 1990, PartyLite became a subsidiary of Blyth, Inc. (NYSE:BTH), a direct-to-consumer company and leading designer and marketer of candles, accessories for the home, and health and wellness products. A well-established part of North American culture by then, PartyLite had also crossed the seas to other countries around the globe. 

Producing nearly 200 million candles a year and offering more than 600 different types of candles, home decor and home fragrance options each season, PartyLite today records sales of more than $400 million around the world.  It currently ranks 31st in the Direct Selling News Global 100 top revenue-generating direct selling companies.  Nearly 55,000 people sell PartyLite products today in 18 different countries.  In fact, a PartyLite party is happening somewhere in the world every 18 seconds!

So how will the world's largest direct-seller of candles, candle accessories and home fragrances celebrate its 40^th anniversary?  

"Traditionally, you throw a party.  But we throw thousands of parties every day," said Rob Goergen, President of PartyLite Worldwide.  "So we decided to celebrate our 40^th anniversary in a different way -- by celebrating our customers with our PartyLite 40 Years, 40 Days of Winning Sweepstakes. We're giving away prizes every day for 40 days in a North American sweepstakes.  It's a great way to share our excitement with the customers we serve. "  

Starting April 1 and continuing through May 10, people can enter the PartyLite sweepstakes in one of three ways: (1) Our independent PartyLite Consultants -- those who sell PartyLite -- will feature banners on their business websites.  Click through one of them and you can enter for that day.  Or, (2) go to PartyLite Facebook and "like" PartyLite to be eligible to enter. Or, (3) in the United States, go to www.partylite.com. You must be at least 18 when you enter. PartyLite Consultants, employees and members of their immediate families are not eligible.

There will be one winner each day in the United States and one in Canada.  Each day features a different prize, including many of this season's most sought-after PartyLite products. There are dozens of hurricanes, lanterns, floor stands, hanging votive holders, color changing outdoor LED pillars with remote control, framed chandeliers, pillar garden sets, ScentGlow® flameless warmers and fragrances, as well as dozens of candles in a wide variety of shapes, scents and sizes. 

The prizes include many of PartyLite's most valued products, ranging in retail value from $50 for the ceramic Gazebo ScentGlow Warmer and three Scent Plus® Melts, to $175 for the stunning Large Weathered Zinc Lantern and Large Color Changing Outdoor LED Pillar. 

There will also be two Grand Prizes awarded -- one to a winner in the United States and one to a winner in Canada. Each Grand Prize will be:

• $5,000 (US) in cash, plus
• One year's worth of PartyLite home decor and home fragrance – one package per month

"We're celebrating 40 years as one of the great winners among direct-selling companies," said Goergen.  "So we're giving ourselves a wonderful gift.  It's the pleasure, every day for 40 days, of calling our customers with a great surprise message:  'Guess what?  You're a winner, too!'"

PartyLite is the world's #1 party plan company selling candles, candle holders, flameless fragrance and wax warmers, as well as holiday and home decor, with nearly 55,000 independent PartyLite business owners in 18 different countries. PartyLite ranks 31^st in the Direct Selling News "Global 100 top revenue-generating direct selling companies."  Based in Plymouth, Mass., PartyLite is a member of the Direct Selling Association. This year, PartyLite celebrates 40 years as the global leader in its category and 23 years as a member of the Blyth family of companies (NYSE:BTH). For more information, please visit www.PartyLite.com

SOURCE Blyth, Inc.