Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		Total	Common Stock	Additional Contributed Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Redeemable Preferred Stock
Beginning balance (as adjusted for stock split) at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 153,966	$ 514	$ 147,790	$ 420,349	$ 11,862	$ (426,717)	$ 168	$ 87,373	$ 0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Blyth, Inc.		7,479
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings		7,553			7,479			74	3,639
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		(45)						(45)
Other comprehensive income		12,855				12,855
Stock-based compensation		925		925
Other comprehensive income		14,628	14	14,614					(34,609)
Stock-based compensation		(24,009)			(24,009)				24,009
Dividends declared		(1,291)			(1,291)
Treasury stock purchases	[1]	(272)					(272)
Ending Balance (as adjusted for stock split) at Mar. 31, 2012		164,310	528	163,329	402,528	24,717	(426,989)	197	80,412	0
Beginning balance (as adjusted for stock split) at Dec. 31, 2012		58,804	530	167,080	318,299	14,401	(441,774)	268		146,547
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Blyth, Inc.		2,596
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings		2,677			2,596			81	0	776
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		(45)						(45)
Other comprehensive income		(2,324)				(2,324)
Stock-based compensation		707	1	706
Dividends declared		(1,603)			(1,603)
Treasury stock purchases	[1]	(10,025)					(10,025)
Ending Balance (as adjusted for stock split) at Mar. 31, 2013		$ 48,191	$ 531	$ 167,786	$ 319,292	$ 12,077	$ (451,799)	$ 304	$ 0	$ 147,323

[1] This includes shares withheld in order to satisfy employee withholding taxes upon the distribution of vested restricted stock units.