Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Blyth, Inc.	$ (7,232)	$ 16,251
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,792)	(11,271)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(1,622)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(5,440)	25,900
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,775	7,892
Loss on sale of assets	130	438
Stock-based compensation expense of Blyth, Inc.	1,405	4,462
Deferred income taxes	(8,314)	(16,901)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,756)	(1,501)
Inventories	5,829	(31,595)
Prepaid and other	10,493	(3,284)
Other long-term assets	(999)	(1,713)
Accounts payable	(2,145)	(6,272)
Accrued expenses	(8,536)	47,017
Income taxes payable	721	372
Other liabilities and other	(3,107)	(22,059)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations	(4,944)	2,756
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	0	1,869
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(4,944)	4,625
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of disposals	(11,298)	(15,960)
Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable	10,000	0
Purchases of short-term investments	(12,793)	(58,753)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	37,756	50,256
Proceeds from sale of long-term investments	105	3,360
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	23,770	(21,097)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(9,961)	(7,306)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	50,000	0
Repayments on long-term debt	(72,240)	(7,930)
Purchases of additional ViSalus interest	(25,341)	(28,688)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(126)	(91)
Payments of Dividends	(1,617)	(1,291)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(6,236)	(135)
Net cash used in financing activities	(65,521)	(45,441)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(108)	166
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(46,803)	(61,747)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	129,056	200,571
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	82,253	138,824
Non-cash transactions:
Stock issued for ViSalus acquisition	$ 0	$ 14,628