Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 176,796		$ 90,752		$ 104,233	[1]	$ 118,239	[1]	$ 198,238	[1]	$ 97,029	[1]	$ 110,209	[1]	$ 128,786	[1]	$ 490,020		$ 534,262	$ 555,980	[2]
Gross profit	115,437		53,495		63,926	[1]	74,382	[1]	132,040	[1]	56,281	[1]	67,167	[1]	79,188	[1]	307,240		334,676	343,303
Operating profit (loss)	20,787		(11,422)		(2,136)	[1]	(132)	[1]	27,913	[1]	(11,548)	[1]	(4,054)	[1]	(421)	[1]	7,097	[3]	11,890	4,015	[2],[3]
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(11,951)		(9,571)		(2,680)		(724)		13,310	[1]	(9,106)	[1]	(4,000)	[1]	(717)	[1]	87,104		2,746	44,283
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Blyth, Inc.	(12,210)		106,173		(4,440)		(2,762)		9,665		(8,470)		(1,358)		2,596		86,761		2,433	44,002
Net earnings from discontinued operations
Net earnings attributable per share of Blyth, Inc.	$ (0.74)		$ (0.59)		$ (0.17)		$ (0.05)		$ 0.83	[1]	$ (0.57)	[1]	$ (0.25)	[1]	$ (0.04)	[1]	$ (1.55)	[4]	$ (0.03)	$ 0.16
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	$ (0.01)		$ 7.17		$ (0.11)		$ (0.12)		$ (0.23)	[1]	$ 0.04	[1]	$ 0.17	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 6.93	[4]	$ 0.18	$ 2.40
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ (259)		$ 115,744		$ (1,760)		$ (2,038)		$ (3,645)	[1]	$ 636	[1]	$ 2,642	[1]	$ 3,313	[1]	$ 111,687		$ 2,946	$ 41,282
Diluted earnings per share:	$ (0.75)	[1],[5]	$ 6.58	[1],[5]	$ (0.28)	[1],[5]	$ (0.17)	[1],[5]	$ 0.60	[1],[5]	$ (0.53)	[1],[5]	$ (0.08)	[1],[5]	$ 0.16	[1],[5]	$ 5.38	[4]	$ 0.15	$ 2.56
Net earnings from discontinued operations
Net earnings attributable per share of Blyth, Inc.	$ (0.73)		$ (0.59)		$ (0.17)		$ (0.05)		$ 0.83	[1]	$ (0.57)	[1]	$ (0.25)	[1]	$ (0.04)	[1]	$ (1.54)	[4]	$ (0.03)	$ 0.16
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	$ (0.02)		$ 7.16		$ (0.11)		$ (0.12)		$ (0.23)	[1]	$ 0.04	[1]	$ 0.17	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 6.91	[4]	$ 0.18	$ 2.39
Cash dividend declared per share	$ (0.75)	[1],[5]	$ 6.57	[1],[5]	$ (0.28)	[1],[5]	$ (0.17)	[1],[5]	$ 0.60	[1],[5]	$ (0.53)	[1],[5]	$ (0.08)	[1],[5]	$ 0.16	[1],[5]	$ 5.37	[4]	$ 0.15	$ 2.55

[1] (2) As adjusted for change in discontinued operations (See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

[2] As adjusted for discontinued operations (See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

[3] For the year ended December 31, 2012, earnings within the Catalog & Internet segment include non-cash pre-tax intangibles impairment charges of $0.8 million (See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

[4] BLYTH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESConsolidated Statements of Earnings For the year ended(In thousands, except per share data)December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 December 31, 2012 Net sales$490,020 $534,262 $555,980Cost of goods sold182,780 199,586 212,677Gross profit307,240 334,676 343,303Selling223,742 240,943 249,231Administrative and other expense76,401 81,843 90,057Total operating expense300,143 322,786 339,288Operating profit7,097 11,890 4,015Other expense (income): Interest expense7,042 6,042 6,062Interest income(453) (616) (1,707)Foreign exchange and other, net4,020 (72) (691)Total other expense10,609 5,354 3,664Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest(3,512) 6,536 351Income tax expense (benefit)21,071 6,736 (2,650)Earnings (loss) from continuing operations(24,583) (200) 3,001Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense(7,231) 2,946 35,742Gain on sale of discontinued operations118,918 — 5,540Net earnings from discontinued operations111,687 2,946 41,282Net earnings87,104 2,746 44,283Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests343 313 281Net earnings attributable to Blyth, Inc.$86,761 $2,433 $44,002Basic earnings per share: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations$(1.55) $(0.03) $0.16Net earnings from discontinued operations6.93 0.18 2.40Net earnings attributable per share of Blyth, Inc.$5.38 $0.15 $2.56Weighted average number of shares outstanding16,112 16,196 17,180Diluted earnings per share: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations$(1.54) $(0.03) $0.16Net earnings from discontinued operations6.91 0.18 2.39Net earnings attributable per share of Blyth, Inc.$5.37 $0.15 $2.55Weighted average number of shares outstanding16,165 16,228 17,247Cash dividend declared per share$0.05 $0.20 $0.18

[5] (1) The sum of per share amounts for the quarters does not necessarily equal that reported for the year because the computations are made independently.