Gobsmacked Parties Paper

Parents: No More Kiddy Litter Please
by Laurie Gattis
featured in LITTLE ONES magazine Aug-Oct 2008

I can’t personally recall when the party favor trend started for children’s birthday parties. It was definitely between my childhood, growing up in the 70’s and the new millennium, when I had my own children. My birthday went something like this: Mother spent hours creating my birthday cake, she provided blowouts, hats, and balloons; we played pin the tail on the donkey and sang Happy Birthday. The guests brought a gift, and left empty handed. That was typical in my birthday party circle in the mid-seventies anyway.

Today, however, is much different. If the cake has been cut, the fun has been had and it’s time to go home, a child can surely be spotted searching the room for their departure gift. They may even ask, to their mother’s horror, “Where is my goodie bag?” and may refuse to leave the party until they are presented with their bag of goods. Sounds a bit like Veruca Salt I know, but who can blame the child as our children have become accustomed to expect a gift in return for their party going experience.

So this is where we are, and now parents are in a quandary as to what to provide as a favor for their children’s guests. I have heard many a mother stammer that if they receive one more bag of useless plastic junk and candy they will scream. Close your ears! Some are now referring to these goodie bags as kiddy litter. “Ouch”, I thought, and then realized that I couldn’t agree more.

That being said, I absolutely adore the idea of favors at any celebration, and feel that it is an essential and thoughtful touch to let your guests know how much you appreciate their presence – (no pun intended).

Here are some important points to assist you in determining your child’s next party favors:
• THINK AHEAD - If you are budget conscious, check out clearance shelves & end of season sales months ahead.
• USEFULNESS - Keep it simple. Instead of giving kids bags filled with several useless items, consider giving a single quality gift they will use again
• THEME - Tie the favor into the party theme. Some examples: Dress Up Party - feather boa, Pool Party – Beach Bag or Flip Flops (this is a great time of year to plan ahead for next year’s pool party – Sales!)
• AGE – Ensure that the favors are age appropriate. If you have various ages attending the party, consider different gifts for a couple of age groups. Also, think of things your own children enjoy. It’s likely that your child’s buddies will like the same things.

A Few Favor Ideas:
• Give gift cards to a place your child loves to frequent: Their favorite restaurant, ice cream shop or toy store
• A “COOL” idea - An ice cream bowl & spoon set accompanied by a gift card to an ice cream shop.
• Cookies anyone? Attach a cookie cutter selected in your party’s theme to a cookie mix accompanied by a recipe. Give a whimsical themed gourmet cookie.
• Wrap a toy or stuffed animal in cellophane and tie off with colorful ribbon.
• Anything personalized: Bibs, t-shirts, totes, towels & sports bottles to name a few
• Movie tickets in a popcorn bag accompanied by microwave popcorn & candy
• Have a book exchange. Everyone brings a gift-wrapped book to exchange with the other guests. Another option is to buy books for each guest related to the theme of your party.

“Favor”-ite Décor and Activities:
1. Give guests something that will also be used as party décor
2. If your guests receive costumes or accessories as they enter the party, this could serve as their favor. With the popular fairy princess party, girls typically adorn tiaras and wands.
3. Activities: If you choose to have the children make crafts at the party, let them take whatever they create home. Your options are open: Jewelry boxes, fairy wands, pirate swords, etc.
4. Use your place setting as the guests’ favor. We recently used adorable plates for cake and then party favors.
5. Tie a balloon on each favor for an added bonus. This saves you the headache of trying to get rid of them later.
6. Give children something they can make at home. Parents will love it if their little one comes home with an activity to keep them occupied one afternoon.
7. I love the look of swirl lollipops standing in a centerpiece bowl. Send each child home with a lollipop as a party favor.

The package takes the cake! The presentation of the favor can be just as exciting as what is inside. There are so many unique options. Sometimes a trip to the craft store provides a little inspiration. Consider anything out of the ordinary to set your party apart. I frequently use designer take out boxes, colorful shopping bags, wooden boxes & totes. Mini lunchboxes are another adorable option. We used paint cans filled with all tools a young artist could need for an Art Party. A cardboard Pirate’s Chest could hold your guests’ treasures. Finish things off by nestling your gift in fabric or tissue and tie off with a personalized note.

Depending on your budget, the options are limitless for creating unique memorable gifts for the guests of your party. Your guests will be just as excited to rip into their favor bags as the guest of honor is to tear into their birthday gifts.