Party favors are the sweet gesture of sending your guests home after your celebration with something small to say thank you. Favors can be something as simple as a few homemade cookies or as elaborate as a gift bag for the presenters of the Academy Awards. They are seen in all kinds of celebrations, from weddings to children’s birthday parties, and there is no shortage of great ideas. But how do you decide what to give as a party favor?

It would be nice if there was an easy answer to that question, but unfortunately there isn’t. You need to consider many factors, such as the importance of the event (whether it’s a major milestone or just a seasonal gathering), your budget, the ages and interests of the recipients, and often most importantly, the “norm” within your social circle.

How much is too much?

The last thing you want to do is make your guests uncomfortable and favors, especially party favors for kids, can be messy. My daughter has come home with party favors so elaborate that they surely cost more than the birthday present we had given her. She wants to appear generous but she wants the guest to feel that he has been generous too. If there isn’t enough difference between the values ​​of the gift and the favor, guests may feel uncomfortable.

custom items

Typically reserved for major life events, such as weddings or christenings, you can also see custom favors for major corporate events, such as a company-wide or team milestone. There are many personalized options to choose from, such as useful items like a corkscrew engraved with a wedding date for a vineyard wedding, or a photo frame with a photo of the baby and the date and/or name of the baby. for a baptism One of the best gifts I have ever received was a beautiful tiny silver cup containing a small organza bag full of rice. The wedding date was engraved on the glass and made a perfect toothpick and keepsake.

Quantity vs. Quality

Do you prefer something small, well thought out and of good quality, or something big and visibly abundant? It’s all about perception and this comes down to knowing your audience. If I’m making party favors for kids ages 5 to 10, I’m much more likely to include a bag of chips than a couple of gourmet truffles, and I’d choose a large coloring pad or activity book with markers over one larger. small. but better quality notepad and pen set. Alternatively if it was for a group of ladies something this big would be off putting where truffles and notepad might be perfect.

High expectations

As a kid, we looked for party favors for kids’ birthdays as a bonus and we certainly didn’t see them at every party. These days I have noticed that they are, at least among the children I know, very expectant. And it can be a real challenge to find something that is both attractive and appropriate.

One thing I like to do is choose items that do double duty as party props or take-home activities. For example, a science-themed party might start by providing lab coats and safety glasses for all the kids to wear while making slime or putty. The slime can then be put into custom containers and then placed in a pre-made gift bag with some candy or a baked treat.

The options are endless, and sources like Pinterest offer a treasure trove of great ideas.