Party favors are a nice way to thank your guests for attending, reciprocate for their thoughtful presents, and send them on their way with their own "present" from your party. Celebrate Express sells dozens of cute party favor boxes that are an excellent value.

It's a good idea to have a couple extra favor bags for unexpected guests and siblings of guests who stay for the party. Be sure to make a favor bag for your child and any of his/her siblings who will want one.

Provide medium-to-large size, colorful paper bags (approx. $1.25 each) and have guests write their names on their bags and decorate them with stickers related to the party them when the first arrive. Guests can then put any favors, prizes, and completed art projects in their bags throughout the party.

Use small or medium-sized cellophane bags (approx. $2 per 8 pack) tied with ribbon to "wrap" collections of smaller items, such as a plastic toy animal, stickers, and loose candy as favors that become the goal of "hunt". Award individual favors, such as a pinwheel, a toy animal, or a "medal", to each guest when they complete a game or activity. Visit our Games page for ideas.

Arts & Crafts projects can also serve as favors. Visit our Arts & Crafts page for ideas.

A word of caution... party favors can become expensive. Decide how much you want to spend and then keep track of the cost of items you purchase. I usually budget $5-7 per child for favors and prizes, which includes one or two higher cost items ($1-2 each) and several low cost items (candy, stickers, pencils, etc.) per child.

Birthday In a Box sells hundreds of favor items, including buttons, magnets, and stickers that can be personalized with a message or each guest's name.

Around 8-10 years of age your children and their friends may outgrow the traditional trinket-filled party favor bags. At this point one large favor tied to the party theme, such as a children's mystery novel for a Mystery Party, may be a bigger hit.