July Month of Party Favors

Decorated paper roll containers with wire handles and wrapped candies.

After a month of creating embellished paper clips as my project of the month, I now have a large selection of clips to use. I'm happy to send one to anyone who asks.

This month the planned topic is Party Favor Ideas.

Now this topic was originally set for earlier in the year. I pushed it forward when the coronavirus made parties seem unlikely. Evidently I was being too optimistic even then. However, in the spirit of looking forward to a time when gathering will not be a life threatening proposition, I have decided to collect, collate, and possibly construct some party favor ideas and place them on a Pinterest board made for the purpose.

Here's the truth. There are a LOT of very creative party favor ideas out there already. They kinda fall into categories:

1. Edible favors: Re-packaged candy or snacks in soft bags of some kind, often with a themed tag, or in a decorated tin, box or jar. For adults the consumables are sometimes mini-alcohol bottles, with custom labels or tags, or decoratively packaged tea bags, often with accessories. Fancy baked goods or chocolate-dipped items.

Gift tags on candy bags

2. Hair or fashion accessories - hair ties and scrunchies are very popular for bachelorette parties. Gorgeous unicorn head bands and flower crowns fall into this section. Friendship bracelets. Pendants on cords.

Pony beads on crocheted leather cord Friendship bracelets

3. Grab-one-and-go toys, especially small stuffed toys and dinosaurs.

4. Activity sets - like lego mini-sets or art kits - usually in a decorated bag or container, that is part of the favor. For adults, small notebooks and a coordinating pen.

5. Plants - either tiny potted succulents or seed packages and small pots.

6. Personal care items like soaps and lotions. Custom decorated lip balms.

7. Certificates or coupons in fancy envelopes.

8. Bubbles. Tiny bottles for weddings, bigger bottles for kids' parties. Bubble bottles and wee wands. Just going to give bubbles their own category.

Handmade tags upgrade a purchased item.

9. As a catch all category, things that are often part of the table decor at the event. Small silver picture frames that are place card holders, or decorated rocks at each place. Tea lights in holders - including fancy holders like vintage tea cups. Custom decorated mugs, printed cloth napkins.

Clearly when price is a factor, then creative presentation becomes important. Crafty ideas elevate a simple item along a theme. I have made or received items in almost all of these categories. Stay tuned. I'll see what I can come up with, and will post things to the Pinterest board I mentioned and/or my FB group.

This is a Wish Doll with a scented pillow.