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Two words for you: Dollar Tree. Or Dollar Store. Or whatever you have in your region where everything in the store costs a dollar or less. I found little Elmo washcloths, colorful take-out container boxes, bouncy balls that light up, and Sesame Street stickers for each child.

I bought a large jar of Jelly Bellies at Costco (like Sam’s Club) and split them into smaller bags to include in favor boxes. This was a little more cost-effective than buying individual packages; plus, I was able to include a big bowl of them on the buffet table. The kids loved it.

Licensed character cookies. You’d need to custom-order these from a bakery (or make them yourself – if you’re that gifted). These can get expensive but would be a fun take-home favor. (If I were my party – this would be the only favor.

Cupcakes – these would make fun favors. You can find clear plastic boxes for them online, or put them in cute take-out container boxes.

My favorite resources:

www.michaels.com papers, containers, gift wrap, decor

www.joann.com papers, fabrics, containers, gift wrap

www.dollartree.com favors, gift wrap, containers

www.thecontainerstore.com favor containers, gift wrap, kids chairs

www.partycity.com favors and paper goods

www.orientaltrading.com super cheap favors and party supplies

www.ediblegiftsplus.com photo & personalized cookies

www.alissweettrreats.com Elmo cookies, custom cookies

www.papermart.com clear plastic boxes for cupcakes or other favors (have to buy a minimum of 50, though…so either have a really big party or save them for other occasions)

• Guest Party Blogger: Courtney Goodwin’s Invitation Ideas
• Guest Party Blogger: Courtney Goodwin
• Guest Party Blogger: Courtney Goodwin’s Entertainment Suggestions
• Forums -Managing a BIG one year old party

With graduation parties almost upon us and with birthday parties in style no matter the season, a cool favor for your guests are personalized Jones Soda Bottles! So cute and nifty…simply upload your photo, customize your label, choose your soda (or ask your kid what his favorite flavor is), and off you go!

Jones Soda offers really cool flavors that all kids will love, including: grape, green apple, classic cream soda, beyond, and way beyond.

Check it out for your next party favor.

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Give a read to The Plain Dealer’s Article Goody Bags Gone Bad.  It chronicles kids demanding good goodies or else!  The stories recounted are not urban legends, but true!  I have plugged Birthdays Without Pressure before and Bill Doherty is found here discussing how goody bags have become their own arms race! 

Alternatively, Response Source out of the UK, discusses setting a trend for Ethical Party Bags.  Ideas include using cotton bags rather than plastic to hand out the goodies, choosing little wooden toys as goodies made from sustainable wood, and recycled notebooks.  It’s all about quality and sustainability.

Looking to get off the goody arms race altogether?  Why not hand out prizes for games or do a craft together and let those serve as the goodies?  If kids demand the goodies and decide not to show because there aren’t any goody bags being handed out, allow them to not attend.  Sooner or later kids will come around and want to be a part of the party fun for the sake of the party and friends…not for the goodies!

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I am hosting a party for my 5-year-old and we have invited 15 kids.  Costs quickly add up with this number of guests.  What should I spend on the party favors per child?

Costs can quickly escalate when planning a kids’ party with 15 guests.  Most important is to determine your party budget first and then allocate a set amount for the party favors and stick to your budget.  The Dollar Store and other discount stores can help you find wonderful party goodies for a small amount of money.  Alternatively, have the kids do a wonderful party craft and have them take these home as a party favor. 

Generally speaking, people spend anywhere from $1 to $5 on favors per guest.

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Time to fill those goody bags with holiday treats this season, check out this list of ideas:

• Candy Canes
• Flavored Popcorn Balls
• Cookies in bright cellophane wrap
• Santa and Snowmen Chocolates
• Reindeer Antlers
• Santa Hat
• Stocking
• Holiday mini-puzzles
• Reindeer Blinking Nose
• Holiday notebook with red/green gel pen
• Holiday stickers
• Holiday coloring/activity book with crayons
• Ornament
• Holiday books
• Holiday bookmarks
• Holiday flavored lip gloss, i.e. candy cane, gingerbread man, etc.
• Holiday cocoa, fill a cellophane bag with cocoa mix, topped with marshmallows and sprinkles and tie off with a satin ribbon.
• CD filled with your favorite holiday music
• Certificate for an ice cream cone or fancy donut at a local shop.
• Holiday mini photo album

Whether its Santa’s stockings or goodies to go at your holiday party, these ideas are sure to help you fill them with ease! Check out more holiday party ideas.

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