Birthday party favors for children can break your birthday budget. Most children's birthday parties that we have attended were celebrated with a goodie bag being sent home with the attendees. These little trinkets and candy can add up to a high dollar amounts if you don't watch your budget. Here are a few examples of creative ideas that might just work for your celebration.
Plan a pitch in. We have attended many family style celebrations that were extended to friends as well. Gifts were not suggested but rather a dish to share. A fun picnic theme with cake and ice cream and some games for the kids rounded out the celebrations. Presents were not missed and everyone had a great time because young and old alike were included in the celebration.
Worried about reciprocating gift giving? Here is an idea that included everyone in the gift giving and receiving. Each child was asked to bring a dollar store item of their choosing. The game and gift portion of the party was centered on these items. They played a variation of the white elephant game. One child chooses and unwraps a present which becomes their party favor. The next child can either choose that gift or another wrapped gift and so it goes until each child has given and received a present.
Including a craft in the party theme can be enjoyable and can be used as the party favor. I have made beads out of pasta for stringing. You can color it with food coloring and rubbing alcohol in a plastic bag, give it a good shake and pour contents onto a well covered paper towel surface to dry. They will dry quickly given the use of the alcohol. These tube shaped colored pasta can be strung on cording to make great necklaces or bracelets. Extras can be sent home in small snack bags as a craft to be made at a later date.
Another craft themed party we attended used cookie decorating as the craft as well as the party favor that was taken home. The most recent party my daughter attended, was a princess tea party. The girls arrived in costume and had tea served out of china purchased at the local thrift stores. The favors were jewelry pieces they could use for dress up during the party. Each child had her picture taken with the birthday girl, and a photo was sent home with each princess as a party favor. Although the tea cups weren't given as gifts, they could have been for an inexpensive party favor.
Finally, if you do want to spend money on a party favor this idea might just be for you. Instead of purchasing a variety of plastic party trinkets and candy, put your money into one item that will be cherished longer and be more memorable. We attended a party that gave small beanie baby stuffed animals as the party favor. They were presented in a large basket, the mom had purchased two different styles of dogs and each attendee was able to pick their liking.
