You’ve already done everyone a favour by throwing a party.  Warm goodbyes are a fine way to see guests off after a party.

Stuff …

Why distribute stuff that simply contributes to the expectation that people are supposed to get stuff at a birthday party?  Anyway, balloons are bad for wildlife, noisemakers make, well, noise, and plastic boxes and trinkets clutter the house and ruin the environment.  All just more stuff – as in the Story of Stuff.

What should I do for party favours? 

So what do we do for party favors?  A parent who has attended a kiddie birthday party featuring wrapped presents given to every guest may worry about how to measure up.  In fact, I have found that if you do something simple, others genuinely appreciate it, because it is different, creative and also because it de-escalates the pressure and brings back the fun.

Here are some of the favours my daughter has given and received over the years:

1.  Baby Pictures – On our baby’s first birthday we gave wallet size photos to close friends and family.  To this day when we visit them, we see these pictures on their fridges.

2.  Fruits – Traditional gift for guests.  Good for kids 3 and below, since you will really be giving it to their parents.

Starting around age 4 or 5, kids can make the party favour – it’s part of the party!

3. Sock Puppets – One year, I asked everyone to bring lonely socks from home.  I supplied glue, felt and cloth scraps, yarn and buttons.  We made the puppets, and did a puppet show.  Afterwards, each kid took his or her puppet home.

Painted Jars

4.  Paintings.  At one party I attended the hostess handed out pieces of paper to each child and also a set of water colors with a brush.  All the kids painted and got to take home their painting, colors and brush.

Kids at Birthday Party plant flowers.

8.  Seeds:  A neighbor gave out seeds at her daughter’s party, with instructions for planting.  Sweet, simple and long lasting!