Fantastic Party Favors That Are Sure to Please
After the candles are blown out and the presents unwrapped, it's time for my daughter's favorite part of a birthday celebration...party favors!
After the kids are buckled in and we're headed home, it's time for my least favorite part of a birthday celebration...the party favors! Many times the party favors don't even make it into our house; they break while we're still in the van! Much crying ensues.
If you're reading this article, it's safe to assume that you both live in the Kansas City area and have children in your life. You probably don't live far from a megastore and you might plan one or more children’s birthday parties a year. That means finding kid- and parent-pleasing favors can be a snap—if you avoid the party aisle. After all, post-party favor-induced tantrums most often get their fuel from this aisle.
Just ask Jennifer Cook, an Overland Park mom of two boys. She said that the only favors that don't end up in the trash are treats like bubbles and art supplies. Daneen Kelsey, an Olathe mother of two girls agrees. Her answer when asked what she does with typical party favors was, “Um, I just sneak them in the trash.”
If you want to be sure that you don't “throw away” your money, stay away from traditional party favors. Here are some ideas for great alternatives.
Search the grocery section. On a recent shopping trip, I counted no less than a dozen types of fruit snacks. Each of them sported different characters, animals or themes. Don't overlook those mini boxes of cereal either. We gave these out at my daughter's first birthday and they were such a hit that my friend also handed them out at her daughter's sixth birthday party. You could even buy the ingredients to make your birthday boy or girl's favorite treat. Then, put them in plastic bags, tie them up with a ribbon and you've got your party favor. Be sure to include the recipe.
Pick out some party favors while buying your health and beauty supplies. Most kids love band-aids adorned with their favorite characters. They come in enough varieties to please boys and girls. Girls would enjoy lip glosses and nail polishes. They are priced to match every budget. Be cautious when giving away something like this as some parents might not approve. However, they'd be perfect for a girl's makeover party! Finally, many girls love hair accessories. These are sold in multi-packs and can be easily separated.
Don't overlook the toys. Sure, the toy aisles are filled with plenty of expensive toys, but what about packages of Play-doh? Give each child just one can. Small Lego kits, card games or magic tricks would also be hits. See what you can find hidden among the toys.
Think art. The craft and office supply sections are a gold mine especially if you take advantage of back-to-school sales. You can fill pencil boxes or pouches with a crayons and colored pencils. Visit websites such as www.PlayHouseDisney.com to make homemade coloring books tailored to your party. You could also venture outside of your megastore to a nearby crafts store. If you do, be sure to stop by Wonderscope's Repurpose, iMagine, Create Store in Shawnee. You'll be amazed at the things you can find such as stickers, magnets and coloring books. Prices are generally well under a dollar.
Dig through the dollar section. Many stores now have dollar sections filled with a variety of items. It isn't unusual to find puzzles, bath toys, straws, pool toys, stickers, books and more. Again, if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you could swing by your nearest dollar store or check out the dollar bins at the Crayola Store at Crown Center.
These are just a few of the many ideas you can come up with while doing your weekly shopping. Be creative and have fun knowing that the favors you buy will put a smile on the faces of the children and the parents.
Elizabeth Welter lives in Olathe with her husband and three young children where she plans birthday parties three out of the four seasons.
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