In Favor of Party Favors

A few weeks ago, I witnessed a full-on social media meltdown over a seemingly innocuous topic: whether or not to give out favors at a kid’s party. A quick web search shows a myriad of articles saying favors are out, save your money, and don’t send little cheap trinkets and candy home for some other parent to deal with. Who even wants a Chinese yo-yo, or a finger trap, or a maze with a silver ball? 

Kids!!!! That’s who! I remember loving getting these strange little items at parties as a kid. I remember the excitement of seeing that table of little cellophane bags and wondering what was inside. I remember getting my fingers stuck in the finger trap and my mom having to cut me out while teasing that I might lose a fingertip. So right here, right now, I am going to refute some of the arguments I saw against party favors:

Argument: They cost too much money.

Response: They don’t have to! Check out dollar stores, Amazon, Oriental Trading, etc. Buy in bulk. Choose something simple but thoughtful. Put together make-at-home craft kits using elements you already have around the house. There are lots of ways to put together a favor bag without breaking the bank.

Argument: Kids shouldn’t feel entitled to get something on a day they are celebrating someone else.

Response: I absolutely agree, they shouldn’t feel like they are owed something. And I am sure your kids will have plenty of opportunities to go to parties without favors and that is a great teaching moment. However, there are lots of things that kids shouldn’t feel entitled to – a dessert after dinner, going on vacation, new shoes for school, etc. Will we just be against anything that kids shouldn’t feel entitled to? What I am trying to get at is that this is a heart and attitude issue that actually has very little to do with the actual giving of party favors.

Argument: What about the one million food allergies and sensitivities?

Response: Avoid food, or warn the parents of your little guests ahead of time. I mean, really, did you have a party without food to begin with? You probably had to address this issue as part of the party planning to begin with.

Argument: We hate this junk coming into our house!

Response: Welcome to parenting.

Sorry, not sorry. If you come to my kid’s party, your kid will go home with something.  It might be tacky. It might be cheap. It might (heaven forbid) be sugar-laden or loud. You might hate it. You might hate me.

But I promise that whatever I hand out as a favor, it was selected with the kids in mind, it was intentional, and I truly thought they’d enjoy it. It’s my way of saying, “Thank you; we love you, we appreciate you, we hope you had fun.”  It’s my way of sharing the joy I felt as a kid.  

So, if you’ve decided that you aren’t on the anti-favor train, here are my best tips for party favors:

1. Consider your audience and select items that the majority of kids would enjoy.
2. Tie your favors to your party theme.
3. If you’re worried about environmental impacts or being judged for sending home cheap trinkets, consider something consumable, such as a decorative cookie, a small gift card, a take and make craft, a bake at home cookie recipe, etc.
4. Let your kid help pick them out. More than likely, what they like, the other guests will also like.
5. Make a few extra – just in case someone shows up with their sibling or a buddy.

My final word on the topic is:  have fun, and if you want to send a favor home, send it!  Let kids be kids and enjoy these simple, silly things in life! 

How do you feel about favors at parties, both as a party host and a party guest? Love them? Hate them? Couldn’t care less? Inquiring minds want to know!