I’ve decided to have a party for both my kids together. My baby turned 1 in Dec and my oldest turned 4 a week or so ago. I want to do a party favor but not the usual goodie bag filled with crappy junk that will be broken or lost before they get home. I’m also concerned about smaller toys or trinkets that are unsafe for the younger kids. Any suggestions? Lat year I had made the goodie bags based on age and gender and that was just too much.
I have a hard time with the idea that I have to give out party favors. That said, I did but I didn't want to spend a lot. I got a big box of crayola sidewalk chalk (don't know if it will be "in season") and put 3-4 in each child's bag. We also got stickers and my sons was able to then decorate the bags. All told it was less than $10 for 10 kids.
2 great things my kids took home from parties...
a foam door hanger in a little bag with stickers and a glitter pen
a small terra cotta pot and a packet of seeds
We just had a B-day party for our girls and I too was not interested in spending $$ on a bunch of junk that would be thrown out 2 days later. We bought a bunch of $5 gift cards from various stores and at the end of the party each child got to pick one out of the bag... there were several (Target, Khols, Toys R US, AMC movie) so it was exciting re: "which one did you get?" . The ages at the party were 2-8... I loved it b/c it wasn't a waste of $$ and a bag of junk and the other mothers at the party really loved it too. Based upon how many children you have there you could even up the $$ amount. Good luck!
my sister gave out jungle-themed stuff for her 5-year old, including jungle animal masks, those were fun (till they cracked apart fro use). but that makes me thing anything dress-up would be fun: masks, capes, costume mittens/spats, tails etc. A while back, IKEA had some fuzzy animal hats/masks. dress-up items seem to capture a kid's interest for years.
Look at a craft store for a little craft project that the kids can do at the party or at home. For our daughter's 2nd b-day I found foam frames and foam stickers. The girls decorated the frames and then took them home. In the thank you card I sent a picture from the party that would fit into the frame.
Years ago I made cotton bags with draw strings in bold colors for each child at my son's party. He kept stuff in his for years. I love the seed/pot idea mentioned by Tammi. Stickers are always fun. We really enjoyed the little bottles of blow bubbles which can be bought at the dollar stores.
www.birthdayinabox.com has some real cute things. Me and friends have ordered from here before... and its real nice.
Try clicking on the "personalized" tab... and those name tags make great "gift" or goody-bag items. AND its useful. Not junk junk. I LOVE their personalized Name tags... my kids, have had there since they were born... and it really holds up well. I am going to get more soon.
Or, try www.vistaprint.com they have great ideas too, and personalized stuff, and often have good sales.
There is also www.orientaltrading.com but you might not find it to your liking... since this is "stuff" in bulk, for parties... that you may find just "junk." But i know LOTS of Moms (me included) and Teachers who order from here, for their kids or classrooms.
Good luck,
Susan
I have used www.orientaltrading.com to buy party decorations and gifts. They are not "super" high quality, but the prices are reasonable and kids at that age tend to not keep toys long anyways.
Are they girls or boys? At craft section on stores (I found at walmart) they have plain tote bags that you can decorate up. It might be a fun - make and take project.
Best of luck with your party.
C.
www.snowflakegems.com
What about art supplies? Maybe crayons and a tablet of paper? Another thing I've done is gift cards for McDonalds or a local ice cream shop.
Have fun!
J.
