LilSugar

Are Party Favors Necessary?

babysugar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:15:44 -0800

At the end of every birthday party, there comes that moment where the invited guests start looking toward the door. Before saying thank-you and filing out, they pause, knowing that there is one last party ritual to go through before heading home – the goody bag.

Party favors are supposed to serve as a token of thanks for attending a tot's celebration. While some families opt for bags prefilled with candy and dollar store items others go more elaborate, giving children personalized gifts that tie in with the overall party theme on their way out the door. Even the best-behaved child can turn into a greedy, present-starved monster when the favors come out.

Tired of finding little plastic trinkets scattered about their cars and playrooms, some parents simply toss the bags in the nearest receptacle, while others have chosen to forgo the practice of handing the goody bags out altogether.

What's your opinion on loot bags?

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Heirloom Baby Shower: Favors

LilSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0700

lilsugar is celebrating mamas-to-be all month with extensive baby shower coverage that will help you put on awww-inducing, unique, socially relevant, and hip fetes. This week, we are planning an heirloom-themed party that asks guests to pass on stories, advice, and heirloom gifts instead of filling a nursery with new goodies.

The aim of the shower is to keep costs down and celebrate cherished motherhood and childhood moments, so there's no need to create a fancy favor. If you opt to put Rice Krispie Treats on Popsicle sticks on the shower menu, consider making extras as favors. Because Rice Krispie Treats don't require any baking, the whole project of making the treats, cutting, and sticking in a stick should take less than 15 minutes. I wrapped mine in a clear cellophane bag (purchased at the dollar store) and topped the treat off with an old-fashioned-looking yarn tie. You might also consider making cellophane bags filled with vintage candies and a Polaroid of the mom-to-be.

Kiddie Soirée: Sweet Spring Treats

babysugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

The idea of giving every guest a goldfish or a furry lil snow bunny for a party favor sure sounds cute, but is it practical? Not so much. At your Spring chicken's next birthday party, keep with the "new life" theme with frosted cookies and cupcakes to go. Check out the slideshow of my favorite Spring sweet treats that you and your child can make together.

View Slideshow ›

Mommy Dearest: Looking For Inexpensive Party Favors?

LilSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:00:40 -0800

Mommy Dearest,

My daughter's fifth birthday is coming up and I'm throwing her the typical cake, ice cream and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey-party with ten of her classmates. It's low key and because I was recently laid off, low budget. In order to further cut costs, I'm thinking of skipping the party favors unless you have any ideas for inexpensive options?

- Birthday on a Budget

To read the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Birthday on a Budget,

Instead of fretting over loot bags, try this inventive alternative that the girls will adore. Mix up some homemade face paint - it is made of just a few pennies worth of ingredients already found in your cupboard. Fifteen minutes before the party ends, set up a throne (chair covered in pillows or a fancy blanket) near the front door and invite each guest to sit down and be transformed into a princess. Paint a ring on her finger, bracelet on her wrist or crown across her forehead. The lil darlings will delight in their artistic adornments as they exit and won't notice the absence of loot bags.

- Mommy Dearest
Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

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Off to Market Recap: Wedding Favors

partysugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:00:29 -0700

Finding the perfect wedding favor is not an easy task. A good wedding favor should spark the memory of the wedding, be representative of the couple, and be somewhat useful. To inspire our blushing brides, I asked you to help me find the internet's most fabulous favors. You bookmarked the favors in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Wedding Favors.

My favorite favor was this pear shaped kitchen timer. It's ideal for a foodie fantasy wedding because it encourages guests to get cooking! Serenityspeaks discovered this timer that's functional and fabulous. Take a look at all of the favors below and let me know which one you love!

Don't know how to use the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar? Have no fear, geeksugar has created an easy how to. More ideas for your big day can be found at IDoSugar.

Tea Party: Hostess and Party Favors

babysugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:00:58 -0700

Torn on what to give your guests at the end of your tea party baby shower? No worries, we've got you covered.

If you invested in inexpensive teacups for the shower, fill them with goodies and gift them to your party goers. Another idea is to wrap up beautifully decorated sugar cubes from Aida Opera Candies in cellophane and tie them off with a ribbon. Or, toss a few Twinings tea bags and the sugary sweets in the teacups to create an even prettier package.

To see another option, read more.

For favors that reflect the mama-to-be, gather her favorite candies – Skittles, Sprees, Tootsie Rolls, M&M's, etc - and fill big bowls with oodles of the treats in a circle on a table. In the center, fill a basket with pillow boxes from Paper Source.

When all of the petit fours have been eaten and the presents unwrapped, tell your guests to visit the candy wheel where they can stock up on sweets to go.

For the hostess with the mostest, spoil her with a tea set that she'll cherish for years to come. The Bodum Assam Tea Press is a fabulous teapot and is perfect for a single cup of tea. Add a set of tea bags and teacups to make her feel extra special.

Good Things Come in Small Packages: Favors

babysugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:00:45 -0700

One of the toughest parts of throwing a shower is picking out cute and practical party favors. I always feel guilty when I get a basket of trinkets I'll never use that cost the host a pretty penny. To see my suggestions read more.

Customize M&M's in the decor color and have them stamped with the baby–to–be's name, "It's a Boy!" or "Baby Smith." You can order them in bulk and wrap in colored tulle fabric and cute ribbon. Cut the netted material up into squares and the ribbon into five inch pieces. Place the M&M's in the middle of the tulle square and gather the fabric up top. Use a ribbon to tie a bow around the bunch sealing off the candy and perfecting the mini package.

Party guests can pucker up with personalized lip balm. Order two dozen tiny pods with a specialized label from Daisy Days for $20.

Another small but sweet party favor is a wrapped up cookie. If you enjoy baking, you're in luck. Whip up a batch of shortbread cookies in baby shapes and frost them in pastel colors. Once the frosting is set, pop them into cellophane bags and tie them off with ribbon. For a pricey short–cut, you can buy professional and tasty cookies from Eleni's in NYC.

Tell us if you have some other favor ideas!

Kiddie Soiree: Surprise Ball Party Favors

babysugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:18 -0800

Every party needs a perfect ending, but finding unique party favors for kids can be especially hard. I love these party balls ($9) by Party Partners.

The crepe-covered spheres are decorated to resemble lady bugs, princesses, frogs, and pirates. Easy on the eyes, they are also a delight to unravel. To find out what is inside, read more.

Inside each ball, babes will find an assortment of toys: watch, yo yo, tongue-twisting riddle, fake mustache, and confetti.

So forget goodie bags and all the lil filler. Just toss the wee ones a ball and let them find the prize inside!

Don't Lose Your Drink, Kiss It!

partysugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:21:31 -0700

I'm always on the lookout for fun new party goodies, so when FabSugar sent me these lip print glass stickers, I was extremely excited! They come in three different shades - baby pink, hot pink, and red - and stick to any type of glass. You can create patterns on glassware, vases, or even windows making these stickies a versatile party decoration. They would make great drink markers at a bachelorette party or work as a perfect addition to a bag full of party favors.

Lucky for us the price is right: each pack is only $5 and comes with 24 stickers! My birthday is in 2 days and if you haven't found my gift, here's a little hint...

Hello My Name Is and I Live at

YumSugar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:01:17 -0700

Have a problem breaking the ice? How about drinking so much you can't remember where you live? Either way there are now novelty napkins that can help you out. The Hello Napkins allow you to fill in your name, your star sign, phone number and more, while the Cabbie Napkins allow you to fill in your address and where to find your cash. I think they're pretty clever, the hello ones could be fun for a mixer, but the cabbie napkins sort of creep me out - do we really need to support drinking that much?

Both sets are available for $3.50 and come with a dozen 3-ply 5" square napkins each.