Birthday Party Favor Ideas

Sure, people like to celebrate birthdays and go to parties. But it's also nice to walk away with a little trinket or favor, particularly if you brought someone a nice birthday present. Here are a few thoughts about birthday party favors.

Take a look at your guest list. Is your party for children? For women? Men? Mixed company? Think seriously about what types of things your guests would like. Obviously, a party of children should not be given votive candles for favors.

For children, good ideas are candies (be sure they aren't too small that very young children can choke on them!) or small toys. Sets of jacks, a yo-yo or other nostalgic toy items will work. If you're doing a party at a restaurant like Chuck E. Cheese or Dave & Busters that have lots of games, give each kid a game token.

For women, candles are often a good idea. A small votive or tealight in a light color or fragrance works. As a female, I know I always like cute, reusable containers, too. Buy a small tin and fill it with mints or candies. Tiny picture frames or picture clips are nice, as well. Stores like Michael's offer a great selection.

For men, think of little tools or gadgets. Think key rings with some kind of mini-flashlight or other tool, a golf ball and/or set of tees, or a bottle opener. Can coolers work well, as do shot glasses.

If you're having a themed-party, it can be easier to think of items to give based on that theme.

Beach theme -- give tiny sample size bottles of sun block or after-sun lotion, or a sample size lip balm with SPF protection.

Tea party -- give tiny packets of hot tea or a little tin filled with a couple cookies.

Garden party -- give a packet of seeds and a tiny garden tool.

Casino night theme -- give everyone a scratch-off lottery ticket, or a pair of dice and pack of playing cards.

The key is to think of what you would like to receive. If you say "Gee, thanks" when thinking of receiving your own gift, you should probably move on to your next idea!