How to Create Fun Favors and Gift Bags for a Birthday Party

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There are many reasons why kids love to attend birthday parties. For one thing
there’s always good food, such as pizza, burgers, chips, and soda. And of course
there’s the spectacle that goes along with a frosting-covered cake dotted with birthday
candles. Most parties also have games and entertainment that are 100% geared
towards ensuring that every child has fun. But the best part by far, especially for the
birthday kid, is the gifts. However, it is at this point during the party that other children
may become a little restless. Depending on their age, they might not completely
understand why they aren’t getting presents, and even if they are aware of the social
conventions surrounding such gifting they could get jealous. For this reason, many
parents choose to create gift bags with party favors for all the kids to take home so that
everyone is happy. And here are just a few fun ideas to help you out.

1. Favors for girls. For most girls you can’t go wrong including totally feminine
   items like nail polish, lips gloss, and twinkling tiaras. The age of your daughter and her
   friends will help you to determine what is appropriate. But you may want to go that extra
   step by skipping the traditional paper bags and tissue paper and opting instead to store
   party favors in cute little handbags that all the girls will love.
2. Favors for boys. Little boys love to play, so you can’t go wrong with items that
   will occupy their hands and minds. Erector sets are always fun (although there are
   plenty of pieces to get lost), or you could include the usual items like parachuting army
   men or Hot Wheels cars. But the best thing you can do is play off your son’s interests to
   come up with the perfect party favors for his friends.

3. Favors for tweens and teens. Older kids will likely scoff at the items you put into
   gift bags when they were younger. So think about how you can make the favors hip for
   the tween and teen set. Girls might like spa items like mani-pedi sets, loofahs, and mud
   masks while boys will almost certainly get behind video games or sporting goods.
4. Using a theme. If you opt to throw a theme birthday party you should definitely
   incorporate elements into the gift bags. For example, a Disney princess party could lead
   to favors like branded stickers and makeup sets. Or if you’re going for a pirate theme
   you might include an eye patch and a bandana. The theme will make it that much easier
   for you to fill the gift bags with appropriate goodies.
5. Crafty gift bags. Not all gift bags have to cost you an arm and a leg, especially
   if they’re for younger kids. And whether you fill them with crafty items you make
   yourself or you have the kids make their own party favors, you can save a little money
   and still make the party fun. For example, you could get craft glue, glitter, and other
   supplies (ribbons, buttons, beads, feathers, etc.) to help a group of girls make their own
   headbands or jewelry. Boys could create superhero masks. Or you could get all the
   kids busy in the kitchen decorating cookies with frosting and candy to make them look
   like monsters. This will provide for not only the contents of the gift bags, but also plenty
   of entertainment.