Low Cost Birthday Party Favors

I know that for my children, the most popular birthday party favors were the homemade ones. I have some ideas to share some that won't break the bank, and won't take up all of your time. It is possible to create a little something special that will allow your child to take away a fond memory as well as some fun with their birthday party favors.

These days, of course, one has to decide about candy or no candy - how much, with sugar or without, do any of the children have allergies to nuts, additives, etc. So just bypass that problem all together and do not use candy in your birthday party favors.

The simplest thing is take different colored pieces of tissue paper and different colors of curling ribbon and twist a "surprise" up in the tissue paper and tie it off with a generous topple of curling ribbon. For an extra touch, slip a little toy ring onto the curling ribbon as you tie it up. This can work for boys or girls, simply choose superheros, sports figures, insects or anything else that might appeal to your boys on their rings. The rings can be purchased in bulk for a very small amount of money.

What do you use for the surprise inside of your birthday party favors? Stop in a cake decorating store for ideas. If you've never been to one, you'll be surprised at the variety of small, inexpensive items available that you can include inside the birthday party favors. I believe that variety keeps the excitement level high for the children. Of course, your local party store may also have a bagful of items that would be appropriate too.

Remember how the best part of the Cracker Jack Box was the surprise inside? You never knew what you would get, and that was the best part. Choose the tiniest little "toys" you can find: cameras, cars or trucks, golf tees, beach items, hats, animals, animated characters, insects, birds, trees, trains, furniture, plastic food items. If they are small enough, you can include several items in each party favor sack. I also like to include at least two or three quarters in each little sack. Most young children enjoy coins better than folding money anyway.

To make it more interesting, do not put the birthday party favors out on the table. Put all of the favors in a non-see-through bag or pillow case or large upside down umbrella. Allow the birthday boy or girl to have first pick and have each child reach in and pick out their own favor. Allow time for the children to open and enjoy their surprises and even allow a swap around if they are up for that.

Most parents own digital cameras now. Take a picture of each child with the Birthday boy or girl, holding their surprises. Upload the photos to your computer and print out the pictures on plain, white copy paper. Cut out each child's photo and roll up with a curl of ribbon for them to take home. Now they have a keepsake with their special friend they can put in a frame or scrapbook at a very low cost.