My gf that gives away the books, as I mentioned upthread, is a magnificent party planner. She usually has a table by the door with the books wrapped up beautifully with ribbon, some kind of personalized tin of candies or mints, a little stuffed animal thingy like you already mentioned, and then a big vase of color coordinated roses for each of the moms to take home. And of course, color coordinated bags to put it all in.
She could be a professional party planner--kids birthday parties usually give me a bad headache, but I really look forward to her daughter's birthday every year just to see what she'll do next. She made capes for her DD's last birthday (3 Musketeer's theme) and she used pinking sheers to cut them out, so they wouldn't fray, and then used fabric tape to glue on the ribbon tie at the neck. They looked great and weren't too hard to make.
I'm going to be making the capes myself along with the masks for the kids to wear at the party and to take home. I've also ordered some really cute little duckies that are dressed up as superheroes that I'll throw in to the mix as well. 
Follow Mothering