Would it be wrong not to give party favors?

[mamaley]

Ds is turning 6 and is having a bday party. We'll have a pinata, so the kids will walk away with something, but at most parties i've been to, they still do party favors on top of this. Is it necessary? I find that they add to the cost, and it's usually a bunch of candy and junk.

[boongirl]

Treats from the pinata are favors! Don't worry. Just get some little bags for their stash and they will be happy.

[Sharlla]

I never do party favors (I prefer not getting them at parties too) We just do icecream cake and let the kids play after presents.

[Lil'M]

If you are doing pinata, I don't think other favors are really necessary. If you do some kind of an art project they can take home, that can also be instead of a favor.

I don't give out candy or little plastic toy favors, but I do send kids home with something(s) from the party. For my dd1's last birthday, we did a survivor theme. I cut bandanas from tropical fabric (each team had their own color and wore it during the party) and they took those home. We also found inexpensive coconut cups that I wrote their names on and they used them at the party and then took them home. They also made their own lei necklaces and took that home. So no favor bag, but they either made everything or it was at least something that could be used again.

[Azreial]

No party favors here either.

[Houdini]

I wouldn't worry about party favors with a pinata. If you want to provide little bags for the stuff in the pinata you could, but I wouldn't worry about it.

[trini]

I never expect party favors when ds (or I) go to a party. I wouldn't worry about it.

[aisraeltax]

i wouldnt worry about it either. we also have something that is creative, like painting their own tshirts and they get to keep them.
i love the bandana idea...so cooll!

[PancakeGoddess]

I don't think I'd worry about it, although, my boys do really look forward to that when they go to parties. I usually give them, but it's never a big deal - one matchbox car, or fruit leathers, or an egg of silly putty.

[Qtopia]

Of course not!

There is NO rule of etiquette that says you have to provide favors. A lot of people have come to expect them, but that's their problem, not yours.

I, too, find that 99% of the time the favor is just crap anyway.

[Willowrose]

I really despise party favors. I don't like getting them and I don't like giving them.
I think an alternative would be a lot of fun.
Making something, planting something, etc....
They sell mini-planters and you could get some seeds and have the kids take home a flower or veggie plant.
For my sons Narnia party, I had all the guests make crowns and decorate them.
I also handmade Narnia coloring books for each of the guests.
(I printed out Narnia coloring designs onto heavy cardstock, made my own Narnia front page and laminated it, then stapled them together).

[GranoLLLy-girl]

If you are doing a pinata, the toys inside will suffice. We did a pull-string pinata (because I don't like the idea of the kids bashing stuff with a stick-- personal preference), but we did do party favors on top of that--and afterwards I thought it was too much.
Even though it's not necessary to give favors at a party, I think parties are all about the kids---and with this in mind, I always will provide them when we give a party for the kids.

[wildmonkeys]

I don't think they are expected, but I do like to give something little and useful. This year I found goggles two for $1 and I have already seen two of dss friends wear them in the pool. I have also given little sandbuckets and art supplies I have found for a bargain. I agree with other posters that nothing is better than party junk though.

BJ
Barney & Ben

[newmommy]

No, you do not have to do party favors. DS is having his Birthday Party at a Local "Indoor Theme Park".

My Birthday Package includes Rides AND Games for the kids throughout the park. The Sales Lady asked me if I wanted to add on Party Favors at $2.99 per kid.

I said "No Way! They get 5 rides of their choice PLUS they will probably win something from the Games they play and THAT will be their party favor"

She just laughed.

[OakBerry]

I agree with the poster who said favors are usually just crap anyway. I have ended up throwing the majority of them away.
Pinata candy is fine!!

[grahamsmom98]

At ds's half-birthday last Summer, we went with a pirate theme.

As each of the 5 guests arrived, they were presented a pirate hat, vest, sash, eye patch and cutlass. And, at the table, each had their own unique "grog" tankard to use and keep.

We did several games, and each child received a compass, spyglass and a spade as prizes for each game (all the kids were winners, we decided! ).

We then had a buried treasure hunt, with real buried wooden treasure chests we had stained and added patinas to look old. The kids had to use those compasses and spyglasses as part of the hunt (they each had their own map with directions to follow to their own custom-created chest) all over the 4 acre part of our property where we had mowed a maze and provided hidden clues along each route. They used those spades to dig-up their chests (buried just before the party).

Some of the things in each chest were (ALL were pirate-themed): coloring pages, tatoos, word-searches, window clings, pencils, and plastic gold coins. But, each child had completely different items from any other child's items so that it didn't look all the same. With just 5 children, this was easy!

We did a pinata, too, but only because we found the perfect one and the kids had fun trying to bash it while wearing one eye patch!

The party was an incredible success and the kids still talk about it! This year's theme will be: Medieval Knights!

So, yeah, we had party favors, but they were all directly related to the party theme (well, except for the stuff in the pinata, that was all candy).

[aprons_and_acorns]

Originally Posted by grahamsmom98

At ds's half-birthday last Summer, we went with a pirate theme.

As each of the 5 guests arrived, they were presented a pirate hat, vest, sash, eye patch and cutlass. And, at the table, each had their own unique "grog" tankard to use and keep.

We did several games, and each child received a compass, spyglass and a spade as prizes for each game (all the kids were winners, we decided! ).

We then had a buried treasure hunt, with real buried wooden treasure chests we had stained and added patinas to look old. The kids had to use those compasses and spyglasses as part of the hunt (they each had their own map with directions to follow to their own custom-created chest) all over the 4 acre part of our property where we had mowed a maze and provided hidden clues along each route. They used those spades to dig-up their chests (buried just before the party).

Some of the things in each chest were (ALL were pirate-themed): coloring pages, tatoos, word-searches, window clings, pencils, and plastic gold coins. But, each child had completely different items from any other child's items so that it didn't look all the same. With just 5 children, this was easy!

We did a pinata, too, but only because we found the perfect one and the kids had fun trying to bash it while wearing one eye patch!

The party was an incredible success and the kids still talk about it! This year's theme will be: Medieval Knights!

So, yeah, we had party favors, but they were all directly related to the party theme (well, except for the stuff in the pinata, that was all candy).

Ok, GrahamsMom, if that's your idea of a half-birthday . . . just don't let us MDC mamas see you on My Super Sweet 16 in a few more years!!

Just kidding--that pirate party sounds awesome.

And to the OP, I think pinata candy/prizes count as being a party favor

[HelloKitty]

I'm not big on party favors - I think the Pinata stuff totally counts! And I like the art project or something similar idea. I love it when the kids have something to take home - I just don't like when it's all candy or junk that gets thrown right away, such a waste.

[sunnmama]

Kids like to take something away from a party....but the pinata goodies totally suffice. Maybe have your child decorate a special bag for each guest, in which to collect their pinata booty. Make it the official "goody bag".

[grahamsmom98]

Rowdypea, it's okay!

Ds's regular "real" birthday date party is very low-key, just immediate family and three neighbors (adults) that he likes, and total of 8 people (he's the only child there)!

His favorite dinner and I make the cake of his choice. We docorate the dining room with streamers, but that is it for a party atmosphere! He gets gifts at this gathering, and we put out a no-gifts, please request at the half birthday. The parents always call and ask what they can give him and then we limit it to under $10, after begging no gifts!!

His actual birthday is in November, a crappy time of year here to plan anything outdoors!! Maybe snow, maybe not. Maybe clear, maybe not. Get the idea?! So, the half birthday in the middle of Summer works out fine for everyone!

EVERYONE had fun with the Pirate Party. Now, I just have to equal THAT, and I love a challenge! We all have fun planning and setting things up. Ds likes being part of the whole thing, too.

Hmmm, now where to find jousting lances..........................