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View Full Version : Favors for a birthday party...any ideas?



jbowman
11-15-2005, 02:36 PM
Hi everyone,

We're having a party for Ellie's second birthday and I am stumped about one very important detail...favors! What do I get (and I do want to give each of the kids a little something)? The guests range in age from about two to five/six. I'm looking for something easy and inexpensive (we did animal cracker boxes bundled up with little toys last year, as part of our circus-themed party).

We're having the party at Chuck E. Cheese. LOL, can you tell that I'm very preggo, will still be recovering from making T-giving dinner for DH's family, will have a bunch of finals to grade, and don't want to deal with the assured destruction of my home ;)?!!

I appreciate any advice/ideas.

TIA!

kensjen
11-15-2005, 02:47 PM
The best favor we have gotten at a birthday party lately was playdoh...and it came with a little "tool" to make playdoh fries. I know, it sounds weird, but Jonah loves it. I saw them at Target, there was also a cone tool that you use to make ice cream, and a few others. They were a dollar or two, I can't remember exactly how much. They sell them individually, so you could get a few different ones.

I went to the playdoh site to see if I could link it, and there is some chuck e cheese token offer, and that made me laugh! It's a sign!! LOL

http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh/

Another idea is just give the kids a little bag with tokens and a treat. Easy and they would love it! :)

Tondi G
11-15-2005, 02:54 PM
ideas

~bubbles
~playdoh
~shovel and pail
~beanie baby/small stuffed toy with a balloon tied on it
~ball (maybe a beach ball style that can be blown up rather than ones that are already inflated) check oriental trading for cute ones!

Good Luck

~Tondi

cuca_
11-15-2005, 04:11 PM
A friend of mine gave personalized piggy banks as favors for her son's 2nd birthday. I thought it was a very cute idea. Oriental Trading sells them for $16 per dozen, and you can probably find a paint marker and personalized them, and even draw flowers, stars, etc... if you are feeling creative. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/b5jk2.

Totally OT, I thought of you last Sunday. There was an article on the NYT's Book Review about a new book on Caravaggio. It's by Jonathan Harr, the author of A Civil Action. It looks great, and got a good review. Yet another book to add to my list, if I am ever done reading the no-cry sleep solution and other parenting books! The fact that it is about art and takes place in Rome made me think of you. Have you heard anything about it?

Here's a link to the NYT's article: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/13/books/review/13handy.html

Carmen
DD May 2003
DD May 2005

kaileysmom
11-15-2005, 05:27 PM
I'm looking for favors as well for my DD's 1st birthday. Not sure if 2 year olds like these, but I got some really cute animal puppets at Target in the $1 spot. I also got a pack of bubbles. Still trying to figure out the rest.

brittone2
11-15-2005, 08:33 PM
If you can find them inexpensively, one of Logan's new favorites is a ribbon on a stick...like they use in rythmic gymnastics. We picked one up for 1.99 at Cost Plus World Market and he has been loving it for a few weeks. I would think it would bridge the age gap well. I just commented to DH the other day it would be a good favor for a 2nd bday party!

I know I saw some in a catalog recently (magic cabin I think?) but they were 7 bucks or so a piece from there.

alkagift
11-15-2005, 09:34 PM
I just used www.birthdayinabox.com. This is truly the lazy person's way! You check out the themes and see if anything works for your group...and just buy one of each! Not all have inexpensive favors (there's a pizza party one that has chef's hats for $4 each, for example) but many do have something cute. This simple theme for a classic "cake party" has a ball, a bouncy balloon, silly straw and bubbles with a bag and a twisty tie.
http://www.birthdayinabox.com/lobby.asp-page-theme-dept_id-159


And there's always Oriental Trading!

Have fun!

Allison

DebbieJ
11-15-2005, 09:36 PM
DS's favorite little party favor is a plastic kazoo. Kid you not. Keeps him occupied in the car. :)

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

cmo
11-15-2005, 09:53 PM
We scored a hit with mylar helium balloons. They can serve as decoration during the party, then break up the bunch and give one to each guest. Get a few extra so your child has some to play with after the party too!

jbowman
11-15-2005, 10:10 PM
Wow, Carmen! Thanks for bringing that book to my attention. I am going to get it! I confess that I hadn't heard of it, so I really appreciate the recommendation. I taught Baroque Art last spring and I really miss talking about Caravaggio...not to mention that I desperately miss Rome!

jbowman
11-15-2005, 10:13 PM
LOL about the Chuck E. Cheese/playdoh tie-in! Thanks, Jen!

ddmarsh
11-15-2005, 10:47 PM
I recently bought these to put the favors in and they are so cute. I especially love that you can put "Thank you for coming to my party" and take the thank you note short-cut if you are so inclined ;). She has so many characters and images to choose from.

I used the large ones but the smaller ones would actually be much better, I found it was hard to fill the large ones.


http://cgi.ebay.com/DORA-THE-EXPLORER-BIRTHDAY-PARTY-FAVOR-GIFT-BOX_W0QQitemZ5636508308QQcategoryZ26392QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Corie
11-16-2005, 12:57 PM
Jill,

For my daughter's 2 year party, I know that I did
play-doh and then I bought a bunch of plastic
individual cookie cutters from Garden Ridge
and gave each child a few of those.

I know that I put other stuff in there but I can't
remember now.

One year, I put plastic recorders (88 cents)
from Walmart. In the toy section, there is a
dollar section. The plastic recorders actually
didn't look too cheaply made to me either.

ctmom
11-16-2005, 02:00 PM
for my dd's 2nd b-day party I'm making pretzels in the shape of #2 and giving those as the favor. I will attach the recipe to each bag. It spans the ages, and everybody loves a pretzel...I got the recipe from an old family fun mag, let me know if you want me to post it.

ctmom
11-16-2005, 02:00 PM
for my dd's 2nd b-day party I'm making pretzels in the shape of #2 and giving those as the favor. I will attach the recipe to each bag. It spans the ages, and everybody loves a pretzel...I got the recipe from an old family fun mag, let me know if you want me to post it.

ilovetivo
11-16-2005, 05:27 PM
Post please :)

babymama
11-16-2005, 05:39 PM
We did very basic party bags (Elmo bags to go with the Elmo theme).
Contents:
small package Goldfish
small package Teddy Grahams
small package fruit snacks
noise maker
dum dum lollipops
bubbles
slinky (small)

Lydia
Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03 and
One on the way, due 01/03/06

cuca_
11-16-2005, 05:47 PM
You are welcome. I hope you enjoy reading it!! I'm planning on reading it too, but I still have so many books on my list, including some you recommended a while ago!

Carmen
DD May 2003
DD May 2005

mama2galpals
11-16-2005, 06:17 PM
i got ice cream cups at oriental trading one year (they come in different colors and the spoons look like cones). i put the kids' names on the spoons and wrapped them in cellophane with lots of the fat curly ribbon in different colors. very cute! $13.95 a dozen at oriental trading.

unfortunately i can't get the pic to upload properly from their site but you can just do a search for ice cream on it. hth


rita
mommy to
olivia '97
stella '00
emma '03

the truth can hurt your feelings, but lies can break your heart.


http://lilypie.com/baby3/030123/3/4/1/+10/.png

ilovetivo
11-16-2005, 06:22 PM
too cute!
here's the pic

http://www.orientaltrading.com/otcweb/application?namespace=browse&origin=searchMain.jsp&event=link.itemDetails&demandPrefix=12&sku=26/2047&mode=Searching&searchDestinationJSP=/search/searchMain.jsp&erec=4&D=ice%2Bcream&Dx=mode%252bmatchallpartial&Ntx=mode%252bmatchallpartial&Ntt=ice%2Bcream&N=0&y=0&x=0&Ntk=all

do you think it would be good for a Jan bday party? (dd's 1st)

ctmom
11-17-2005, 10:16 AM
Makes 16 pretzels...

Ingredients:
1 envelope (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1 1/2 C warm water
2 tsp salt
1/4 C honey
5 TBS sugar
4 1/4 C flour
4 TBS butter, melted
1 TBS cimmanom

step 1: heat oven to 425, line 2 baking sheets with foil
step 2: in a large mixing bowl, disslove the yeast in the warm water. Add the salt, honey and 1 tablespoon of the sugar and stir well. With an electric mixer, thoroughly blend in the flour at low, then medium speed.
step 3: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it's smooth (about 5 minutes). Divide the dough into 16 roughly equal pieces, then roll each into a 10-12 inch long rope. One the foil lined baking sheets, shape each rope into a letter, number or other design.
step 4: bake the dough shapes for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon and remaining 4 tablespoons of sugar. Leaving the pretzels on the foil, brush them with the melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat them before eating.

ctmom
11-17-2005, 11:01 AM
I forgot about this website...

http://www.coloringbookfun.com/

I always make coloring books for favors, I make a cover sheet and print out a theme. I put one hole punch in the uppper left corner and attached with ribbon...

mama2galpals
11-17-2005, 06:10 PM
they were really good too. at the time i think i paid $5 a piece (gulp) to have them personalized and wrapped!
rita
mommy to
olivia '97
stella '00
emma '03

the truth can hurt your feelings, but lies can break your heart.


http://lilypie.com/baby3/030123/3/4/1/+10/.png

jbowman
11-17-2005, 06:34 PM
Those ice cream bowls are the cutest! Thanks for the tip!

lmintzer
11-17-2005, 06:51 PM
I'm trying to come up with favors for Joshua's 2nd as well. There will only be a few kids:

1 7 year-old
2-3 4 year-olds
3 1 1/2-2 year-olds

Hmm. I wonder if I could do the ice cream dishes. If they would get here in time. . .

lmintzer
11-17-2005, 06:51 PM
I'm trying to come up with favors for Joshua's 2nd as well. There will only be a few kids:

1 7 year-old
2-3 4 year-olds
3 1 1/2-2 year-olds

Hmm. I wonder if I could do the ice cream dishes. If they would get here in time. . .

mama2galpals
11-18-2005, 08:56 AM
my pleasure! and thanks for saying such nice things about me. so excited to see that!


rita
mommy to
olivia '97
stella '00
emma '03

the truth can hurt your feelings, but lies can break your heart.


http://lilypie.com/baby3/030123/3/4/1/+10/.png