Party Favors

[punkrock101]

Hi, I will be having a party for my 21st birthday at the start of September and at the end of the evening. I will be giving everyone a box of seven favors - a different colour per gender and age group - but also dishing out lucky-dip favors in a bin so everyone can pick one out when they are leaving. This is the list of favors to go in the favor boxes:

Fuschia box (women and girls 14+):
- Piece of birthday cake
- Set of make-up brushes or manicure kit
- Makeup item (lipgloss, lipstick or nail varnish)
- Miniature shower gel or cream
- Chocolates/sweets etc (including special diet equivalents)
- EDT miniature
- Mini bodyspray

Royal blue box (men and boys 14+)
- Piece of birthday cake
- Cheap cufflinks from a wholesaler
- Chocolates/sweets etc as above
- Aftershave sample
- Tube of hairgel
- Mini bodyspray
- Mini shower gel

Purple box (girls 13-)
- Piece of birthday cake
- Chocolates/sweets as above
- Piece of age appropriate make up (lipgloss, nail varnish, hair mascara or body glitter)
- Mini hair care kit (mini hairbrush, hair elastics, Alice band, hair slides)
- Bangle
- Bath fizzer
- Stationery kit

Sky blue box (boys 13-)
- Piece of birthday cake
- Tube of hairgel
- Styrofoam glider kit
- Stationery kit
- Chocolates/sweets as above
- Mini shower gel
- Toy car

The question is the lucky dip favors, I am really struggling to find suitable lucky dip favors that will suit all ages (the only ones I can think of - one of which being tried and tested as a gift - are transparent plastic jars of cookie mix and muffin mix). Can anyone suggest any suitable lucky dip favours please?

[Eve]

Wow, sounds like some party! :)

Chocolates and sweets are easy ones. Maybe stuff which people can have fun with at the party like party poppers, glow sticks, novelty balloons etc... Even things like fake glasses and moustaches which could be got cheaply from places like pound shops - could make for some fun photos!

[Eve]

Ah, sorry, just saw the part about them getting them as they are leaving!

I was going to say the disposable cameras too but, again, more something for at the party.

[punkrock101]

Well, Jenna1978, they could always be put on tables like at weddings!

[mike11111]

Fromm the language and spelling I guess that the OP is on the other side of the Atlantic.

[joggerjayne]

Wow, you've put some serious thought into this !!

[sherrardk]

You seem to be being overly generous - I take it you are not paying for everything.

[Eve]

Hmmm...separating male and female may be easier for a similar theme to those above, perfume samples, mini makeup stuff (suitable for all ages), costume jewellery or hair stuff (but different to main favours) for girls etc...

Little photo frames could be cute (or the ones where it's the little stand with a clip to put a photo in (maybe with a note thanking them for coming and that this could be used as a memento photo of a great night?).

[Eve]

A lot of fun can be had with stuff like that and it can make for some good memories and very memorable photos :) You can get all sorts of stuff like that from cheap pound and discount shops - hats, bow ties, feather boas, tiaras....

When my brother got married they had glowsticks (at the reception before you think we're weird :)) and they were great on the dancefloor in the dark and some great photos of the beautiful bride in some of the top hats.

[punkrock101]

@Mike11111, I'm English but I was typing using my iPhone and Apple's lingo is obviously American English and cbb to correct it all the time...

[bednobs]

people seriously have parties like this where people are rewarded for coming??
What IS a styrofoam glider anyway???

[punkrock101]

@bednobs, it's been customary for years, probably even customary since birthday parties became a tradition, to give party favors to guests, as a way of saying "thank you for coming" especially if it was a significant age milestone (16th, 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th). Did you once receive a party bag from going to your friend's party as a child? People even do it at weddings.

[punkrock101]

And a styrofoam glider kit is a kit to make a glider made from styrofoam, they come flat packed and those using them slot the wings into the body capacity until they are even either side and attach the propellor onto the nose. Very cheap party favor...

[spudqueen]

It sounds like you've more money than sense! Aren't most people happy with going to the party and getting a piece of birthday cake? It sounds an awful lot of trouble and expense to go to, and I can't for the life of me fathom out why you feel the need or desire to do this. It smacks of buying friendship to be honest.

[bednobs]

getting a doggie bag with a piece of cake in it is a far cry from buying people jewellery, make up and perfume, let alone making up age and gender appropriate bags. plus then worrying about extra gifts! I would suggest that unless you have very strange friends, they are not going to be thinking "all she bloody got me were these seven presents, i wish there had been another surprise one"

[Mamyalynne]

I can't think pd any ore gift ideas other than those mentioned, I hope you party goes well and everyone has a great time!!

[pizza]

punkrock you have obviously thought long and hard about your party and the favours,well done for being so thoughtful to your guests at 20 that is admirable and a great credit to the youth of today.
I think Eve's suggestion of a mini photo frame is good and useful as well.
I thought a pen for everyone again a useful item which we all use, Studio do a personalised ballpoint pen for £1.99 each in a presentation box with up to 11 letters.
I thought depending on your name i.e Donna you could have Donna's 21st on it as a lasting memory or Thank You.
Hope you have a great 21st when the day comes and let us know please what you decide.
All the best. x