Throwing a Memorable Party on a Budget
Hosting a party doesn't have to break the bank. With some clever planning and DIY touches, you can throw a fun, memorable bash without spending a fortune. Here are some great tips for throwing an affordable yet amazing party.
Set a Realistic Budget
First things first - decide how much you can realistically spend on the party. While an exact dollar amount will depend on the size and type of gathering, a general rule of thumb is to budget $10-$25 per guest for a casual party. Know your limit before planning anything else.
Send Digital Invitations
Skip the paper invites and send slick digital invitations via email or texts instead. Sites like Evite and Punchbowl offer free online invitation templates to help you create something eye-catching.
Find an Inexpensive Venue
- Host at home - decorate your backyard, patio or living room for free
- Check with local community centers or places of worship for affordable rental rates
- Consider potluck-style at a park pavilion or public space
Cook It Yourself
Rather than catering, prepare homemade food and beverages. Take advantage of bulk deals at big box stores to save on party supplies. Keep the menu simple with crowd-pleasers like:
- Pizzas
- Taco/nacho bar
- Sandwiches and salads
- Chips and dips
- Sheet cake from the grocery store bakery
Dress Up Discount Decor
Decorate on the cheap with:
- Balloons - buy in bulk packs online
- Crepe paper streamers and garland
- Homemade paper signs, banners and photo backdrops
- Tablecloths from the dollar store
- Fresh flowers from a wholesale market or grocery store
Fun that's Free
Entertain guests with these budget-friendly activities:
- Outdoor games like cornhole, croquet, frisbee
- Trivia or karaoke using your own equipment
- DIY photo booth with fun props
- Potluck dishes so everyone contributes a little
With smart, creative planning, you can throw an amazing party that feels extravagant but won't wreck your budget.
Must-Have Party Favors for Every Celebration
Sending guests home with fun party favors is a great way to thank them for celebrating with you. Here are some "must-have" ideas for favors that work for different parties and events.
Birthday Parties
- Custom cookies or cupcakes
- Mini candies or lollipops
- Temporary tattoos
- Bubbles
- Stickers and temporary tattoos
Weddings
- Jordan almonds
- Mini bottles of bubbles, wine, or liquor
- Candles
- Picture frames
- Monogrammed handkerchiefs
Baby Showers
- Mini baby care items (lotion, shampoo, soap)
- Candies like lollipops or mints
- Cookies or cupcakes
- Seed packets for planting
- Picture frames
Kids' Parties
| Age Group | Favor Ideas |
|---|---|
| Ages 2-4 | Bubbles, coloring books, crayons, stickers |
| Ages 5-7 | Glow sticks, games, yo-yos, slime/putty |
| Ages 8-10 | Friendship bracelets, modeling clay, notebooks, bookmarks |
| Ages 11-13 | Nail polish, lip gloss, earbuds, socks, candy |
Personalize your party favors by tying them up with ribbon or placing them in small gift bags. Get creative and choose fun favors your guests will truly appreciate!
Creative DIY Party Favors Your Guests Will Love
Want to give your party guests something memorable without spending a fortune? With a little creativity, you can make amazing DIY party favors they'll truly appreciate. Here are some fun ideas to try.
Personalized Cookie Favors
Bake and decorate some cookies from scratch in different shapes and themes. Here are some options:
- Sugar cookies in fun shapes like hearts, stars, circles
- Themed cookies like flowers, unicorns, superheroes
- Sandwich cookie favors with icing filling
- Decorate with royal icing and sprinkles
DIY Candle Favors
Make personalized candles for guests by:
- Using molds - try shapes related to your party theme
- Adding quotes, sayings, or names with wax sheets
- Tying ribbon around plain pillars or votives
- Nestling votives or tealights inside glasses, lanterns, or jars
Plantable Seed Paper
Create seed paper favors by:
- Blending recycled paper and wildflower seeds in a blender
- Spreading pulp mixture thinly onto cookie sheets
- Drying completely and cutting into fun shapes
- Planting paper directly in soil to grow flowers!
Homemade Bath Salts
Make scented bath salts by:
- Combining 1 cup Epsom salts and 15-20 drops essential oils
- Mixing in food coloring, dried flowers, or glitter (optional)
- Spooning into small jars tied with ribbon
With a little effort and imagination, you can create party favors your guests will absolutely adore. Get creative with your DIY ideas!
Make Your Party Stand Out with Unique Favors
Tired of handing out the same old candy, cookies, or trinkets as party favors? To make your next celebration extra memorable for guests, give out unique, creative favors they won't expect.
Food and Drink Favors
- Mini bottles of artisan olive oil, local honey, specialty sauces
- Herbal tea bags with custom tags
- Hot chocolate kits - mugs, cocoa, marshmallows
- Spice blends in cute jars
Experience Gifts
- Tickets to local attractions like museums, shows, arcades
- Wine/beer tasting passes
- Gift cards for coffee shops, restaurants, or shops
- Movie passes or rental gift cards
Sentimental Gifts
- Framed party photos
- Custom bookmarks with personal messages
- Photo coasters made from party pics
- DIY recipe books
Useful Favors
- First aid kits
- Flashlights/batteries
- Phone chargers
- Multi-tools
Memorable Souvenirs
- Terra cotta flower pots guests can paint
- Mini puzzles featuring the event details
- Photo booth props like silly glasses, boas, top hats
- Logo koozies, caps, shirts
With unique, outside-the-box favors your guests will genuinely enjoy, you can throw a party that stands out from the crowd.
Choosing Party Favors Based on Your Theme
Party favors are a fun way to carry on the theme of your event. When selecting favors, match them to your party motif to help create a cohesive, memorable celebration.
Birthday Parties
- Princess - Magic wands, tiaras, lip gloss
- Superhero - Masks, capes, muscle wristbands
- Sports - Water bottles, foam fingers, trading cards
- Circus - Temporary tattoos, stuffed animals, balloons
Seasonal Parties
- Winter - Hot cocoa kits, snowman soup mix, knit hats
- Summer - Sunglasses, beach balls, flip flops, sunscreen
- Fall - Caramel apples, maple syrup, pumpkin carving kits
- Spring - Seed packets, flower pots, butterfly nets
Cultural Celebrations
| Theme | Favor Ideas |
|---|---|
| Cinco de Mayo | Maracas, Mexican candy, mini sombreros |
| St. Patrick's Day | Gold chocolate coins, shamrock sunglasses, Irish flags |
| Chinese New Year | Fortune cookies, paper lanterns, firecracker candy |
Bridal and Baby Showers
- Mini champagne bottles, scented soaps, candles, photo frames
- Baby rattles, bibs, pacifiers, nursery décor items
Tie your party together and delight guests with fun, theme-coordinating favors. Get creative and keep your motif in mind!
Age-Appropriate and Fun Party Favors for Kids
Finding party favors that delight children without breaking the bank can be tricky. The key is choosing inexpensive items that align with kids' interests and developmental levels.
Favors for Ages 1-3
- Bubbles
- Play-Doh
- Stickers
- Coloring books with crayons/markers
- Small stuffed animals
Favors for Ages 4-7
- Yo-yos
- Pencil toppers
- Glow sticks
- Mini puzzles
- Noisemakers
Favors for Ages 8-10
| Boys | Girls |
|---|---|
| Mini LEGO sets | Nail polish |
| Travel games | Hair accessories |
| Dunk bags | Scented soaps |
| Sports cards | Friendship bracelets |
Favors for Ages 11-13
- Lip gloss/balm
- Movie gift cards
- Earbuds
- Phone accessories
- Candy
When in doubt, go for timeless treats like candy, cookies, or gift cards. And don't forget to consider kids with food allergies. Have fun picking party favors kids will adore!
Top products in 🎉 Party Favors
Eco-Friendly Party Favor Ideas Your Guests Will Appreciate
Throw a green party with these earth-friendly favor ideas your guests will love.
Reusable Straws
- Stainless steel, glass, or bamboo
- Fun shapes and colors
- Place in cloth gift bags
Canvas Tote Bags
- Sturdy, reusable bags
- Customize with iron-on designs or fabric paint
- Add snacks or other favors inside
Upcycled Planters
- Repurpose containers like teacups, mugs, boots
- Fill with soil and succulent plants
- Decorate with natural jute, raffia, or ribbon
DIY Beeswax Wraps
- Safer alternative to plastic wrap
- Brush beeswax onto cotton fabric
- Customize shape and tie with string
Natural Soap Favors
- Biodegradable and gentler option
- Many handmade and organic varieties
- Cut into guest-size bars and wrap in paper
These eco-conscious party favors provide utility while minimizing waste - a win-win your guests will appreciate!
Another interesting products
How to use your Amazon Prime to buy Party Favors
Amazon Prime offers fast, free shipping and other benefits that can help you easily buy party favors for your next event. Here are some tips for using Prime to purchase party supplies.
Search for Prime Eligible Items
When browsing party favors on Amazon, look for the "Prime" tag to ensure the item qualifies for free two-day shipping with your membership. Prime products are also eligible for Prime release-date delivery.
Filter by Prime Shipping
To only see Prime products, select the "Free Shipping by Amazon" filter on the left side of search results. This filters out non-Prime items that don't offer free shipping.
Use Prime Pantry for Qualifying Items
Stock up on qualifying groceries and household supplies using Prime Pantry. Bulk packs of candy, cookies, decorations and more ship free with a Pantry order over $35.
Checkout with 1-Click
When you’re ready to buy, use 1-Click ordering at checkout. This stores your payment and shipping details to streamline buying in just one click.
Take Advantage of Lightning Deals
Check for Prime Lightning Deals on party items you need. These limited-time sales offer big discounts on favorites like balloons, banners, and tableware.
Set Up Automatic Delivery
For recurrent party needs, use the Subscribe & Save feature. This allows automatic delivery of products like balloons, candles, and candy at regular intervals.
With its fast shipping and money-saving benefits, an Amazon Prime membership can help you easily purchase great party favors for less.
Unique And Creative Party Favors To Make Your Event Memorable
If you're looking for unique and creative party favors to make your event memorable, here are some ideas to consider:
Similar products
47 Review
What Are Some DIY Party Favors That Are Easy To Make?
Here are some DIY party favors that are easy to make:
What Are Some DIY Party Favors That Are Suitable For A Baby Shower?
Here are some DIY party favors that are suitable for a baby shower:
