anyone else NOT do favors at LO's bday?

amyinaustin

Our budget is tiiiight - this year we're only doing light apps and cake/punch for DD's party.  We've only ever had immediate family and/or godparents/their kids at DD's parties in the past, and that is the plan again this year. 

Last year we had about a dozen balloons that we decorated with and let each kid take one home ( there were only like 4 kids) and that is the plan again this year.

I'm really trying to keep her party simple this year, and for all years going forward and it seems like favors would not be necessarily missed since it's just super close friends and close family.

When she DOES have her own friends/peers at her parties, I'll probably end up doing favors - but at this point, I can't justify the expense.  Tell me I'm not alone?

MrsAJL

I don't.  Mostly because I don't really like getting favors at other kid's birthdays. It's usually stuff that just ends up in the garbage.  I totally appreciate the intention and love how cute they can be, but honestly, I just don't need more clutter.

 

libbyann

At his first birthday party, we did favors ($0.99 hot wheels cars), but they were kind of tucked away in a corner and I was chasing people down trying to hand them out as they left. So I think we totally could have gotten away without them.

L L CG

I was just thinking this morning that I'm not doing favors at her party.  Not gonna do it!  

OMG new badge idea:  Favor Hater! 

m_and_m

MrsAJL:

I don't.  Mostly because I don't really like getting favors at other kid's birthdays. It's usually stuff that just ends up in the garbage.  I totally appreciate the intention and love how cute they can be, but honestly, I just don't need more clutter.

 

This. Exactly.

 

However, we've done some sort of craft that the kids take home after.One year was decorating porcelain plates ($2/ea) using porcelain markers (probably ~$40 for the full set), the next was decorating shoebox guitars and drums I made from DH's old protein shake containers ($15 for stickers and stuff, $3 for duct tape).

mlf625

Skip it.  They're the birthday party equivalent of a Happy Meal toy - clutter that ends up in the garbage.

We had favors at DS's most recent party, but only because I realllllly wanted to make bags out of handkerchiefs.  They were fun and all, but not worth the $ and time I put into them.  Probably won't do it again. 

HSartteach

I normally don't do favors.  It's just not my thing.  Lat year for his 2nd, I did make goody bags--for L and the one other boy who was going.  If we had a bigger party where I invited a ton of guests, I would not do favors.  I agree with what ajl said.

Taytee

You're not alone. I go back and forth. Sometimes I'm inspired to do a favor, sometimes not. I don't feel like they are mandatory and nobody gets the side eye from me for not having them!

smb29

We did balloons as our "favors" this year.  I'm with AJL, I'm not a big fan of getting them a parties so I don't do them myself.

Emer

We've done favors in the past, but the best received were $1 pinwheels for the yard from the dollar store. DD just went to a party last weekend and the favors were the cupcake toppers and she LOVED it.  She played with that thing for 3 days straight. I don't think they are necessary, but wanted to give you options besides the typical favor bag.

colleenor

we gave away the balloons that we used to decorate with and made sugar cookies for the guests to take home.  i always like food favors:)

molliedb

you're not alone.  we've never really done specific favors.  sometimes the kids have taken home some of the party decorations (which was fine by me) but i don't think i've ever gotten a favor from another kid's party that was more than plastic or junk really so we skip the expense.