Edible favors are always appreciated.
Party bags, also known as loot or favor bags, are a chance to show your guests your appreciation for attending. Used primarily at weddings and pre-wedding events, baby showers and children's parties, they are also appropriate for events such as tea and garden parties. Manufactured bags and favors are expensive and often over-used. Making your own party bags and contents conveys your appreciation and saves you money. Does this Spark an idea?
Children's party bags
Kids of all ages enjoy coloring. You can make crayons to include in the party bag, to match the theme of the party. Find silicone or metal muffin tins in a shape that fits the party theme, such as flowers or animals. Spray the tins with vegetable oil. Remove the paper from old and broken crayons, then break them into smaller pieces less than 1/2 inch long. Fill the tins with the broken pieces, either combining colors or using one color. Bake in a preheated oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. Allow the crayons to cool completely before removing from the tins.
Make the coloring books yourself. Print coloring pages or draw simple line designs on paper. Make a cover on card stock. Staple the pages together.
Edible goodies are always appreciated. Make homemade chocolate lollipops (see Resources). Place in a plastic sleeve and tie closed with a colorful ribbon. Or, make your favorite roll-out cookie recipe and cut with miniature cookie cutters. Place the finished cookies into glassine envelopes and fold the open end over. Glassine is a translucent paper similar to wax paper. It is available at craft stores. Seal the envelope with a colorful sticker.
Adult party bags
Adults enjoy favors and gifts as much as children. Choose edible items to avoid sending your guests home with clutter they may not appreciate.
Mix your own hot cocoa powder. Mix together one 25-ounce box of powdered milk, one 16-ounce jar of non-dairy creamer, 15 ounces of sweetened cocoa mix and 13 ounces of malted milk powder. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to the mix. Place 1 cup of mix into a glassine envelope. Fold the top over twice. Punch two holes 2 inches apart in the folded section. Thread a ribbon through and tie in a knot. Make a label to attach to the bags with preparation instructions: "Use 3 tablespoons of mix per mug of boiling water." Or, print the instructions on a tag and tie to the bag with the ribbon.
Alternately, put the mix in a half-pint glass canning jar. Canning jars have separate lids and rims. Place the lid on top of the jar, then cover with a 6-inch square of attractive fabric. Screw the rim on over the fabric to secure it. Attach a label with preparation instructions. Each envelope or jar holds 5 servings of mix.
Chocolate spoons for use in cocoa or coffee are an easy-to-make treat. Melt semi-sweet baking chocolate or chips in a double boiler. Dip a plastic spoon into the chocolate mixture then set on a piece of wax paper to harden. Place the hardened spoons into a plastic sleeve and tie closed with a ribbon. Use colored spoons to match the theme of the party.
Homemade candies and baked goods also go over well with adults. Chocolate-covered fruits are inexpensive, easy and elegant. Dip strawberries or cherries with the stems still attached into chocolate that has been melted in a double boiler. Allow to harden on wax paper. Place inside clear plastic favor boxes or miniature Chinese takeout boxes. Decorate the box with a ribbon or pretty scrapbooking stickers.
Handmade party bags
Purchase or make small fabric drawstring bags (see Resources). Cut out letters or simple silhouette shapes from fabric with pinking shears. Sandwich iron-on fusing between the cut-outs and the bag. Iron on medium-high heat to fuse the fabric to the bags. Use the bags for children or adults, altering the designs to fit the occasion.
Paper lunch sacks make inexpensive favor bags. Choose plain brown or colored lunch sacks. Decorate the outside with rubber stamping or scrapbook embellishments such as stickers or paper cut-outs. Fold the top of the bag over and punch two holes 3 inches apart in the folded section. Thread a ribbon through the holes and tie in a large bow to secure.
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