Party planning runs deep in my blood and any excuse I have to host an event, I’m all for it! Several years ago I decided to host my very first Favorite Things Party for our baseball team moms. I'm done a few since and they are just so much fun! Because I’m a gal who loves bringing people together, I want to help you bring your people together too. To make things easier for you to host your very own party without hardly lifting a finger, here's a step by step guide!
What is a favorite things party?
A favorite things party is a gathering of your favorite people: girlfriends, neighbors, co-workers, church group, etc. Each guest brings their favorite things (wrapped or unwrapped – you decide) to be exchanged & in return will go home with new favorites from fellow guests! You can determine how many presents your guests will bring depending on the number you’re expecting. For example, if you’re hosting a small party you can have your guests bring enough gifts for everyone. For larger parties you can limit gifts to 3 (a great number) or even less.
The Invite
Because the holidays fill up fast for everyone, I suggest that you choose a night towards the beginning of the month - or even in Novmeber - & send your invite out at least three weeks in advance. The invitation will include how many gifts each guest should bring, what the price limit should be, and if you want guests to provide anything else. These type of parties work great as potluck to share the load of providing all of the food!
Consider hosting a favorite things party with a theme: favorite gardening things, favorite things to read, someone elses favorite things (to re-gift things after the holidays)
Consider hosting a favorite things party with a theme: favorite gardening things, favorite things to read, someone elses favorite things (to re-gift things after the holidays)
What to bring to a favorite things party?
Once you set a price limit for your guests it’s time to get shopping! Black Friday sales, clearance items, and spotting a good deal are great ways to give extra special gifts for reasonable prices (within the limit!). I chose to limit the gifts to $10 and have each guest bring three each.
You could increase the limit to $15, $20 and even $25 if you’d like. The higher the limit, the nicer the gifts can be – but also keep in mind it’s an expensive time of year & it may be difficult for guests to shell out loads of extra money. The point of the party, for me, is getting together, not the items.
The gifts should all be the same (i.e. if your favorite thing is candles, you’ll bring three different candles). However, it’s fun to add variety by changing scents or colors when possible. Love candles but have a handful of favorite scents? Bring three different ones! Blankets happen to be your favorite? How about three different colors, patterns or prints! Add a little variety while keeping the gifts the same!
You could increase the limit to $15, $20 and even $25 if you’d like. The higher the limit, the nicer the gifts can be – but also keep in mind it’s an expensive time of year & it may be difficult for guests to shell out loads of extra money. The point of the party, for me, is getting together, not the items.
The gifts should all be the same (i.e. if your favorite thing is candles, you’ll bring three different candles). However, it’s fun to add variety by changing scents or colors when possible. Love candles but have a handful of favorite scents? Bring three different ones! Blankets happen to be your favorite? How about three different colors, patterns or prints! Add a little variety while keeping the gifts the same!
How do you choose who gets your gifts?
When each guest arrives, they will write their name on three slips of paper (the number of slips of paper is determined by the number of gifts everyone brings. Everyone bringing five gifts? Write your name on five slips of paper).
Then the guests will also write thier name once and add it to a seperate bowl. The bowl with the name in it once is for who goes in what order to draw 3 names out of the second bowl. The names drawn out of the second bowl are for what items each guest recieves.
The first time your item is chosen, you get to describe to everyone what it is and why you love it.
Then the guests will also write thier name once and add it to a seperate bowl. The bowl with the name in it once is for who goes in what order to draw 3 names out of the second bowl. The names drawn out of the second bowl are for what items each guest recieves.
The first time your item is chosen, you get to describe to everyone what it is and why you love it.
How much does it cost to host a favorite things party?
This is entirely up to you! The beauty of this party is that it can be as minimal or as elaborate as you want – or as your budget allows!
I almost never spend over $50. That includes my 3 items, printing, paper goods, and drinks.
For the printables:
I almost never spend over $50. That includes my 3 items, printing, paper goods, and drinks.
For the printables:
- These are a small touch that will make a big impact on your party & lucky for you all the hard work has been done! I’m providing all the party printables for FREE to you! Each printable is sized for 8.5×11
- You’ll only need one copy of most everything, and duplicates thank you tags depending on the number of guests you have.
- Acrylic frames are a nice touch, if you have them on hand. I found mine at the Dollar Store.
| favorite_things_party_christmas.pdf |
Other variations on the idea
 Used RSVPify.com |  Students list of favorites was used to play games. |
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