Are Party Favors A Must Have?

One of the more accepted traditions of a party is that guests depart with a party favor. This is usually a small gift of some kind, inexpensive but thoughtful, and leaves guests going home with a smile on their face. Yet with party favors – for adult parties, anyway – being a more modern tradition, have they now become expected – or is it possible to throw a good party without them?

Party favors are tricky beasts in several ways. To begin with, they add extra dollars on to your budget – but unlike spending cash on food or decorations, favors in no way actually benefit the party itself. After all, they are just a going home gift, meaning the party is naturally over by the time guests receive their gifts. That’s a lot of hassle to go to, and expense spent, for something which is a mere formality.

Secondly, what exactly constitutes a good party favor? How on earth can you predict and buy something that everyone attending the party will want? All in all, party favors can present the kind of worries that any stressed-out host can do without.

Yet one does not want to appear selfish or rude by not handing out party favors, so you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. The solution is unfortunately not a simple one, because no matter which way you go you risk offending people; they may not appreciate not having a favor, or they may think the favor is inappropriate. The best option is to go cheap and cheerful with your favors, and pass them off as a mere novelty rather than some kind of gift – make light of it, spend little, but nevertheless hit the favor requirement.