Wondering what a favorite things party is or looking for gift ideas for a favorite things party? This post has you covered! Read below for tips and tricks for hosting a favorite things party along with a gift guide!
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Table of contents
What is a favorite things party?
How to host a favorite things party
Tips and tricks if you’re hosting a small (5 people or less) gathering
Tips and tricks if you’re hosting a large (more than 5) gathering
Gift ideas for a favorite things party
What is a favorite things party?
Who doesn’t love finding a new favorite thing? That is what makes a favorite things party so great.
A favorite things party is a type of gift exchange where each person brings at least one of their favorite things to gift to a few people. So you are gifting 2-4 identical items to 2-4 people. In return, each person leaves with a couple of items that are some else’s favorite things.
Of course having a reason to get together with friends is always a treat, but with this type of gathering you also get to leave with some new items to try that may become your new tried and true favorite things!
Since you aren’t buying gifts for specific people, this is an easy and fun thing to do with good friends or it can be a nice way to get to know new people. Rather than trying to figure out what you’re going to buy someone, you just buy your favorite things to share with your friends.
How to host a favorite things party
There are two different ways to throw a favorite things party: with a small group of friends or with a larger group of friends. Either size works great!
Based on the number of people you invite, the gift exchange will work a little differently. Read below for all the details.
If you’re hosting a small (5 or less) group: There are two ways you can host a small group…
- Option #1 if you’re hosting a small gathering
- Each person brings an identical gift or set of gifts for each person.
- Next, decide if gifts will be wrapped or not (I think wrapping makes it feel more festive).
- If items are wrapped, then everyone can open their gift as each person shares why it’s their favorite things.
- If you opt not to wrap your favorite things, then each person can go around and share why it’s a favorite item of theirs before handing it out.
- Option #2 if you’re hosting a small gathering
- Each person brings 2-3 identical gifts or sets of gifts.
- Write everyone’s name on a piece of paper and place it in a bowl.
- Next, each person takes a turn sharing what their favorite thing is and why.
- After sharing, they draw 2-3 names out of the bowl. Whoever’s name they draw gets the gift they brought.
- It’s totally optional if gifts are wrapped, but it does make things feel more festive with wrapped presents!
If you’re hosting a larger (more than 5) group:
This will be the same as option #2 for a small group favorite things party.
Each person will bring 2-3 identical gifts or sets of gifts. Write everyone’s name on a piece of paper and place it in a bowl.
Next, each person takes a turn sharing what their favorite thing is and why. After that, they draw 2-3 names out of the bowl. Whoever’s name they draw gets the gift they brought.
It’s totally optional if gifts are wrapped, but it does make things feel more festive with wrapped presents!
Setting a budget
Regardless of the number on your invite list, deciding on a budget is really important. You can ask everyone you’re inviting what budget they feel comfortable with, or you can set a limit if you feel like you know your group well enough.
Two of my friends and I are throwing a favorite things party later this month. Because the group is small (there are 3 of us), we all decided on a budget. We all agreed that we would spend around $50 on our gifts (this can be one gift or multiple) for each person, so that means we’re going to each spend $100 total.
A favorite things can totally be budget-friendly. You can easily set a budget of $20 per gift, but just remember that each person will be bringing 2, 3, or 4 of their gift so they’ll end up spending 2, 3, or 4 times the gift item budget.
Food Ideas for what to serve at a favorite things party
Honestly anything! You can throw your party over brunch, appetizers, or dinner. Heck, you could even order a pizza and Crumbl cookie if you’re in a season where you just can’t. Either way, here are some food ideas to serve:
- Quiche, fruit, pastries, and coffee from local shop or homemade
- A variety appetizers
- Macaroni and cheese and a salad
- Charcuterie board
- A pot of delicious soup and sourdough bread
Gift ideas for a favorite things party
Since this is a favorite things party, the idea is that you give something that is a favorite thing of yours!
Going with a practical gift is also always a safe bet. Remember, the idea is that it’s one of your well-loved items you’ve been using. If you’re having trouble thinking of what to bring, I recommend paying extra attention to anything you reach for that you really love as you go through your day.
Maybe this is the lotion you use every morning. Or skin care you swear by. Or maybe it’s a well-loved item in your kitchen. Chances are if it’s your favorite, it’s for good reason and someone else will love it too!
Another tip I have is to look for sample/travel sizes or if your favorite thing comes in a set. This can make more expensive items more affordable. Also, if they come in a set, you only need to buy one and then your gift recipients can decide on the color/scent/etc. they want to take home with them!
Here’s a lift of gift ideas anyone would be happy to receive!
This is one of the items I’ll be gifting my friends this year at our favorite things party. Dime’s Lip Balm formula is packed with powerful ingredients, including Shea Butter, Phytosterols, and Meadowfoam Seed Oil, leaving your lips feeling velvety soft and healthy.
This has been one of my favorite things for over 10 years! It’s such a good product. It’s a leave on AHA peel creme that works to edit imperfections and long-term damage to instantly smooth rough and bumpy texture, diminish dullness, brighten dark damage, improve clarity and color. Do yourself a favor and get one of these for yourself too! (Be sure to select the 0.25 oz size for the less expensive option.)
There’s a reason why Bioelements’ products made this list twice! This is the *best* face mask I’ve ever used. My skin instantly has a healthy glow after applying it. With natural exfoliating citric and malic acids, plus hydrating algae, stimulating ginkgo biloba and kelp, your skin will appear brighter and feels smoother. (Be sure to select the 0.25 oz size for the less expensive option.)
DANI Naturals All-Natural Lotion Scent Favorites
This is another one of my favorite things that I’ll be gifting this year! I’ll never forget the first time I used this lotion because it worked sooooo well, and now it’s the only body lotion I use. You only need to buy one of these for a favorite things party and everyone can decide on the scents they want. Made with natural & organic ingredients and scented with custom essential oil blends, this lotion thick and moisturizing without being greasy!
How pretty is this? I keep a couple of these around my house to put my rings, necklaces, and earrings in. Not only is it beautiful, it comes in handy!
These cuties are a budget-friendly option that you could purchase one of and divide them up for each of your gift. They come in a variety of colors. I’m planning on including these for my favorite things party. I just can’t get over how cute these are!
There’s a reason why Bombas has a cult following. Bombas socks are truly the most comfortable socks I’ve ever worn. This gift could be little tricky to go with because you want to make sure they’ll fit the recipient, but if you’re hosting a smaller gathering, and only buying for the number of people attending you could buy for the size they’ll wear. And the bonus is for every pair of socks you buy, a pair is donated to someone in need.
Are there less expensive options out there? Definitely. But I can tell you the Mejuri’s quality is second to none for the price point, and these make the most perfect everyday hoops.
Beautiful Briny Sea Magic Unicorn Salt
Okay, this stuff is seriously *the best* (insert chefs kiss emoji!). Not only do I always have a can of this on my counter and use it in pretty much everything I cook, I’ve gifted it countless times. This is a small business out of Atlanta, and they make tons of salt varieties and each one is unbelievably good.
These bottle stoppers work perfectly and they are adorable! It’s a win-win. Anytime I use them they make me happy.
I’ve been a long-time fan of these candles. I also gift them all of the time! This is another great budget-friendly gift option that you can buy one of and everyone can pick their scents they want to take home!
These are sooooo handy. Sometimes I still can’t believe how often I’m reaching for these tongs. Anyone will enjoy this very practical gift.
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