Thanksgiving Party Favors

From LoveToKnow Party

Thanksgiving parties traditionally revolve around a meal, including the leftovers, but Thanksgiving party favors can be more than just boxed up turkey, potatoes, and stuffing. From symbolic items to fun trinkets, party favors help the spirit of sharing and togetherness last long past the pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving Party Favors for Kids

Children love small trinkets they can take home as their very own, whether they are from a birthday party, holiday get together, or even Thanksgiving dinner. Favors for children should be age-appropriate (no small items that could present choking hazards or games that might be incomprehensible to youngsters), related to the event, and relatively indestructible. When in doubt, hosts can ask parents about the appropriateness of items and what may be suitable for specific children.

Tasty Trinkets

Because Thanksgiving events traditionally revolve around food, edible party favors are always popular. Tasty options for kids’ favors include:

  • Pumpkin seeds or parched corn to commemorate foods eaten at the first Thanksgiving.
  • Foil-wrapped chocolates in harvest colors.
  • Fresh cranberries so children learn how the berries really taste.
  • Popcorn balls or flavored popcorn.

Edible Thanksgiving party favors should complement the event without being so filling that children will lose their appetites for the delicious dinner to come. A few seeds or berries, properly explained, will not only be a tasty favor but will also be educational and interesting.

Inedible Favors

Many people opt for non-edible favors so the impact of the traditional dinner is not usurped. Kids’ non-food favor options include:

  • Coloring placemats with Thanksgiving themes.
  • Feathers to make an Indian headdress.
  • Small stuffed turkeys or other themed novelties.
  • Turkey callers (similar to those used by hunters).
  • Personalized pilgrim hats.

These themed party favors will keep the Thanksgiving spirit alive away from the dinner table.

Thanksgiving Party Favors for Adults

Naturally, party favors for adults are more sophisticated than those for children, and they are less frequently edible, though gourmet treats such as pumpkin spice truffles or pumpkin pie cheesecake bites are always a delicious option. Other ideas for adults’ party favors include:

  • Scented candles in vanilla, pumpkin, cookie, and other holiday aromas.
  • Personalized thank-you notes with initials or monograms to make giving thanks easier.
  • Small decorated pumpkins or squashes, perhaps with autumn leaves, maize, or other themed accents.
  • Small floral arrangements that may be used to decorate the table.
  • Receipt organizers or other items to use during the holiday shopping season.

The key to a great favor for adults is that it will be appreciated and is more than just a trinket to take home. By choosing an elegant or useful item, the party host has provided one more reason for everyone to give thanks.

Displaying Party Favors

The easiest place to display Thanksgiving party favors is as part of the table décor, if the meal is to be the central activity of the event. Favors should either be placed on each guest’s plate prior to the meal, or they can be incorporated into the decor as place card holders, next to the glasses or silverware, or grouped together as a centerpiece. If the party will not include the traditional dinner, the favors can be used to decorate a snack table, mantle, or other focal point of the location, or they can simply be handed out as guests depart.

Are Favors Necessary?

Many people wonder whether party favors are necessary at all. While there is no strict etiquette dictating that favors are or are not suitable, they are a nice “thank you for attending” token for guests. If chosen and displayed appropriately, Thanksgiving party favors are a delightful remembrance of a happy event, and they are something everyone can be thankful for.


 


Comments

Thanks for the suggestions, Jeannie!

-- Contributed by: Lorie Witkop

Personally I think "window dressing" ia a must. Just think how much more beautiful anything is when a personal touch is added. My friends and have a "Friends & Friends Thanksgiving" every year the weekend after the holiday, just to get together. This year is my turn. I make crafts to sell for the holidays, so I thought for my table I will make indididual favors that double as a table decoration. It saves room on the table for the food, and rreally dresses it up. Try my idea. I bought the large foil muffin pan liners. Let the paper liner inside it to give more stability. I do not have much time so I Pepperidge Farms Sandies Fudge Drop cookies. I Drizzled melted chocolate and white chocolate on them to dress them up. I also bought the Braided Twists pretzles and dipped them 2/3 into chocolate, and again swirled white chocolate to dress them up. Next assemble. Put 4 of the cookies in the liner shanding on end. Also use approx. 6 pretzle stix, and add assorted fall colored Hershey;s kisses. Next cut a piece of clear cellophane to wrap. Pull opposite corners together and gather, Tie with Ribbon. I used an olive green, chocolate brown, and crean very fine satin ribbons, I attached a small metal medallion that says Thank-You to the bow, You can but these at Michaels Craft store. They are simply beautiful. You can set them on the napkin which is folded on the plate, or sit them beside the glass at each place setting. These made with Christmas colored ribbons make perfect gifts to have on hand for Christmas, when unexpected friends stop buy. Enjoy.

-- Contributed by: Jeannie Retherford

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