Party Favors

Party favors are small parting gifts handed to guests as they leave a graduation party. The original purpose was to send guests home with a piece of the celebration. The modern reality is most favors end up in a drawer or the trash within 48 hours, so the rule is: edible or wearable, never decor. What works: school-color M&M packets ($1.50 per guest), a tassel-shaped cookie ($3), sunglasses for outdoor parties ($2), a small bag of homemade granola ($1), mini bottles of school-color sparkling cider ($4). What does not work: keychains, magnets, picture frames, or anything that says "Class of 2026" on a non-consumable surface. Budget: $2 to $5 per guest is the typical band. Below $2 the favor feels token, above $5 you have crossed into "gift" territory and guests get uncomfortable. For 30 guests at $3 per favor, you spend $90, which is also the line item easiest to cut if the rest of the budget squeezes. Display matters: a basket near the exit with a small sign "thanks for coming, take one" works better than handing favors out. Hand-out favors get refused by guests who do not want to seem greedy.