Trying to decide between handing out and not handing out party favors? Definitely go with the plan of giving your guests a favor! What better way to thank your guests for coming and spending time with you than with a little thank you gift to take home with them. No matter what you are celebrating, there is a party favor that is sure to please even the pickiest guest.

Party favors these days are very nice and many are less than $2 or even less than $1 each. Party favors are small gifts given to guests who attend an event such as a birthday party, retirement party, baby shower, anniversary party, wedding or holiday party. The types of items given as party favors vary widely depending on the occasion and the budget.

Time for a birthday celebration and choosing a perfect birthday party favor becomes a centralized point because these birthday favors are a way to show your guests how thankful you are for their attendance and how much you appreciate their presence. Party favors and prizes are particularly important for children's parties no matter what type of celebration it is. As a Girl Scout leader for my daughters' troop, we often held themed events. One such event was a Hawaiian Luau and each girl received a flip flop key chain to remember the fun they had that day. Kid party favors and prizes are a must and thinking about the theme of the party may make it easier to select party favors.

Another event that you will definitely want party favors for is an anniversary party. Everyone automatically thinks of wedding favors but I often think that anniversary party favors are so much more important because they represent the love, time, effort and more of a couple that has stayed together through thick and thin. It also really doesn't matter if the party is for 5, 10, 25, 40, 50 or more years. The important thing is to celebrate what is almost a magical feat in today's world.

Holiday parties are also on the top of the list for party favors. These parties are often some of the most fun to plan as they are usually a combination of family and friends. Some great ideas for favors for a Christmas party or other winter event would be snowflake ornaments with a place for a picture in the middle. Your guests can insert a picture from the party or another picture and place it on the tree.

Also, don't forget the office party. Many companies have discontinued parties at the office because of costs but a party is actually a great, inexpensive way to spread a little good will to all your employees no matter if they are full-time, part-time, contract and otherwise. A great barbeque on a Friday afternoon is a fantastic way to end a week during the summer. Give your guests a party favor that screams summer such as a beach ball bottle stopper or a Hawaiian shirt photo frame – men or women would like to receive these favors.

So go ahead and give your guests a party favor to remember the event. You will love giving it to them and they will love to receive it.