Planning a "favorite things" party can be a fun and engaging way to get to know your friends and family better. But, like any event, it's important to set some rules to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and fair experience for all attendees. Here are some tried-and-true "favorite things" party rules to help you host a successful event.
But first, what exactly is a "favorite things" party? It's a social gathering where each attendee brings a gift representing one of their favorite things. The host then chooses a gift to keep, and the others are redistributed by drawing numbers. It's a unique blend of a white elephant gift exchange and a neighboorhod watch party, with a personal touch that makes it a hit among various age groups.
Setting Clear Expectations
Before the party begins, it's crucial to set clear expectations to manage everyone's anticipations and eliminate any potential misunderstandings. Here are a couple of rules on expectations to keep in mind:
1. The $20 Rule: This is the most common rule for "favorite things" parties. It asks each guest to bring a gift with a value of around $20. This price point is affordable for most people and avoids making the event feel too competitive or expensive. However, you can adjust this amount based on your group's affordability.
Exception for Handmade Gifts
Of course, no one wants to put a price on a heartfelt, handmade gift. To accommodate this, you can make an exception for handmade items. While it's still a kind gesture to estimate the value, it's ultimately up to the giver's discretion. Encourage creativity and personalization, which is what makes these parties so memorable!
Gameplay and Gift Distribution
The core of the party revolves around the gift exchange game. Here are some popular rules for gameplay and gift distribution:
1. The Wishlist: Ask guests to bring a small wishlist card with their gift, describing what it is and why they love it. This adds a personal touch to the gifts and makes it easier for others to choose.
Number Draw
Encourage your guests to arrive on time, as the first gift is usually chosen by whoever is present when the host says, "GO!" After that, each guest draws a number from a hat to determine the order. Stick to this order to keep the game fair and exciting.
Stealing vs. Choosing
You can decide whether to allow gift "stealing" or not. In some variations, after a guest chooses a gift, they open it, and then it's free to be "stolen" by anyone else in the remaining order. The original owner then chooses another gift. In other versions, once a gift is chosen, it cannot be stolen. Choose the variation that best suits your group's preferences.
One Gift per Guest
To ensure everyone goes home with a gift, remind your guests that they can only choose or "steal" one gift per person. This keeps the game fair and prevents any one person from monopolizing the presents.
After the last gift has been chosen, it's time to wrap up the party. But remember, the fun doesn't have to end there! Encourage your guests to stay, mix, and mingle, sharing their new favorite things with one another. This is a perfect opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better and create lasting bonds.
In the end, a "favorite things" party is all about bringing people together to celebrate the things that bring us joy. By setting clear expectations and gameplay rules, you'll create a memorable and enjoyable experience for all your guests. So go ahead, gather your friends and family, and share your favorite things – you're in for a treat!