Let's see how just the right prize will give your guests a giggle, let your creativity shine, or move your party forward. Remember, whenever you decide on a theme, a bit of research should go into it. The more you know about a time period, place, or make-believe world, the more you can follow through with elements that immediately announce your theme. You know you missed your mark if guests need to ask you, "What is the theme?"
Let's explore a couple of ideas for themes and then try to find the perfect prizes for the event. We once gave a Roaring Twenties Party and the grand prize was bootlegged contraband including grape juice champagne, candy cigarettes, and playing cards to name just a few items. Even a water pistol could be added. It all was wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with string. Have fun with the idea, but provide safe versions of everything
A Victorian party calls for something elegant, a fan, a beautiful lace handkerchief, a fancy bookmark, or labels for their books, a lovely hand mirror, or a lithographed postcard from the time, or valentine. Keep the cost down by searching out thrift shops, looking for the antique items that are overlooked there. You might find a beautiful glass bowl or hand-painted box. Something elegant, frivolous, and from another era when living graciously was an art will be just the right touch.
The kids are having a Let's Visit the Zoo or Circus party, look for inexpensive small animal stuffies, or a bag of plastic animals will go far. Whistles for training those wild beasts would be a fun prize for parents who can be oblivious to noise.
Give the little cowpokes at your western party farm animals for their ranch, or red bandanas, or how about a cowboy hat.
Be sure to check out the aisle at the toy store that I think of as the "Keeping the Kids Quiet Aisle." You know the aisle you take them when they have a tantrum because you won't buy that $50 toy immediately. The toy that they decide they cannot live without. It usually has small favors and cheap items for prizes. You know where the bubbles are, which incidentally are a great prize for your Being a Kid Again party, or Under the Sea party. You might find balsa wood gliders, a wonderful prize for the Aviation Party. How about a kite? On sale, they are often right around a dollar for the little kids type and often include string. A whole theme could be developed using Flying kites as the main activity. Better kites would be needed for the actual event, but these simple ones might be a wonderful favor.
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