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Goody Bags:
Not Just for Kids!
Orange juice isn’t just for breakfast.
And cool party takeaways aren’t just for kids anymore.
"You have to have them!" exclaims Josie
Bielmeier, a former assistant cruise director and now a Connecticut-based
special events planner. "Everybody expects them. Everybody wants something."
Oscar-going celebs take home anything from
jewelry to champagne, and public relations execs entice people to their
events with gifts from scarves to week-long safaris. The point? You’ll
be the most popular host in your social circle if you take a cue from
the professionals and send guests packing with a gift bag.
Define your budget
Even big-time party planners have a limit. Decide how much you want to
spend and divide it by the number of people who’ll come. (Don’t factor
in no-shows: Somebody could go home empty handed!) Now you know how much
you’ve got to spend on each. Remember that the cost will include the gift
and wrap.
Choose a theme
Your party may already have one. If not, now’s the time to make one up.
Friends stressed? Do a relaxation bag with aromatherapy candles and massage
oil. Everybody like to cook? Go gourmet, with special pasta and sauce,
a great gadget or a cookbook. Big-time athletes? Head to the sports store
for a chic water bottle, and wrap it up in a super-soft towel. Harried
moms? Go for salon gift certificates.
Be clever
You want guests to remember your party! The parting gift is a great way
to make it special. Remember that everyone is getting the same gift, so
think about your list and don’t get too esoteric. If you played word games,
get Magnetic Poetry or travel Scrabble. If you ate sushi, offer lacquer
chopsticks and a bottle of saki in a white take-out carton. You get the
picture.
Get the goods
Go shopping ASAP! Gather up your favors well in advance so you can focus
on other things closer to the party. If your idea is pretty specific –
a customized t-shirt or mini topiaries – you’ll need to go to the nearest
specialty store a few weeks before your event. Even if the gift is fairly
common, you may have to order large quantities.
Wrap up loose ends
The best party-givers pay attention to presentation. Go to stationery
and specialty stores for unique gift bags, colorful wrapping paper and
great ribbon. Think out of the box, too: Use cool containers like wicker
baskets, pottery or colanders if they fit your scheme. Just finish off
with cellophane and a ribbon.
-- Michelle Nellett
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