65+ Thoughtful New Years Party Favors That Are Extra Special

Favors are a fun and extra special way to show your guests how grateful you are that they came to help you ring in the New Year. They get something useful, sweet, or just plain thoughtful to take home along with their memories of a spectacular evening.

If you’re wondering what New Years party favor ideas would work best for your event, we’ve got all the info you need to know to choose just the right one.

Are New Years Party Favors Required?

Party favors for New Years celebrations are certainly not required, but they are a thoughtful way to show gratitude to your guests. Favors are a simple gesture that shows your appreciation for them coming to your event, and they can help guests start the New Year with a smile.

When considering New Years party favor ideas, it helps to keep the following factors in mind:

Number of Guests/Size of Group

For large groups, it may be best to stick with something small and simple. More intimate celebrations with a few close guests can allow you to choose a favor that’s a bit more personal and special. Be sure to have one for everyone, and perhaps a few extras, as well.

Budget

Keep your favor budget reasonable. Plan to spend around $3 per guest, including the packaging. For smaller guest lists, you may want to go a little higher. Favors are a token of gratefulness, so there’s no need to spend a lot.

Theme /Color Scheme of Party

Choosing a favor that in some way ties into the party theme adds that extra special something to the celebration’s style and overall design. If you’ve got a color scheme for your party, pick a favor that complements the color or colors.

Time Constraints

Party favors for New Years shouldn’t be complicated and time-consuming to create. Don’t attempt DIY if you have no time. Instead, stick with a pre-purchased item that you can package nicely and have ready to go quickly.

Presentation/ Packaging

Whether you choose a personalized item or something standard, a stylish presentation can go a long way. It doesn’t take much to package a simple favor so that it has a more thoughtful touch.

Some Symbolism for New Beginnings

Since the New Year’s holiday celebrates both an end and a beginning, consider adding a symbolic element to your party favors. It’s a time for fresh starts and a focus on the future, with opportunities for growth, improvement, and hopefulness for better days ahead. Consider adding a beautiful symbol to your party favor’s design, whether on the item itself, or the packaging.

We break down the symbolism behind these popular emblems on new beginnings:

Cherry Blossom

Cherry blossoms, which are called Sakura in Japan, have long been a symbol of renewal and the fragility of life. Celebrating the Sakura is an important part of the Japanese culture, and it’s been embraced by other cultures around the world, as well. Cherry blossom trees bloom for a short time in the spring season, bringing fleeting beauty and a reminder of brand new starts that come every year.

A Butterfly

Butterflies transform from an unassuming insect into something truly beautiful. Their transformation and transition symbolize the manifesting of change. Similarly, the approaching New Year is a time for people to plan their own transformations, setting goals and looking forward to a fresh start and new beginning. Butterflies also symbolize letting go of the past and moving on to the next phase of life, which is what the New Year brings for many. It’s a time for reflecting on the months that have gone by and then planning for the future that waits in the months ahead.

A Phoenix

The Phoenix symbolizes transformation and rebirth. In ancient mythology, the Phoenix rises from the ashes, renewed and ready to start a new life. The bird begins a new cycle of life as it regenerates. When we set goals and make resolutions, we’re approaching the New Year with a sense of newness and rebirth, much like the Phoenix. We too have the opportunity to start over.

Birch

The Birch tree is a Celtic symbol that represents hope, regeneration, and the dawn of new beginnings. It’s a tree that is believed to hold ancient wisdom, yet it maintains a youthful look. In ancient times, the twigs from a birch tree would be bundled together to drive away the spirits of the past year. Birch branches were also used to make cradles for babies, providing them with protection and symbolizing the new beginning that new life brings.

Customized New Years Party Favors

Selecting a basic item for your party favors doesn’t mean it has to be dull or boring. The easy way to instantly add a special touch to any favor is by personalizing it.

You can purchase many favors in bulk from online retailers and have them customized to include a special message. It can either be printed or engraved right on the item or written or typed on a tag or label that’s attached to each.

Many retailers offer personalization at no additional cost or for a small fee, which helps you stay within your budget while stepping up the quality of your favors.

This simple step will give any party favor you choose a more polished look.

Classic New Years Party Favors

These classic New Years party favor ideas are budget friendly and sweetly symbolic of celebrating the start of a New Year. Perhaps the best part is that they can be enjoyed at the party, especially at the midnight hour.

Whether you opt to pop a bottle of champagne, pop a chocolate kiss into your mouth, or pop colorful confetti, guests will surely love any of these NYE themed favors:

Miniature Bell (“Ring in the New Year”)

Mini Bottles of Champagne

Hershey’s Kisses (“Midnight Kisses”)

Fortune Cookies (“Wishing you Good Fortune in the New Year!”)

Confetti Poppers

Practical New Years Party Favors

Practical items are versatile enough that everyone can find value in them, which is what makes them such smart favors.

These items can be appreciated both for their novelty and usefulness at the same time.

Guests will be pleased to receive any of these practical party favors, which can easily be personalized for an added touch of thoughtfulness:

Decorative New Years Party Favors

Handing out decorative items as party favors is a great way to send guests home with a thoughtful keepsake. These favors can be displayed in the home and treasured for years to come. They serve as sweet reminders of a special celebration and can help them remember the wonderful times that were shared as a new year began.

New Years Party Favors for the Kitchen

Everyone can appreciate a little something to help them out in the kitchen, which is why these food and beverage related favors are so beneficial. They’re classy, useful, and serve a purpose while being decorative all at the same time. From simple serving and storage tools to items that make grilling, cooking, and food prep a breeze, consider these kitchen favors for your guests:

Tasty Snacks as New Years Party Favors

Yummy baked goods and sweet treats make for fun and delicious party favors. They surely won’t go to waste, as guests can enjoy them right away during the celebration, or take them home to savor them later. You really can’t go wrong with handing out candy, cookies, or other delicious goodies. Whether you opt for freshly made or store bought your invitees will love snacking on any of these tasty delights:

NYE Party Favor Ideas for Wellness & Pampering

After a late night of partying to ring in the brand new year, guests will likely be a bit tired. Help them refresh and recharge for the future with a wellness-focused favor. It can as simple as a beauty product or a bathing aid. These items offer the perfect way to pamper, unwind, and relax at home:

Packaging Your New Years Party Favors

Once you’ve chosen and purchased your favorite party favors, you’ll want to package them prettily to impress your guests.

Select a packaging style that’s well suited for the item’s shape and size. Consider the attractiveness of the packaging, as well as the practicality and the cost.

Items should fit neatly inside the package without having too much extra space around it or looking too bulky.

Since favors shouldn’t cost much, choose something that keeps your total favor budget within a reasonable range. Take care to select an affordable and stylish option that matches the overall look and design of your New Year’s party.

Here are some simple, yet classy packaging ideas to consider:

Embellish Your NYE Party Favors with these Final Touches

No matter what type of favor you select and how much you spend on each, adding a personalized tag or label gives the items an added appeal.

You can hand write or print a sweet message on each one along with a few attractive flourishes.

Show your guests that you put thought and effort into each favor by giving it that extra touch. Your guests will appreciate the message as they greet the New Year.

Consider finishing off the favor packaging with any of these stylish embellishments:

pin these 65+ New years party favors for later!