If you’re thinking about hosting a Favorite Things Party this year, I am here to tell you that you should definitely DO IT! These parties are one of my favorite holiday traditions. I love hosting them, and I love seeing how creative everyone gets with their gifts.
My Supper Club has been hosting an annual gift swap since 2015, and my Community Group since 2019! Both are so much fun, and each has it’s own little twist on how the exchange works.
So today I’m sharing all my best tips for hosting your own Favorite Things Party, from how to run the exchange to easy party planning ideas and, of course, tons of gift inspiration!
How to Host a Favorite Things Party
If you’re looking to host a Favorite Things Party gift exchange and aren’t sure where to start, I’ve done it a few different ways:
Option 1: Favorite Things Party Exchange
Everyone brings X copies of their favorite item (at a price point agreed upon by your group), unwrapped. Each guest sets up her little “station” of gifts along the table, and then we take turns sharing about the favorite item we brought before gifting one to each girl. The presentation part is always my favorite because usually the presenter is pretty excited or passionate about their favorite item, and sometimes you even get to watch a fun demonstration. And then you get to leave the party with LOTS of fun new items!
NOTE: If you have a large group and still want to keep a higher price point without spending a ton of cash, we’ve done a variation of this exchange where each girl still brings X copies of their favorite item. Instead of each person receiving every gift, put each girl’s name in a bowl X times. When your name is pulled, you get to shop the table. For this version, you should leave with the number of gifts you brought. Example: Each girl brings 3 copies of her favorite $25 gift. So each girl’s name goes into the bowl 3 times. When your name is pulled, you pick a gift from the table. Once your name has been pulled 3 times, you’re done shopping. It’s also up to the host if you want to allow girls to steal gifts that have already been claimed. And if so, you can determine how many times the gift can be stolen before it’s “safe.”
Option 2: Gift Swap Game
Each guest brings ONE wrapped gift at a price point agreed upon by your group. Each girl’s name goes into the bucket one time and when her name is called she can pick a gift from the pile or steal a gift that has already been unwrapped/claimed. It’s up to the host if you are going to cap the amount of times a gift can be stolen before it’s “safe!” But let me just say, with the right group of girls, stealing can be SO much fun…and you’ll never forget some of these stories many years later.
7 Tips for Hosting a Favorite Things Party
Alright, let’s get down to the party tips…
1. Send Your Invitations Out Early
Preferably before Thanksgiving, that way girls can shop for their gifts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. This is a total win because some years I’ve received gifts (especially holiday beauty kits) that were valued WAY higher than the gift limit, and if your party allows stealing, those are ALWAYS the first gifts to be stolen!
2. Set a Party Attire
Oh, this is so fun. Each year we’ve done something different, and I have loved every single theme! We usually rotate between heels and slippers, festive but comfy outfits, Christmas pajamas, and fancy party outfits. 10 out of 10 recommend pairing sequins with slippers.
3. Serve a Signature Cocktail
I love having a festive cocktail whipped up and ready for the girls as they arrive. A few of my favorite options include my White Christmas Margaritas (which went viral and were a huge hit), Sparkling Caramel Apple Cider, Fall French 75, a “Pear-secco Spritz”, and Christmas Mules (make-your-own mule bar). They’re all super festive, easy to shake up, and delicious. Plus, a signature cocktail instantly sets the tone and makes guests feel like they’ve walked into something special.
4. Make Sure There’s Plenty of Food
I used to serve just heavy hors d’oeuvres, but we quickly learned that snacks alone don’t cut it, especially if you’re serving those White Christmas Margaritas. Now, I always serve a full meal before the gift exchange so everyone has a good base, keeps the energy up, and gives us time to sit and catch up before the gifting begins.
To keep things easy, I like to outsource the food and usually order it from a favorite restaurant or pick up a ready-to-serve meal from a local spot. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something hearty that everyone will enjoy. You can also make the main protein and ask guests to each bring a side.
Pro tip: One of my favorite holiday hosting hacks is reusing my Thanksgiving tablescape for this party (and any other events I host throughout the season). I love creating a seasonal tablescape, and reusing it takes the stress out of decorating while still feeling festive and fresh.
5. Set Gift Rules
Depending on your group, you may want to set some rules around the gifts ahead of time. First, make sure everyone knows this is not a gag gift party. Save those for your office Christmas exchange.
Also, make sure everyone keeps their gift TOP SECRET. I know it can be tempting to spill the beans over lunch with your friend right after you’ve purchased your gifts that you’re really excited about, but I promise it’s SO much more fun when it’s a complete surprise!
Other rules to consider: Decide if you’re going to allow gift cards, bottles of wine, or similar items. And one of our golden rules? You can’t leave with your own gift!
6. Setting the Favorite Things Party Price Point
I’ve participated in Christmas gift exchanges with price points ranging from $10 to $50. At the higher price point, you take home fewer but nicer gifts. However, my favorite exchanges are the ones where everyone gets to take home a copy of every gift from the party.
I’ve found the $10 price point to be the hardest to shop for, and my sweet spot has been around $30. At that level, you can usually do a slightly nicer gift or two smaller ones that feel thoughtful and fun.
Lastly, it’s always better to overspend by a few dollars than to underspend by a few dollars just so everyone feels like they are walking away with a similar valued gift as the one they brought.
7. Favorite Things Party Set-Up Tips
For the table set-up, I like to create a dedicated space for each girl to display her gifts by setting out a gold charger plate and a place card with her name (I use Fernandina Paper Co.). It is SO fun watching the gifts roll in and fill up those charger plates!
And my last hostess tip: provide large shopping bags for everyone to take their gifts home! That was a lesson learned the hard way the year a match cloche slipped out of my friend’s arms and shattered on the way to her car.
Favorite Things Party Gift Ideas
Alright, let’s get down to the goodies!
I recently published a Girlfriends Favorite Things Party Gift Guide and it is always one of my absolute favorite guide to create because it’s comprised of some of my very favorite gifts I’ve received from previous parties, as well as some new ideas too! I highly recommend clicking over to that post for a deeper dive on these items because I have descriptions and tips that I think you will find helpful.
Throughout the season (and honestly, throughout the year), you can find all these Favorite Things Party Gift Ideas and many more HERE! Since I can’t update this post as quickly as I’d like, that’s where you’ll always find the most current and in-stock favorites all in one easy place to shop!
Previous Favorite Things Party Posts
If you’re planning to host the party for your friends, here are a few previous party posts from the years I’ve hosted them!
- 2024 Favorite Things Party (Champagne Problems Theme)
- 2023 Favorite Things Party (Snow Bunny Theme)
- 2022 Favorite Things Party (Glam Pajamas Theme)
- 2022 Supper Club Gift Exchange
- 2021 Community Group Favorite Things Party
- 2020 Community Group Favorite Things Party
- 2019 Supper Club Favorite Things Party
- 9 Party Planning Tips
Also, if you’ve gifted or received a great item from a party, please share in the comments!
