Tips and Great Places to Buy Gift Favours under $5

Thus far I have written about great ideas of where to buy your gift for your party that is under $5. Well this post is a little from the rest, its been 11 weeks since my first post and I've figure that I should tell you where are the best places to look for gift favours under $5.

Every single time that I have to write a post I tend to stroll down to the local stores looking for great ideas that would cost under $5. This is usually including the ribbon, the wrapping paper, and/or cards. There are about 5 places that I always go to, this is Dollarama, Ikea, Flea Market, clearance stores, and Wal-Mart. Even at times I would just stroll the mall to see if there are any stores that are having a great sale. Its good to go to places that carry bath, kitchen, and lifestyles sections with in the stores. My personal best place is HomeSense/Winners—they always have a great selection in items but the only problem is that there might not be a big enough quantity. That is why to go to places such as Ikea, Dollarama and Wal-Mart if you have a larger quantity to buy.

A couple tips to keep in mind when looking for a gift favour:

Keep your eyes peeled for great deals! You can get a lot for $5 but you need to be wise and aware of the product that is out there. Don’t lose your vision, those deals are waiting for you!

Never settle for something that you’re not happy with giving out because if you’re not happy with it than trust me your guests won’t be either.

Ask the managers when the product came in because usually after 6 weeks of being on the self the item tends to be stale, and they would want to get rid of it to make room for the new items. Better deals to bargain.

Stick to the budget!!! If you want to spend only $5 on the gift favour including the ribbon and the card then stick to to the budget!

Always think before you act. Would you want this gift given to you? If the answer is no then put it down back on the shelf. Also think about you first impression on the item, if it feels and look cheap then it probably is.

You have to have a clear vision of what you want your theme for the party to be, then the gift favours will come soon after. For a Birthday party you have the central theme such as a masquerade party then you can know what to look for when your shopping such as a carnival mask as we showed in the past post at http://giftfavoursunder5.blogspot.ca/2012/01/masquarade-ball-gift-favour.html

Turning One!! Bottle Frames

Dollar stores have been the top place that I usually go to find great ideas for these gift favours. I don't like repeating a lot of products that are closely related but who can go wrong with picture frames. I was walking through a privately owned Dollar store on highway 27 and Innovation in Woodbridge when I strolled into the picture frame section of the store. Some looked cheapy like you expect from a Dollar store but then I saw the cutest frames for babies.

I then remembered that my cousin was having her daughters 1st birthday in the next 3 weeks and she was consumed with so much preparation that I thought this was the least I could do for her. I called her right away and sent her pictures of these frames. She loved them so much that she told me to pick them up. The cost was only $2 per frame and the ribbon was about $1 to decorate each frame. One roll of the ribbon was good enough to take care of the 25 frames that she got me to pick up. When I got her place she told go to Wal-Mart and print out the pictures that were only 24 cents for each picture. In total each gift favour came out to about $2.35!! Amazing!

The best part was that it was so easy to decorate the frames add a little ribbon of pink and purple and they were done. The frame was so nice on its own that we did not want to cover it up with clear wrapping paper. Plus when you have frames the best idea way for the frames to stand up are on its own.

Tell me what you think about this idea! Do you like it? Also check out us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/Under5_giftFav and our facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/GiftFavoursUnder5

Keep a look out for our next blog post coming sooner then before :)

Personalize Your Favours with M&M's

I was searching the internet for great ideas for gift favour under $5 when I Stumble upon on the M&M's website. I was just scrolling through the site to look what they had till one piece caught my eye. It was personalizing your own M&M's to whatever picture, clip art or personal message you wanted for any occasion and you were able to pick up three colours. The website was www.mymms.com. I spent 2 hours on it personalizing any occasion i could think of. On the left is a picture of the home page.

At the top of the page, it gives you different types of ideas for your party, or if you prefer you own idea you can create it through clip art, up load your own picture or write a personalized message. I went through the steps to create my own little MnM for "Gift favours under $5". I clicked on the orange box as shown in the picture on the right.

The site was so easy to navigate. You could not get lost in any of the steps. The first thing you want to do is choose your colours. The maximum amount of colours you can choose is 3, so choose wisely. For my M n M's choose light pink, dark pink and yellow. The site indicates that there are certain colours that you cannot choose to print on because they are too dark. There are 19 colours to choose from and only 5 that are added as accent pieces. If and when you are choosing a theme remember to make sure they flow properly. If you decide to choose to pick 2 colours that is fine you still get the same amount of M n M's.

The next step is to add images, clip-art and messages. I say have fun with it and utilize the tools that are given. Here on the M n M's I decided to put a my face, a graduation cap, my title of the blog "Gift Fav Under 5"(They only allow 18 characteristics) and my twitter account--@under5_giftfav. When you upload your 4 different designs it shows up on the left side on how it will look like on the M n M's itself. The picture on the left here is the example given. You might want to spend the most time here, this is the most critical part of the process.

Then you would want to pick the packaging to store the M n M's in for your guests. Remember the focus here is to create a gift favour that is under $5.

I was looking for the best price but at the same time I was looking for something that was sleek and stylish. I then found the metal tins that were $4.19 each, and you need to purchase a minimum of 20. So this idea is best for bigger parties where there are at least 20 families coming attending.
The total amount was $83.80 for 20 gift favours equalling under $5!!!!

The prep work for this is 5 minutes of clicking from page to page. The shipping and handling is much at $55 but the more you order the cheaper the gift will be. This is best for weddings and or large fundraisers.

Please leave a comment below. Check us out on our Facebook at giftfavoursunder5 and add us on twitter at @under5_giftfav

Come back next week to see what we have brewing with ideas with our gift favours under $5

Check out this video promoting personalizing your own M n M's at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lASPmmv9cY0

Travellers Blues Party

I must say, i have the travelers blues! So I cant go away just yet because of school, but the other best way to get over the blues would be---- throw a party and create fun gift givers that remind you of your wonderful cities you've visited in the past.

This past August i had the great pleasure of taking not one but two wonderful vacations-- the first was a Europe trip with a friend. We visited 3 countries and 5 cities in two week (London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome) then when I got back I left to Cuba for a week.

I threw a party with friends and the theme way dress up like your favorite city. Its was a blast, people came in traditional costumes while others just wore their clothing with a prop. I on the other hand was so indecisive because I've been to Cuba, Bahamas, Miami, Italy, Croatia (10 times), England, France, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Dominican Republic and the States in the last 6 years. So I just wore a shirt that said "I've been to all these places, I couldn't decide" with a map indicating all countries and cities.

I went to Dollarama and was looking for an idea to give away to my guests. I knew i didnt want to spend too much money on the favours. I say this picture holder that said "Good Times" and I knew that was the best way to describe all the trips "Good Times".

I went to Wal-Mart and printed off a couple of my pictures to put in the holders. The picture holder was $1.13 each and each picture was 24 cents. Each picture holder took about 5 pictures so that was $1.20. In total each favour cost only $2.33 including tax.

PLEASE POST ANY COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR TRAVELING EXPERIENCES!

Remember to like the Facebook Page www.facebook.com/giftfavoursunder5

Angel Themed Party

About a week back I was look around the city to find new ideas for the people that asked me to come up with ideas for their parties (Future blog posts). As I was in the Dollarama near Vaughan Mills, I was giving up hope till I took notice of these two figurines.

Some people would walk by the figurine section without taking a glimpse of the product. I was memorized with these two angels black angels, and I needed to pick them up. There was two styles and I had to pick up both. When I got the register, it rang up a $1 each. This would be a great giver under $5 idea.

So have you ever been invited to a themed party? Well I have and one was a angel party. We all had to dress up in white angel outfit and the hostess would wear a black angel costume. She lobed to stand out from the crowd.

I do remember her giving out favours but they were these candle stick holder that were purple. Didnt understand how it went with the theme. So for these angels I thought it would have been a great gift for her themed party.

They are purchased separate but they are only $1.13 including tax and clear wrap and ribbon. Each favour should cost no more than $3. If you want to cut the cost down further than just take the ribbon and wrap it around both angels and don't wrap it with the clear wrapping paper.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD AN ANGEL THEMED PARTY!! COMMENT BELOW!

New post out on Monday! Traveller's blues? Check out on Monday how to over come it with a party and a gift favour to remember the GOOD OL' TIMES

Baby Shower -Sweetest Treasures

Its been awhile since I've posted, but I've been soo busy helping my friend and family planning their parties and organizing some events... For the long wait I will be posting more often.

Having a baby is the most exciting thing that anyone can experience with in their life, it is a new addition to the family. Woman tend to make baby showers for their first child, where loved ones come together to shower the new mommy to be with gifts for their new born.

I had a friend who is currently pregnant and we threw her a surprise baby shower. We though what would be better as a gift favour than giving something the guests can eat and reuse. So i thought of Hersey kisses in a jar.

So here is what you will need: 6 small spice jars ($1.13 each at Dollarama =$6.78), 1 pack of ribbon(1.13 at Dollarama), 1 roll of clear wrapping paper (1.13 Dollarama) and about 2.5 poinds of Hersey kisses ($20 at Bulk Barn)
The greatest part of this gift is its under $5!!!

So here are the steps to compile this wonderful gift favour:

Step 1: Take the jar and wipe it down with a cloth.

Step 2: Take the Hersey bags of the 3 different kinds and place its into 3 different section.

Step 3: There are regular Hersey kisses, Cookies & cream kisses and white chocolate with a chocolate middle kisses. Each jar is about 230ml jars--- you can fit about33 kisses in each jar.

Step4: Start with one style of kisses and place it in the jar. You may count 11 kisses and place them in. Close the lid shut.

Step 5: Take the clear wrap and wrap the jar!

Step 6: Take some ribbon and tie it into a bow.

Now your Gift Favour is complete, this should take no more than 5 minutes to assemble each Favour.

I hope you enjoyed the post, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear what you have to say.

Also check out the Facebook page---- it has more photos and different ideas.. PLEASE LIKE THE PAGE TOO! https://www.facebook.com/GiftFavoursUnder5
ENJOY!

Mom's 50th Birthday Gift Favour

My mom's 50th birthday was soon approaching and I was the only sibling who had time to organize her birthday. Thankfully her birthday landed on a Saturday and my MRI was on the same day, good excuse to get her out of the house.

Upon planning the event I knew where to go to get all the linens, seat covers, napkins and other party favours. Considering all the aspects of the party I knew I needed a great party favour to tie into the mix. I called my sister so we could brief on items to give but they all seemed bland and boring. I was out of ideas, so I went shopping.

I went to IKEA and the ideas began to pour in, within minutes the idea came to life.

The vase was purchased at IKEA for $1.99 (they always have different styles of vases on sale) tea

candles in pink, pack of 20 for $1.99 =10 cents each one (3 is onl

y required for this favour)

and the pink rocks were purchased at Dollarama $1 per pack(need two per vase). In the picture on the right there I added food colouring, that it optional.

Here are the steps to assemble the gift favour:

Step 1: Take the rocks out of the package. Add the two packages of rocks into the vase. Depending on the size of package of rocks, you may only need

one package instead of two. The rocks should fill the vase 1/2 way. As shown in the picture below on the left.

Step 2: Take out the rocks, and fill the vase about 3/4 full with water. Add one drop at a time of red food

colouring and stir it thoroughly to see the colour. Keep adding drops until you are satisfied with the colour. Remember to stir the water after ever drop. The picture on the right has 3 drops of red food colouring.

Step 3: Add the rocks to the vase with the pink water, as shown in the picture to the left.

Step 4: Add the floating tea candles into the vase.

Most tea candles come with silver tin base, just remove them prior from adding to the vase. Each candle is a different pink; baby pink, light pink, and dark pink. Having different hues adds an extra touch to the look of the gift.

Step 5: Last but not least, add the pink ribbon and tie it into a bow at the neck of the vase, as shown below. Viola!!! its done!

To assemble this gift favour it should take no longer than 5 minutes, but the greatest part that's under $5!!!!

My mom was truly surprised with the party, she loved the gift favours even more. Thankfully I made 4 extra ones just in case one got damaged which they didn't so my mom ended up with 4 extra ones. As you can notice the theme was pink, so the gift went perfectly with the theme. Instead of the pink water you can add lilac to add a touch of contrast.

Another idea for this gift can be brown rocks and green water, with caramel coloured ribbon with a small branch through the bow. Great for Earth Day!

Next week, Baptism gift favours for twins (a boy and a girl). Interesting two gifts for under 5!!!!! Check it out!!!! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of this post today!

Masquerade Ball Gift Favour

While travelling through Europe in August my friend and I decided to visit Venice (located in Italy) to see the wonderful city on the water. The scenery was truly an eye of

beauty, something I would encourage anyone to go see. We wanted to utilize the only day we had in the city and see as much as possible.

My personal favorite area was the shops that carried Venetian masks. I snapped a picture of the one store that struck me the most. (To the right) Each mask is hand crafted and stamped for authenticity that they were made in Venice. I spoke to a couple of owners in the shop and they told me that sometimes it woud take days to weeks just to complete each hand crafted mask, depending on the difficulty of design. I fell in love with the masks so much that I had to purchase 4, 2 for myself and 2 as a gift.

I thought if someone were to throw a party with the Venetian theme what party favour would they give to their guests?

I went to the Dollarama January 12, 2011 and found the perfect gift favour for under $5, for any one interested in throwing a masquerade party.

The three components to this gift favour is shown in the picture on the left: the mask (comes in green and black) the demasked box, tissue paper, and any colour ribbon.

All items were purchased at the Dollarama: Mask $2, Box $1.25, ribbon $1 for 2 meters, and the tissue paper $1 for 20 sheets (Each gift needs only 2 sheets of tissue paper). So it's UNDER $5.

This gift is simple to assemble and Under $5!!!!!

There are only 3 easy steps for assembly :

1. Take the box and measure the width of the box so you can make a pillow with the tissue paper. This makes the mask stand out and livens up the gift with colour.
   

2. Place the tissue pillow in the box and then add the mask on top.

3. Take the ribbon of your choice and tie it into a bow. Then trim the bottom of the ribbon in a V.

Assembly time for this gift favour should take no more than 5 minutes. This way you can spend more time looking for that amazing outfit than spending for gift favours.

Gift favour are always a good way for your guests to rememebr your amazing party.

More ideas to come!!! Don't miss out!!!