We are headed into the holiday season now (whether you are ready for it or not), and it's a great time to reflect on giving thanks. When you are hosting your child's birthday party, it is important to teach your child to appropriately thank their family and friends that helped to make their birthday party amazing! After all, it's never too early to start teaching your child about appropriate party etiquette, which will serve them well for a lifetime.
Start thanking your guests at the actual party itself with a small token of your appreciation - frequently referred to as a party favor. There are so many options when it comes to party favors at a child's party, but it can be as simple as handing out a single item. Hand sanitizer is a popular favor choice right now, and you can make it really shine with a personalized label that matches your child's party theme like some of the below (want to check the below out - here are the links: glow party favor labels, art party label, construction party labels, and unicorn party label)!
If you are looking to really go all out, you can create a goodie bag. As inspiration, one of our 
customer's created this beautiful baseball birthday themed tub and used our personalized baseball hang tag to finish it off. For a slumber party fit for a princess or a teen, you
can also stuff a personalized satin favor bag for your child's guests. - this is an example of a sweet 16 bag, but these bags can say anything you'd like!
The party guests (virtual and in person) have just left with their personalized party favors in hand, there's wrapping paper everywhere, and new toys buzzing and humming - phew you're done, right? We've all been there, but you're not quite done yet. Second, in the next few days, it's time to help your child write thank you notes to show his/her guests that he/she is grateful for their presence and presents.
****Queue the groans**** I'm sure you've dreaded writing thank you notes from time to time yourself, and the thought of getting your child to sit still are write these is making you consider whether you should just bang out some thank you emails for them. BUT, we've got some tips to entertain your child for an afternoon and make the process fun and educational (BIG WIN!).
The key: don't make your child dread writing these. This should be an excuse for an afternoon of arts and crafts for your child. The thank you notes won't be perfect, but they will be more meaningful to the recipients if they reflect your child's stage of development (no one wants a perfectly spelled note from mom).
If you don't have specialized thank you stationary or cards, don't worry or feel the need to run out and buy anything. These don't need to be expensive - you can decorate construction paper, plain computer paper, or anything you have laying around.
TIPS:
1) Set yourself up for success - Keep a sheet of paper and pen at the party and write down each gift and who gave it to your child. That will make thank you note time a breeze.
2) Don't fight a battle you can't win - only make your child write a few of these at a time. We recommend only making them write half their age at a time (e.g., a 10 year old should only write 5 at a time, a 7 year old should only write 3-4 at a time).
3) Have your child address the recipient by name (this will make them feel special).
4) Help your child brainstorm ideas for the meat of the thank you note. You can work on emotion words with your child when you ask why they are grateful for the gift or them coming to their party. How did it make your child feel? Did your child have fun playing with them at the party, etc. If your child is better with pictures - this is a great spot for your child to draw a picture of the gift, them playing with the gift, or the two of them playing at the party. Whatever your child thinks would be a great drawing.
5) Sign the note - What a great opportunity for your child to practice spelling and writing their name.
6) Address the envelopes - This is really the adult part (the postal service will thank you for that). If you want to keep your kids involved in this part, let them help with sticking the stamps on.
If you don't have addresses or want to save postage, you can always go digital with an email that your child helps you to write, OR for the most personal touch, scan the handwritten card as an attachment to the email.
However you choose to do it, a thank you note from your child will undoubtedly brighten the attendees day! Be thankful, have fun, and spread that thank you joy!
Ready to get started? SHOP NOW for personalized party favors to thank each of your child’s party guests!
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