Christmas party favors are a simple way to make guests feel appreciated and give them something memorable to take home. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, kids’ Christmas party, office celebration, or holiday get-together with friends, the right favor can fit your theme without stretching your budget.
From holiday favors for adults and kids to personalized keepsakes, inexpensive treats, bulk favors, and easy DIY projects, there are plenty of options for every type of celebration. In this guide, you’ll find 20+ Christmas party favors that are useful, festive, affordable, and easy to customize. You’ll also find DIY Christmas party favors, unique ideas, personalized options, and simple favors you can make yourself at home.
Quick answer:
The best holiday party favors are useful, festive, affordable, and easy to prepare.
Popular choices include mini hot cocoa kits, Christmas cookies, ornaments, candy jars, candles, and simple DIY gifts. For a larger gathering, choose bulk Christmas party favors to lower the cost per guest. If you want something more special, personalized or handmade favors can make guests feel appreciated without requiring a large budget.
For most celebrations, plan around $1–$5 per guest for simple favors and more for personalized or premium options. The best choice depends on your guests, party theme, and how much time you have for preparation.
Mini Hot Cocoa Kits
A mini hot cocoa kit is one of the easiest Christmas party favors to make yourself. Fill a small mason jar or clear treat bag with hot cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, and crushed peppermint, then finish it with a candy cane and a festive gift tag. This inexpensive idea works for family gatherings, office celebrations, and holiday parties for both kids and adults.
For larger parties, prepare the kits assembly-line style and buy the jars, cocoa mix, and packaging in bulk. A simple hot cocoa favor can cost around $1–$3 per guest, depending on the ingredients and packaging you choose.
Christmas Party “Favors” for Kids
Kids Christmas party favors should be fun, easy to carry, and useful after the celebration. Instead of fragile decorations, choose simple treats and activities that children can enjoy at home, such as coloring books, crayons, candy canes, stickers, small ornaments, or festive activity kits.
A $3–$4 goodie bag can make an affordable option for Christmas party favors for kids, especially when supplies are purchased in bulk. For younger children, avoid small items that could be choking hazards and choose age-appropriate treats, toys, and crafts instead.
Christmas Party “Favors” for Adults
Adults usually appreciate Christmas party favors that are useful, consumable, or easy to enjoy at home. Good options include scented candles, gourmet treats, hot cocoa kits, coffee or tea sets, mini baked goods, and other small gifts that feel thoughtful without being overly expensive.
When choosing Christmas party favors for adults, consider the type of gathering and your budget. For a larger celebration, inexpensive options such as holiday treats or small candles can work well, while a smaller gathering may call for unique Christmas party favors or personalized gifts that feel more special.
DIY Christmas Party “Favors“
DIY Christmas party favors for adults can look thoughtful and polished without taking hours to prepare. Try assembling a small hot cocoa, coffee, tea, baking, or mocktail kit in a clear bag or jar, then add simple instructions and a festive ribbon.
These DIY Christmas party favors are especially useful when you need favors for a group because the ingredients can be purchased in bulk and assembled in batches. For an adult-only celebration, choose flavors and gifts that match the party theme while keeping the presentation simple and gift-worthy.
How to Make Christmas Party Favors
Making Christmas party favors yourself is an easy way to create thoughtful gifts while keeping your holiday party budget under control. Choose a simple favor, gather your supplies, assemble the items in batches, and finish each one with festive packaging.
1: Choose Your “Favor“
Start with an easy idea such as a hot cocoa kit, candy jar, cookie box, mini ornament, or small candle. Choose something that suits your guests and the type of Christmas party you are hosting.
2: Gather Your Supplies
Buy jars, bags, ribbon, tags, candy, and other materials in bulk when possible. Buying larger quantities can make cheap DIY Christmas party favors more affordable, especially for parties with many guests.
3: “Assemble” in Batches
Set up an assembly line instead of making one favor at a time. Fill the jars or bags first, add the treats or small gifts, then finish each favor with ribbon or twine.
4: Add a Personal Touch
Add a guest’s name, initial, party date, or short Christmas message. Simple stickers and gift tags can turn an inexpensive favor into personalized Christmas party favors.
5: “Package” and Store
Keep finished favors in a cool, dry place until the party. If you’re using fresh cookies, chocolate, or other perishable treats, prepare them as close to the event as practical.
These simple steps make it easy to create Christmas party favors to make yourself without complicated crafting skills or a large budget.
Christmas Party “Favors” for Women
For a women’s holiday gathering, choose Christmas party favors for women that feel useful, festive, and a little indulgent. Small self-care gifts such as scented candles, lip balms, bath products, tea sachets, hand creams, or cozy accessories can make thoughtful favors without taking up much space.
You can also pair two inexpensive items together, such as a mini candle with tea or a small ornament with a holiday treat. This creates a simple gift set that feels more personal while keeping the cost manageable.
Christmas Party “Favors” Ideas for Every Guest
If you’re short on time, simplicity wins. A candy cane tied to a small gift tag, a chocolate coin in mesh netting, or a single Christmas ornament costs under $1 per guest and still feels intentional when presented in a small box or bag.
- Wrapped peppermint bark squares
- Single mini ornaments with a tag
- Chocolate gold coins in mesh bags
Personalized Christmas Party “Favors”
Personalized Christmas party favors can make even a simple gift feel more thoughtful and memorable. Add each guest’s name, initial, family name, or the date of the celebration to an ornament, candle label, gift tag, mug, or small treat box.
For a budget-friendly option, use personalized stickers or printed tags instead of customizing every item. If you’re preparing “favors” for a large group, order the labels and packaging early and buy supplies in bulk to keep costs manageable.
Small Christmas Party “Favors”
Small doesn’t mean forgettable. A mini succulent in a 2-inch pot, a keychain ornament, or a single truffle in a gift box all cost under $3 and pack easily for guests heading home on public transit or a plane.
- Keychain-sized ornaments
- Individually wrapped truffles
- Mini succulents or poinsettias
Bulk Christmas Party “Favors”
If you’re hosting a large celebration, bulk Christmas party favors can help reduce the cost and make preparation easier. Look for multipacks of candy, hot cocoa packets, mini ornaments, treat bags, candles, or other small gifts that can be divided among guests.
Buying in bulk is especially useful for office parties, school celebrations, family gatherings, and events with 20 or more guests. Compare the cost per item before buying and order early during the holiday season so you have enough supplies for every guest plus a few extras.
Christmas Party “Favors” for Employees
For an office celebration, Christmas party favors for employees should feel thoughtful, practical, and appropriate for a professional setting. Useful choices include a branded mug with cocoa or coffee, a small desk plant, a reusable tumbler, a festive snack box, or a gift card paired with a holiday card.
For larger workplaces, choose simple favors that can be purchased in bulk and customized with the company name or a short thank-you message. A practical gift is often more appreciated than a decorative item that employees may not use.
Cheap DIY Christmas Party “Favors”
You don’t need a large budget to create memorable cheap DIY Christmas party favors. Homemade treats, candy bags, simple ornaments, cocoa mixes, and decorated jars can all be prepared in batches for a low cost per guest.
To save even more, choose inexpensive packaging, reuse clean jars when appropriate, and buy ingredients such as chocolate, candy, ribbon, and gift bags in larger quantities. Simple presentation can make budget-friendly favors look much more polished.
Unique Christmas Party “Favors”
For a memorable twist, try a mini snow globe, a fortune-cookie-style “wish for the new year,” or a small ornament shaped like the year (2026). These stand out because most guests haven’t received one before, and they cost roughly the same as standard favors, $3–$6 each.
- Mini snow globes
- Custom “new year wish” fortune cards
- Year-dated keepsake ornaments
Nightmare Before Christmas Party “Favors”
For a Nightmare Before Christmas–themed party, black-and-white striped candy, spider-web gift bags, and Jack Skellington–inspired ornaments fit the theme without needing licensed merchandise. A DIY “Sandy Claws” cocoa jar with black and white marshmallows is an easy, budget-friendly centerpiece for this theme at around $2 per jar.
- Black-and-white striped candy or ribbon
- Skeleton or spider-web patterned gift bags
- Star-shaped ornaments in black, white, and silver
Christmas Party “Favors” to Make Yourself
Homemade favors read as more thoughtful, and most take under 10 minutes each once you assemble supplies. Felt ornaments, painted mini terracotta pots, or hand-tied cinnamon stick bundles all cost under $2 per guest and can be made in batches while watching a holiday movie.
- Felt or salt-dough ornaments
- Painted mini terracotta pots with a small plant
- Cinnamon stick bundles tied with ribbon
Christmas Party “Favors” on Amazon
When you’re short on time, ready-made favor packs save the assembly step entirely. Look for multi-packs of 24–50 units so cost-per-favor drops, and order at least 5–7 business days ahead of the party to account for holiday shipping delays.
- Pre-made hot cocoa bomb multi-packs
- Bulk mini ornament sets (25–50 count)
- Assorted candy favor bag sets
Pinterest-Worthy Christmas Party “Favors”
If photos matter for your event, favors with visual repetition , matching kraft boxes, uniform ribbon color, or a single accent color like sage green or burgundy, photograph better than mismatched items. Buy one style of packaging in bulk rather than several different containers for a cohesive look.
- Uniform kraft gift boxes with wax seal stickers
- Matching ribbon in one accent color
- Styled flat-lay favor table for photos
Christmas Cookie Favor Boxes
A small kraft box with 2–3 homemade or bakery cookies costs about $2–$3 per guest and works for nearly any age group. Line the box with wax paper and seal it with a sticker so cookies stay fresh for up to 2 days after the party.
- 2–3 assorted cookies per box
- Wax paper liner
- Wax seal sticker or twine closure
Mini Ornament “Favors”
A single glass or wood ornament, gift-tagged with the guest’s name and the year, works as both a favor and a keepsake. At $2–$5 each depending on material, these are one of the few “favors guests actually keep displayed year after year.
- Glass ball ornaments
- Wood-cut star or tree ornaments
- Personalized ribbon tags
Soy Candle “Favors”
A 2 oz soy candle in a holiday scent like balsam or spiced apple costs roughly $3–$5 when bought in bulk from a candle supplier, and burns for about 10–12 hours, enough for guests to actually use it before the season ends.
- 2 oz travel-tin candles
- Holiday scents: balsam, spiced apple, peppermint
- Kraft labels with the party date
Peppermint & Candy Cane Jars
Layer crushed peppermint, mini candy canes, and white chocolate chips in a small jar for a $1.50 favor that doubles as a hot cocoa topping. This is one of the fastest options to assemble, about 100 jars per hour once you’re set up.
- Small mason or spice jars
- Crushed peppermint, mini candy canes
- White chocolate chips or sprinkles
Goodie Bag “Favors” for Big Groups
For parties over 30 guests, a simple cellophane bag with 3–4 small items (candy, a mini ornament, a chocolate coin) keeps assembly fast and cost low, around $2 per bag when items are bought in bulk. Set up an assembly line rather than packing bags one at a time to cut prep time in half.
- Cellophane bags in bulk (100-count rolls)
- 3–4 small mixed items per bag
- Twist ties or ribbon closures
Last-Minute Christmas Party “Favors”
If the party is tomorrow, grab a bag of individually wrapped chocolates and a roll of ribbon from the grocery store, tie a few pieces together in a small bundle for an instant favor. This works in under 30 minutes for a group of 20 and costs under $15 total.
- Grocery-store wrapped chocolates
- Ribbon or twine for quick bundling
- Printable tags (free templates, print at home)
Which Favor Fits Your Party?
| Party Type | Best Favor | Cost Per Guest |
|---|---|---|
| Kids’ party | Goodie bag with coloring kit | $3–$4 |
| Adult cocktail party | DIY cocktail mix or mini candle | $4–$6 |
| Office party | Branded mug or gift card holder | $10–$15 |
| Large group (30+) | Bulk cellophane goodie bags | $1–$2 |
| Budget-conscious host | Peppermint & candy cane jars | $1–$1.50 |
For more ways to round out the table, browse [Christmas dinner menu ideas] and pair your favors with a themed [Christmas party ideas for adults] guide. If you’re hosting at work, check our [office Christmas party planning guide] for timing and budget tips, and see our [DIY holiday gift wrapping guide] for packaging that matches your favors.
Final Thoughts
Christmas party favors don’t need to be expensive or complicated to leave an impression, the ones guests remember are usually the simplest.
Pick two or three ideas that match your crowd, buy supplies in bulk to keep costs down, and give yourself a weekend to assemble them without the last-minute rush. Try one of the DIY options this year, snap a photo of your table, and make it a tradition your guests look forward to every December.
FAQs
Peppermint bark, candy cane jars, and printable gift tags keep costs under $1.50 per guest. Buying candy and jars in bulk after the holidays the year before can cut costs even further.
Plan for one favor per guest plus a 10% buffer for last-minute additions. For a 20-person party, that means about 22 favors to avoid running short.
A mason jar hot cocoa kit is one of the easiest homemade options, taking about 5 minutes per jar and costing roughly $2 in supplies. Felt ornaments and cinnamon stick bundles are close runners-up.
Most hosts spend $1–$5 per guest for simple favors and $8–$15 for personalized or employee gifts. Bulk buying typically cuts the per-unit cost by 30–50%.
Set favors near the exit or on a designated table as guests arrive, so nobody forgets to grab one on the way out. For seated dinners, place a small favor at each place setting instead.
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