The week before Thanksgiving I hosted my annual favorite things party with some of my closest girlfriends! It is such a fun and meaningful night that always gets us into the holiday spirit! If you’ve been wanting to host a favorite things party or need inspo for a cozy, girls gift exchange, this post breaks down everything from the theme, to the gifts and everything in between!
What is a Favorite Things Party?
A favorite things party is a night where you get together with your friends, neighbors or family and share your favorite item from the year that is at or under a certain price point! You can host at your home, a restaurant or even virtually. For our group we kept the price point between $40-$50. You can bring a single item equal to that amount or a group of items adding up to that amount. We like to do 2 rounds so every goes home with 2 gifts. Each attendee is asked to bring 2 of the same exact items.
It’s the perfect theme for:
- a holiday gift exchange
- a birthday month celebration
- a girls night in
- a fun tradition with neighbors, family, friends or coworkers
The Aesthetic: Cozy, Inviting and Casual
If you follow along on Instagram, you know I love pretty, feminine home decor that has cozy textures and soft delicate details. This year, I leaned into the classic Ralph Lauren aesthetic that is warm and inviting while still having that quaint, vintage charm. This year, I wore a long plaid nightgown from amazon that is so cozy and these amazing $10 bow slippers!
Think:
- Red and green tartan tablecloths
- Fireplace lit
- Candlelight ambiance
- Vintage brass nutcrackers
- Cozy spaces for everyone to gather, sit and sip!
The vibe was a mix of elegant entertaining, feminine home decor, and pretty hosting ideas that made the night feel extra special without being overwhelming.
How the Gift Exchange Worked
Since we had a larger group of 30 girls we kept it simple. I had number tags printed at Staples and each guest put their favorite item behind a number 1-30. We quickly went around the room to introduce ourselves and say what our favorite item is and why. Then we each picked a number out of a bowl and whichever number you pick is the number you get to take home (we do a quick check to make sure you don’t pick your own number!). We do two rounds and during the second round we also make sure that no one gets the same number they had during the first round. We didn’t wrap any gifts but a bow, ribbon or clear wrap always makes the item look more elevated!
Other ways to exchange:
- Steal once (this could be fun with the right crowd!)
- Swap with a friend
- Pick the gift you want based on number order during the drawing (example #1 gets to pick first gift)
What everyone brought (so many good ideas here!)
This is always the best part! We’ll each go around the room and say what we brought and why. Since our price point was between $40-$50 it was a mix of thoughtful, pretty and practical items. Some categories included:
- Home Decor (touchable lamps, candles, a picture frame with a gift card to get photos printed)
- Beauty & Self Care Favorites (hand soap, hair products, makeup and skincare)
- Lifestyle & Everyday (tote bag, water bottle, portable phone charger and sunglasses)
Every gift was a hit and I’ll be using these ideas all year for birthdays, holidays and for hostess ideas.
Here is a list of what everyone brought! I tried to group items together (some of these links are commissionable)
Prizes
I like to give out prizes to keep it light and fun. This year we had three categories (best dressed, most wanted gift and most likely to give as a gift (practical item). We had five winners!
- most wanted – a cheese board, mini brass bowls, cheese knives & a cheese book
- most wanted – vuori tote bag
- most practical to gift – anthro icon glasses, cheese board cards
- most practical to gift – gel mani system
The prizes were:
- my favorite beach/boat/pool bag
- practical holiday decorating set (ornament anchors & garland ties)
- tortoise martini glasses & martini cocktail napkins
- santa mugs with hot chocolate
- pretty tissue box & hand towel
Food and Drink Set Up
We keep this pretty simple! This year I ordered this gorgeous grazing board from Olive & Meadow in West Chester, PA. It was the main focus food-wise and everyone commented on how beautiful the spread was. Other appetizers that are well liked are deviled eggs, vegetable crudites, a simple fruit dish and mini sandwiches. I asked a few friends to bring dessert that included, cute brownies with Santa hats (strawberries), cookies, macaroons and an apple tart. Everyone brought a bottle of alcohol to drink so I just made sure to have some extra on hand in case. We also made cranberry margaritas and espresso martinis as the specialty cocktails of the night!
Tips for Hosting your own Favorite Things Party
- Choose a price range – $40-$50 was perfect for our group!
- Set a theme or vibe – I like to keep it cozy in pajamas with the fireplace lit
- Keep food simple – focus on a few dishes and don’t underestimate a grazing board
- Give guests time to mingle – girls nights in are meant to be relaxed and cozy
- Create a pretty display – arrange the gifts on a table and get cute tags printed at Staples
Final Thoughts
I look forward to hosting the favorite things party every year. It is a night filled with friendship, thoughtful gifting and pretty holiday details. Whether you’re planning a girls night, holiday gift exchange or you just want an excuse to gather your favorite people, a favorite things party is the perfect way to celebrate!
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