How to Make St. Patrick's Day Party Favors

If you are throwing a St. Patrick's Day party, you will need party favors to give away at the end of the celebration. While you could easily buy them at party supply stores, making them is half the fun.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper in green and orange colors
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• Plastic beads (loose or necklaces)
• Candle holders
• Plastic shamrocks
• Key rings

Instructions

1. Get the kids involved. If you are planning a family party and kids will be part of it, start the preparations early by asking them to make their own party favors to give away. Children can make St. Patrick's Day party favors for other children or for older family members.

2. Make St. Patrick's Day party favors that are practical and useful. You can make such things as napkin rings in the form of shamrocks, painted tablecloths or napkins or even key rings. All these items can be made quite inexpensively with just a few materials and can be given to anybody of every age.

3. Buy basic craft supplies such as plastic beads, small baskets and construction paper. Decorate containers such as candle holders by wrapping them with a long green-bead necklace. You can hold the necklace in place using a glue gun or simply tie the necklace in a bow at the end. Use the candle holders as centerpieces during the party, and then give them away as party favors at the end of the night.

4. Make good luck charms, including key rings, bracelets and pendants, by stringing together green beads or small chains. If you are throwing a small party, you can also set up all the materials on a table and allow guests to make their own. This would take care of both the party favors and the entertainment for your party.

5. Buy pre-made party favors and personalize them by adding small plastic shamrocks tied up with green string.

6. Create small bookmarks featuring traditional Irish sayings or toasts. Print the sentences on green construction paper, add some cutouts of St. Patrick's Day images in contrasting colors (orange would complete the tradition), and then laminate them. Give these away as party favors at the end of the night or add a name on the reverse side, and use them as place cards.

Tips & Warnings

• Focus on traditional colors (green and orange) and images (shamrocks and leprechauns). Even the smallest party favors will look more appropriate for St. Patrick's Day if you buy them or make them in green.