Goody bags don't have to be an afterthought. Here's how to build one that kids will love, and the stress-free shortcut busy NYC parents swear by.
By Ivy & Bugz | Party Planning Tips
Let's be honest: goody bags have a reputation problem. Plastic trinkets that break before the car ride home. Candy gone in 30 seconds. A sad little bag thrown together the night before.
You've worked hard to throw a beautiful party - the goody bag is the last thing guests take home. Make it count.
Start With the Right Bag
The bag sets the tone before anyone looks inside. Skip the generic paper bags. Think reusable totes, themed drawstring bags, mini pouches, or a decorated box - something they'll actually keep.
Know Your Audience
Ages 2–4: Simple and safe. Sticker sheets, chunky crayons, a small board book. No tiny pieces.
Ages 5–8: The golden age of goody bags - go themed and go all in. Toys, squishies, tattoos, crafts, a sweet treat.
Ages 9–12: Lean into trends. Lip balm, hair accessories, stationery, anything Swiftie or Squishmallow.
Ages 13+: Keep it cool. Skincare, a scrunchie set, a fun keychain. Less is more, but make it quality.
The Magic Formula
Every great goody bag needs:
1 "wow" item - the thing they run home to show their parents
1–2 consumables - candy, a lollipop, something they can eat right now
1 practical item - stickers, a pencil, a hair clip,
1 themed touch -Â a ribbon, a tag, something that ties it all together
Aim for 3–5 items. A few well-chosen things always beat a bag stuffed with filler.
Don't Skip the Personal Touch
A small tag that reads "Thank you for celebrating with us! — Olivia, age 7" costs is almost nothing and means everything. We include custom gift tags with all our party favor sets, because the details matter.
The Shortcut Busy Parents Love
Building 20+ goody bags from scratch eats up a weekend. That's exactly why we created Ivy & Bugz.
Our pre-made, themed party favor sets come curated, styled, and ready to hand out - in themes from Princess to Spa to Fairy to K-Pop. Need something custom? Our swag bag service has you covered.
Beautiful goody bag. Zero stress. Everyone goes home happy. That's the Ivy & Bugz way.
Ready to shop? Browse our Pre-Made Party Favors collection or email hello@ivyandbugz.com for custom orders. NYC same-day delivery available on orders before 10am.Â
