If you are looking for candy to have at your kid’s next party and want to order it off of the Internet, you must check out CandyCrate: whether you are looking for nostalgic favorites like Pez and gumballs or a large assortment of bulk candy, this is an excellent resource in both price and service. Another fun aspect of the site, is they have a “Fun Facts” section with candy trivia. This may even work as a party game/activity for your next party.

One of the BEST ways to decorate a party table is to have wrapped candy scattered all around the table. Having different types will keep the kids interested looking and trying all of the various types.

CandyUSA is also another excellent candy resource for your party. It has all sorts of facts on your favorite candies from Candy Canes to Candy Bars. Also, if you are planning a seasonal party and want to include a candy craft, this is also an excellent resource. As an example, for Valentine’s Day, there is a Gift Box that is sure to please. Also, a ton of fun facts for th holiday as well.

M&Ms, PEZ, and Hershey’s are worth checking out for your party planning.

Look at the cool Hershey’s Chocolate BBQ Grill Cake (right)

Remember Dum Dum Drops, NECCO, and those infamous Wafers?

If you want to personalize your chocolate bar wraps for your birthday party, check out WhimsyWraps.com. They are quite cute. Of course, you can always customize them yourself!

SweetFactory also has its products on-line these days for your ordering convenience as well.

Also, be sure to check out Dylan’s Candy Bar ~ not only another great resource for party candy, but also a destination when visiting NYC!

OK, time for my daily Reese’s PB Cup! These sites have me totally craving a chocolate treat!

• Initial Parties
• Chocolate Thoughts
• Chocolate Bar Invitations
• Crayola

A favorite blogger whom I love, At Home with Kim Vallee, chimes in with her thoughts on kids’ party favors.  Kim provides some specific sources for party favor ideas, and then uses Seesmic to ask your thoughts on party favors via a video.  A cool format and targeted great ideas from Kim.  Check it out and let her know what you think of the classic party favors at kids’ parties today!

The Robot Party Round Up that Kim features from Dabbled is well worth a look too.  With Wall-E so popular this summer, this creative, thematic group of ideas are very useful as you plan your own Robot party.

Great resources here!

• Guest Party Blogger: Courtney Goodwin’s Favor Suggestions
• Chocolatey Goody Tip
• Party Favors: How Much Should You Spend
• Whimsical Boutique

Two words for you: Dollar Tree. Or Dollar Store. Or whatever you have in your region where everything in the store costs a dollar or less. I found little Elmo washcloths, colorful take-out container boxes, bouncy balls that light up, and Sesame Street stickers for each child.

I bought a large jar of Jelly Bellies at Costco (like Sam’s Club) and split them into smaller bags to include in favor boxes. This was a little more cost-effective than buying individual packages; plus, I was able to include a big bowl of them on the buffet table. The kids loved it.

Licensed character cookies. You’d need to custom-order these from a bakery (or make them yourself – if you’re that gifted). These can get expensive but would be a fun take-home favor. (If I were my party – this would be the only favor.

Cupcakes – these would make fun favors. You can find clear plastic boxes for them online, or put them in cute take-out container boxes.

My favorite resources:

www.michaels.com papers, containers, gift wrap, decor

www.joann.com papers, fabrics, containers, gift wrap

www.dollartree.com favors, gift wrap, containers

www.thecontainerstore.com favor containers, gift wrap, kids chairs

www.partycity.com favors and paper goods

www.orientaltrading.com super cheap favors and party supplies

www.ediblegiftsplus.com photo & personalized cookies

www.alissweettrreats.com Elmo cookies, custom cookies

www.papermart.com clear plastic boxes for cupcakes or other favors (have to buy a minimum of 50, though…so either have a really big party or save them for other occasions)

• Guest Party Blogger: Courtney Goodwin’s Invitation Ideas
• Guest Party Blogger: Courtney Goodwin
• Guest Party Blogger: Courtney Goodwin’s Entertainment Suggestions
• Forums -Managing a BIG one year old party

With graduation parties almost upon us and with birthday parties in style no matter the season, a cool favor for your guests are personalized Jones Soda Bottles! So cute and nifty…simply upload your photo, customize your label, choose your soda (or ask your kid what his favorite flavor is), and off you go!

Jones Soda offers really cool flavors that all kids will love, including: grape, green apple, classic cream soda, beyond, and way beyond.

Check it out for your next party favor.

• Graduation Party Invitations and Wrap
• Oh the Places You’ll Go Graduation Party
• Ice Cream Party Ideas
• Party Favor Thoughts

Give a read to The Plain Dealer’s Article Goody Bags Gone Bad.  It chronicles kids demanding good goodies or else!  The stories recounted are not urban legends, but true!  I have plugged Birthdays Without Pressure before and Bill Doherty is found here discussing how goody bags have become their own arms race! 

Alternatively, Response Source out of the UK, discusses setting a trend for Ethical Party Bags.  Ideas include using cotton bags rather than plastic to hand out the goodies, choosing little wooden toys as goodies made from sustainable wood, and recycled notebooks.  It’s all about quality and sustainability.

Looking to get off the goody arms race altogether?  Why not hand out prizes for games or do a craft together and let those serve as the goodies?  If kids demand the goodies and decide not to show because there aren’t any goody bags being handed out, allow them to not attend.  Sooner or later kids will come around and want to be a part of the party fun for the sake of the party and friends…not for the goodies!

• ThankGoodies.com
• Saying "No" to Goody Bags?
• Different Goody Bags for the Ages
• Tween Goody Bags