Birthday Party Favors - Arlington Heights,IL

Instead of goody bags I went to the grocery store and bought a few boxes of gingerbread flavored graham crackers and got some of the decorating icing in the tubes, gum drops, cinnamon buttons, mint candies, etc for the kids to use todecorate. I had 15 boys at my house yesterday and loved it and they were excited to bring them home 2 boxes of crackers made 15 houses and the candy was a $1 a bag. This time of the year is great because instead of doing goody bags you can do some winter/christmas/holiday themed craft for the kids to take home plus it entertains them. One year we made ornaments out of dough and I baked them, we painted shatter proof ornaments last year they were not as big of hit as the mini houses this year, we have decorated gingerbread men, etc So much better then the useless stuff in the goody bags.

For our daughters' 5th birthday this year, she had her first "friend" party. I went to Walmart and got toys on clearance for $1 to $3 each. (NORMALLY $15 to $30!) So, check some clearance sections at stores! We skipped the little "junk" and only got nice stuff for the kids! What she gave was even nicer than some of the stuff she got! We also included a chapstick, bottle of bubbles, ring, large cupcake shapes lollipop (got on clearance!) and each child also went home with a helium butterfly balloon. (The balloon was the most expensive thing. I would not do the balloon again.)

For 7 year old boys, if you can't find any great deals in clearance sections, how about a Matchbox car. Saw them for a $1 the day...... And perhaps a LARGE sized bouncy ball????

Go to Target...they have some pretty good stuff in their 'dollar store' area in front where you walk in. They also have a whole section of stocking stuffers that have some good things...like mini lego sets and spy gear.

I am glad to see you are not going with the typical junk that usually finds its' way into the trash can within 24 hours of coming in the house!!!
How about some of those cool glow in the dark necklaces/wristbands? You can find them at the Dollar Stores...my grandson LOVES them.
Or maybe a small flashlight...always something that a boy loves to play with.
Match box cars are on sale everywhere right now.

I did gift cards to Coldstone Creamery, one year, for my son's birthday in June. There were only 12-13 boys, so I did $5 each.

Cars,
Punch Balloons
Coloring books
Crayons
Cool twist straws

Hot Wheels,Blow Pops leave out the plastic junk.
Added:Seen the post from M W the large bouncy balls if you have an Old Navy they have the huge toy machine of large bouncy balls for a quarter it is really thrifty to go that route but i'd be embarrssed to go fill up a bag of balls.

Yes, don't give bags. Sorry, I just find that they are usually junky, and get thrown out the same day. Skip it and save some money.