You know that little discovery you immediately text your friends about? The kitchen essential you reach for every day, the prettiest cocktail napkins, or the hand cream you buy again before it runs out? That’s the inspiration behind a favorite things party.
It’s a gathering built around sharing the things you love—and finding a few new favorites along the way. Add a simple spread, a cheerful table, and a clear plan for exchanging gifts, and you have a lovely reason to bring friends together this holiday season.
Here’s how to host a favorite things party, from choosing a gift budget to setting a table that makes everyone feel welcome.
What Is a Favorite Things Party?
A favorite things party is a gift exchange where each guest brings something they personally love and shares why it’s a favorite. Depending on the format, guests might bring one gift or several identical gifts, then leave with the same number of new discoveries.
The fun is in the stories. A beautiful notepad becomes more interesting when your friend explains that it keeps her entire week organized. A set of cocktail napkins comes with memories of Friday evenings around her kitchen island.
This theme works for a holiday girls’ night, a neighborhood gathering, or a cozy afternoon with friends.
Choose Your Favorite Things Party Rules
There are several ways to organize the exchange. For an easy starting point, we like the bring three, take home three format.
Ask each guest to choose one favorite item and bring three identical copies. Set a price limit for each copy, then explain exactly how the exchange will work.
For example:
To organize the exchange, write every guest’s name on three slips of paper and place them in a bowl. One at a time, guests introduce their item and draw three recipients. If someone draws their own name or draws the same person twice during their turn, set that slip aside, draw a replacement, then return the set-aside slip to the bowl.
Each person’s name is selected three times, so everyone receives three gifts. Keep gifts with their givers until their turn to make distribution easy.
For a smaller budget, use a bring one, take home one exchange. Everyone brings a single favorite item within the agreed limit, introduces it, and draws a recipient. If someone draws their own name, redraw; if the final guest is left with their own name, swap their recipient with an earlier giver.
Choose your format before sending invitations so guests know exactly what to buy.
Set a Gift Budget Everyone Can Enjoy
The most helpful detail on your invitation is the total expected spend.
“Bring three gifts under $15 each” is much clearer than “$15 gift exchange.” The first tells guests that they may spend up to $45; the second leaves room for confusion.
A few possible budgets are:
Pick a budget that feels comfortable for your group. Small, useful favorites make wonderful gifts, and a thoughtful explanation is part of their charm.
What Should Guests Bring?
Encourage guests to choose something they already use, enjoy, or recommend. A favorite things party is especially fun when the gifts come with a personal connection.
Ideas include a beloved pantry staple, a good book, a handy kitchen tool, stationery, tea, or a small entertaining essential.
For friends who love hosting, our paper cocktail napkins offer plenty of patterns to choose from. Pick the design you reach for when friends stop by, then share your favorite way to use it.
For a single-gift exchange with a larger allowance, consider our Favorite Things Cotton Tea Towel. Its cheerful collection of icons makes a playful connection to the party theme.
Tell guests whether gifts should arrive wrapped or unwrapped. We like leaving them unwrapped for this format so everyone can see each discovery during the introductions. A ribbon and a small card explaining “why I love it” add a thoughtful finishing touch.
Favorite Things Party Invitation Wording
Your invitation should include the date, time, location, RSVP details, gift quantity, per-item budget, and wrapping instructions. Let guests know whether you’re serving dinner or light refreshments, too.
Here’s sample wording you can copy:
A Few of Our Favorite Things
Please join us for a festive evening of favorite finds, delicious bites, and holiday cheer!
When: [Date and time]
Where: [Address]
RSVP: [Name and contact information] by [Date]
Bring three identical copies of one item you love, priced at $15 or less each—a maximum gift spend of $45. Think of something you use, enjoy, and would happily recommend to a friend.
Please leave your gifts unwrapped, with an optional ribbon or note, and come ready to tell us why you love your pick. You’ll head home with three new favorites!
Light appetizers, sweets, and drinks will be served. Just bring your gifts—we’ll take care of the refreshments.
Set a Simple, Beautiful Snack Table
A favorite things party doesn’t need a formal seated dinner. A kitchen island, dining table, or sideboard can hold a generous selection of small bites while leaving guests free to mingle.
Start with a few dependable favorites: cheese and crackers, a savory appetizer, fresh fruit, and something sweet. Choose foods that are easy to enjoy while chatting, and put out small plates and plenty of napkins.
Our Favorite Things Paper Table Runner is a playful starting point for the theme. Its colorful icons give you several accent colors to work with; choose one or two for flowers, napkins, and other details. The paper roll can be cut to fit your table or kitchen island.
Use the coordinating Favorite Things Serving Platter for cookies, tea sandwiches, or your signature party snack. Pair patterned pieces with simple white bowls and plates so the food has room to shine.
Keep a separate surface available for gifts. A console or cleared side table gives guests somewhere to place their items without crowding the refreshments.
Give the Drink Station a Holiday Touch
A small self-serve drink station makes it easy for guests to help themselves throughout the evening. Offer one signature drink, sparkling water, and a festive alcohol-free option, with cups, ice, and garnishes nearby.
For a Christmas gathering, our Nutcracker Christmas Shatterproof Cups bring traditional holiday color to the bar. Pair them with coordinating nutcracker napkins or tartan plaid for a layered look.
You can also keep the menu personal to the theme: serve your favorite sparkling drink, the appetizer your friends always request, and the cookies you make every December. Add small cards explaining why each one is a household favorite.
Add a Few Thoughtful Finishing Touches
Set out a pen and small cards so guests can write down products they want to remember. After the exchange, invite everyone to share a photo or link in a group message. The discoveries often continue long after the gifts have been opened.
Keep a few extra gift bags nearby for carrying everything home. If you’re wrapping your own exchange gifts, our Favorite Things Gift Wrap brings the theme to the packaging with colorful entertaining-inspired illustrations.
Then put on a favorite playlist, pour something festive, and leave plenty of time for conversation. A few clear gift rules and thoughtful table details make space for the best part: hearing what your friends love and sharing a little of what makes your everyday life special.
Ready to set the scene? Explore WH Hostess entertaining essentials for cheerful serving pieces, cocktail napkins, cups, and gifts to bring your favorite things party together.
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