Techniques for Party Napkin Favors

For any party with food or drink, napkins are a necessity. Some party hosts opt for disposable napkins while others utilize cloth ones. While it may seem as if a napkin is simply a napkin, there are some ways you can turn this useful item into a party favor for your guests.

Coordinate with Theme

Disposable and cloth napkins come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles. Visit your local party store or speak with a linen rental company to find out about the patterns and colors they carry. For example, a jungle theme party may have leopard or zebra print napkins. Guests may want to take home an unused sample for their scrapbooks or memory books as a party favor.

You can draw inspiration from perusing party sites online. Parents.com covered a story on Napkins with a Twist on how you can dress up your table and your napkins with daisies, butterflies and starfish to name a few. View some photos for inspirational design ideas.

Personalize

Disposable napkins can be imprinted with the names of the hosts or the reason for the party, along with the date. These make great party favors for those who collect memorabilia of special occasions such as weddings, Sweet 16s and anniversaries. You can order custom imprinted napkins at local stationary and party stores or on a variety of online party stores such as www.foryourparty.com or www.napkinspersonalized.com.

Another way to turn your useful napkins into party favors is to buy linen napkins embroidered with the reason for your party and the date, initials or your guests' names. If you have your guests' names embroidered on the napkins, you triple their use: a napkin, a party favor and a place card. If emroidery is your hobby, you can make the napkins yourself (see http://www.embroideryarts.com/project/napkins1.html for a sample). Specialty gifts stores typically offer personalized linen napkins or you can order online from sites such as http://www.classictablelinen.com/custom_embroidery or http://www.pomegranateinc.com/embroidery.html.
.Napkin Holders

Whether you use cloth napkins or paper napkins, napkin holders are fun and festive party favors. Napkin holders also serve a dual duty if you decorate them to match your party theme and give them as gifts your guests can take home with them. Coordinating napkin holders with your theme is easy to do with a full range of napkin rings available in department stores and online. For example, a tropical wedding event may have palm tree napkin rings to coordinate with small palm tree centerpieces and Key West green bridesmaid dresses.

You can also make your own napkin rings to ensure the design fits your theme. You can even turn it into a small napkin ring craft party with family, friends or your bridal party. For ideas and templates on how to make your own napkin rings, visit http://familycrafts.about.com/od/birthdaypartyprintables/a/printbirthnprin.htm.