Activate your creative juices, moms!

(Create perky souvenirs for your kid's upcoming party!)

If you have the time, the resources, and the guts to actually do it, why not? Besides, creating something with your hands and seeing people delight over it is always a satisfying feeling.

So moms, for your little one's upcoming party why not make the favors yourself? Everyone—your guests, hubby, and especially your kid, will treasure it even more because it's made with a very special element..LOVE!

Sample of a unique, personalized, and crafty favor by Sweet Lil Soles

“Creating your kid's party favor is a labor of love, so it's more appreciated,” said Rhea Diputado, a momprenuer who owns Sweet Lil Soles, an online shop of handmade paper shoe favors and crafty giveaways.

An art lover who sees the value of delightful favors in any occasion, mommy Rhea shared with Baby on Board some tips on creating DIY souvenirs for the little one's party. So, read on and let your creative juices flow!

• Know it's value

A party favor or souvenir, for others, may always come in last in their “things to buy” list for their kid's baptismal celebration or birthday party. In the end, due to time constraints and inefficient budget allocations, they are left with mediocre ones that are dull and very ordinary.

Practically speaking, there's nothing wrong with it. It's just that, of course, as a mother it's best NOT to settle for anything LESS when it comes to your child.

Therefore, take note that the party favor is as important as the party invitation. It's your way of saying the sweetest “thank you's” to all those who joined in the celebration. Accordingly, it's apt and best to provide them with a keepsake that they can treasure for the years to come and that will properly reflect the joy of the occasion.

• Welcome crafty concepts

When you make your own souvenir, you have the power to do everything you want depending on how far your imagination can stretch. So, just let it loose! ALLOW yourself to entertain the craftiest ideas you can think of and make them real!

As what mommy Rhea clarified, DIY party favor “works out one's creative juices”. Consequently, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Remember, now that you know the value of giveaways, the more unique and creative they are, the BETTER!

• Make it personal

One thing that sets DIY souvenirs apart from those which can be bought from a party shop is that there's a PESONALIZED feel to it.

“When you make your own souvenir, there are so many possibilities in terms of design and how you can really personalize it for your party,” mommy Rhea explained.

You can use your kid's favorite color, his cartoon character of choice, or you can even add his latest picture in the giveaway. You can also use different kinds of material like recyclable small bottles or native baskets rather than simple art papers.

Moreover, if you love to bake or create sweets, why not add a delish treat to your favor? Say a cookie or yema just like what Sweet Lil Soles offers.

Sweet Lil Soles sells party favors that can go with different fillings like chocolates, mini cookies, gummies, and pastillas (which is mommy Rhea's specialty).

• Get ideas

In making your own party favors, mommy Rhea said it isn't something that requires you to undergo a thorough training.

“The internet is a very useful tool,” she shared. So make use of it. It'll give you various ideas and themes that can go well with your kid's party needs.

Mommy Rhea revealed that it's also where she got the idea to start an online shop of crafty favors.

Mommy Rhea loving her new role as housewife and momprenuer

“ I did a lot of research on the internet and racked my brain to come up with something. And then I saw these cute paper shoes. It was a light bulb moment! It seemed like it was something I can make and sell. Then, ideas flooded my brain,” she recalled.

Apparently, the internet is a great source of CREATIVE ideas. What more, if you haven't done DIY favors before, you can watch tutorials online.

• Do it with kids

Mommy Rhea admitted that making DIY party favors “can serve as BONDING activity with your kids if you do it with them”.

So, if time permits, do it with your kids! It will also be a training ground for them and will let their artistic skills be honed.

• Be inspired

Most importantly, remember that in creating DIY favors, it's best to be INSPIRED—as inspiration can be a “foundation for motivation”. Thus, it'll help you get everything done!

--

After reading this article, do you think you're now ready to create souvenirs for your kid's party? Well then, why not try these three links to some tutorial online which mommy Rhea shared, and find out?!

Baby girl shoe favor http://catchmyparty.com/blog/diy-how-to-make-paper-baby-shoe-favors

Cake slice boxes http://mypaperpony.blogspot.com/2009/09/cake-slice-box.html

Bag favor box http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/templates/ss/Handbag-Gift-Bag-Template_2.htm

Materials can be easily bought from national bookstore or any school supplies shop:

1. Board paper 180-220 gsm – colors that would match your party theme
2. Elmer’s glue
3. Pair of scissors
4. Template from the internet

Instructions:

1. Get the template from the internet or watch an online tutorial
2. Cut, assemble, glue the template as instructed
3. Design, embellish according to your theme

-30-