New Year's Party Favors: Delight Your Guests with Festive Ideas

If your New Year’s photos need instant drama, this 72-inch Deluxe Fantasy Feather Boa brings the glam. We found the black iridescent feathers photograph beautifully and give full coverage for costumes and step-and-repeat moments, with easy shipping to the US and Canada. Like most boas, it sheds—keep a lint roller handy—and the delicate construction isn’t made for heavy dancing or repeated wear. It costs more than basic boas, but for one-night sparkle and a bold entrance, it earns its keep.

Add a playful pop to your midnight selfies with this 2-inch Happy New Year Mini Glitter Top Hat. In our testing, the tiny size looked adorable on kids, pets, and as a place-setting accent, and the attached elastic makes it a quick grab-and-go favor. Do expect some glitter fallout, and the short band isn’t comfortable for most adults; we found clipping it to hair or headbands works best. At about $1, it’s a budget-friendly sparkle, though occasional sticker placement can be hit or miss.

Want a showy midnight moment? In our testing, The Original All That Glitters Push-Pop Confetti delivered dazzling sparkle in photos and videos thanks to its all‑metallic mix. The reusable, food‑safe push‑pop tube and hand‑printed packaging, plus U.S.-made production, make it feel giftable, and you can refill it after the countdown. Just note it doesn’t self‑explode—you need to ‘serve it like a volleyball’—and metallic bits are tougher to clean and not biodegradable; at roughly $12 each, costs add up for big groups.

Mini Moët bottles instantly elevate a favor table and make individual midnight toasts feel luxe. During our review, the 187ml size proved perfect for one or two flutes, with classic notes of green apple, citrus, brioche, and fine bubbles that most guests recognize. The per-milliliter cost is higher than full bottles and the quantity isn’t ideal for sharing widely, and some palates find it a bit commercial. Pair with custom labels for a polished send-off and check venue alcohol rules.

We found the Sugarfina Champagne Bears Perfect 10 Party Pack instantly elevates a favor bar—elegant, gift‑ready packaging and real Dom Pérignon champagne flavor give them an adult‑friendly twist. They’re undeniably luxe, but that premium branding means a higher cost per serving, so budget for smaller packs or VIP bags. Be mindful of potential trace alcohol, allergen cross‑contact, and the high sugar content. Compared with everyday gummies, the taste and presentation are standouts if you’re aiming for a polished, celebratory feel.

We found Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider to be a reliable crowd‑pleaser for mixed‑age New Year’s toasts—classic apple bubbles without the alcohol. At around $1.25 a mini, it’s easy to stock up so each guest gets an 8.4‑oz bottle for the countdown or mocktails. The flip side is that size can feel small and the flavor leans sweet; our experience shows a splash of soda water or citrus helps balance. Note this SKU isn’t organic, but value is excellent for sober celebrations.

Classic and crowd-pleasing, the Play-Doh Party Bag makes stuffing goodie bags effortless. In our testing, the 15 one-ounce cans offered plenty of bright color variety, and the included gift tags made personalizing favors quick. Be aware the small lids can be tough for little hands (and tired adults), and enthusiastic sculptors can blow through a single ounce fast—consider two cans per child. Prices can fluctuate dramatically across retailers, so it’s worth price-checking before you stock up for New Year’s.

Looking for a hands-on favor that’s easy to portion out? The Playfoam Party Pack comes with 20 individually wrapped pods, and in our testing kids loved that it never dries out, so they could revisit their creations later. The non-sticky formula was kinder to tables than slime, though foam beads can scatter and certain colors may transfer to fabrics—keep it off carpet and sofas. After heavy kneading sessions it can lose some tack, but for quick countdown activities it’s a crowd-pleaser.

Quiet crafts for the countdown are a win, and Wikki Stix deliver without the mess. During our review, the wax-and-yarn sticks kept kids 3+ happily shaping stars and 2025 signs at the table, and the compact packs slip easily into party bags. Note that a few packs arrive unsealed and the strands can pick up lint or feel a bit sticky, so add a placemat or wipes. For larger groups, our experience shows one party pack may feel skimpy—consider doubling up per child.

During our review, the Anagram Happy New Year Clock Foil Balloon instantly set the countdown vibe—the festive clock face reads clearly from across the room. Its 18-inch size works for bouquets, centerpieces, or individual favors, and foil holds helium longer than latex for displays that last past midnight. You will need helium to float it (an extra cost), and the thinly packaged foil can crease; it’s also not biodegradable, so eco‑minded hosts may prefer latex despite its shorter float time.

Hosting photo‑happy friends? During our review, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 was a portable hit—lightweight enough to pass around, with an app full of creative modes and filters for on‑the‑spot prints. Expect a nostalgic look rather than lab‑level detail, and remember Instax Mini film raises the per‑print cost if you’re churning out favors. It charges over Micro‑USB and the battery isn’t marathon‑long, so our experience shows it’s best for curated highlights instead of printing every candid.

These embossed matte-gold round labels add instant polish to favor boxes, candle lids, and mini bottles. In our testing, the Easy Peel sheets with Pop-up Edge sped up labeling, and the permanent adhesive gripped paper, glass, and plastic reliably. Printing alignment can be tricky—the embossed area is unforgiving—so use Avery’s template and run test sheets to avoid waste, especially if you expected a shiny metallic finish. Once dialed in, the look is classy and consistent for New Year’s gifting.

Metallic Sharpies are a simple way to dress up favor tags, champagne cork boards, and guest prompts. During our review, the fine tip produced crisp lines and a bright sheen on both white and black cardstock, and the quick-drying ink resisted smudges. We did encounter a dud or two per pack and noticed ink flow can fade faster than expected; test each marker ahead of time. On slick glass or plastic, our experience shows you’ll want a sealer for true permanence.

Eco-minded guests will appreciate a useful favor they can carry all year, and FinalStraw fits the bill. In our testing, the collapsible stainless design felt sturdy, the soft silicone tip was comfortable, and the included brush plus dishwasher-safe parts made cleanup easy later. Between sips, cleaning on the go can be inconvenient without running water, and the case is bulkier than some keychain gadgets. It’s a pricier pick, but our experience shows the durability offsets disposable-straw costs over time.

These pocketable silicone pouches make upscale, reusable favor bags you’ll actually use after the party. In our testing, the Pinch-Loc seal stayed leakproof with travel-size toiletries and snacks, and the platinum silicone handled the dishwasher and microwave without warping. The opening is a bit stiff and narrow, and some shipments have missing or detached carabiners, so check your order. It’s pricier than basic baggies, but our experience shows the included recycled-aluminum clip and durable build justify the upgrade for frequent use.