Grandparent Party Favors

Usually it’s the kids who get a party favor bag at a birthday party, but in 2010 I started an additional party favor craft that I’ve decided will be a tradition- Grandparent Party favors. If anyone is going to help out with the party or go above and beyond with the gift-buying, it’s typically the grandparents. So I like to make a special thing just for them to be able to take home as a souvenir of the birthday party.

Last year, I made the Formula Can Flower Pot Centerpieces. Each grandparent or great-grandparent was given one before they left. See that tutorial here. This past year, I made Wire Picture Holders.

Supplies Needed:

Block of Styrofoam 4- 6 inches long and 1 inch high
Cardboard (optional)
Crepe paper sold by the sheet or tissue paper
Coordinating ribbon
Two pieces of 9 inch of craft wire (needs to be a little thicker gauge than floral wire)
Hot glue gun with glue
Scissors

Step One:

This step is optional, depending on the weight of your styrofoam. Cut a piece of cardboard the same size as the bottom of the styrofoam and hot glue it to the bottom.

I tried it both ways. I made the picture hold with and without the cardboard on the bottom. My styrofoam was kind of light, so I liked the ones with the cardboard on the bottom better. It gave the styrofoam some extra weight on the bottom. If you have cardboard lying around, I recommend using it. I think you’ll be happier with the finished product.

Step Two:

Wrap the styrofoam block in the crepe paper or tissue paper. Wrap it like you would a Christmas present. Use hot glue to secure loose edges.

Step Three:

Use needle nose pliers to make loops in one end of the wire. Make three or four loops. This is where the picture will go. Do this with both pieces of wire.

Step Four:

Place a dab of hot glue on the straight end of the wire. Push the wire through the paper covered styrofoam cube. You can do it straight or at an angle. I tried it both ways and they produced the same result. Do the same with the other wire.

Step Five:

Make sure your wires are the same height. If not, use your needle nose pliers to make more loops to make the longer one the same size as a shorter one.

Step Six:

Using your ribbon, wrap it around the styrofoam and wrap the ends around the wires. Tie a bow in the middle to finish it off. Use hot glue to secure the bow and anywhere else on the ribbon.