Simple Guide to a Favorite Things Celebration

Transform your festive gathering into a delightful and original event with a Favorite Things Party, inspired by Oprah’s renowned My Favorite Things Christmas show. Discover the complete process for a celebration brimming with joy and camaraderie!

wrapped gifts for a my favorite things party

The Origin of the "My Favorite Things" Gathering Idea

My companion Sue and I maintained a lovely custom; each year during Oprah's My Favourite Things broadcast, I visited her residence so we could watch together. We would relax in her comfortable family room sipping coffee, marveling as Oprah gifted every single person in the audience some of her cherished items, ranging from $150 shower gel to full kitchen appliance collections.

I found an online concept to adapt Oprah’s Favorite Things Show for more modest budgets, creating a My Favorite Things Christmas Party. I have hosted several, and they are incredibly enjoyable!

Reasons to Host a My Favorite Things Party

A My Favorite Things Party offers a creative alternative to conventional gift exchange events. Each attendee selects a favorite item within a specified price point and brings several of it, alongside a favorite snack for a night of laughter, discovery, and tasty delights!

Creative Gifting Focus:
Strengthening Friendships:
A Source of Merriment:
Suitable for Any Assembly:

Invitation for a my favorite things party

Select a Party Date and Prepare for Gift Exchange Excitement

When setting the date for your My Favorite Things party, aim for early December before schedules become tight, or consider a January "After-Christmas" celebration to brighten the New Year.

The gift exchange is central to the event, so pre-invitation planning is key. Establish a group budget, perhaps 4 gifts at $5 each or 2 gifts at $10 each, though higher budgets are welcome. Once set, guests know expectations, ensuring fair giving and receiving. Also, decide whether gifts should be wrapped for surprise or left plain to showcase their appeal. With these points settled, you are ready to send invitations.

Begin by Distributing Invitations for Your Favorite Things Party

Invitations can be shared digitally or via traditional mail, which adds a charming touch. Ideally, send them out one to two months ahead to allow shopping time, though some of our best parties were spur-of-the-moment.

Ensure your invitations are sufficiently clear so guests unfamiliar with the My Favorite Things party concept understand the requirements and what they need to contribute.

Below is a suggested phrasing for a My Favorite Things Party invitation:

An Invitation to a My Favorite Things Christmas Party!

Let us celebrate the season by sharing the simple pleasures that enrich life! Here is how to participate:

Please bring 3 identical "favorite things" gifts priced at $5 or under, wrapped and ready for exchange—a non-edible item you genuinely love and use.
Bring a preferred snack (either sweet or savory) to share with everyone.
Beverages will be supplied, and we will exchange gifts, savor snacks, and forge lasting memories!

Time: [Date & Time]
Place: [Location]

Where to Obtain My Favorite Things Party Invitations

Please note that this post includes affiliate links for your convenience when shopping.

For an effortless approach to invitations, I gathered some lovely editable templates available for a modest price on Etsy. This will substantially cut down your design time (unless you prefer to create it yourself!). View the images below to access the listing:

Setting Up for a My Favorite Things Gathering

On the day of the event, I ensure my presents are wrapped and ready. Following my straightforward method for preparing my small area for a party, I arrange the snacks on either my dining or coffee table since there won't be a main meal.

I will also arrange the coffee and tea stations and prepare a delightful chilled beverage, with Peach Punch being a personal favorite.

Keep a bowl ready for guests to place their names for the gift exchange; if someone brings 2 gifts, they insert their name twice; if they bring 4 gifts, they insert their name four times, and so on.

bowl of ornaments at a my favorite things party

How to Run the My Favorite Things Gift Exchange Game

To play this gift exchange, slips of paper numbered to match the guest count are placed in a bowl and drawn sequentially.

The person drawing #1 begins. During their turn, they draw two names from the bowl, give their gifts to those individuals (if they draw their own name, they draw again), and then share why it is their favorite thing.

The process continues around the room by number until every guest has participated.

**A reminder: As the host, I always keep some 'backup gifts' in case the gift exchange game encounters issues and the final person does not receive sufficient gifts…**

Snacks and Appetizers for a My Favorite Things Party

Appetizers align with the 'My Favorite Things' theme. When inviting guests, I also asked them to contribute a sweet or savory item—something that was their personal favorite—to share. I placed all the refreshments on the coffee table, and everyone helped themselves throughout the evening.

The host arranges the setting, beverages, and provides a gift. In addition to a simple snack, I prepared a cool, slushy peach punch to have ready upon arrival, alongside coffee and tea. We gathered on the furniture, using extra chairs to form a circle in the living room for the gift exchange.

sparkly peach punch drinks — This Peach Punch recipe is wonderfully tasty and visually appealing too!

Gift Suggestions for a My Favorite Things party

I still utilize some items from past gatherings! Here are a few gift suggestions:

A frosting spatula (I use this constantly!)
Travel makeup bags are extremely well-liked.
Comfortable, beautiful socks are always a hit!
A stainless steel collapsible straw perfect for keeping in a purse (especially since paper straws are gaining popularity!).
Look for sales. One year I found lovely mittens for under $5 as my gift, and another year I received fuzzy warm slipper socks that lasted until they wore out!
Quality lip balms or lip glosses. (Sometimes multi-packs are available, allowing for cost-effective division.)
More gift ideas between $5 and $15 can be found in my Amazon Shop.

The Biggest GIFT of a My Favorite Things Party

I’m reminded over and over again that “things” shouldn’t be what we focus on in life ~ but one thing I do want to focus on is friendships and growing them. This little party does that. (And I do admit to loving all the special little gifts! They remind me of the person who gave them.)