A Christmas party can be one of the biggest and most fun events of the year. For some, it is the one time of year that they have the opportunity to get together with family and friends that live far away. For that and many other reasons, it can be a stressful time for those in the hosting seat.

Why not take some pressure off the occasion by creating your own party favors in advance? The following do it yourself party favor projects are simple and concise. Yet, they make adorable small gifts for your guests that you can easily customize to match your own colors and motif. It should take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to make all the samples in this How to Make Christmas Party Favors page. You will need a basic knowledge of sewing and cutting to finish it. Keep in mind that a sewing machine is not required however. The sewing portions can be done effectively by hand.

First, you should compile your guest list before beginning any of the crafts. Once you know how many you will need, you should go ahead and do all the preparation work at one time. For example, you should cut out all the template pieces and have all the extra decorations laid out and ready to go. Then, it's a simple matter of setting up an assembly line. Enlist friends and family to help with the construction and final touches.

Fill this candy bag with your favorite treats. It will be a favorite for both kids and adults. If your budget allows it, use velvet or velveteen for the outside fabric.

• Supplies:
• Fat quarter of Christmas themed fabric
• Fat quarter of fabric in contrasting color for lining
• Candies with a red, green and gold color scheme
• 12 inch decorative cord
• Red card stock
• Sewing needle
• Matching thread
• Scissors
• Candy cane

Directions:

1. Fold both fabrics in half and stack them together.
2. Trace a 5" by 8" rectangle on the wrong side of your fabric.
3. Draw a 1/4 inch hem around the shape.
4. With the whole stack in hand, cut out the bag shape. Now, you will have two pieces of your main fabric and two pieces of your lining.
5. To make side A, take one of the main and liner fabrics and place them right sides together.
6. Make a straight stitch across the top hemline.
7. Now, fold it wrong sides together and iron.
8. Repeat the above steps with the other two pieces of cloth to make side B.
9. Place the two halves together with the main fabrics touching.
10. Straight stitch along the whole shape to close it leaving the top of the bag open.
11. Turn the pouch right side out.
12. Fill it with treats.
13. You can include a cute Santa card inside. It can say something like "Tell Santa what you want for Christmas". Leave space for them to write a quick answer.
14. Then, tie the braid around the top to close it. Slip the candy cane under the braid. You can include a name card as well.

What's better than giving guests your famous sugar cookies? Give them the actual recipe. Place some of your favorite Christmas recipes in this thoughtful gift. This really works well when you include the instructions for a dish that you actually served at the party.

• Supplies:
• Decorative paper for your printer
• Medium sized jar
• Fat quarter of Christmas themed fabric
• Red, green and gold ribbons
• Red card stock
• Hole punch
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Fill the jar with a few recipes printed on half sheets of paper. You may even want to go the extra mile and write them by hand. Place aside.
2. Use the lid of your jar to trace its circumference onto the wrong side of your cloth.
3. Draw a circle two inches larger than this circle around the old one.
4. Cut out your shape. Then, turn under a 1/4 inch hem. To make it easier to hem, make small slits with your scissors along the edge in the hem allowance ever inch around.
5. Iron down your hem.
6. Sew the hem closed with a simple straight stitch.
7. Center the finished cloth over the closed jar and tie down with ribbons.
8. Print out the provided tree tags on at least three different colored papers
9. Cut out the trees and stars. Then, punch a hole in them.
10. Tie the cards among the ribbons.
11. Write the name of a guest on the larger tag.

For added effect, dress this craft to match your actual Christmas tree by making paper decorations like your real version. Also, you can match the color scheme if you like. The template can be increased in size with a paper copier to make a centerpiece for a children's table. This three dimensional craft can easily fold up for travel if needed.

• Supplies:
• Red, green and gold ribbons
• 1 sheet of red and/or gold card stock
• 3 sheets of green card stock
• Hole punch
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Glue
• Paperclip
• Glitter paint pen (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut out the provided template shape from the printed page.
2. Trace the shape onto a piece of construction paper or thin cardboard to create a new template.
3. Use a pencil with this new template and copy the shape on to the green card stock.
4. Stack at least 3 sheets together then cut out your trees.
5. Hold the paper together with a paperclip then place on a sturdy surface.
6. Open your stapler and staple at least three times down the center line indicated on the template.
7. Fold out the sections of the tree until it can stand on its own.
8. At this point, you can decorate the tree with paper cutouts of ornaments on red or gold paper.
9. Use glitter paint to make garland.
10. Staple the ribbons to the top of the tree.
11. Let the tree dry before using it.
12. After everything is dry, sit the star on top.
13. Once finished, you can place it as a placeholder at each seat at the dinner table.