Find goodie bag ideas to help you curate thoughtful and meaningful gifts.
Goodie bags are a fun and thoughtful way to show appreciation to guests. They’re easy to customize to match the theme, occasion, and recipients’ age group. Whether you’re hosting a birthday bash, holiday party, or corporate event, the right items can leave a lasting impression.
Make your Halloween activities even more spooktacular with these Halloween goodie bag ideas. The best part is that you can customize these so they can be spooky, fun, or filled with unique surprises. Whether for kids or adults, these goodie bag ideas will make Halloween extra special.
Mini DIY craft kits.
Aside from giving out sweets on Halloween, why not add a random assortment of mini craft kits that trick-or-treaters can take home? Think: paint-your-own monster kits, pompom kits, or embroidery kits.
Glow-in-the-dark stickers.
Make sure to pick fun and spooky designs to fit the occasion. The best part is they’re fun and safe for all ages. If you’re going to be giving out Halloween goodie bags for adults, instead of glow-in-the-dark stickers, opt for washi tape or planner stickers that they can use for their journals or scrapbooks.
Practical gifts.
Parents will appreciate items that won’t end up in the trash as soon as their kids get home. And kids can reuse them. For example, aside from the usual sweets, include a small rechargeable flashlight or a new toothbrush in your goodie bags.
Halloween slime.
Make your own slimes and place them in reusable tubs, or purchase a pack of Halloween-themed slime kits.
A themed surprise.
If you’re planning to give out Halloween goodie bags to your closest friends, consider splurging a bit and giving out cute Halloween-themed plushies. Use Adobe Express to make stunning on-theme cards or letters and help you create an unforgettable experience for your loved ones.
To make any birthday party more memorable, make sure to include small yet meaningful gifts in your goodie bags. These birthday goodie bag ideas will help make your celebrations more memorable.
Unconventional containers.
Instead of giving out goodie bags in single-use plastic pouches, why not place your items inside mason jars or reusable water bottles? You can also use cloth drawstring bags made of scrap fabric to house your gifts.
Homemade treats.
If you love baking, consider giving out a batch of your signature creations. For instance, homemade cookies can be placed in mason jars or used in glassine bags to hold individual bars. Tie a ribbon or use a sticker to secure the package. Make sure to add a nice card to make your treats extra special.
A cookie decorating kit.
Put together a simple kit featuring several sugar cookies, icing in different colors, and edible sprinkles. Remember to include an instruction card, allergen information, and an ingredient list.
Eco-friendly options.
Thinking of giving out low-waste favors or eco-friendly gifts? Consider curating a bag with reusable or practical items like assorted seed packets (make sure that you get local plants), reusable straws, and paper or sprout pencils—the latter’s stubs can be planted into the soil once they become too small.
Fill it with consumables.
Consumables are great because they don’t immediately end up in the trash. They’re practical, too. Some items you can put in your birthday goodie bags include crayons, gel pens, erasers, cute plasters, and washi tape. Note that the items will vary depending on your guests’ age range. For example, younger guests might appreciate clay craft kits, while older ones might like journaling or scrapbook materials. Also, instead of giving out goodie bags, consider displaying buckets with different consumable items and letting your guests fill their goodie bags with what they want.
A mix of thoughtful and practical items, these goodie bag ideas for adults add a special touch to any occasion.
Mini potted plants.
Potted plants are great, but they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. When giving out potted plants, make sure that the recipient is a person who loves plants. Otherwise, consider giving out low-maintenance and beginner-friendly plants like cast iron plants or spider plants. If they have pets, make sure to give out pet-safe plants.
Samplers galore.
Create an unforgettable experience by giving out tea or coffee samplers. You can also give them a glimpse into your culture by curating goodie bags filled with snacks from your home country or home state.
Local treasures.
Fill your goodie bags with local treats or goods crafted by local artisans. This is a great way to showcase specialties made by your community.
Handmade goods.
If you’re into crafting, why not include some of your handmade goods in your goodie bags? Think jazzed-up friendship bracelets, personalized keychains, or mini embroidered ornaments.
A customized gift.
Give out stylish and functional keepsakes like custom coasters, personalized water bottle stickers (like their caricature or name), or hand-painted ceramic or pinch pots.
Choosing which items to put in kids’ goodie bags can be a tough challenge. You don’t want to fill bags with items that will end up in the trash. You also don’t want to fill it with unhealthy food items. So, what’s a host to do? This list of goodie bag ideas for kids provides suggestions that include fun, engaging, and practical items.
Art supplies.
Fill goodie bags with art supplies like air-dry clay, mini canvases, and cheap paints and brushes.
LEGO minifigures.
Make playtime more fun with these LEGO minifigures. Kids can add them to their collection, display them, or use them for worldbuilding.
Host a book swap instead.
If you’re hosting a children’s party, consider organizing a book swap instead of giving out goodie bags. Ask your guests to bring books that they’re ready to let go of, then decide how you’re going to execute the swap (drawing lots or straws?).
Temporary tattoos.
These are great for kids of all ages for several reasons. One is that they come in an array of designs. They’re safe and easy to remove—just apply baby oil and make sure to clean up any residue with alcohol.
Give out gift cards.
Aside from the usual sweets or toys, why not give out gift cards to a local shop that’s popular with kids? Think: ice cream shops, donut shops, and local dessert bars.
Spread holiday cheer with these festive Christmas goodie bags. Whether for friends, family, or colleagues, these goodie bag ideas will help you curate unforgettable gifts.
A reading kit.
Include a bunch of reading essentials like cute bookmarks, colorful book tabs or book darts, and a small notebook that doubles as their reading journal.
Go niche with themed goodie bags.
For example, prepare a bunch of Grinch-themed goodie bags filled with green treats (or snacks with green packaging) or practical items. You can also do a Bluey-themed one, complete with a Bluey paper bag, a mini Bluey notepad, and some stickers.
Mini bottles of wine.
Perfect for adult guests so they can have something to enjoy at home. If they’re not into wine, consider giving out samplers of craft beer or other artisanal beverages.
Christmas staples kits.
Prepare jars of holiday essentials like hot cocoa mixes, cookie decorating kits, or gingerbread house kits to give out to guests. They’re great for when guests want a quick DIY activity over the holidays.
Mini ornaments.
You have several options for this. One: give out blank ornaments that guests can personalize themselves. When going this route, make sure to include art materials like markers or paints. Two: decorate your mini ornaments and customize them to align with the recipient’s interest or personality.
Make your Thanksgiving celebrations more memorable with these Thanksgiving goodie bag ideas.
Seasonal goods.
Think homemade mini pumpkin pies, maple syrup samples, or fall candles.
Potted herbs.
These are gifts that keep on giving. They add a subtle fragrance to kitchens, and, of course, recipients can add them to their meals. This will be a big hit, especially if your guests happen to love cooking.
A small breakfast basket.
Fill a small basket with breakfast essentials like fresh orange juice or pancake mix so guests can wake up, enjoy their morning, and not have to worry about what to prepare for post-Thanksgiving breakfast.
Turkey-themed everything.
For instance, if you’re giving out Thanksgiving goodie bags to baking enthusiasts, then consider throwing in turkey-shaped cookie cutters or silicone molds.
Use reusable containers.
Instead of paper or plastic bags, why not place your gifts in nice rattan baskets, which is something that the recipients can definitely reuse at home? Good alternatives include glass jars, stainless steel tins, zipper pouches, and beeswax wraps.
Spread love and joy this Valentine’s Day with these Valentine’s goodie bag ideas.
A candy explosion box.
This adds a fun twist to the usual explosion boxes. Instead of filling your explosion box with trinkets and notes, why not fill it with sweet treats instead? This tutorial by Kim Morgan at Inspiration Made Simple shows you how to make a DIY snack explosion box.
Everything in red, white, and pink.
Fill goodie bags with red, white, and pink items like strawberry marshmallows, Starlight Mints, and cherry Twizzlers.
Love notes and affirmation cards.
Let your loved ones know just how much you love and appreciate them by including love notes and affirmation cards in each goodie bag. Use Adobe Express to quickly and easily make sweet, heartfelt letters and cards that your loved ones will treasure.
Self-care essentials.
Include things like Korean exfoliating washcloths, sheet masks, heating patches, and mini skincare products.
Meaningful keepsakes.
Things like personalized keychains or friendship bracelets will definitely be appreciated. You can also create custom artwork and turn that into a custom poster or banner to add to your goodie bags. That will help make your goodie bags unforgettable for your loved ones.
Add a charming and whimsical touch to any occasion with these cute goodie bag ideas. These include adorable items that appeal to all ages and will surely brighten anyone’s day.
Everyday things but better.
Small considerations can make even the most ordinary things so much better. For example, instead of packing generic toothbrush covers into your goodie bags, try to find cuter alternatives. If you’re giving them out to kids, try to find animal toothbrush covers. For adults, hand out adorable ceramic toothbrush holders.
Everything in soft pastels.
There’s something just about soft pastel colors that makes almost anything look super cute. If you want a more consistent look, make sure that the packaging or the bags themselves are also in pastel colors.
Time for some extra cute packaging.
Take your goodie bags to the next level with DIY decorations. Use Adobe Express to quickly and easily design delightful packaging. Use customizable templates or start your design from scratch. With beginner-friendly tools, it’s now easier than ever to make stunning creative projects for any occasion.
DIY photo gifts.
Here’s a thoughtful addition that your loved ones will definitely treasure. Make a DIY photo collage featuring photos of you and your loved ones together. Take personalization to the next level by including nice cards with sweet messages.
Blind date with a book.
Planning to give goodie bags to loved ones who love to read? Why not set up a blind date for them—with a twist? Wrap books in brown paper. Make sure to pick titles from different genres or choose books that you think they’ll enjoy. Make each mystery package more special by adding a clue card or a sweet note.
These sports goodie bag ideas are perfect for teams, tournaments, or other sports-related events. They include fun and practical items that athletes of all ages will love.
An assortment of energy bars.
These make for thoughtful gifts. Plus, they’re perfect for a quick and healthy snack. Other healthy options include a bag of pretzels, crunchy granola bars, and dried fruits.
Motivational keychains.
Keep your athletes inspired by giving out keychains with inspiring sports-related quotes.
Throw in stylish and functional accessories.
Like sweatbands, wristbands, hair accessories, and chunky socks—things they can use to help them better focus on their training.
Relaxation essentials.
Help your athlete friends recover faster by filling their goodie bags with relaxation and recovery essentials. These can include portable muscle and joint roll-ons, recovery bath salts, and sleep masks.
Sports-themed stickers.
Get the waterproof ones so they’ll last longer when placed on water bottles.
Just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean they can’t be fun and thoughtful. These cheap goodie bag ideas won’t break the bank, but they’ll surely delight guests. Check out these creative and cost-effective ideas.
Buy in bulk.
If you’re planning to prepare lots of goodie bags, then buying in bulk can be a practical and cost-effective option. For example, you can buy 24-pack sets of kids’ toys or a bulk pack of crayons, then divvy them up into separate bags. You could also purchase a collection of books and then split them into one bag each.
DIY is the way to go.
For instance, you can get blank photo frames that guests can customize at your party. To make it extra special, set up a photo or printing booth where guests can have their party photos printed. They can then place the photos inside their personalized frames. You can also make a sweet photo collage to give out to guests.
Small but fun or practical accessories.
Things like pencil toppers, mini notepads, and colorful erasers are practical and relatively cheap items you can use to fill goodie bags. Throw in some glow sticks and handmade friendship bracelets to give guests a fun and heartfelt gift.
Thoughtful additions.
Think of things that come in handy. For example, if you know they’re into baking, then give out themed cookie cutters. If they’re into reading, make a bunch of handmade bookmarks and add them to your goodie bags, along with some portable clip-on reading lights.
Mini snack packs.
Combine assorted chips, nuts, and granola bars for a tasty treat. Make sure to include a card that contains the ingredients list and allergen information.
These tips will help you put together useful and value-added goodie bags.
From event flyers to greeting cards, Adobe Express gives you all the tools you need to make standout creative projects for any occasion. Explore beginner-friendly editing tools and customizable templates to start creating out-of-this-world goodie bags and more. See what you can make today with Adobe Express.
