Party Favours Price Comparison
Compare 195 party favours — from spray centrepieces to party hats — and find the best prices across top UK retailers in one place.
Party Favours price comparison UK
Party favours are one of those purchases that can make or break the atmosphere of an event — yet they're often left to the last minute. Our catalogue of 195 products spans everything from classic conical party hats and novelty spray centrepieces to interactive toys and themed accessories, with prices starting from as little as 0 £. The range is wide, and so is the quality gap between brands.
Beistle dominates this category by a considerable margin, accounting for the vast majority of listings. Their spray centrepieces — a spring-loaded decoration that fans out when pressed — are a genuine crowd-pleaser for table settings, and they cover a broad spread of themes. That said, their average price sits noticeably higher than budget-friendly alternatives from Amscan and Unique Party, both of which offer solid multi-pack options that keep the cost per unit low when you're catering for a large group. If you're planning a children's birthday party and need to fill twenty goodie bags without overspending, Amscan and Unique Party are the names to look at first.
One thing worth flagging: a significant portion of the catalogue sits in the 0 £ to 0 £ range, which reflects bulk or themed sets rather than individual items. Don't be put off by higher headline prices — check the pack size before comparing. A £30 listing that contains 24 party hats is considerably better value than a £5 single item. We always recommend cross-referencing unit counts when browsing party decorations and favours together.
Safety is a genuine consideration here, particularly for favours destined for younger guests. Look for CE-marked products and check that small components meet the relevant age-rating guidelines — this is especially relevant for spray mechanisms and novelty toys. Brands like Schylling and Kidoozie tend to be more rigorous on this front. For Halloween or New Year's Eve events where adults are the primary audience, the premium Rubie's accessories offer a step up in finish and durability, though you'll pay for it.
Whether you're sourcing fillers for party bags, centrepieces for tables, or interactive novelties to keep guests entertained, it's worth pairing your favours with complementary picks from party games and toys or adding a finishing touch with powder and confetti. Use MagicPrices to compare live prices across retailers — stock levels on seasonal items can shift quickly, particularly around Black Friday and the run-up to Christmas.
How to Choose the Right Party Favours
With prices ranging from 0 £ to 0 £, the party favours market is deceptively varied. The cheapest options are often single items with limited shelf appeal, while the pricier end typically reflects bulk packs or premium branded sets. Before you buy, it's worth thinking about three things: who the favours are for, how many you need, and whether you want something interactive or purely decorative.
Type of favour and its role at the event
Spray centrepieces, party hats, novelty horns, and small toys all serve different purposes. A spray centrepiece is a table decoration first and a favour second — it creates visual impact but isn't something guests take home. Party hats and novelty accessories are worn during the event and typically discarded. Toys and keepsakes are what guests actually remember. Be clear on which role you need filling before browsing — mixing up these categories is the most common buying mistake we see.
Cost per unit, not headline price
This is the single most important calculation to make. A pack listed at 0 £ containing 24 hats costs a fraction of a single premium item at the same price. Always divide the total price by the number of units. Budget-friendly brands like Amscan and Unique Party excel here — their multi-packs regularly undercut the per-unit cost of seemingly cheaper single items from lesser-known suppliers. If you're hosting more than 15 guests, bulk packs are almost always the smarter choice.
Thematic compatibility
Favours that clash with your event's theme look like an afterthought. Beistle in particular offers an extensive range of themed spray centrepieces covering birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, and New Year's Eve — making it easier to maintain visual consistency across your table settings. For children's parties, character-licensed accessories (unicorns, superheroes) tend to go down better than generic options. If you're working with a tight colour palette, check product images carefully; descriptions alone rarely tell the full story.
Age-appropriateness and safety compliance
For guests under 3, avoid anything with small detachable parts — this rules out most novelty spray mechanisms and many plastic accessories. CE marking is the baseline standard to look for on any product sold in the UK. For children's parties more broadly, check the stated age rating and look for mentions of non-toxic materials and phthalate-free plastics. Brands like Schylling and Kidoozie are generally more transparent about compliance than generic imports. When in doubt, stick to paper-based options like party hats, which carry far fewer safety concerns.
Interactive vs. static: what actually gets used
Static favours — a printed hat, a small figurine — are fine as bag fillers but rarely generate excitement. Interactive favours (spring-loaded sprays, noise-makers, wind-up toys) create moments during the party itself. The Beistle party horn packs are a good example: they're louder and more engaging than a hat, but they're also more disruptive, which matters at a seated dinner. Match the interactivity level to the type of event. A children's garden party can handle chaos; a wedding reception probably cannot.
Lead time and stock availability
Seasonal party favours — Halloween masks, Christmas crackers, New Year's Eve novelties — sell out fast. If you're ordering within two weeks of an event, filter for products with multiple merchant offers, as these are more likely to have stock available for next-day delivery from retailers like Amazon.co.uk or Argos. Bespoke or themed items from smaller suppliers can take 1–2 weeks. Don't leave it to the week before; the price also tends to spike as the date approaches.
- Budget fillers (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Mostly single items or small packs — party hats, basic confetti bags, and simple novelty accessories. Amscan, Unique Party, and PartyDeco sit in this bracket. Fine for large-scale bag filling where cost per unit matters most, but don't expect premium finishes or robust materials.
- The sweet spot (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Where the best value multi-packs live. You'll find themed Beistle spray centrepieces, Loftus International novelties, and decent-sized assortment packs here. This is the range we'd recommend for most birthday parties and casual celebrations — enough variety and quality without overspending.
- Themed sets and bulk packs (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Larger packs, more elaborate centrepieces, and branded sets from Beistle and Schylling. Often better value per unit than the lower tiers once you account for quantity. Suited to events with 20+ guests or hosts who want a cohesive, well-finished look across multiple tables.
- Premium and collector pieces (Over 0 £) : Rubie's accessories, large Beistle display sets, and specialist items occupy this tier. The quality jump is real — better materials, more elaborate designs — but you're also paying for brand premium. Justified for weddings, corporate events, or themed parties where presentation is a priority. Overkill for a casual kids' birthday.
Top products
- Beistle 54928 party favour Spray centerpiece (Beistle) : The most-compared spray centrepiece in the catalogue — Beistle's spring mechanism and themed print quality justify the mid-range price, though it's a table decoration more than a take-home favour.
- Beistle 53449 party favour Spray centerpiece (Beistle) : A more affordable entry into Beistle's spray centrepiece range — good value for the quality, and the lower price makes it easier to justify buying multiples for larger tables.
- Amscan 9902106 party favour (Amscan) : The best cost-per-unit option in the top 15 — Amscan's reliability and wide distribution make this a safe bulk buy, though don't expect anything memorable in terms of design.
- Beistle 88229-4PK party favour Party horn (Beistle) : The standout interactive option — a 4-pack of party horns that actually gets used during the event rather than sitting in a bag. Loud, which is either a feature or a problem depending on your guests.
- Procos 88640 party favour Party hat (Procos) : A no-frills party hat at a sensible price — perfectly adequate for children's parties where hats will be worn for twenty minutes and forgotten. Don't overspend on hats; this is the right call.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a party favour and a party decoration?
A party favour is something given to or used by individual guests — a hat, a toy, a novelty item — whereas a party decoration is designed to dress the venue itself. The distinction matters when budgeting: decorations are shared across all guests, while favours multiply in cost with every additional person on the guest list. Some products, like spray centrepieces, blur the line — they're table decorations that double as interactive favours when guests pick them up.
How many party favours do I actually need per guest?
One to three items per guest is the standard approach for most events. For children's parties, aim for a small bag of three to five mixed items — a hat, a novelty toy, and a sweet or small accessory. For adult events, one quality favour per person is usually sufficient. The key is to buy in bulk where possible: per-unit costs drop significantly once you're ordering packs of 24 or more, which is where brands like Amscan and Unique Party offer the best value.
Are cheap party favours safe for young children?
Not always — and this is the most important question to ask before buying. Look for CE marking on any product intended for children, and check the stated age rating carefully. Items with small detachable parts (spray mechanisms, tiny figurines) are unsuitable for under-3s regardless of price. Phthalate-free plastics and non-toxic materials should be listed in the product description; if they're not mentioned, treat that as a red flag. Paper-based options like party hats are the safest choice for very young guests.
Is Beistle worth the higher price compared to budget brands?
For spray centrepieces specifically, yes — the spring mechanism and print quality are noticeably better than generic alternatives. For basic items like party hats or noise-makers, the premium is harder to justify. Beistle's average price is significantly higher than Amscan or Unique Party, but their themed ranges are more cohesive and better finished. If visual consistency across your table settings matters, Beistle earns its price. If you're just filling party bags, go with Amscan.
What are the pitfalls to avoid when buying party favours online?
The biggest trap is comparing headline prices without checking pack sizes — a £4 listing for a single hat is poor value next to a £6 pack of twelve. Also watch out for products with no age rating or safety certification, particularly from unfamiliar suppliers. Delivery timing is another common issue: seasonal favours can sell out or face delays close to major events like Halloween or Christmas. Always check how many merchant offers are listed for a product — more offers generally means better stock availability and more competitive pricing.
Can party favours be reused or are they single-use?
It depends entirely on the type. Spray centrepieces and paper party hats are effectively single-use. Novelty toys, wind-up mechanisms, and quality plastic accessories can be reused or kept as souvenirs. Rubie's accessories and Schylling toys in particular are built to last beyond a single event. If you're buying for a recurring event — an annual office party, for example — investing in reusable, durable items at the higher end of the price range makes more financial sense over time.
Which party favour brands are best for a wedding versus a children's birthday?
For weddings, Rubie's and the premium Beistle sets offer the finish and sophistication that adult events demand — understated, well-made, and presentable as keepsakes. For children's birthdays, Amscan and Unique Party are the practical choice: affordable multi-packs, bright colours, and a wide range of themes. Loftus International sits in the middle — novelty-focused and fun, but not quite refined enough for formal occasions. Match the brand to the tone of the event rather than defaulting to the cheapest or most recognisable name.