Thread: Need ideas for themed TOT Gift Bags

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For the last several years I've purchased small cartoon Halloween paper bags which run 40 for $1. I usually can fit a couple of 'fun sized' candy bars in them along with some Halloween confetti and a little cheap spider / eye bouncy ball or something like that.

This year I'm changing a lot of thing around and I'll be outside in costume with a potion cabinet sort of thing, potions and experiments are going to be on shelves, ect. I'd like to theme the treat around this scene. May even dedicate a shelf or two to these treats.

How can I do that on a reasonable budget (ie., I'm not a millionaire)? I'd love to hear your craft ideas or links to purchasing little novelties I could use in bulk. I imagine we normally have around 60+ kids come every year, this year it will be on a Friday though, and we get more and more every year. Regardless, some kids just might luck out when it comes to getting these (don't worry, they'll still get candy but that isn't as exciting). After all, I can't make a hundred good looking ones by myself.

So, I am mostly focusing on looks I guess, and I'd like to make at least 40 depending on how time consuming they are; the major factor is money. A couple more pointers: my little 'scene' is going to have plenty of spiders, liquid potions, rats, feathers, and little experiments.

Here is a couple thoughts. Don't know if they are feasible or not. Check out some cheap small mason jars. Print off some scarey things from the net and put the pictures on the inside facing out. Then put the candy inside and screw the lids on. Or check out puffer balls. I have a bunch I'm going to give away as spider eggs this year. I picked up about 90 for $40. I'm not sure what is on the inside but, you can always scoop it out, put the candy in baggies and then stuff the balls. Use yarn to sew them back up and they look like little frankenstien creatures. Just a couple ideas off the top of my head. Oh, how about large balloons. Just stuff them full of candy and tie the ends. Or better yet use, those cheap white disposible gloves. Put candy in them and seal the wrist. It will go with the lab theme.

Good ideas! Similar to the mason idea. I found a site that sells plastics for a good price. I'll probably end up buying a bunch of those and putting pictures or plastic worms/spiders/maggots in them with some candy.

If not though, filling the gloves is a cute idea I didn't think about.

What about gummy worms in a big glass jar, you take a pair of tongs and pick them up and then drop them in their bags.

Chocolate covered spiders wrapped in plastic.

I saw somewhere you could get the harry potter all flavor jelly beans.

That is a neat idea about giving things off the witch's shelf. Gummy worms might not work if they're not packaged, they'll more than likey just get thrown out when the TOTs get home. Someone had up their shop pics where they ahd things tied up in burlap swatches with an orange or black string around to close it up. You could do something like that and put on a label saying something gross. It'd be pretty inexpensive and not use up too much time.

You could get plain ol' tiny brown paper bags with candy and maybe a small toy inside. Then, add something like a spider ring tied to the neck of the bag- which you will tie shut with jute or twine for a scary look. Label the bags Spider Legs, Bat Wings, or Dried Vampire Blood as if they were ingredients for your potions. Stow them in cauldrons and old pots and crock ware.

If you want to get creative, you can come up with a great font and clip art (or other) graphics and print them on your computer's printer! Take a pair of decorative pinking shears to the tops of the bags for a great detail...um...AFTER you've printed them.

I think I saw 40 spider rings for $1 at Dollar Tree. Oriental Trading company also has them, but their shipping on orders under $50 or $60 has become prohibitive IMO. Check out Dollar Tree for other small treats as well. They have small 'matchbox' cars (6 for $1), party favors, a dozen cookie or cracker snacks, or gummy skeletons. They also had 9 little 2 " skeleton heads in a net bag last time I looked. You can mix in items like these, and it won't cost that much. Because the bags aren't see-thru, no one will know which has what. $10 could buy you 60-90 little treats to add to your bags.

Best of all, any leftovers will easily store until the following year!

I don't know what your budget is but what about something like this?

Plastic Jars, Clear PET Jars with Lined Black Dome Caps

All good ideas! Now I definitely want to print out some labels. The gifts can be something like trials or free samples of all the stuff I've got going. Found a Grand Opening Apothecary sign at Walmart the other day too, perfect for the set up.

Burlap bags sound like an interesting idea too...might check in to that.

And Dark Star, haha, that is almost identical to the link I posted above.

Duh, I see that now.....I need to pay more attention..