A common pageant tradition at some state, national, and international competitions is for the contestants to exchange “friendship” gifts among themselves. Check with your director first to see if this done in the system you are competing.
Don’t stress out or spend a lot of time and money on the exchange gifts. For economy budgeting, allocate $1 per contestant. There are usually between 50-100 people, so about $100. In addition to the gift, you will need a business card, postcard, or sticker with your name, state, title and message printed on it to attach to each gift. You can either print these at home, or some contestants use Vista print to create business cards and postcards with their crowning photo or headshot on it. It’s up to you.
The purpose of the gift exchange is to provide a small token of best wishes to the contestants. It is so much fun to go through your goody bag in your room. I always felt like I was looking through my Christmas stocking on Christmas morning. Having gone through many of these exchanges over the years, here are some of my thoughts and suggestions.
Not only do you need to transport these gifts to the pageant, people have to transport them home. If you and many contestants are flying, this can be problematic. When selecting your gifts, think consumable, small, lightweight, and something you wouldn’t be offended by if it is thrown in the trash immediately upon receiving. Or you can wait until to get to your finally destination, buy a couple cases of bottled water, and attach your business cards there. Bottled water is consumable, highly appreciated by the families, and it’ll be used. That’s why food items are the most popular choice.
Here is list of other practical ideas:
- Book markers
- Pencils, pens, or erasers
- Fingernail files
- Box of crayons
- Blank thank you and note cards
- Small notebooks
- Individually wrapped cookies, candies, Pixie Sticks, Tic Tacs,
- Tubes of lip balm (lip smackers or Avon)
- Small individual bags/boxes of chips, cereal, goldfish crackers, microwave popcorn
- Votive candles
- Packs of flower seeds
My daughters and I have also received some very creative gifts over the years such as custom t-shirts, scrapbooks, jewelry, tote bags, stuffed toys, mirrors, cosmetics, Bath and Body Works items, socks, umbrellas, and picture frames.
Avoid gifts that are fragile, sensitive to temperate changes, and difficult to pack. Have fun bargain shopping at the craft stores and enjoy yourself at your next pageant.
