A common pageant tradition at some state, national, and international competitions is for the contestants to exchange friendship gifts among themselves. This is usually done within each age division. 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. 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. It feels like Christmas morning going through your stocking. 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.
When selecting your gifts, think consumable, small, and lightweight so it’s easy to transport home either by land or air. Or you can wait until you 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
- Blank thank you and note cards
- Small notebooks
- Individually wrapped cookies, candies, breath mints
- Tubes of lip balm
- Small individual bags/boxes of chips, cereal, goldfish crackers, microwave popcorn
Avoid fragile gifts that are sensitive to temperate changes and difficult to pack. Have fun bargain shopping at the craft stores and enjoy yourself at your next pageant.