Valentine's Day Goody Bags: What to Buy, How to Fill Them, and What to Skip
Valentine’s Day Goody Bags: What to Buy, How to Fill Them, and What to Skip
Valentine’s Day goody bags are the bags you fill with treats and small gifts for a classroom exchange, a party, or a friend. The problem is that most people either buy the cheapest bags they can find (thin, printed bags that tear) or overfill them with too much candy. The right goody bags are quality, the right size, and filled with a mix of treats and small gifts. This guide covers what to buy, how to fill them, and what to skip.
Valentine’s Day goody bags covers the small bags used during the holiday for treats, favors, and small gifts, including paper bags, cellophane bags, and organza bags. The best goody bags are quality, festive, and the right size. The worst are thin, cheap, and so flimsy that they tear when you fill them.
The right Valentine’s Day goody bags make a small gift feel special. Here’s what to buy, how to fill them, and what to skip.
Types of Valentine’s Day Goody Bags
Paper Bags
Paper bags are the most common and affordable option. They’re the bags you use for classroom exchanges and party favors.
What to look for:
- A quality kraft paper material (thick enough to not tear)
- A set of 25 to 100 bags in a standard size (4 x 6 inches or 5 x 7 inches)
- A festive design (a heart, a Valentine message, or a blank bag you can decorate)
- A flat bottom (so the bag stands up)
- A closure (a twist tie, a sticker, or a fold-over top)
What to skip:
- Paper bags that are too thin (they tear)
- Paper bags without a closure
- Paper bags that are too small or too large
Price range: $8 to $15 for a set of 25 to 100.
Cellophane Bags
Cellophane bags are the clear bags that show off the treats inside. They’re the bags you use for treats and small gifts.
What to look for:
- A quality material (cellophane or BOPP, not thin plastic)
- A set of 50 to 100 bags in a standard size (5 x 7 inches)
- A clear or semi-clear material (so the treats are visible)
- A set that includes twist ties or ribbon
- A food-safe material (if you’re putting food inside)
- A weight of at least 100gsm
What to skip:
- Cellophane bags that are too thin (they puncture)
- Cellophane bags without a closure
- Cellophane bags that aren’t food-safe
Price range: $8 to $15 for a set of 50 to 100.
Organza Bags
Organza bags are the elegant option. They’re the sheer, shimmering bags that make a small gift look beautiful.
What to look for:
- A quality organza material (sheer, with a subtle shimmer)
- A set of 20 to 50 bags in a festive color (red, pink, or white)
- A drawstring closure
- A size that fits the treats (small for candy, medium for cookies)
What to skip:
- Organza that’s too thin (it tears)
- Organza without a drawstring
- Organza that’s too shiny (it looks cheap)
Price range: $8 to $15 for a set of 20 to 50.
Printed Bags
Printed bags are the festive option. They’re the bags with Valentine patterns, like hearts, Cupids, or Valentine messages.
What to look for:
- A quality material (kraft paper or cellophane)
- A set of 25 to 50 bags in a Valentine pattern
- A closure (twist tie, ribbon, or drawstring)
- A food-safe material (if you’re putting food inside)
What to skip:
- Printed bags with a blurry print
- Printed bags that are too thin
- Printed bags that are too busy (the pattern is too large)
Price range: $8 to $15 for a set of 25 to 50.
How to Fill Valentine’s Day Goody Bags
For a Classroom Exchange
A classroom exchange is the most common use for Valentine goody bags. You need 25 to 30 bags, one for each classmate.
How to do it:
- Choose a set of 25 to 30 paper or cellophane bags
- Fill each bag with 2 to 3 small treats (a chocolate, a lollipop, a Valentine pencil)
- Seal the bag (twist tie, ribbon, or sticker)
- Add a Valentine card with the recipient’s name
Tip: Choose a simple design and let your child help fill the bags. Total cost: $10 to $25.
For a Party Favor
A party favor is the bag you give to guests at a Valentine’s Day party. You need 10 to 20 bags.
How to do it:
- Choose a set of 10 to 20 quality bags (organza or printed)
- Fill each bag with 2 to 3 small items (a chocolate, a small candle, a mini lip balm)
- Seal the bag (drawstring or ribbon)
- Add a gift tag with the guest’s name
Tip: Choose a quality bag for a more polished look. Total cost: $20 to $40.
For a Friend
A friend goody bag is the bag you give to a close friend. You need 1 to 5 bags.
How to do it:
- Choose a quality bag (organza or a decorative paper bag)
- Fill it with 3 to 5 items (a chocolate, a small candle, a lip balm, a handwritten note)
- Seal the bag (ribbon or drawstring)
- Add a gift tag with a personal message
Tip: Choose quality items and add a handwritten note. Total cost: $10 to $20.
For a Teacher
A teacher goody bag is the bag you give to a teacher for Valentine’s Day. You need 1 to 3 bags.
How to do it:
- Choose a quality bag (organza or a decorative paper bag)
- Fill it with 3 to 5 items (a chocolate, a good tea or coffee, a quality pen, a small candle)
- Seal the bag (ribbon or drawstring)
- Add a gift tag with a personal message
Tip: Choose quality items and add a handwritten note. Total cost: $15 to $25.
What to Put in Valentine’s Day Goody Bags
For Kids
Good picks:
- A small chocolate or a lollipop
- A Valentine pencil or eraser
- A small sticker sheet
- A Valentine tattoo
- A small toy (a mini figurine, a bouncy ball)
- A Valentine card
For Adults
Good picks:
- A quality chocolate or truffle
- A small candle (in a romantic scent)
- A quality lip balm
- A good tea or coffee sample
- A small notebook or a nice pen
- A mini bottle of wine or champagne
- A small bath bomb or bath salt
For Teachers
Good picks:
- A quality chocolate
- A good tea or coffee sample
- A quality pen
- A small candle
- A small notebook
- A gift card ($5 to $10)
What to Skip Entirely
Bags that are too thin. They tear when you fill them, and they don’t look good. Choose quality.
Bags without a closure. A bag without a closure is hard to close. Choose bags with a closure.
Too much candy. A bag that’s filled with only candy is too much sugar. Mix in non-candy items.
Items that are too cheap. A $1 item feels like an afterthought. Choose quality.
Items that are too expensive. A $20 item in a goody bag is too much. Save the expensive gifts for a larger present.
Too many items. 2 to 5 items per bag is enough. Don’t overfill.
FAQ
What are Valentine’s Day goody bags? Valentine’s Day goody bags are small bags filled with treats and small gifts for a classroom exchange, a party, or a friend. They come in paper, cellophane, organza, and printed styles. The best are quality, festive, and the right size.
What should I put in a Valentine’s Day goody bag? For kids: a chocolate, a Valentine pencil, a sticker sheet, a Valentine tattoo, a small toy, a Valentine card. For adults: a quality chocolate, a small candle, a lip balm, a tea or coffee sample, a small notebook, a mini bottle of wine. For teachers: a quality chocolate, a tea or coffee sample, a quality pen, a small candle, a gift card.
How much do Valentine’s Day goody bags cost? Paper bags cost $8 to $15 for a set of 25 to 100. Cellophane bags cost $8 to $15 for a set of 50 to 100. Organza bags cost $8 to $15 for a set of 20 to 50. Printed bags cost $8 to $15 for a set of 25 to 50. Fillings cost $5 to $20 per bag.
Where can I buy Valentine’s Day goody bags? You can buy Valentine’s Day goody bags at Amazon (wide selection, bulk), a craft store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby for paper and cellophane), a party supply store (Party City for printed and favor bags), a dollar store (affordable, but check the quality), and a big box store (Target, Walmart for affordable sets).
What should I avoid when making Valentine’s Day goody bags? Avoid bags that are too thin (they tear), bags without a closure, too much candy (mix in non-candy items), items that are too cheap, items that are too expensive, and too many items (2 to 5 per bag is enough).
How do I make Valentine’s Day goody bags for a classroom exchange? Choose 25 to 30 paper or cellophane bags. Fill each bag with 2 to 3 small treats (a chocolate, a lollipop, a Valentine pencil). Seal the bag (twist tie, ribbon, or sticker). Add a Valentine card with the recipient’s name. Total cost: $10 to $25. Total time: 30 to 45 minutes.
References
- Amazon. “Valentine Goody Bags.” Check on Amazon
- Oriental Trading. “Valentine Favor Bags.” https://www.orientaltrading.com/valentine-favor-bags
- Party City. “Valentine Bags.” https://www.partycity.com/valentine-bags
