Party Favors- Are they really necessary?

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter turned one, and to celebrate this event we had a big party. My husband and I invited friends anf family, both close and distant. I planned this party for two weeks with my mother. The party was held at my parent's neighborhood clubhouse- spacious room for the kids to run around. The cake was gorgeous and had boutique-not Publix written all over it. The food was delicious and healthy for the health conscience moms out there. There were age appropriate toys from babies to first graders. We had pink and white polk-a-dot balloons. It seemed I had thought of everything, until my friend mentioned party favors to me. Seriously? So what did after I got off the phone with her? I spent two hours on amazon searching for a party favor idea. At about midnight, I decided on honey bear bottles and neon straws. Simple and cheap. When I told my mother about it she put her two cents in and aggressively suggested that I put candy in the bottles for the older kids. Not just any candy mind you, but the expensive sorbet flavored Jelly Bellies. So on the day of the party, I went to Fresh Market and spent $20.00 on this candy. I filled the honey bears up for the big kids and for the little ones, I tied pink tulle ribbon around the bears' neck. I strategically placed honey bear jars in a basket and placed it by the door. No one will be able to miss these, right? I made twelve of these little suckers and only five made it home with someone. What a complete waste of time and money. Why are people still doing this ridiculous party ritual. News flash- nobody wants the party favors. As a kid I never did. Most of the time it's cheap and tacky trinkets one buys at the dollar store. Who is with me when I say just say no to party favors?