Favors are given to show your guests that you really appreciate their presence. Favors come in many colors, shapes, flavors, sizes and types; so picking one for an occasion can be a real adventure! So where do you begin and how do you pick a great favor? There are a few simple rules you can follow to create or buy the perfect favor for your wedding.
You can give favors whenever you want to, but generally it's expected there'll be favors at the reception. Showers and engagement parties are also popular occasions to give favors, since these generally include some of your closest friends, it'll be easy to pick out something they'll enjoy.
For reception gifts, you can start at $2 or $3 but go as high as your budget allows! If you want to stay on the low side, for example, a wedding with 150 people and a $3 favor for each guest will run you about $450.
Here are some suggestions in case your stumped on what to get:
- Picture frames are perfect and functional. Use a special message or put your reception place cards in the photo window.
- Celebrate garden parties with favors of seeds, bulbs, seedlings or plants.
- Film buffs can leave discount movie passes at each place setting.
- Create your own refrigerator magnets to match your theme.
- Cookie cutters, with a recipe, are a baker's delight.
- Guest soaps in special shapes are a pampering favor.
- Celebrate your love with song, in the form of custom compact discs or tapes.
- Holiday wedding? Try ornaments for an annual reminder of your special day.
- Java junkies can give coffee mugs filled with gourmet coffee beans.
- Reno or Lake Tahoe wedding? how about playing cards and dice from one of the local casino's.
- Sunglasses fit with an outdoor celebration.
- Lip balm encourages kisses.
- For couples who met online, try computer games or mouse pads. Be sure to include a link to your Web site.
- Beanie babies or tiny toys yield fun for the young-at-heart.
- Culinary masters can whip up small cookbooks -- or a personalized collection of your favorite recipes -- with a utensil, such as a whisk.
- Chocolate lovers can concoct homemade chocolates or buy small boxes of truffles for each place setting.