Favor Ideas from Simply Homemade to Heartfelt
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Whether it’s something that you make, bake, or package yourself, giving guest favors that are your own creations says much more than “thank you”. It says that you’ve chosen to make a personal statement in a manner and style that is close to your heart. But not everyone has the needed do-it-yourself skills. So here are some of our favorite homemade favor ideas that are sure to thrill guests at your wedding party.
Give Something Delicious to Enjoy
1. Bake a batch of scrumptious treats - These can be from a recipe of Grandma’s or one that has been in your family for generations. Whether you choose to bake gingerbread cookies, almond butter cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, or your own personal specialty, present them in an embroidered organza bag and enclose a recipe card as a thoughtful gesture. Looking for a good cookie recipe book? Try “Great Cookies: Secrets to Sensational Sweets” by Carole Walter.
2. Mix up something healthy - Show your wedding party members you care with party favors with a healthy twist. Consider crunchy granola, trail mix, or candied nuts. Or try a mixture of chewy dried fruits. Present these in shimmering fabric rounds, matching the color scheme of your rehearsal dinner.
3. Get a sugar high - Okay, not exactly, but close enough. Create your own “signature candy mix” consisting of you and your fiance’s favorite childhood candies. It’s a great way for guests to get to know a bit more about both of you. Plus, you can have tons of fun putting these favors together. Package them in woven heart-shaped sinamay boxes for a lovely presentation at a “Love is Sweet” shower.
4. Show your passion for pasta - As a guest favor with a personal touch, pass on your favorite pasta recipe to friends and family. Surprise them with colorful pasta shells packaged in sachets with an ivy design. Ideal for an Italian Tuscan bridal party.
5. Go for iced tea cocktails - For a summertime party, guests will surely appreciate this thirst-quenching gift. Present packets of tea leaves in stylish organza gift bags packaged together with pretty napkin rings. Enclose a little recipe card containing an exotic ice tea made with a liqueur infusion. Perfect as favors for a fondue party.
Share Something that is Floral-Inspired
6. Give something scented – It’s the easiest favor to put together since all you need is your nose to do the choosing for you! Think of giving relaxing lavender buds encased in pomander-inspired bags or flower-shaped sachets (see above examples). How lovely is that! Attach a personalized tag that says “Relax! And remember this special day.”
7. Let flowers do the thanking – Need you say anything when giving roses? Let them speak for themselves, but add a hint of glamour by presenting the blooms in glass bowls wrapped up in gorgeous packaging. See how to create this idea.
Make Simple Favors that Showcase your Creative Side
8. Make special ornaments - Create one-of-a-kind decor pieces using flat wooden plates that are pre-cut into squares or circles. These can be found at craft stores such as Michael’s®. Put on your creative hat and paint each plate with a special design inspired by the season, location, or theme. Finally, mark each ornament with your names and the date of the event, and finish it with a lovely ribbon and tag.
9. Go literary - Compose a special poem or quotation that expresses how you feel about sharing this occasion with the special people in your entourage. Then present this in an elegant picture frame enclosed in a dainty, beribboned organza bag.
10. Create simple bookmarks - These are just about the simplest favors to make and yet have a very practical purpose. Think of a design that matches your interests, background, and style to truly make your bookmarks personal. For example, if you and your fiancé have careers in finance, why not make “stock market” bookmarks? Visit the stock quotations page of your newspaper and use page cutouts mounted on board as the background for your bookmarks. Personalize them in an attractive font bearing your names and the event date. Then, laminate each one at your local craft or office supply store, attach an elegant ribbon, and they’re ready for giving!
