Are you giving favors at wedding showers this year or next? Why or why not? In this blog post, we’ll help you decide if favors are a must-have – or something you can skip. Read on for more and subscribe now for the latest to your inbox!
We love hearing from the bride’s mom! When Laura, mother-of-the-bride to Lindsay, wrote us this week, we couldn’t wait to swoop in to help with some suggestions. She’s wondering what kind of wedding favors you give at a bridal shower, what’s “popular” at the moment, and whether you have to give favors at a shower.
Read on to find out the answer!
Showers for Bridal Shower
Laura writes,
“Hi Emmaline, I’m planning my daughter [Lindsay]’s bridal shower. I have the theme and colors, cake, menu, and games picked out. I was asking Lindsay about favors for the shower but she wasn’t sure if you give party favors at a bridal shower. Is that still something people do, and if so, what do you recommend as popular bridal shower favors right now? Thank you for your help.”
Hi Laura! Great question. It sounds like you have a lot of the shower plans in place – great job! There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Some hosts give take-home favors to guests, while others decide to opt out of the tradition. If you’re asking what most people do, then yes, it is customary to give a party favor as a gift to your wedding shower guests. But it doesn’t have to be something elaborate or expensive; it just has to be a small token of your appreciation.
While some argue favors aren’t necessary, here’s a counter-argument: guests travel from all over to attend a wedding shower, pick out a gift or choose one from the registry, wrap it, and bring it along with them. Giving a favor at the celebration is a nice way to thank them for doing so, and provides guests with a nice memento to take home.
If you decide to give favors at a wedding shower, don’t just buy anything! Here are some popular items to consider – and what makes them the trending bridal shower favors of the moment. Let’s get started!
1. Personalized Gifts
Personalized favors are exploding in popularity, simply because they can be so tailored to the shower in terms of color, theme, or style.
As a bonus, when you opt for a personalized gift, guests are more inclined to enjoy it and take it home. You can choose from monogrammed candles, customized wine glasses, or coasters (try these!) for take-home favors.
As one example, these personalized candle favors from Aria Bella Candles feature a beautiful book-themed design alongside the caption, “A New Chapter Begins”. This is a perfectly fitting favor to give at a book themed wedding shower!
Or these candle favors for a tie the knot bridal shower for a chic, coquette-inspired bash.
There are dozens more to choose from here.
When you add an item like a personalized candle favor to the tables, it’ll underscore your theme and provide guests with a fun item they’ll love to use at home.
2. Edible Treats
Next, edible treats: a practical and enjoyable favor!
Favors that guests can eat or drink are popular because they don’t sit on shelves for months collecting dust. Guests enjoy them, and that’s it! Nice and simple. We did a huge round-up of edible wedding favors, so check out that link for specifics.
But for a shortlist, the popular options are:
► Cookies: These are a popular one right now
► Donuts: Make sure you put them inside these (thank me later)
► Cupcakes: Place them in these take-home containers for an extra-special touch
► Slices of Cake: Put them in these cute boxes
► Bangs of Candy: Choose a “her favorite” or something similar, like this
For drinks, bags of fresh coffee beans or hot cocoa mix, tea leaves, or herbal tea bags are always well-received by guests.
We’ve even see mini shot bottles or mini bottles of champagne given out to guests to celebrate. Cute!
And don’t forget other spreads or savory items: favors local honey jars, jam (these are the best!), and olive oil are wonderful treats your guests are sure to use in the kitchen.
3. Useful, Practical Gifts
No one wants to spend money on favors that get left behind, so here are some popular and practical options your guests will appreciate. But warning, these are so cool you may have guests trying to take more than one. 😅
► Succulent plants: Give mini succulent plants, like these
► Luggage tags: This leather style is always a hit
► Cork coasters: You can get a huge set here for cheap
► Keychains: Try this boho style
► Bottle openers: This style is trending
► Wine bottle stopper: This wooden style or these flower stoppers are big trends of the moment! You can get the flower bottle stopper favors at Kara’s Vineyard Wedding (she’s amazing!)
4. DIY Favors
Who says you can’t give something homemade? Some of the best party favors are the ones made by the host themself, especially if you have a knack for a special talent. Some options include homemade soap, bath bombs, scented candles you pour yourself, bath salts, or homemade candy or jam.
It adds a personal touch when you put your heart into planning, so if you have an idea for DIY favors, go for it!
5. Eco-Friendly Gifts
It’s important to consider eco-friendly options, as well, and we’re seeing many couples choosing more environmentally friendly party favors. Here are some sustainable options.
► Trees: Yep, trees you can plant! How cool is that? You can get them here.
► Seed Packets: Give your guests the gift of plantable seeds. These are an especially perfect option.
► Plantable Flower Paper: Guests plant these seed paper favors and flowers grow. How cool is that? Get these ones, they’re amazing (and handmade!)
► Tote Bags: Encourage guests to use tote bags where they go. Gift them personalized totes for a take-home gift they’ll utilize.
As you’ve seen here, some of the best favors for wedding showers are personalized gifts, edible treats, useful and practical gifts, DIY favors, and eco-friendly gifts. Don’t overlook favors: some guests that are more traditional have come to appreciate them, and look forward to seeing what it is! If you opt for no favors, though, that’s OK, too. I highly suggest you play games with prizes at the shower if you go the no favor route. :)
What do you like best from this list? What favors are you giving at the wedding shower? Tell us in the comment box below!
Many thanks to Laura for writing!
xo
Emma
