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Small shiny metal tins filled with heart shaped chocolates, scented candles, sachets of potpourri, fancy couple key chains and a whole host of other knick knacks come to mind when I think about favors.
Now for those of you who are wondering what favors are, they are simply a little ‘thank you’ from the host to the guests for their attendance to their party or a memento of sorts for any sort of celebration (i.e. birthdays, baby showers, engagements and etc.). These simple (though sometimes extravagant) gifts are the perfect way to thank your guests for sharing such a special moment with you and will also remind your guests of that special occasion they attended.
Over the last couple of years, personalized wedding favors have been gaining in popularity. At one time, the favors that were given out were just simple chocolates in cardboard boxes which will usually be provided by the hotel or restaurant you engage.
These days however, simple gifts have evolved to more creative and memorable items as more couples feel the need to stand out from the crowd and to have something that is more meaningful and personal to them to share with their family and friends.
Choices Choices Choices
Tips to picking the right favor
With so many different favors to choose from, the question “what should we get” will come across your mind a lot! The important thing to note is this, trying to make everyone happy will not make you happy (this applies to everything “wedding related” for that matter). Instead of stressing on what to get, choose a favor that reflects the both of you and a favor which you think will create a lasting impression on your guests.
To help you in choosing a favor for your wedding (or a celebration you are having), keep in mind the 5 tips below:
• The more the merrier
Always remember – the more you buy the cheaper it is! Start thinking about how many guests you have and how many favors you intend to purchase. Ask yourself if it would be worthwhile to try and source the item directly from the supplier or if you can just get it off the shelves since it is just a couple of pieces. It is good to think about this in the early stages of your wedding planning as ordering directly from a supplier overseas may take time due to shipping and the negotiation of prices.
• Gifts from over the seas
If you plan to purchase something from another country due to cost effectiveness or because you can only find the wedding favor of your dreams there, you need to bear in mind the lead time needed for shipping. You will also have to remember that there is a possibility of your parcel getting stuck in customs or of it going missing entirely (gasp!). So it is always best to work ahead of time to avoid disappointments.
Another thing to take note of would be the terms and conditions. Read the fine prints carefully to ensure that you are aware of when the favors will arrive and how much they cost (exchange rates may at times effect the costing of your favors and keep an eye out for any hidden costs).
• The Budget - Reality bites!
For most couples, wedding favors are a ‘nice to have’ but in the grand scheme of things, it is not a necessity. I believe however, that wedding favors can be suited to all budgets. If you are fortunate to have a big budget to spend on favors, lucky you… go wild and enjoy picking something super!
Now for those of you who have a tight budget to work with, why not think about DIY-ing something or perhaps writing a simple note to accompany the chocolates already provided by the restaurant as a cheap but a sweet and sincere gesture? Often the simplest things are the most heartfelt.
• Matching the theme
If your wedding has a theme, take full advantage of this and get a favor that fits in with the theme. In fact, this would make the selection of favors even easier!
For example, if you having an Oriental themed wedding, favors such as a pair of chopsticks, a wooden fan or a small silk coin purse would not only look lovely but will flow with your Oriental theme. Or perhaps you could get small shell shaped soaps, chocolates in the shape of fish or key chains in the shape of sea horses or star fish for a beach themed wedding.
• Practicality
Do also take note of the practical aspect of your gift. Most often when choosing a gift, we go for something that is ‘pretty’ or ‘cute’ and we forget to take into consideration how useful or practical the favor will be for our guests.
Try getting a favor that your guests will appreciate and use instead of a gift that they will throw away or chucked in a corner to gather dust. If you would like a safe favor, edibles like candy, chocolate or cakes work well – everybody likes a sweet treat every now and then.
  
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