Wedding favors have become a controversial topic in recent years with many claiming they are an unnecessary expense that most guests neither want or need. If when you think of wedding favors you think of monogrammed koozies, bottle opener keychains, and various personalized tchotchke items, you may believe the same. The unfortunate truth is, while cute and sentimental, most guests outside of the bride and groom’s immediate family do not have a need for wedding branded items in their everyday life, and such items quickly become unwanted clutter. However, this does not mean that wedding favors are inherently a waste of money. On the contrary, the right wedding favor, chosen with intention, remains a great way to show your guests how much you appreciate them at the end of the night. If you want to choose a favor for your wedding that is worth your money and guests will actually take home it is best to follow three categories: Edible, Useful, and Alive.

Edible

Edible favors are, by far, the most guaranteed to be appreciated, and choosing edible favors is a great way to ensure that the favor table is completely empty by the end of the night. Edible favors can be split into two categories: a snack for the present and something new to try in the future. 

A snack for the present can be anything ready-to-eat that your guests can enjoy on the ride home or munch on the next morning. Individually packaged snacks like cookies, candies, popcorn, donuts, cake pops, or pastries are a fantastic option. You can even customize them by offering “his and her” favorite snacks. Alternatively, you can add a bit of interactivity and account for personal taste by setting up a candy bar or trail mix bar with disposable containers guests can fill and take with them. If your guests like to drink, you can also offer mini wine bottles or shots they can take with them and enjoy at home. 

Something new to try in the future would include any food or beverage item that can be used in your guests’ kitchen, but not eaten on its own or right away. This could include infused olive oils, a favorite tea or coffee bean, or a customized spice blend. If you are passionate about supporting local small businesses, this is also a great opportunity to gift artisanal jams, homemade syrups and sauces, or little pots of local honey.

Useful

Though not always a clean sweep like edible favors, favors that are useful to your guests in some way are generally well accepted. The key to nailing this category is to choose items that are either small and can be used up quickly or, if choosing a larger item, can be useful enough to justify taking up space in your guests’ home. The last thing your guests want or need is more clutter, so be intentional in your choices.

Choosing quickly used up favors may seem lackluster in comparison to lasting gifts, but these small gifts tend to be some of the most exciting and appreciated in the moment. For instance, placing a couple scratch off lottery tickets in a cute envelope at each seat has been rising in popularity in recent years. It’s a fun way to get excitement brewing and conversation buzzing as guests test their luck and win some prizes. You can use actual tickets that your guests can redeem after your event, or you can make your own custom cards with prizes of your choice to win, such as bottles of wine, gift baskets, or cash. Another useful favor that is trending for a reason, hangover relief kits or build-your-own hangover bags are a great option to follow open bar receptions. Near the end of your reception, lay out a table stocked with sweet and salty snacks, replenishing drinks like water and electrolytes, and single serve packets of Advil or Ibuprofen for guests to gather what they need to have a smooth recovery.

Longer lasting take-home items include a much broader range of options but also require a little more thought. A good strategy is to think of items you regularly use and would love more of, or brainstorm accessories to those items that would make their use more enjoyable or convenient.  For instance, most people enjoy lighting candles in their home and would not be opposed to adding another to their collection. Just keep in mind that different people have different tastes in scent, so if you choose this option opt for either a light, neutral scent or an array of scents that guests can choose from. As an alternative, consider creating custom matchboxes your guests can use to light their existing candles. Coffee mugs are widely used across households, but they can quickly add up and fill your cabinets. A good alternative to these would be to gift a good quality metal coffee scoop paired with a bag of your favorite roast coffee. 

Alive

The last category that is received well, and is certainly the most whimsical of them all, is a live gift. By live gift, we do NOT mean goldfish or puppies! Do not send your guests home with something that requires money, time, and effort to upkeep. Do send your guests home with an easy to care for potted plant or flower bouquet. 

Potted plants can be fantastic thank-you gifts under the right circumstances. Spring and summer weddings are the perfect opportunity to send your guests home with a new leafy friend, especially if your guests are mostly local. However, if many of your guests are traveling long distances to celebrate with you or if you are having a destination wedding, potted plants may not be the most logistical option. That being said, if the circumstances are in your favor, air plants, spider plants, and low-maintenance succulents make great gifts for beginner and experienced plant parents alike. Small herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, or mint are also good options.

If you’re not sure if your guests want the responsibility of a potted plant or if travel makes them impractical, offering a cut flower bouquet bar can be a fun alternative. Either provide containers of cut flowers and greenery for guests to arrange into their own bouquets and tie with a ribbon, or have your guests pick flowers from your flower arrangements at the end of the night. The latter has the advantage of giving your florals a second life and reducing waste.