DIY Wedding Favors For You To Make With Or Without Kits

One of the newest trends in weddings is DIY wedding favors. (DIY stands for do-it-yourself.) Brides are saving thousands of dollars by creating their own wedding items.

If you have an unlimited budget, no problem, but with gas and food going up and so many companies laying off workers or closing up shop, many people are too worried to spend thousands of dollars on a one day party.

The best way to keep expenses for your wedding down is to do as much as possible by yourself or with the help of your fiance and family.

Use your imagination and come up with some simple yet fun wedding favors. They are simple, inexpensive, and guests will enjoy them.

Place a handful of Jordan almonds in the middle of a circle of tulle. Gather the ends of the tulle together and tie with a 12" length of thin ribbon into a bow. (Jordan almonds and tulle circles can be found in the crafts department at Walmart and at craft stores. Dollar stores sometimes carry tulle circles as well.)

Another idea with a circle of tulle is to place a scented votive candle in the middle and tie up the ends with a 12" length of thin ribbon.

Small fancy shaped guest soaps will also work in tulle cirles.

Homemade or bakery cookies can be placed in decorative party favor bags and tied shut for a favor your guests will enjoy.

A piece of fruit such as an apple, orange, or pear works as a wedding favor. Attach a sticker tag with the names of the bride and groom to the fruit.

Chocolates and other candies in plastic favor bags also make good diy wedding favors. Miniature puzzles, bath salts, small sacks of nuts or unpopped corn all make good favors as well if you are not into baking or crafting. Place a bride and groom sticker tag on your favor, place one at each guest's place setting, and you are finished.

Wedding favor kits are available online and in craft stores and discount stores. These kits give you everything you need to make little containers for your guests' enjoyment. You can make pretty boxes with lids and mini gift bags. They come in a lot of different styles and shapes.

Just put the mini bags and boxes together according to the well-written instructions, add the candy, chocolates, cookies or other favor inside. Close the container and add the wedding date and the names or monogram of the bride and groom. Quick, easy, and you are through!

If you are having a lot of guests and you don't have much help, work on a few each day while you are watching TV or relaxing. These kits make wedding favors quick and easy to assemble. They will make you feel like a professional. Your guests will think so, too.

You can put these miniature boxes and bags together months in advance. Don't add any food items to the favors until shortly before the wedding. Store the completed bags or boxes in a large plastic bin with a lid to keep dust off of them. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Michael's has some nice kits. Of course, they also have the new Martha Stewart brand kits which are great. Hobby Lobby and Wal-mart also have kits for making little boxes and bags for treats.

I have used several varieties of bag and box kits for parties I have given and they were a big hit. Our friends loved the elegant look and they loved getting a gift to take home with them, even if it was something simple like some candy or a few homemade cookies inside of them. They are easy to use and give your favors that little extra something that makes your guests think they are getting something special, not something cheap.

Here are some additional ideas for wedding reception favors that I hope will spark some ideas for you to use.

Buy plain porcelain coffee mugs from a dollar store or online in bulk. You can also buy disposable coffee cups, like the kind you get at Starbucks. You can find them at Wal-Mart in the disposable cup aisle and sometimes in the coffee aisle.

Put two or three different flavored packets of hot cocoa, apple cider, instant coffees, or tea bags in each cup. Top with the disposable lid or with a piece of Saran Wrap. Tie a ribbon around the top of each mug or cup and you have an easy favor that most guests will appreciate. These are great for winter weddings.

Buy some pretty but cheap stemware. These can be found at dollar stores. Clear plastic cups sold with disposable cups at Wal-Mart are good for this as well. Fill each glass with M&Ms or Hershey Kisses. A variety of Brach's loose candies sold in bins in the supermarket also work very well. Top each glass with Saran Wrap and a ribbon. Both of the above make easy delicious ideas for wedding reception favors.

Buy some Martha Stewart small gift bags or gift boxes available at Michael's. Buy some Mother's or Pepperidge Farms cookies and place three or four in each bag or box. This makes a yummy favor. Mother's and Pepperidge Farms have a great variety of tasty cookies that your guests will enjoy.

Buy some fruit turnovers from your local grocery store's bakery and place one in each gift bag mentioned above. Fresh cinnamon rolls would be perfect as well.

Mini muffins bought from your local grocery store bakery would also be great for your guests. Put two or three muffins in each bag or box. Blueberry and banana-nut muffins are favorites.