Homemade Unique Wedding Shower Favors

by Kimberly Ripley

Overview

Wedding favors are simple tokens of thanks on behalf of the bride and groom to the guests at their wedding. They needn't be expensive, and should somehow reflect the festivities of the day. Some couples make their own favors and some buy them. With common objects you can create homemade wedding favors that are actually quite intriguing.

Make candles for wedding favors using clam shells and paraffin.
Seashells

Incorporate an element of nature into the creation of your wedding favors. Scour the shoreline for large clam shells. If you don't live near the ocean you can purchase these at most craft supply stores. Melt scented wax in a double boiler and pour the wax inside the shell. Insert a small piece of wicking and allow the candles to set for about 24 hours. Turn the shells upside down and hand print the names of both the bride and groom as well as the wedding date. Tie the shell candles into see-through mesh drawstring bags (available at craft supply stores) and include a book of matches personalized with the names of the happy couple as well as the wedding date.

Fire Starters

Gather pine cones in the forest or buy some at your local craft supply store. Melt paraffin in a double boiler and dip the flatter ends of the pine cones into the wax. Stand them up in a muffin tin until the wax dries. Sprinkle a little bit of glitter onto the wax as it is hardening. Once the wax has set for about a day, spray a light coating of spray adhesive to the top and sides of the pine cones and sprinkle salt on some, borax on a few, and salt substitute on the remainder. The salt will create a yellow flame, the borax will create a greenish flame, and the salt substitute will make a violet flame. Bag up a handful of these fire starters and tie in a large square of tulle. Tie with a ribbon. Attach a card that includes the names of both the bride and groom as well as the wedding date, along with something like, "Thanks for lighting up our wedding day." You may include a book of matches with the fire starters if you'd like.
Herbs

Purchase tiny terra cotta plant pots at your local craft supply store. Paint a design or motif on each, as well as the names of the bride and groom and the date of their wedding. Fill each pot with potting soil and drop in a few seeds for various herbs. If you start these about a week to 10 days before the wedding, they will start to sprout in time for the big day. Wrap each one in a tiny gift bag. Be sure to enclose a plant marker that identifies the herb as well as how to care for the plant.

Overview