There’s no gift that’s more appreciated than one you’ve made yourself. In the same way, homemade wedding favors make guests instantly feel welcome and let them know they’re part of a special, one-of-a-kind occasion. Favor-making can be an activity that bonds your group, whether it’s your bridesmaids, siblings or even grandparents who are pitching in, and you can save some serious money, too! Click through this slide show for an assortment of favors that are simple to make—we give you the steps—and perfect for putting a personal stamp on your party.
Strawberry Preserves
Homemade or store-bought jam in decorative jars is a sweet and chic gift your guests can enjoy later
1. Gather materials. To make 100 favors, you’ll need 100 5-ounce Quattro Stagio jars, $1.50 each, from The Container Store, containerstore.com; 40 8½-inch doilies, $2 for 28, from your local market; 100 "Scalloped Lace" sticker borders and 100 "Henry’s Lace" stickers, $4 each for two strips, both from Mrs. Grossman’s, mrsgrossmans.com; red ink pad, $7, from Kate’s Paperie, katespaperie.com; "ABC Script" uppercase stamps, $12, "Brush Letters" lowercase stamps, $10, "Whale of a Punch Flower," $12, "Circle Scissor," $16, and "2-Way" glue pen, $3, all from EK Success, eksuccess.com.
2. Prepare jars. You can use store-bought jam or one made from a favorite recipe. To decorate jars, cut circles from lacy part of doilies, and glue to jar tops. Punch flowers from doily centers and stamp with initial and heart, then affix to front of jars with glue.
3. Add finishing touches. Adhere thick lace borders around jar lids and thin ones around necks (see photo on previous slide).
Mini Lanterns
Votives in paper-wrapped, etched-glass, hangable holders make pretty presents
1. Gather materials. For 100 favors, you’ll need 100 3-inch lanterns, $2.50 each, 100 tea lights, $7 for 30, both from Jamali Garden, jamaligarden.com; "Paper Shapers Star" punch, $4, 18 sheets of "A Day at the Beach" double-sided 12-inch square paper, $15 for 25 sheets, 18 sheets of "Pool Party" double-sided 12-inch square paper, $25 for 25 sheets, "3D-Dots," $2 for 63, all from EK Success, eksuccess.com; Fraser Brights 8½" by 11" paper in canary, electric pink and blue, $11 for 250 sheets, from paper.com; double-stick tape.
2. Start assembling. Set votives in lanterns. Cut 2-inch paper strips, wrap around lanterns and seal with tape.
3. Make tags. Type "Sweet Dreams" repeatedly on colored paper, spaced far enough apart so you can cut the phrases into 1½"-wide by 1"-long tags. Tape each phrase to a different color sheet of paper.
4. Decorate. Punch stars from paper; to make them more intricate, put three together, fan them out and attach with tape. Adhere stars to corners of tags with 3D-Dots. Affix tags to front of lanterns with tape.
Sugar-Cookie Hearts
Distributing fresh-baked treats in delicate monogrammed packages is a creative and memorable way to spread the love at your wedding
1. Gather materials. For 100 favors, you’ll need 100 paper inserts, 40 cents each, 100 clear self-adhesive bags, $10 for 100, aqua grosgrain ribbon, $18 for 100 yards, 100 monogrammed stickers, 35 cents each, 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutters (the number will depend on how many bakers you’ll have helping), 49 cents each, all from WeddingFavorites.com; and a small spatula.
2. Prepare cookies. Make cookie dough from your favorite recipe or boxed mix. Roll out about two handfuls of dough at a time on a well-floured surface, and use a well-floured cookie cutter to produce ¼-inch-thick hearts. Place on a greased tray and bake according to directions. Let batches cool for at least 30 minutes.
3. Assemble bags. Place paper inserts in bags and, using the small spatula, place one cooled cookie into each bag. Close bags and wrap with ribbon so that ribbon overlaps in front. Place sticker atop ribbon overlap to seal.
