An example…

Those are so pretty! I have not been to a bridal shower or tea in ages. Will ponder.

Just went to a ahower last month and the favor was a handmade (by the maid of honor) candle in a mini mason jar.

There are lots of ideas on Pinterest and Etsy!

At the last bridal shower I went to the favors were wine glass charms.

I love rosemary topiaries for favors. Rosemary for remeberance, the old saying went.

I also like buying porcelain from Maryland China Company and having it decorated with a simple gold edge and the i itials of the future bride and bridegroom. But that is more wedding favor than bridal shower favor, maybe you could just do a simple white porcelain piece, fill with candy/dragés and tie with cello and a pretty ribbon.

https://www.marylandchina.com

Is there a theme for the shower? Is the bride known for anything? ( eg, a musician, gardener, hiker, artist, etc?)

No theme for the shower. The bride is an art curator for a museum in the city where the shower will be held. The wedding will be in a coastal city in the same state. Many of the shower guests will be traveling (car or air) so that is one consideration.

@Sueb20 - I looked on Pinterest and Etsy and many of the favors lean a tad rustic. Maybe I'm not using good search terms.

@Zalco/bring back Sophie! - I love rosemary topiaries, too! Interesting idea about the porcelain. In a perfect world, I would like something that is kind of "done" and needs no assembly.

I also love rosemary topiaries-- they are useful and I love the symbolism.

a riff on that and easier to transport .. rosemary infused evoo. You COULD do them yourself but there are a couple of etsy stores that will make them for you .

@Funkyart that is a nice way to incorporate zalco's rosemary idea.

@hhireno - I would be totally on board with the no favor idea, however, this is a multi-host situation and they like their favors! I do like the idea of a personal note from the bride for each guest just for attending. I may include that in my list of suggestions.

Are there any rules for shower favors vs. wedding favors? My sister had custom bookmarks made for her wedding favors with a poem that was special to her and my BIL.

You might want to check out MarthaStewart.com. They always have lovely ideas for things like that.

https://www.marthastewart.com/600233/bridal-shower-ideas

https://www.marthastewart.com/7956340/bridal-shower-favors?slide=5245cecf-346f-4b4f-bb28-c0f8e79860c2#5245cecf-346f-4b4f-bb28-c0f8e79860c2

If people are flying in, they won't be able to transport oil/liquids home in their carry-on luggage, so consider that. The Martha Stewart links that Carolb posted have some great ideas!

If people are flying, your options are a bit more limited.

I was going to do these mini heart cacti (in cuter pots) for our shower because they met in AZ, but instead I am getting small candles made in Nola with Nola-themed scents/names. (Wedding is in Nola, our shower is not, and only local New Englanders will be in attendance, other than the couple.)

This is the candle, in a few different scents, like French Quarter Beignet.

I would try to find a favor that has some significance for the couple or the wedding location.

I adore the oyster shells! It's very Lowcountry-ish, which is very meaningful to me. Those pictured are quite special.

Thanks all - I agree Sue that there should be some significance to the couple. Love those Nola candles!! The oyster shells are a nod to the wedding location but that's about it.

@carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b - some really great ideas in the Martha Steward links! Saw a pretty decorated cookie with the bride-to-be's new monogram or the couple's monogram that may be an option.

Good points about liquids and flying...

I'm going to be the naysayer here because I really dislike trinkity knick knacks in particularly anything that would remotely decorate my house in any way. So I've been racking my brain trying to think of things. I would like certain things, but one thing that comes to mind is a lovely journal and a note written in it to me from the bride. Maybe a beautiful pen to go with it.

The oyster shells are a nod to the wedding location but that's about it.

I've always wanted to buy one of those for myself, they are so pretty. If they relate to the wedding location, i think it's a super choice! As far as not liking knickknacks, i think something so small and tasteful can be put to use by almost anyone.

I also like the idea of travel candles in tins; we often travel with a candle.

I have been to 3 bridal showers this year. 2 gave bath bombs.

And, another did this S’more.

I vote for a consumable. People who come to her shower do not need a FOREVER thing hanging around their home. How about a special cookie, frosted could be a famous art/wedding scene...seems very appropriate for a luncheon.

I really like the shells you started with....lovely, easy to pack, goes with the location...

Somehow I like the "idea" of scented natural soap as in Martha's list..but I have never actually used any I've received.

I like the idea of a pen...a pretty one that maybe relates to the location and maybe a custom pad of paper to go with it ...

Thanks to you all, I now have the following ideas on my list:

- specialized candle tin

- note from bride/notebook/pen

- painted oyster shells

- decorated cookies (either monogram or maybe bridal art)

So many beautiful cookies out there. This is the monogram one that caught my eye but how hard would it be to have this art with a little gilt frame around it reproduced on a cookie?

I think you’d use edible printed paper or gel sheets. Post on cooking forum for Annie’s advice because she uses it for her grandkids’ cakes, etc. Something like this for DIY

Edible frosting sheets or go to some place on Etsy for them to do the custom work.

This is my all time favorite received favor. From a party for a friend who always thought she would never marry. I’ve had it sitting safely on a bathroom shelf for years until recently, Crash! It made me smile each morning.

My flying pig now….wingless

How it was…

@maddielee - ha ha that is just adorable!

Hahah maddielee...we have a flying pig on our weather vane...we said this house would be finished when pigs fly as it took us so long to design and build!

cookie: Bakery's have edible paper for copy/printing to placement on cakes..seems easy enough for a cookie but not really sure if that would look as fab as hand piped cookies.

@deeinohio - I guess both of my cookie examples are considered "edible images"? I need to do more research. Love the bluebird!

@rubyclaire, the first looks like it was printed. Usually, with an edible image, there is either a piped border holding the image down, or you can see the edge of the paper. I can’t see enough of the other.

Goes back to more STUFF sitting around. Those glass birds blue and red are very prevalent at Good Will. I got one years ago as a thank you for your service.....

@arcy_gw I asked for ideas and appreciate all that have been suggested.

I was thinking that if you end up playing any of those games they do, having the pens would be helpful too.

The painted oyster shells are beautiful. I am extremely picky about what comes into my house, but I would love one. That said the pen, notepad and a note from bride is a nice idea too. If too time consuming for the bride, a note that is a copy of a handwritten note by the bride would be an option. With the wide age range of guests, a medium size pen would be best. I am early 60s and I find too thin are hard for me to hold and too thick in diameter are uncomfortable.

I am never sure why certain posters feel the need to degrade others’ input, and to make sure the person KNOWS their input is being derided. I have removed the offending post.

A few weeks ago, I read an enlightening article about 'high conflict' personalities on a psychology magazine's website.

I think the oyster shells are beautiful too although they don't go with my style and I would give it away. But they are beautiful!