In the Western culture, there is a tradition of giving party favors. They are small presents given by the host to all the people who attend such a party. This may be considered as a token of gratitude to all party attendees. It may be considered as a souvenir of such a party as well.
Another type of party favors given to the guests are not expected to be long lasting mementos. They are basically to be used to celebrate such a party. They may be party hats, balloons, whistles, fire crackers, confetti etc.
Generally, the practice of giving party favors is more prevalent in functions like bridal showers and weddings.
Bridal showers are generally organized as a party to give gifts to the bride before her wedding ceremony. Though it is thought to have originated in the 19th century Belgium, it is more a common practice prevalent in USA and Canada now. It is thought to have its origins in the practice of giving dowry by the bride’s family which was a common custom earlier.
When the bride’s family did not have money to give such dowry or refused to give such dowry, in such circumstances friends of the bride would give gifts so that such a demand for dowry could be fulfilled. In the USA, it started among urban middle class people in 1890s and by 1930s it has spread to rural areas too.
The practice of giving wedding favors has quite a long history. In medieval times, it was a common custom among European aristocrats and royal families. Such a gift was known as a bonbonniere. Basically, bonbonniere was a small jewelry box made from costly material like crystal, porcelain, precious stone. The box contained either sugar cubes or food candies. These gifts represented the wealth and aristocracy of the person giving the gift.
The practice of distributing sugar cubes was because it was a quite a costly item at that time as well as it was supposed to have some medicinal benefit. As sugar became cheaper, it lost its value as a gift and it was replaced by almonds. These almonds were distributed among the guests so that the recipients bestow their well wishes towards bridegroom’s long and happy life. In the thirteenth century, almond coated with sugar was introduced as wedding favors which later became sugared almonds.
As a tradition, these days five Jordan almonds are gifted in a confectionery box or wrapped in elegant fabric as wedding favors. These almonds symbolize fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness. The bitterness of the almond and the sweetness of the coated candy stand for the bitter sweetness of marriage. At present, wedding favors may not be only almond coated with sugar. It has become personalized.
It may be some decorative item or a small gift with couple’s name and wedding date written on it. Sometimes, these gift items are personally made by the bride to be distributed among the guests.
Party favors may also be distributes in small social gatherings like birthday parties. Particularly, in case of a child’s birthday party, it common to distribute some small, inexpensive gifts like cheap toys, chocolates, pencils, masks etc. among the children attending such a party.
Supplying gifts to be used as party favors has become very lucrative business. They try to provide different kinds of gifts, from inexpensive gifts to very costly gifts. If we search for these gifts over internet, we will get quite a large number of responses. This may range from confectionary, toys, cakes, pens, some small jewelry for ladies etc. Actually, it is a quite long list indeed.
Posted in: Favors