When you're planning a winter wedding, thinking up unique and personalized favors as a commemorative token of your appreciation can be fun. However, from the guests’ perspective, these items can often be a little kitschy and aren't necessarily something that they would choose to use or keep long term. We love the idea of favors to thank your guests for coming, especially when some people travel quite a ways to be there. But since it's something you'll be budgeting for, you may as well pick something that will be used.
We've compiled a list of 10 winter wedding favors that your guests will love!
Gifts That Wedding Guests Will Love
1. Ornaments
If you're getting married around the holidays, a great Christmas wedding favor to give your attendees is an ornament that pertains to you or the wedding in some way. They can be locally sourced ornaments from a small boutique or simple, elegant glass ornaments bought in bulk and personalized. For example, elevate an ornament by adding a bow with your initials or with a note written on the bottom. You can also choose ornaments based on your wedding theme or around the specific location or state of the wedding!
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
2. A Cozy Mug
Another great favor for the cold cozy months is a mug. And I know – people complain about having too many mugs. I’ll admit, I myself am guilty of this. This is why you want your mug to be special!
Instead of opting for a generic mug, or a mug that shares your name and initials, choose one that is state or city related. Similar to the ornaments, this will give the attendees a keepsake that they're more likely to use, because they'll tie it to a wonderful memory.
Photo Credit: Unsplash+
3. Cocoa Kits
I’m all in favor of food and drink-based gifts at weddings. After all, you know they'll be used and nothing will go to waste. Plus, oftentimes you can gift food items for a lot cheaper than other things.
If you're tying the knot in the winter months, assemble to-go cocoa kits for your guests. Include cocoa mix, hershey kisses, mini marshmallows and a candy cane. It may be just the thing they need to warm up after a night of fun!
4. Cold Weather Cocktail Kits
Similarly to the cocoa kits are mini cocktail kits – a more spirit forward favor. Now keep in mind that gifting a bunch of mini alcohol bottles will definitely be a more costly route for favors, but it would be a hit if your family and friends enjoy a nightcap.
Pair a small spirit of your choosing, (potentially split into 2 options based on you and your partners drink favorites) with a glass bottle seltzer, tying the two together with a bow and setting them in mason jars. These favors are incredibly simple to put together, and will likely be a popular choice!
5. Scarves & Mittens
If you're choosing to say ‘I do’ in a location that favors the cold, consider giving your winter wedding favors earlier in the ceremony and gifting scarves or mittens. You can buy a large assortment of cute and cozy accessories for a good price, based on how many people you have coming to your wedding.
Should you want to personalize them, use embroidery string and a sewing needle to stitch the wedding date onto the corner. This adds the simplest touch and it doesn't take away from an accessory that they can use all winter long. Plus if it's chilly on the day of, they'll be grateful that you thought of this detail.
6. A Simmer Pot Kit
A simmer pot kit will easily be one of the most affordable winter wedding favors. You can buy the ingredients for a simmer pot kit – such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, cranberries, and oranges – in bulk and just need small bags to hold it all together. If you want to elevate the favor, consider tying the bag closed with a nice velvet bow in your wedding colors, or adding a handwritten note on the back.
7. Couples Favorite Tea
If you're a fan of tea and are looking for a unique wedding favor, consider gifting a teacup that uses your wedding’s color palette with your favorite flavor of tea inside. This is a great idea for the thrifters out there who love to seek out one of a kind pieces. At a wedding I recently attended, the bride thrifted all of the plates for her reception. At the end of the night, guests were encouraged to take their plates home as a keepsake to remember the night.
As an avid thrifter myself, I’ve found that you can often find sets of teacups for as little as three dollars. Keep in mind, this might not be the best idea if you're planning a destination wedding.
8. Locally Made Hot Sauce
Looking to help warm your guests up this winter wedding season? Source locally made hot sauce in miniature bottles to give everyone on their way out. Because who doesn't love hot sauce?
Plus, there's nothing better than shopping small and local for your special day where you can. Your guests will appreciate the sentiment of a gift representing the local area. Especially if they’re from out of town.
9. A Customized Matchbook
If you’re on the fence about including a favor into your reception at all, lean towards something simple.
Something that is both affordable and incredibly useful on a day-to-day basis is a matchbook. Guests can use it to light candles all winter long! Embellish the book with your initials and the date if you want to add a personal touch.
10. Handpoured Candles with Essential Oils
If you and your partner walk on the creative side of life and want to try your hand at making your own unique winter wedding favors, consider hand poured candles. Now, I know what you're thinking – isn’t that complicated?
While it can get a little messy, it is surprisingly easy to do. Start by collecting up old candle containers or thrift glass jars and cups. Next, buy a giant bag of wax chips and candle wicks online. Find some essential oils that you enjoy and you’re golden! Simply melt down the wax and pour it into a glass vessel that has a wick glued at the bottom.
Your friends and family will appreciate that these charming winter wedding favors were handmade with love, and you'll be able to have the memory of making them all with your soon to be spouse!
Start Planning Your Winter Wedding Today
Wedding planning can be overwhelming at times, but we're here to lighten the weight. Using Celebration Wishes is always a good idea! You will be able to set up your wedding website, manage guest lists, and even start a honeymoon registry – you're able to organize all your event logistics in one place. Follow our blog for more wedding inspiration and create a free account today to get started planning!
