Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Baby Showers 101: Favors

By Charmaine L. Smoot

Baby showers are some of the best parties to host, wouldn't you agree? Next to the wedding, baby showers are the most likely event to reunite with friends you haven't seen in years. Old friends usually travel far and wide to help celebrate this special event, so it pays to return their generosity by throwing them a party filled with favors they won't soon forget!

Since guests bring gifts for the baby and mother-to-be to a baby shower, many hosts express their gratitude by providing baby shower favors. Baby shower favors can be virtually anything and range from the useful and practical to unique and sentimental. Favors can be either handmade or store-bought, and each kind has its advantages.

Store-Bought Baby Shower Favors

Purchased favors are a practical choice for hosts trying to squeeze as much time out of their day as possible. And with so many items in every budget easily available online, finding great shower favors is virtually guaranteed. Since online vendors also deliver straight to your door, buying favors online is the quickest way to check this to-do item off the list.

Don't want to shop online? Then just head on over to your local party store. They carry baby shower favors and decorations, though you may not find as much variety as you would online. But the advantage of going to a brick-and-mortar store is you can touch and feel the items before buying. Nice!

Handmade Favors

Let's face it: Nothing beats handmade baby shower favors. For creativity, versatility, uniqueness, and charm, making your own favors are the way to go if you have the time, no question about it. They show just how much you care and allow you to put your thoughtfulness on full display for the entire baby shower party to behold.

Want to make your own favors but afraid to try? Put those fears aside and do it! It's fun and simple, especially if you use the items below to get your imagination working:

* small cleanser or soap bottle

* hand lotion

* little mints

* marshmallows

* brownies

* banana clips

* lip gloss

* deodorant

* take out boxes (almost every craft store sells these)

* fun stickers

Just put the stickers on the carry-out boxes, and BAM! You've just made the perfect baby shower favor for your guests' next big trip, whether that's home or to Europe! And best of all, it was inexpensive, fun, practical, yet unique. I bet you've got your creative juices flowing now, huh?

Now, in case you want something a little more environmentally friendly, how about some nice house plants? Just put some herbs or other easily-maintained plant in some inexpensive pots and you've made a wonderful favor that will remind your guests for a long time to come about your bash!

About the Author:

No comments: