I need advice on favors

[CindySue]

Ok Ladies......I need some advice. I ordered some little drawsting wedding favor bags from Oriental Trading. I got 48 f them for $2.49. I was planning on just putting candy in them, thinkinh for that price they would be a little on the small side. Well they are a lot bigger than I thought they would be. I was playing around last night, and it would take half a bag of hersheys kisses to fill one up to where it would look right. What else is there that is cheap, but would look good in these cute bags?
I thought about votive candles, but Im scared thats gonna cost more than I really want to spend.
I will gladly consider any and all suggestions.
Thanks a bunch

[CarlosHoney]

You could print a poem and roll up the paper and tie it with a ribbon. You might be better off getting some tulle from the fabric store and just ribbon tieing the kisses, and selling the bags you got on ebay.. Or maybe someone here will want them.

I can't think of very many things that wouldn't cost way too much to fill them up. Besides, no one wants a whole bag of kisses.

[CindySue]

Im not sure what Ill do with them. I really didnt expect them to be this big.
I mean they arent huge, but they are bigger than most favor bags I have seen. A friend said I could put a couple of different things in them., such as a rice bag AND a poem, or candy and something else. Im going to look around at the candles and see what I can find. My FMiL is looking around in Dallas to see what ideas she can come up with.
Thanks

[bnd94]

This site has 24 votive candles for $7.50. That seems pretty cheap to me. I really can't think of anything else to put in the bags but I will look around some more.

http://www.candle4less.com/Store.aspx?str=341

[sstark1218]

I just came back from a fall-themed reception and they used those bags (although I'm sure theirs were smaller that what you are speaking of) and the put flower seed and bird seed in them. That is also an option to go along with something else to fill the bag out better. Good Luck!

[bnd94]

Thats a good idea sstark.

If you want to have your guests throw rice or birdseed use the bags for that and then find smaller bags for the favors.

[LaceyinPgh]

I would shop around. Places like Michaels and Bed, Bath, and Beyond are always having candle sales. Heck, even Yankee Candles has a good sales. Votive sized candles, you can find them realtively cheaply. Get some votives and maybe have some matchbooks printed up. Put those in the bag and leave it at that.

[CindySue]

Thanks Ladies, those are some great ideas.
I was trying to find the little votive candles in the little clear cups, because someone had told me that I could print up some clear labels with our names and wedding date on them and they would be cheaper than ordering them that way.
I did think about the bird seed thing, but these are too big for that. To give you an idea of the size, you can put 2 decks of playing cards in them.
I know that doesnt sound very big, but they just definitely cant be used for what I wanted to do with them.
Im checking on the candles (thanks for the website), and I even thought about pourporri (sp?) since it will the women taking these home anyway.
Thanks a bunch. If yall come up with anything else let me know. Im glad I have 7 months to work this out.

[sstark1218]

Yea thats good that you have time. Just take a breath and relax. You'll figure something out! Good luck and let us know what you decide on!

[LaceyinPgh]

I just realized that your wedding was in spring. How about a couple of tulip or daffodil bulbs for your guests to take home and plant. THe stores are full of them now so you will be able to get them on sale in a few weeks. THey aren't expensive anyway. The guests can take them home and plant them in the fall following your wedding to be reminded of your special day for years to come.

[CarlosHoney]

I like the idea of flower bulbs!! You could put a couple of candies, a bulb, and a candle. I know that the local dollar store has candles 4 for $1. They also have the clear votives for .50 each. Clear labels would work beautifully.

I really love the flower bulb idea, though. Very original!

[SueMartin]

could you also have some cookies made up into little cellophane bags & have your name on the bag, and put those inside the material bags? that sounds confused.. but I know what I mean :) :)

[Jenn060306]

Check out Ikea for some ideas. They have really nice Vanilla scented candels, as well as floating candels and tea lights for really good prices.
Also putting flower seed or bulbs is really nice. Your guests can be reminded of you and your future husband when they see them.
You might also consider looking at a small picture frame, in it you could a nice poem or quote about love. Then when you send out your thank-yous you could include a photo for them to put in the frame.
Good Luck!

[CindySue]

These are some really great ideas. I like the flower bulbs, but if I get them now will they still be good in May? I thought about flower seed packets (wildflowers) but those tend to be expensive, or have been where Ive seen them. My sister had the idea of wrapping a votive candle in tulle and then placing it in the bags and they would look like little presents.
I think the cookies are a good idea too. Im checking into that.
I know I have 7 months and to me that seems like such a long time, but I have so many people saying " You only have 7 months? You need to get busy." I guess my main reason for wanting to figure this out is so I might can save money buying stuff after the holidays.
Thanks for the ideas.

[CarlosHoney]

You can probably find some in March or April. I think, though, that if you keep them in a cool dry place they should be okay. Bulbs get planted this time of year, and then they sprout in the spring. Just call your local gardening store and ask.

[As You Wish]

If they are not what you want, could you return them and find something smaller? I think Oriental Trading has a decent exchange policy.