How critical are favors?

SingleMom31

How critical are favors for a shower?  I'm not sure how, but I totally blanked on baking cookies this week (what I was planning on for favors) and don't have anything... and it's tomorrow.  I could run out for something tonight if everyone agrees that they're important, but if everyone is like whatever, I won't...

Sam Buttons

Skip it. Mine either get thrown out, or never make it out of the car.

Helenahhandbasket

Not critical at all IMO.

VOR

Not critical at all. 

SingleMom31

Sweet.  I'm going with that then!  Thanks ladies.

wittyschaffy

I've never been to a shower that had them.  Personally, I think favors at parties are kind of strange.  

Empireceo

Happy_Yahoo_Personaler said:

Personally, every shower I have been to has had favors of some kind or another.  I think it looks extremely cheap not to have any.

This exactly.

Mimaloo

Happy_Yahoo_Personaler said:

Personally, every shower I have been to has had favors of some kind or another.  I think it looks extremely cheap not to have any.

This exactly.

Ditto. Now how important are centerpieces on the tables? 

nah82

Favors can be nice but they can also be a big waste of time and money.  A lot of them get left behind and probably nobody would even notice if they aren't there.  The last two weddings I've gone to, the couples donated money to a cause in lieu of favors and made little signs or cards saying who they donated to.  I liked that.  You could make a donation to March of Dimes for a baby shower.  Don't know what etiquette says about it.

Unknown

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nah82

Hello+Panda said:

Favors can be nice but hey can also be a big waste of time and money.  A lot of them get left behind and probably nobody would even notice if they aren't there.  The last two weddings I've gone to, the couples donated money to a cause in lieu of favors and made little signs or cards saying who they donated to.  I liked that.  You could make a donation to March of Dimes for a baby shower.  Don't know what etiquette says about it.

Good idea in theory, except not everyone supports the same charities. I personally don't need/want anyone to make a donation to MoD in my favor. Seems very high and mighty too, but maybe that's just me. The salted caramel cake pop from Starbucks was delicious BTW. I highly recommend them. ETA: nicer

Eh, I didn't feel like my sister was high and mighty for donating to The American Cancer Society seeing as how our grandma died from breast cancer, but I see what you're saying.  Not everyone want/needs a silver bell or a votive candle either.  I could not believe that some people even left the m&m favors behind at my wedding.

sschwege

Most/all of the showers I have been to had favors, but I think they are lame and a waste of money, so I say skip!

ArgyleBride

I actually dislike favors, personally.  Your guest are presumably grown women who can handle watching the GoH get presents without being placated with a goody bag.  Not a crusade, by any means--we had them at my wedding, because my mother cared.

Edit: spelling

RibbitGrl930

I think they're a nice touch if the hostess can swing it, but not necessary by any means. I got candy in a small glass jar as a favor from my friend's wedding this summer. The candy was gone before the reception was over, and I haven't touched the jar for any other use since we got home.

ArgyleBride

So, wadya end up doing?

Pepper6

ETA:  woah, I didn't realize this posted with nothing in it

I don't think favors are necessary for any event.  We didn't even do them at our wedding, so I really wouldn't miss them at a shower.  In fact, I don't think I've ever attended a shower that had favors.  If you do go with favors, make them edible!!!  Anything else will get left behind and be a waste of money.

kimberpoo

I know this is too late to help OP, but I thought I'd throw in a comment for any later searchers on the topic.

I think sometimes you have to watch for the proper favor etiquette in the culture. for our wedding reception we HAD to have boubenyaras (ok spelling way off there) which are the little tulle bags filled with Jordan almonds. It has to do in the greek culture with bringing the couple luck/fortune/something. my MIL insisted, and I didn't mind. for other showers/events, I think favors are a nice touch and many guests look forward to them. I do hate, however, favors that you won't use. it seems like such a waste! any edible favors are always good. small scented candles are good. little knick-knacks are awful...anything that would just sit and take up space on a shelf is a waste. some other good ones we've seen:  wine stoppers, 'jewelry' sets for your wine glasses (pack of 4) where you attach the colored grape vine or whatever to the glass to tell whose it is, small photo-booth sized photo frames where there was a photo booth at the wedding.