A favour or bonbonnieres were traditionally given hundreds of years ago as a twist of fabric or paper filled with five sugared almonds or confectionery as they were considered a luxury gift.
Almonds were the bitterness and added sugar the sweet, thus representing life and marriage. (The ups and downs that married life may bring)
Why five almond dragees? To represent fertility, health, happiness, longevity and wealth.
By giving wedding favours the newlywed couple are seen to be sharing their luck and love, thanking the guest for sharing their day and giving a memento of the event.
Current times, favours can be personalised, compliment the wedding colours or theme and now vary from the giving of sugared almonds to whatever the bride, groom may choose.
Sweets, macaroons, cookies, fudge, chocolates, cake pops, cupcakes, seed bombs, tickets, candles, scented soaps, toys, photos and charitable donations that mean something to the guest, the list is endless.
Favours, are not just given at weddings they can be given for other social gatherings for example: engagement parties, bridal showers, anniversaries, baby showers, christenings, Bar-Bat Mitzvahs, retirement parties.
The giving of a gift has been used now for many years and is so evident today as the host presenting party bags for birthday parties, social events etc, etc,
PS Did you know the giving of the ‘bon-bon’ inspired a well-known name roughly 150 years ago to create and develop the Christmas Cracker which we still see in the shops today. (Information taken from the history of the cracker I found last year in my Christmas cracker!)