| Wedding favors are traditional. They originated in | | | | and flower seeds used as wedding shower favors. |
| Europe many years ago as a thoughtful way of | | | | Any wedding shower theme, however, can be |
| saying thank you to guests. | | | | enhanced by the idea of planting daisies or |
| Wedding shower favors do not trace their roots | | | | forget-me-nots. If you choose daisies, invite |
| back as far, but are a growing tradition. Small | | | | guests to plant the seeds and watch the bride |
| trinkets that are hand-made or purchased should | | | | and groom's love for one another grow and |
| be chosen for their ability to convey your thanks. | | | | blossom. If forget-me-nots are your choice, |
| Wedding shower favors of seed packets are a | | | | suggest that they be planted as a reminder that |
| creative and inexpensive way to convey that | | | | even though the bride is beginning a new life, old |
| thank you. No matter what time of year you | | | | friends remain dear. |
| have your wedding shower, seed packets chosen | | | | How to Prepare Wedding Shower Favors of |
| from one of the groups below will be appropriate. | | | | Flower Seed |
| Bird Seed Packets | | | | To make wedding shower favors of seed |
| In many countries, wedding guests traditionally | | | | packets, follow these instructions. |
| throw rice at the young couple as they hurry | | | | 1. Buy flower seeds in bulk. |
| toward a waiting car. Rice was a sign of fertility, | | | | 2. Wrap suitable amounts of seed in cellophane, or |
| and although many people never thought of that, | | | | pour seeds into 2" x 3" clear poly bags available in |
| the fun of pelting the bride and groom with | | | | craft stores. |
| handfuls of the grain was common. | | | | 3. Tie the mini bags with ribbon in colors to match |
| When it was found that rice could be dangerous | | | | your theme. |
| to birds that swooped in to clean up after the | | | | 4. Attach a small dried flower or silk flower for an |
| wedding, bird seed began to take the place of | | | | accent. |
| rice. | | | | 5. Using white or pastel colored business card |
| Wedding shower favors of seed packets, made | | | | stock, print out directions for planting the seeds. |
| up of bird seed, are a way of telling friends ahead | | | | 6. Attach a business card to each of the bags. |
| of time that you want to care for the birds. | | | | Wedding shower favors of seed packets can also |
| How to Prepare Wedding Shower Favors of Bird | | | | be purchased. Some are wrapped in clear plastic |
| Seed | | | | with an appropriate bridal shower label. Others are |
| Bridesmaids or friends giving the wedding shower | | | | packaged in the usual envelopes, with a special |
| can purchase wedding shower favors of seed | | | | wedding sticker. |
| packets ready filled - or make them by hand. | | | | Matchbook Wedding Shower Favors of Seed |
| 1. Begin with small throw pouches made of tulle. | | | | Packets |
| Pre-made throw pouches may be purchased in a | | | | This unique wedding shower favor caught our eye |
| variety of colors. Or make your own tulle throw | | | | while browsing the Internet. |
| pouches. Match the colors to the wedding color | | | | 1. Each seed packet resembles a large matchbook. |
| scheme, or use a rainbow of pastel colors. Bird | | | | 2. Inside is stapled a packet of wildflower seeds |
| seed throw pouches are usually about 3" x 4", | | | | that attract butterflies. |
| closed at the top with a drawstring in a matching | | | | 3. The matchbooks measure approximately 2 1 |
| color. | | | | 4" X 3 1/2" and are printed on glossy photo |
| 2. Wedding shower favors of seed packets can | | | | paper. |
| be filled with your own special blend of bird seeds | | | | 4. The back of each matchbook features a word |
| that will appeal to the birds present at that | | | | of thanks with an invitation to plant the seeds as |
| season. Or purchase mixed bird seed at your local | | | | a memory of the wedding. |
| garden or hardware store. Filling the pouches will | | | | A Lasting Tradition |
| be easier with a "favor creator" such as those | | | | Not that many years ago, there was a wedding |
| sold by companies that make throw pouches. | | | | tradition of seeds. Relatives of both bride and |
| 3. Attach tags that invite friends to carry the | | | | groom wanted to be sure the young couple had |
| favors to the wedding and throw the bird seed in | | | | seeds to plant for food, so each family passed on |
| place of rice. | | | | some of their family garden seeds, ensuring that |
| Flower Seed Packets | | | | the new garden would be full and fruitful. It was a |
| Wedding shower favors of seed packets are | | | | good tradition then, and could well become a |
| especially nice for a garden wedding. The bridal | | | | lasting tradition. |
| shower can be themed as the wedding will be, | | | | |