The Ultimate Guide to Gifting: Manners, Price Ranges, and Recommended Items for Different Recipients ♡

2016.09.12 published

Choosing wedding favors is really tough!

One of the essential items for a wedding is 'wedding favors.' There are so many things to consider, such as market prices, what items to include, and how many to put in... it can be quite overwhelming...

For future brides, I will thoroughly explain the market prices and the number of items for wedding favors, as well as the common items chosen for these favors. By the way, please note that regional differences may exist regarding the number of items, so I will introduce general wedding favors here＊

＼Thorough explanation of wedding favors／step1: Who do you give wedding favors to?

Wedding favors are given to guests who attended the wedding. You typically give one to the representative of a couple or family. It's easy to understand by thinking that sending invitations in joint names = one monetary gift = one wedding favor＊

Recently, "differentiated gifting" has become mainstream for wedding favors. Differentiated gifting means changing the wedding favor based on the recipient＊ Since the preferences of colleagues and family members can vary greatly, by differentiating the gifts, you can choose items tailored to their tastes, and since the amount of money you receive as a monetary gift also varies, you can adjust the value of the gifts accordingly＊

The groups for differentiated gifts can be roughly divided into three categories: work-related, friends, and family. Even within work-related groups, some people differentiate between giving to supervisors versus colleagues, and among friends, between gifts for the groom's side and the bride's side (men and women)＊ This time, I will introduce under the assumption that differentiated gifting is taking place♩

＼Thorough explanation of wedding favors／step2: What types of wedding favors are there?

There are three main categories of wedding favors: "main wedding gift," "wedding sweets," and "lucky charms"＊ The main wedding gift typically consists of catalog gifts or tableware, wedding sweets might include items like baumkuchen, and lucky charms often consist of items such as dried bonito flakes or kelp◎

@smileorsmile1008

＼Thorough explanation of wedding favors／step3: What is the market price for wedding favors?

The total amount spent on wedding favors is generally considered to be "about one-tenth of the estimated monetary gift received." For example, since a typical monetary gift from friends is around 30,000 yen, the market price for the wedding favor would be approximately 3,000 yen. This 3,000 yen is the price of the main wedding gift, plus 1,000 yen for the wedding sweets and 1,000 yen for the lucky charms, making a total of 5,000 yen per person＊

Of course, this is just an average and one way of thinking about it, so it can vary significantly depending on the relationship with the recipient and the items chosen◎

＼Thorough explanation of wedding favors／step4: How many items for wedding favors?

As discussed in step 1, the types of wedding favors include "main wedding gift," "wedding sweets," and "lucky charms," but it is not necessary to include all of them＊ Some couples may think that giving lucky charms like bonito flakes or kelp to a single male friend living alone may not be well received… In such cases, they may choose to omit lucky charms altogether and upgrade the main wedding gift instead＊

There are various ways to gift these days, so it's important to stick to the basics while also choosing wedding favors that suit the recipient◎

@ts190415

＼Thorough explanation of wedding favors／step5: Recommended items for wedding favors?

When it comes to wedding favors, there are plenty of options ranging from safe catalog gifts to everyday-use tableware, and luxurious cosmetics that add a touch of exclusivity! I will introduce recommended wedding favors based on differentiated gifting＊

Recommended wedding favors♡① Work-related

For work-related gifts, a safe option would be a catalog gift, which is likely to be well received＊ Since many recipients are likely married, there’s also the pleasure of choosing items with their spouse and children at home♡

Additionally, high-quality towels, like Imabari towels, are also recommended♡ Towels are always appreciated, and these towels are famous for their fluffiness even after washing＊

Recommended wedding favors♡② Friends

For friends, branded catalog gifts are highly recommended＊ While sometimes catalog gifts end up with unwanted items, there shouldn’t be such concerns with branded catalog gifts. Trendy catalog gifts from brands like Afternoon Tea or Dean & Deluca should definitely include desirable items!♡

⇒ Did you know these stylish brand catalog gifts are available? Four stylish catalog gifts that are sure to please＊

Also, for girls, choosing tableware or cosmetics that match their preferences is popular. Here are some particularly popular articles that were previously introduced on Marry♡

⇒ Items from "Wedgwood," a classic wedding favor brand, that are sure to please!♡

⇒ An essential item for adult women! The heart-shaped makeup brush from "KOYUDO" is both excellent and cute!♡

⇒ Adorable catalog gifts from "JILL STUART" for under 4000 yen!♩

For boys, Ralph Lauren towels are a classic choice＊ Towels are welcome in any quantity, and since it's a well-known brand, there's no way they won't be appreciated! Additionally, a surprisingly popular choice is a shoe care set, which has been well received by friends who often struggle to maintain their leather shoes! Depending on the recipient, this can be a nice option♡

Recommended wedding favors♡③ Family

For family, options like larger catalog gifts from companies such as Ringbell, Harmonic, and Takashimaya are ideal＊ Established catalog brands are known for their reliable selection!♡ Food catalog gifts are also popular◎

If you choose physical items, tableware is also a popular choice. Famous Edo kiriko glasses or shochu glasses are standard picks♩ Stylish tableware is likely to be appreciated by cousins, uncles, and aunts as well!♡

The perfect plate for any dish! A magical plate that makes food look delicious, "Bon Voyage"!♡

Colorful and cute! I want to give "Le Creuset" as a gift!♡

＼Thorough explanation of wedding favors／step5: Wedding sweets

A recommended wedding sweet to include is baumkuchen♡ Its multiple layers resemble tree rings, symbolizing the wish for a couple to grow old together in harmony＊ It has a lovely meaning…♡

Other wedding sweets are also delightful and visually pleasing♡ Here are some of the most popular items introduced in the articles on Marry＊

Let's layer the rings of love together! Four shops offering delicious and cute baumkuchen perfect for wedding sweets!♡

Under 1000 yen! A collection of cute wedding sweets sure to make guests happy!♡

A heart that appears when you cut the bread... I want to give the lovely "Mariage Bologna" as a wedding sweet!♡

＼Thorough explanation of wedding favors／step6: Lucky charms

Common lucky charms include dried bonito flakes and kelp◎ The reason why dried bonito flakes are often chosen is that they come in paired "male" and "female" pieces, symbolizing the wish for a harmonious marriage!♡ Kelp also represents good fortune, as in "yorokobu" (to rejoice)＊ It is also often used in traditional New Year’s dishes～

The "Koi Usagi," packaged to resemble rabbit ears, contains dried bonito flakes! All wedding items truly are adorable…♡

@kasak.0625

Let’s choose wonderful wedding favors so guests remember it as a lovely wedding until the end!♡

Wedding favors are a source of joy for guests once they return home after the wedding, right?♡ Let’s choose delightful wedding favors suited to each guest so they can remember the wedding as "a good wedding!"＊

@yuka.0317ftw