Real Friends Weigh In! Top 5 Wedding Favor Picks That Delight Men in Their 30s*

I'm a woman, so I don't really know what men would be happy to receive as wedding favors....

Choosing wedding favors is quite fun, like window shopping, right? ♡

However, the 'gift differentiation' issue can be quite challenging. While I know what female guests would appreciate, it's really hard to think of what male guests or superiors would like to receive, isn't it?

Especially for single male guests living alone, what would make them happy as wedding favors...?

While popular brand plates or mugs are well-received by female guests, I wonder if men would appreciate them as well.

@yuih_wd

I can think of plenty of things that would make my female friends happy, but

it's quite a challenge to figure out what kind of gifts would make someone of a different gender and social standing happy...

When I search the internet, I see lists of items that men would appreciate as wedding favors, such as

☑ pens

☑ card cases

☑ wine glasses

etc.... but is this really true???

Many people in professions where pens are rarely used might not feel that a pen is a suitable gift for a wedding favor.

As for card cases and business card holders, men probably already have their own favorites,

and wine glasses or whiskey glasses seem difficult to use daily...

The more I think about it, the more confused I become.

So, I decided to ask my male friends! ♡

When it comes to men, the best way to find out is to ask them directly! I surveyed male friends in their late 20s to early 30s, mainly single, with the question: "Hey, what wedding favor would you be happy to receive?"

I was wondering if the topic would revolve around things typically found in lists on the internet, like leather goods or stationery, but it turned out to be quite different and fascinating!

Here’s the list of wedding favors that men in their 30s (mostly single) would be happy to receive: ♡

Wedding Favor #1: Catalog Gifts

Surprisingly, catalog gifts were the top pick.

Although many comments on internet question sites suggest that "it feels rude to just let them choose for me because picking is a hassle" or "to be honest, I already have too many and would prefer something else,"

when I actually asked single men in their 30s, they seemed to love it!

Rather than receiving unwanted decor or tableware, being able to select their own preferred items was appreciated greatly, which reflects a practical male perspective!

Nowadays, stylish brand catalog gifts are available, such as from Dancyu, Dean & DeLuca, and Barneys New York, so choosing those seems to be well-received! ♡

Experience-oriented catalog gifts are also popular since they can be enjoyed with a girlfriend or friends. ♩

➡ Learn more about experience gifts here＊

Wedding Favor #2: Imabari Towels

Another surprisingly popular choice was Imabari towels!

Men actually appreciate receiving towels...! When I asked, one of them said, "It's a high-quality product that I would never buy for myself, and I didn't even know the brand initially. Usually, I use cheap towels that I can buy at Nitori or home improvement stores, but after using an Imabari towel I got as a wedding favor, I was blown away."

@yuih_wd

Towels are everyday consumables, and having several doesn't take up space, plus they're lightweight and easy to carry home, which makes them a well-received gift. *

It’s great when a daily necessity can become something that enhances the quality of life just by upgrading to a higher quality item! ♡

➡ Check out the direct store for Imabari towels on Rakuten＊

Wedding Favor #3: Beer Vacuum Insulated Tumblers

This is also a very popular wedding favor lately.

It's a stainless steel vacuum-insulated tumbler! ♡ Whether you put cold or hot beverages in it,

the thermal insulation is incredibly effective, keeping drinks cold or hot for a long period—it's the perfect tumbler! *

It’s particularly popular for cold beverages like beer, as it doesn’t collect any condensation, making it convenient without the need for coasters.

It's definitely a favored item among guests who enjoy beer.

➡ Check out vacuum tumblers on Rakuten＊

Wedding Favor #4: Cutlery Sets

A "slightly high-quality cutlery set" is also popular as something that would be nice to receive!

Many single men tend to use mismatched cutlery bought at 100-yen shops, and even if they use something better, it’s often from stores like Nitori or Muji.

While there's nothing wrong with Nitori or Muji, having a consistent and slightly nicer-looking set is a great way to feel a bit more upscale when dining with friends or family at home.

In this context, larger dinner forks, knives, and spoons are likely to be more appreciated than smaller teaspoons or dessert forks.

Depending on the brand, a set of those three pieces can be purchased for around 3,000 yen.

Among popular stylish cutlery brands, the "Cutipol" set is priced just over 4,000 yen for a set of three.

Wedding Favor #5: Spice Sets

An elegant and high-quality spice set is also quite popular.

Personally, I love spice sets and would be thrilled to receive one, but I thought single men living alone might not cook much.... and might find them excessive.... so this came as quite a surprise.

However, it's true that many men have more specific culinary preferences than women, and they often enjoy collecting spices.

Items like soy sauce, salt, miso, dashi, spices, and oils are also quite popular gifts.

Another favored item was dressings! They provide a convenient way to elevate the flavor of everyday salads while promoting vegetable consumption, which many men seem to value, given their tendency to eat convenience store lunches or less healthy options during work hours.

A surprising number of men have decided they want to eat fresh vegetables at home.

➡ Check out popular spice sets on Rakuten＊

Here are the wedding favors that men would appreciate! ♡

The survey results from my male friends and acquaintances revealed the wedding favors that would make them happy to receive: *

By the way, the absolute conditions for items they wouldn't dislike included:

☑ They should be consumables

☑ They should not be home decor

☑ They should be usable daily

etc.

As a woman, I had thought that luxurious brand wine glasses (like Baccarat whiskey glasses) would be well-received, but apparently, special items that aren't used regularly are more appreciated when given as birthday gifts from special people,

and everyday items that can be used alone at home—i.e., consumables—seem to provide the most comfort.

I don’t think this opinion represents the views of all men, but I hope it serves as a useful reference when choosing wedding favors for men. *

@zippo