If you're a bride-to-be, or even just a party hostess, you will find that your search for unique party favors is frustrating at best. An endless swamp of useless vases, picture frames, glass coasters or candy cardboard boxes will bore you beyond belief. The secret to breaking out of this rut is to THINK DIFFERENTLY!!!

I think the trap most brides fall into is trying too hard to tie in their favors to a theme, or buying a zillion of what they like (i.e. little picture frames, vases, coasters, etc..), because obviously as the bride, everything about your wedding is special to you... however whether or not all of your guests will be thrilled with a glass coaster with your new initials on it is very questionable?!?

The neatest favor ideas I've seen are from wedding couples who tie their favor ideas in to their BELIEFS and VALUES, instead of their wedding theme... because truthfully, those are what define you, and make you the couple that everyone loves enough to sit thru your wedding and party with you to celebrate. Some of my favorite ideas in this line of thought are these:

1. For the ecofriendly, environmentally-conscious, "save the world one step at a time" couple... how about a stylish tote bag for each guest that helps to spread your feelings about what everyone can do to help Mother Earth, and also gives them something USEFUL after the big day? Here are some great & affordable options (hint: if they're sold in multiples, break up the sets and give one individual bag to each guest): http://www.brightandbold.com/enflba.html or http://www.a-plasticbag.com/canvas-tote-bags.htm

2. If you are outdoor lovers, hikers, campers, etc... share your love of nature with them by giving them a mini garden tool with a packet of tree seeds, and ask them to plant a few trees in your honor...and think of the fun day years from now when they see how much their trees have grown. You can get these from a local garden center for a very cheap price (especially in bulk)

3. If you are avid readers and share a love of educating the world and giving everyone the opportunity to have access to books, why not select your favorite paperback (preferably one of mass interest and not too niched, even like the chicken soup series would be heartwarming) and give each family or couple attending a copy of the book, and even neater would be if the bridal couple "signed" the inside cover with a little thank you personalized to each family/couple receiving it. They could be placed with their escort cards or on the tables. Check out www.bn.com or www.abebooks.com to source these, or your local bookstore.

Bottom line is share your love and passions for life, not just the theme of the day!