Best Table Gift/Favour you ever had?

[Ch0cDr0p]

I'm arranging a formal event, not a wedding) that includes gifts for ladies. What is the best gift you ever got at something like this? I feel the event itself lends itself to it being something more than chocolates/sweets.

I considered a job lot of necklaces but then not everyone likes jewellery and everyone's style is so different. I know I won't be able to please everyone but it'd be great to know what others have received and loved.

Oh yes! A little envelope of wildflower seeds would be such a lovely idea.

The only events I've been to with table favours have been weddings. Consumable stuff seems like a waste, because you're getting free food & drink anyway. I did once go to the wedding of a keen equestrian couple who gave painted, personalised horseshoes. They were actually place settings which doubled as favours - I loved it and still have mine, but it might be awkward to find enough of them.

What is the budget? If you have to go for generic, I would go for the best high end, luxury brand of toiletries or chocolates or a candle that your budget allows in a fabric gift bag that can be reused so there is no need to worry about carrying it home. Even if the recipient doesn’t like the gift or can’t use it, they can always regift or donate things like that. Not so much if they are cheap and cheerful brands. I would aim for quality over quantity.

You can buy hotel supplies from wholesalers online if you are buying in bulk BTW.

I definitely think knowing the budget here would help - because it sounds like there might be a fairly decent budget, so may be better off doing an adaptation of table favours by e.g. getting a load of stuff on a sale or return basis, each lady gets a little voucher and she exchanges that for one of a choice of 3 or 4 things?

The best one I have received is a wedding where the couple donated an amount (maybe $20?) per couple or single guest to a local children's hospital.

Honestly if it’s a golf club, masons or whatever you’d do better by not drawing attention to any gender divide! Just provide lovely food and wine and don’t over-egg it

But the masons love a good sex divide.

Over 30 years ago the company I worked for celebrated 25th anniversary. Everyone received a watch with the company name on its face, there were men and women's versions. The company since has been taken over, I left since then but I still have fond memories and I am still wearing the watch.

But do you hate abused and abandoned ones being taken care of? If so, that's rather odd and cruel. It's not like you have to touch them. In fact, nothing is required from you at all in such circs.

My work did Christmas parties with guests in the past and we did guest presents. They ranged from toileteries (we knew the sex of each guest so bought accordingly) to high quality chocolate to a cocktail mixing set (James Bond theme night).
They all came in a bag so that they were easy to carry home, one year in a beautiful tote bag.

While I love the seed idea, it's November and I would forget where I put them coming Spring.

I love the idea of organising a donation to an animal rescue/sanctuary. You could add a small stuff toy for each guest which can easily be gifted to a child they have in their family (or if you are me, kept by myself).

Fortnum & Mason are very popular for wedding favours -

https://www.fortnumandmason.com/two-marc-de-champagne-truffles-ballotin-20g

https://www.fortnumandmason.com/two-milk-dark-salted-caramel-truffles-ballotin-24g

Or these from John Lewis

https://www.johnlewis.com/charbonnel-et-walker-pink-marc-de-champagne-chocolate-truffle-cracker-34g/p111947438?sppc=2dxxmixedhomeeBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1wjjdZTXM56fpOBxDjvkewUK&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Ou5BhCrARIsAPoTxrDxJCYwQpGTieQPwaL1kbok4IoOzVQ3V6W5KAs-gfPUOQ6uEGdhAl8aAqYDEALww_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds