I find it really interesting that favours just get left behind at the venue. Even if you don’t like whatever it is, or it’s a bit pointless, it’s a gift, given with good intentions so surely the polite thing to do is accept it? I can’t believe it’s become customary to be so rude. I despair!
But to answer your question, I don’t think it’s a matter of saying I’d be happy to spend “x” on a favour because I need to tick a box on a wedding checklist.
Thinking back to the weddings I’ve been to I can remember the following ones:
aromatherapy scented moisturising hand sanitizer (I thought it was a bit of a weird at the time, but it was a very naice brand. The bride worked for the distributor. BUT it was shortly pre-covid so was a godsend when I couldn’t get any and I did remember how fun the wedding was every time I used it)
A salt and pepper set ( A mass produced London bus for the groom & NY taxi for the bride as they were from U.K. & US. They are no longer together but their love lives on in my kitchen cupboard 😂)
A jar of tomato jam made by the groom who is a chef (It was delicious! Same jam was used as a condiment with one of the courses)
A jar of peanut fudge (made by MoB. It was a large jar, and was nice and all, but this was 100% more about keeping the mum involved in the big day and occupied very far away from the day to day planning i the run up to the wedding. Genius!)
My point being, I don’t remember the generic ones that were bought because the couple felt they “had” to provide these.
If you are getting married, and want to give your guests a token, then give them whatever works for you. If you are on a budget, don’t feel obliged to provide something like this.
And if you are a guest at a wedding, and are left a favour, ffs, be a nice person and take it home with you!