Irish Keepsakes
Irish Keepsakes
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US $24.99
Wedding Favours: The History Of Wedding Favours From Sugar Cubes To Eye Candy
While we all know that wedding favours are a token of the bride and groom’s gratitude to their guests on their wedding day, have you ever wondered about the traditions attached to these little gifts? Wedding favours have been given to guests for many centuries and have evolved from the traditional presentation of sugar in elaborate gemstone encrusted porcelain boxes, to gifts of sugared almonds, with guests to-day being given a multitude of favours that range from confectionary to practical and memorable keepsakes of your wedding day.
The practice of giving gifts of food to celebrate births and marriages dates back as far as Roman times. These gifts were know by the Italians as “confetti” and were entirely different from our interpretation of the word, which we associate with coloured paper or flowers to be thrown at the bride and groom. Traditional “confetti” included almonds which were coated in honey and have evolved into the sugar coated almonds that we know to-day.
The traditions associated with the wedding favours in particular, date back to the 16th Century in Italy, when the Italians began to produce this “luxury” food, a delicacy even, called sugar! Wealthy aristocrats would give their guests sugar, often in the form of a cube, presented in ornate gem encrusted, crystal or porcelain gift boxes, known as bombonieres on their wedding day. As sugar became more accessible to the general population, the tradition became more popular and giving favours to wedding guests became more widespread.
Over time the sugar in bombonieres was replaced with sugared almonds. It is traditional to give guests 5 sugared almonds which signify Health, Wealth, Happiness, Fertility and Long Life. These gifts represented more than just a thank you to wedding guests, as it was believed that the bride and groom were lucky on their wedding day and the favours were given to impart the bride and grooms luck and the blessings of their marriage to their guests.
With the popularisation of wedding favours, particularly in the US (and most likely every brides quest to have a unique and special wedding day!), the range of gifts given to wedding guests has greatly expanded to include many unique and practical favours. Some of the more popular favours include candles, bottle stoppers, keyrings, and photo coasters, usually presented in eye catching gift packaging that will appeal to even the most discerning guest.
Many people still use the traditional wedding favours presented in little boxes or tulle nets. They may vary the filling using sugared almonds, chocolates or mints. These favours can often add to the decoration of the tables, if chosen in a colour to match the wedding theme, as well as serving as a gift to guests
Whether you decide to choose a more traditional favour or something more contemporary, I recommend that you consider your theme and your budget before making a decision. If you have time favour boxes and or tulle net bombonieres can be handmade at home to reduce costs. Alternatively there are many low cost, readymade wedding favours and gifts available to express your thanks and to bestow the luck of your wedding day!
About the Author
Mary New is the managing director of Paper Cocktail Ltd., a company specialising in providing unique, handmade wedding invitations and wedding favours that will make a lasting first impression.
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Keepsakes $10.49 Keepsakes |
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Pack of 4 Irish Keepsakes Traditional Celtic Blessing Decorative Plates 8 $49.99 From the Irish Keepsakes CollectionItem #64632Plates have traditional celtic knot work bordersEach plate features a customary Irish blessings:"May your troubles be less and your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door.""May the road rise up to meet you, May God keep you in the palm of His hand."Dimensions: 8 inches diameter x 0.75 inches deepMaterial(s): dolomitePack of 4 - includes 2 of each plate shown Type: Decorations |
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Personalized Coat Of Arms Jewelry $179 A Wonderful gift for those who are so proud of their Irish heritage. The Sterling Ring and Pendant with Antiquing around the dsign will become keepsakes. Our 1 1/4 Pendant on a 28 cord is lead free pewter. Ring Sizes 5-16 including half sizes. Please state name and check our website for Irish names available. Please note that the personalized name will be in Gaelic. Shipped from Canada. Allow 3-4 weeks. |
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Personalized Coat Of Arms Jewelry - Silver Ring $179 A wonderful gift for those who are so proud of their Irish heritage. The rings, whether in 10kt gold or sterling silver with antiquing around the design, will become keepsakes. Sizes 5 - 16 including 1/2 sizes. The mouse pad is 7 3/4 x 9 and the pendant is lead free pewter, 1 1/4 on a 28 cord. Please state name and check our website for Irish names available. Please note that the personalized name will be in Gaelic. Shipped from Canada. allow 3-4 weeks. |
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Personalized Coat Of Arms Jewelry - Pendant $13.99 A wonderful gift for those who are so proud of their Irish heritage. The rings, whether in 10kt gold or sterling silver with antiquing aroung the design, will become keepsakes. Sizes 5 - 16 including 1/2 sizes. The mouse pad is 7 3/4 x 9 and the pendant is lead free pewter, 1 1/4 on a 28 cord. Please state name and check our website for Irish names available. Please note that the personalized name will be in Gaelic. Shipped from Canada. allow 3-4 weeks. |
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Personalized Coat Of Arms Mouse Pad $11.99 A wonderful gift for those who are so proud of their Irish heritage. The rings, whether in 10kt gold or sterling silver with antiquing aroung the design, will become keepsakes. Sizes 5 - 16 including 1/2 sizes. The mouse pad is 7 3/4 x 9 and the pendant is lead free pewter, 1 1/4 on a 28 cord. Please state name and check our website for Irish names available. Please note that the personalized name will be in Gaelic. Shipped from Canada. allow 3-4 weeks. |
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Personalized Coat Of Arms Jewelry - Gold Ring $799 A wonderful gift for those who are so proud of their Irish heritage. The rings, whether in 10kt gold or sterling silver with antiquing aroung the design, will become keepsakes. Sizes 5 - 16 including 1/2 sizes. The mouse pad is 7 3/4 x 9 and the pendant is lead free pewter, 1 1/4 on a 28 cord. Please state name and check our website for Irish names available. Please note that the personalized name will be in Gaelic. Shipped from Canada. allow 3-4 weeks. |
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Unreleased Recordings - Gospel Keepsakes, The $12.49 Unreleased Recordings - Gospel Keepsakes, The |
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Irish $10 Irish |
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Irish Visor $21.99 What could say Irish more than this! Be noticed by all and have fun doing it! Cotton/polyester. One size fits most. |
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Green with Irish $10.99 These green with white shamrock socks show that you're Irish from the tip of your toes to your knees! Organic Cotton and Spandex. One size first most. USA. |
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Best Irish Folk Songs $10.99 These ever-popular songs include Danny Boy, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Black Velvet Band, and 17 other Irish favorites. Canada. |
This entry was posted on Saturday, December 25th, 2010 at 10:34 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.