Unique bridesmaid gift idea

Do yourself a favor; Party gifts can be fun and creative with a

In life, there are some things that beg questioning.

Like what does the Country Crock commercial couple look like? Does Casey Kasem invent those long-distance dedications? How come most soap opera stars never make it on the big screen?

And along that line: Why do parties require party favors?

Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle. Ceramic swans filled with chocolates. Votives placed in miniature terra cotta pots. Picture frames too small for negatives. Silver bells. Personalized matches. Bookmarks.

For some reason, giving guests food and drink is not enough. You've got to send them home with a little token of your appreciation - which is fine, if it weren't so complicated.

"I think party favors have to the be hardest part of throwing a stupid shower," said one disgruntled bridesmaid who wished to remain anonymous for fear the bride would discover her deep-rooted annoyance. "They cost about $150 and people throw them out. Ridiculous."

Maybe, but they're required. The good news is that party favors - whether given at a bridal shower, a baby shower or a plain old gathering of friends - can be functional and inexpensive. You just have to know what you're doing.

"You don't have to go crazy," said Cristin Mansfield, manager of the Wedding List in New York City. "You should spend what you want to spend, and the gifts don't have to be time-consuming if you don't want them to be."

At a shower, Mansfield suggested gift bags with cookies, chocolates or nuts.

"With a little creativity and craftiness, you can go a long way," she said. "Take a cellophane bag and line it with tissue paper and fill it with treats. Candy, truffles, cookies. Something reflective of the mood. It's inexpensive, but looks pretty substantial."

The downside is that filling each bag with tissue AND goodies gets a little labor-intensive. And they only serve one purpose, which isn't trendy.

These days, party favors must multitask!

"Favors that are functional are the trend," Mansfield said. "At a reception, several small, silver-plated vases serve as centerpieces and the guests can take them home. Decorative cake boxes are also good, frames that double as seating cards, and kid-friendly coloring sets can keep the children occupied at the function and for days afterward."

The newest trend at weddings or big parties is personalized compact discs featuring the couple's favorite music. The CD holder serves as a place card, and the CD can be enjoyed for years to come.

Bestselling wedding book author and designer Beverly Clark doesn't save party favors for big fetes. She creates some for even the smallest of dinner parties, and she's become so adept, she's written a how-to tome on the craft.

"Favorable Occasions: Favors for Parties, Weddings and Holidays" (Wilshire Publications, $19.95) covers everything from potpourri sachets to decoupage flower pots and topiaries.

"The reason people give party favors is because they are unique, clever and make a guest feel special," she said. "There's an element of surprise, people aren't expecting anything. And they add a touch of fun, can help with decorations and help with the theme."

At a Valentine's Day dinner party Clark placed giant chocolate hearts on each place setting for guests to take home.

"It's just a creative outlet," she said.

Tell that to a shower host knee-deep in finger sandwiches and no time to hot-glue silk roses to a cardboard frame.

"You don't have to spend a whole lot or take a lot of time," Clark said, suggesting candles, soaps or candy for last-minute ideas.

"Bath salts and Christmas ornaments used as napkin rings are also good," she said.

But what about the cost? Is candy too cheap? Do engraved crystal glasses make you look like you're trying too hard?

"Each party favor should cost between $3 and $6, depending on the number of guests," she said. "If you're having a smaller party, maybe between $6 and $10. It's hard to find anything under $3, though. I think a small box of Godiva chocolates is $2.50."

The key, Clark said, is to be clever.

(Note: Clever is nice, but quick is better. My suggestion? Give out potted blooming bulbs. They'll make your home look festive and your guests can enjoy the plants for years to come.)

And Clark agreed.

"That is a good idea," she said. "The important thing is the thought. That's what people remember."