Have Favors Fallen Out of Favor?

The short answer is No. Favors given to the guests of special events- weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, etc. are still a popular way to thank your guest for attending the special event, add some flair to your dining tables, add a unique reflection of who you are and add a more gracious tone to the event. However, we are seeing a significant change in the type of favors most often given.

The custom of giving the guests of special events a small gift, dates all the way back to the sixteenth century. These early guest favors were fruits and nuts and were presented to guests by the bridal couple. Over the years the tradition was extended to the myriad of other special events we celebrate with family and friends. Today favors are given not only at wedding receptions but all of the events leading up to that day. From the engagement party to the bridal shower to the rehearsal dinner, a small guest memento is a much-appreciated gesture of hospitality.

Further, they are not relegated only to the wedding related events but today favors have become a popular way for the host to express hospitality at most any special event- birthdays, anniversaries, baptism/christenings, first communions, bar/bat mitzvahs, confirmations, sweet 16s, quinceaneras, holiday parties and even corporate events.

In modern times, the initial custom of giving fruits and nuts was expanded to include inedible gifts such as candles, and small photo frames. However, while this type of favor is still widely used, there seems to be a growing trend back to the edible favor that is beautifully packaged and wrapped.

In addition to thanking the guest of the event for joining you, favors add to the table dcor and event theme. Dining tables certainly look more festive when there is a favor at each place setting. The choices for favors are limited only by your imagination. The tone that you wish to set for the event can be further enhanced by your choice of a favor. Sophisticated and Elegant? Simple and Charming? Unique and Personal? Your memento can be any of these.

In order to make the favor a personal reflection, consider the interests, hobbies, careers of the special event star(s). Consider also adding the date of the event and the name(s). For example:

Bar Mitzvah: The boy plays soccer on his middle school team. Consider a favor of a soccer shaped chocolate. Wrap in a cello bag and add ribbon in the colors you have chosen for the party color palette. Add a tag with the boys name and the event date.

Baptism: Consider a favor of a large white cross-shaped cookie. Put it in an organza bag (blue for boys and pink for girls, of course) and add a tag with babys full name and date of baptism.

Wedding: Favors presented in mini Chinese take out style boxes in colors to coordinate with those of the table flowers and linens. Tag each with: "An abundance of family and friends is the greatest fortune of all" with the addition of the bride and grooms name and event date.

Rehearsal Dinner: With the bride a teacher and the groom an ex-player and avid fan of football set the tables with decorated cookies. Alternate little red schoolhouses with footballs to make for a very personal tablescape.

Sweet Sixteen: Simple small white favor boxes filled with a decadent piece of chocolate fudge take on a much more personal note when the box is tied with ribbon in the event colors to which a small silver heart charm has been added and is further embellished by a simple seal with the girls name and event date.

Favors are a wonderful opportunity to make your guests feel warmly welcomed and as such they continue to be a popular part of the special event.

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Teresa Franko, who is never happier than when hosting her large out-of-town family members at any event, treasures the many milestone events in the lives of her family and friends and cherishes the memories of each. She is the owner of the website, http://www.exquisitegiftsforguests.com a company that celebrates those special events which are joyously shared by family and friends.

What Are The Characteristics Of A Doberman Pincher?

In the movies, the Doberman is portrayed as an aggressive dog that lunges at people with vicious eyes. In truth, Dobermans are loyal, intelligent family pets.

The American Kennel Club places the breed in the working group class along with dogs such as the Great Dane and the Boxer. They were originally bred for police work and even used in the German military (which is not surprising since the sight of these powerful dogs could make a person anxious.)

Physically, the Doberman is square with a strong chest and a bullet shaped head. It can weight around 55 to 90 pounds with a height of 24 to 28 inches. The coat is black, red or fawn with tan markings. Some Dobermans have a small section of white fur on their chest. The eyes are almond shaped and dark and most owners dock the tail to prevent painful accidents in the future.

The Doberman is a very energetic dog. They do need a lot of exercise so an apartment setting is not suitable. Even if you do have a yard, Dobermans enjoy time with their owners and need to be walked daily.

This breed is a family dog. They are eager to please and can be trained successfully. If you have a puppy in the same house as a small child, you might want to be a little more vigilant because the puppy doesnt know its own strength yet and can knock the child down.

Begin training as soon as you bring the dog home. Dobermans are smart. They can get into trouble if left alone. If you have a puppy, enroll it in puppy obedience class while still young and easy to control.

Nutritionally speaking, the Doberman pincher needs plenty of food and the food must be specially formulated for large dogs to ensure it gets the desirable nutrients.

As a breed the Doberman are prone to becoming overweight when they get older. Check with the doctor to ensure your dog is on the right track. Other possible afflictions are heart disease, hypothyroidism and a hereditary disease called Von Willenbrands disease.

It is relatively easy to groom your dog. All that is required is to brush the it once a week to remove dirt and cut their nails when they get too long.

In truth a Doberman Pincher is a pleasure to have in the family. If you want a dog that can guard the home and still be loyal and loving then you should definitely consider the Doberman.

George Adams is a staff writer at http://www.pets-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.recreation-digest.com..