With the release of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, tea parties have been rising in popularity. I have been seeing everything from birthday parties to wedding with a tea party theme and favors. So how do you make yours special? Here are a few tips.

Personalized Tea Packets
This is the main one, personalizing the packets of tea will help guest remember your day forever. It also gives them a gift that they can use instead of throw in a drawer or box and never see again. Practical gifts are the way to go now days. Guests aren’t as excited about keepsakes as they used to be. These personalized tea packets have a lot of available personalization. They are categorized under Bridal Shower, Wedding, Christening/Religious, Baby Shower, and Holidays.

With so many options, you are bound to find a something that will work. They also come in three flavors: black, green, and jasmine.

Tea Infusers
For those of us who don’t know (I didn’t till just a few moments ago), you place loose tea leaves or bags into the infuser while you brew your cup of tea. This keeps you from having floating leaves in your tea. I don’t know about you, but I hate floating pieces of anything in my tea. If your guests are like me, then these infusers will be a great addition to your personalized tea packets.

Teapot Timer
I know it sounds a bit silly, but can you imagine sitting there, enjoying each other’s company laughing, and joking and letting your brewing cup of tea go bitter because you forgot about it? We all loose track of time, whether it’s in the kitchen cooking, reading a good book, or especially when spending time with good friends. This item will be a practical gift that will allow them to multi task at home and keep their tea from getting bitter at your party.

Personalized Glass Cup
This is the final item I will suggest. I don’t think this one needs any explaining. Personalized cups or mugs will add that extra magic to your event. These also have a lot of different options for personalization so you will be able to match it and make it work.

To add the final touch to your event, take all the items, put them in a small box, basket, or bag together, place package at their seat and you have a perfect little party gift that can be used then and after. Just don’t forget the food!

Weddings can be very expensive, but there are ways to cut back on the cost. Most guests will expect you to have centerpieces and to give wedding favors as a way of showing you, the soon to be newlyweds, care about them. So why not take care of both with only one bill to pay? Here are some ideas for how to incorporate favors as center pieces.

1) Floating items in water.

Not every venue will allow you to have candles, though if they do, I suggest you go with floating candles above. For my roommate’s wedding we deconstructed silk flowers, added a light, and reconstructed the flower around them then floated the flowers with beads at the bottom of each one with one of the wedding colors. I have found some soap flowers that could do the trick as well if you would prefer to not spend the 20+ minutes per flower.

These beautiful orchids can be used in 2 ways. The first is that you could just take the confetti and place it in the water and leave the orchids surrounding the bottom or you could reverse. You could also place both inside the water. HotRef has a few different varieties of the flowers and also just plain confetti.

2) Beach themed

Beach themed weddings open up a lot of options for the combining of centerpieces. First thing you can do is use sand and favor bags that look like beach bag. Fill them with some M&Ms and you have a cute center piece and favors in two easy steps.

You can also find sand in many colors to fit your theme.

You can find sea shells and small candles; place them in the sand with some driftwood (or just sticks) to give a being on the beach feel. Below are some wonderful seaside inspired tea light candles that are inexpensive. Sailboats placed strategically in blue sand will give the feeling of being on or next to the ocean! Adding a candle behind the sails that can give the feel of being at the beach and watching the stars.

Get creative, make your own or just combine items to get the centerpiece and favors that your guests can take home. You don’t need one item for every person because you will have couples, families, and people who don’t want to take anything home. This is your special day, so don’t forget to have fun!

All items listed shown above can be found at www.hotref.com, click on the images to be taken to the item pages.

Holiday Decor - Deck the Floor!

The holiday season is approaching. Have your prepared yourself and your home for celebration of a year’s hardwork and achievements? I think the following holiday favors definitely will help.

Holiday Themed Candle Favors

The room will be overflowing with holiday spirit when your guests arrive and find these holiday hotties on their tables! In three assorted styles, each Holiday Party Favors Collection candle features a durable round poly resin, snowflake-decorated base with either a snowman, candy cane or Christmas tree shape with colorfully painted details and shimmering rhinestone accents. Resting in each base is a frosted glass holder with a poured white candle inside.

Holiday Themed Bottle Stopper Favors

Give your guests a cheery reminder of your event that they’re sure to use throughout their holiday seasons for years to come. In three assorted styles, each Holiday Party Favors Collection bottle stopper features a durable poly resin top in a snowman, candy cane or Christmas tree shape, with colorfully painted details and shimmering rhinestone accents, perched on a conical silver metal stopper wrapped in a white rubber gasket for a snug fit.

Holiday Themed Place Card Holders

Your guests will surely feel the holiday cheer when they arrive at your event and find their seating assignments festively displayed in these Holiday Party Favors Collection place card holders. In three assorted styles, each Holiday Party Favors Collection place card holder features a durable poly resin round base connected by a wire to a snowman, candy cane or Christmas tree shaped topper with colorfully painted details and shimmering rhinestone accents and place card clip. The seasonal place card holders come bulk packed in individual poly bags with winter themed place cards included.

Asian Fusion

If you’re going for a bit of oriental mystery for your wedding or other special occasion, then why not have a taste of asian fusion?

Double Happiness Keepsake Candle

The double happiness candle favor is Asian-themed wedding favor. The Chinese character “Double happiness” - especially in red - is a traditional wedding sign. It’s a classic keepsake your guests will love - an exquisitely designed block candle embellished with happiness. The sleek candle is designed in gorgeous red and black and is engraved with the Asian-inspired traditional “double happiness” symbol as a lasting reminder of love and happiness. Stunningly presented in a clear gift box with a shimmery gold ribbon and bi-lingual “Thank You” tag attached.  

“Chinese Tapestry” Votive Candle in Silken

As rich in color, mystery and tradition as the Orient itself, the “Chinese Tapestry” Votive Candle turns custom inside out with the truly dramatic beauty of this favor found in its exquisite presentation. This deep-red candle is an elaborately designed, red-and-black Chinese tapestry pouch, accented with vibrant red organza tied with a matching “double-happiness” tag and red braid ending in two large, gold-thread-trimmed tassels. Red stands for happiness in oriental culture. It’s the color for celebration. So, don’t hesitate to use it to your advantage.

Pink Fortune Cookie Bath Fizzer

Pink fortune cookie bath fizzer rose scented. Comes packaged in a clear gift box with pink satin ribbon. After your guests enjoy your fabulous event they can go home and relax with a scented bath with these great gifts they will truly enjoy.

Thanksgiving: A Time for Appreciation

As Halloween passed, Thanksgiving is only a couple of weeks away. Choose the right ornaments, and you’ll definitely make this year’s Thanksgiving even more special and extraordinary for your family and guests. So, what are our options?

First of all, sticking to tradition will never go wrong. Acorn, turkey, corn ornaments are always a safe bet.

However, if you’re looking for extra something - something more special, more unique, then my advice is that tasteful (literally~ ^_^) “harvest” themed favors and autummn themed ornaments are your best choice.

Here’re some examples.

Fall Leaf TeaLight and Place Card Holder with Autumn-themed Gift Box

The leaves are aflame with the lively colors of fall, a cozy fire warms your hands and your heart, and giddy guests depart with a dazzling memento of your autumn event. The exquisitely crafted, metal maple leaf displays every hue in Mother Nature’s autumn palette, and when lit by the tea-light, it glows with the brilliance of the season.

Grape Design Candle Favors

A time honored symbol of good luck, joy and youthfulness, grape-themed favors make a spirited addition to any occasion. Resembling a splendid bunch of freshly picked grapes, the candles come in two realistic color variations of green and purple. Sold individually packaged in a two color assortment from the exclusive Vineyard Collection, each candle is in a clear plastic box tied with a corresponding green or purple organza bow with a designer heart shaped thank you tag attached. Fruitful season, isn’t it?

Petite Merlot Wine Glass Gel Candle with Heart Charm

Wine and butter, wine and butter~~ The Petite Merlot wine gel glass candle has a harvest grape scent, features lovely translucent gel, and is adorned with a heart charm and elegant satin ribbon. Real glass candle is presented in a clear display gift box with wine and grape illustrations.

Then There is Christmas

After Halloween, then there is Christmas~~~~ The most festive festival all year round! So…. let’s get festive, here are some awesome Christmas ornaments made just for you~~ ^_^

Bells 

Bells are the perfect Christmas ornaments. You can place it everywhere looking fabulous for the occasion. For details, please check out my other post specifically designated to it. It had all the wonderful bell ornaments for your home decor.

Merry Christmas Personalized Ornaments

Celebrate the season and remember the magic of Christmas with this personalized ceramic ornaments. You can choose the design that captures your own holiday spirit by personalizing the “To” and “Love” lines with up to 20 characters each. Add the desired Year, accommodating 4 characters.

“Snow in Love” Tea Lights

The Snowman Tea Light sports a jaunty silver-banded, blue top hat and matching scarf, with black buttons accenting his “coat”. The Snow Woman, batting enviable eyelashes, is dressed for a day outdoors in a fashionable blue hat with matching scarf. Just above the dainty black buttons on her coat, she’s holding a bouquet of winter flowers. Each is individually presented with a snowflake-design “For You” tag atop a clear-covered, light blue gift-box tied with a sheer organza ribbon and sprinkled with the winter-white snowflakes. Cute ornaments for all winter events.

“Snow Flurry” Flocked Glass Ornament

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

Charming winter’s unique gift provides a lovely motif for gifts of the season. The “Snow Flurry” Holiday Ornament Place Card and Photo Holder is a snow-lover’s delight inside and out, making it the perfect favor for your winter wedding or holiday party.

Get Ready for HALLOWEEN~~~ Woo~~

Trick or treat!

The right candles can add so much festive atmosphere for Halloween. So let’s have a look at them.

Luminous Mini-Lanterns

You can tell all the ghost stories you like by the side of these wonderful mini-lanterns. Furthermore, they are also the ideal favors for wedding party or any events. They add mystery and warmth to your table decor, while impressing your guests with their substance and thoughtfulness.

“Apple of My Eye” Mini-Candle

Knock, knock~~ Is it the evil queen with the poisonous apple? Handpainted in a deep apple red, the wick is cleverly disguised at the apples stem. What’s even better is that this little apple candle brings a big impact to any event: showers, parties, receptions, when ever!

Lollypop Candles

Trick or treat! What can be more perfect for Halloween night than this yummy candy candle?