Listen, I’ve hosted more baby showers than I can count on both hands, and let me tell you—favors can be a real headache! I remember my best friend’s shower where we literally forgot the favors until an hour before. We ended up frantically bagging up leftover fruit, which was… well, a choice.
But here’s a fun fact to hook you: research shows that nearly 80% of guests prefer edible or “living” favors over plastic trinkets that just gather dust. That’s a huge deal when you’re trying to figure out 7 baby shower favors ideas that won’t end up in the trash! We want stuff that feels warm, personal, and totally adorable for 2026.
1. Mini Succulents in “Watch Me Grow” Pots
I’ve always thought that the best gifts are the ones that keep on giving. When I helped my sister-in-law plan her baby shower last year, we spent a lot of time talking about what people would actually enjoy taking home. We eventually decided on mini succulents, and let me tell you, they were a huge hit! They are cute, they are hardy, and they fit the “Watch Me Grow” theme better than anything else I can think of. If you want a favor that won’t get tossed in the trash, this is the one. Most people love a little bit of green for their desk or kitchen windowsill.
Picking the Hardiest Mini Succulents
You don’t want your guests leaving with a plant that’s going to wilt before they even get home. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake before by picking plants that were too finicky! Stick to varieties like Echeveria or Haworthia. These little guys are tough as nails. They don’t need much water, which is great for your friends who might not have a green thumb. When you buy them in bulk, they usually come in those plain plastic nursery pots. That’s totally fine because we’re going to dress them up later. Just make sure you get the 2-inch size so they don’t take up too much room on your display table.
How to Decorate Your Pots
This is where you can get really creative and have some fun with the look. I love using small terracotta pots because they are cheap and look classic. You can paint the bottom half a soft pink or blue, or even a nice neutral sage green. If you’re going for a more rustic feel, wrap the pots in a little bit of burlap and tie it with some brown twine. It’s a bit messy, and you’ll probably get some dirt under your fingernails, but that’s just part of the process. I once used old baby food jars for this, and they looked adorable, although it was a bit harder to plant in them because they don’t have holes in the bottom.
Making the “Watch Me Grow” Tags
The tag is what really ties the whole gift together. You can print these out on thick paper or even buy pre-made ones if you are short on time. I like to use a small wooden stick—like a toothpick or a tiny craft stick—and glue the tag to it. Stick it right into the soil so it stands up tall. It’s such a sweet reminder of the new baby on the way. Plus, it gives your guests a little hint on how to care for it. I always tell people to put their new plant in a sunny spot and give it just a tiny bit of water every two weeks. It is a low-maintenance gift that brings a smile to everyone’s face.
2. Hand-Poured Scented Soy Candles
I remember the first time I tried making candles for a friend’s party. I was so worried I’d burn the kitchen down or end up with a huge, waxy mess. It turned out to be one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever done! Candles are a fantastic pick for your list of 7 baby shower favors ideas because they are useful and smell amazing. Unlike some little trinkets that guests might leave behind on the table, a nice candle is something people are actually excited to put in their bag. Plus, they make the whole room smell like a dream before the party even ends. I always suggest using soy wax because it burns a lot cleaner than the cheap stuff and won’t leave black marks on your walls.
Choosing the Right Scent and Wax
Finding the perfect smell is the best part, but you have to be careful. You want a scent that feels like a baby shower but isn’t so strong that it gives people a headache. I once made a batch where I used way too much peppermint oil, and honestly, it made everyone’s eyes water! Now, I stick to gentle, calming smells like vanilla, lavender, or a light citrus blend. If you want to keep things very traditional, a “baby powder” scent is always a winner. I buy my fragrance oils from a local craft shop to make sure they don’t smell like weird chemicals. I also love to sprinkle a few dried flower petals on top of the wax right before it hardens to give them a fancy look.
How to Pour Your Candles Without the Mess
You don’t need a fancy lab to do this at home. I just use a simple pot on my stove to melt the wax in a glass pitcher. One trick I learned the hard way is to let the wax cool down for a minute before adding your scent. If the wax is boiling hot, the smell might just disappear into the air instead of staying in the candle. Also, use a clothespin or a popsicle stick with a hole in it to keep the wick standing straight while the wax sets. If the wick leans to the side, the candle will burn unevenly and look a bit sloppy. Give them at least a few hours to sit still so they get a nice, smooth top.
Making Your Labels Look Professional
The label is what makes the gift feel finished. I’ve found that simple stickers are the easiest way to go. You can print out something sweet like “A Little Light is on the Way” or “Baby [Name] is Glowing.” I usually prefer brown kraft paper stickers for a cozy, rustic vibe, but white labels look very clean and modern. Wrap a bit of twine or a thin ribbon around the neck of the jar, and you are all set. It is a small gift that looks like you spent hours on it, even if you actually finished the whole batch in one afternoon while watching your favorite show.
3. Artisanal “Ready to Pop” Popcorn Bags
I absolutely love a good pun, and “Ready to Pop” is about as classic as it gets for a baby shower. It is funny, it is cute, and everyone gets the joke right away without you having to explain it. A few years back, I was helping my cousin with her shower, and we were way over budget on the cake and the fancy flower arrangements. We needed something cheap but still wanted it to look like we put in a lot of effort. Popcorn totally saved the day! It is one of those snacks that pretty much everyone likes, so you don’t have to worry about people leaving them behind on the tables. Plus, it fills up a lot of space on a favor table, which makes your decorations look even better without spending a fortune.
Picking the Best Flavors for Your Guests
When you are picking out the popcorn, you don’t have to just stick to the plain buttery stuff. I usually like to do a mix of sweet and salty because it covers all the bases. A “Chicago style” mix—which is half caramel corn and half cheddar cheese—is always a massive hit at any party I host. You can buy these in giant bags at most big box stores to save money. If you want to get a bit more fancy, you can even make a white chocolate drizzle over the popcorn at home. Just spread the popcorn out on a cookie sheet, melt some white chocolate chips, and go to town with a fork. It looks like you bought it from a gourmet candy shop, but it only costs a few extra dollars.
How to Package It Without the Mess
The biggest thing you have to watch out for with popcorn is the grease. If you use regular paper bags, the butter or oil can seep through and make a mess of everything. I learned this the hard way at a school bake sale once! Now, I always use clear cellophane bags or grease-proof paper bags that are lined on the inside. It keeps the favors looking clean and professional. I like to tie the tops with a thick satin ribbon that matches the shower colors. If you are having a girl, a soft pink ribbon looks great, or maybe a bright yellow if you are keeping the gender a surprise.
Adding the Finishing Touches
To really make these favors stand out, you need a good label. You can find “Ready to Pop” stickers online very easily, or you can just make your own with a bit of cardstock and a hole punch. I like to hang the tag from the ribbon so it dangles a little bit. It makes the bags look much more expensive than they actually are. I usually tell people to make these the night before the shower so the popcorn stays fresh and crunchy. If you do them too early, the popcorn might get a little soft, and nobody wants that! It is a simple, tasty gift that looks great in photos and fills up those hungry bellies on the drive home.
4. Wildflower Seed Packets
I’ve always been a big fan of things that grow. There’s something so special about handing a guest a tiny packet and telling them that, in a few weeks, they’ll have a whole bunch of flowers to look at. For my neighbor’s baby shower last spring, we wanted to stay away from plastic stuff that just gets thrown away. We looked at a lot of different 7 baby shower favors ideas, and these seed packets really stood out as a favorite. They are light, easy for people to carry home, and they represent the “new life” we were all there to celebrate. Plus, they look really sweet sitting in a little wicker basket by the door.
Choosing the Right Seeds for Your Guests
You want to pick flowers that are actually going to grow without a lot of fuss. I usually go for a wildflower mix that attracts bees or butterflies. It makes people feel like they are doing something good for the environment while they enjoy their garden. Don’t just grab the cheapest bag you find at a big hardware store, though. Sometimes those have a lot of filler or grass seeds in them. I like to order mine from a specialized seed company so I know they’ll actually sprout. You can even get specific colors if you want to match the theme. I once did a mix of all-blue cornflowers for a boy’s shower, and it looked so pretty when everyone sent me photos of their gardens later that summer.
Customizing Your Seed Envelopes
You can buy pre-printed envelopes, but I think making them yourself is much more fun and saves money. I usually buy a big pack of small kraft paper envelopes because they have that nice, natural feel. You can get a rubber stamp with a floral design and some ink, and just go to town on them. It’s a great activity to do while you’re sitting on the couch in the evening. I like to write “Plant these with love” or “Watch the flowers grow with Baby [Name]” on the front. If you have a friend with really nice handwriting, ask them to help out! It adds a touch that feels way more personal than something bought from a big box store.
Adding Simple Planting Instructions
Not everyone knows how to garden, and you don’t want your gift to just sit in a kitchen drawer forever. I always include a tiny little slip of paper inside the envelope that tells people exactly what to do. Just keep it simple: “Find a sunny spot, scatter the seeds, and give them a little water.” It helps people feel like they can actually do it without failing. I’ve seen some people use a bit of tape to stick a single dried flower on the back of the envelope too, which looks really fancy. This is definitely one of the most budget-friendly 7 baby shower favors ideas out there. It’s a sweet, meaningful gift that doesn’t cost a lot but leaves a lasting memory.
5. Homemade Honey Jars with Mini Dippers
I’ve always been a sucker for a good theme. When my sister planned her “Meant to Bee” shower, these honey jars were the absolute star of the show. Folks were literally hovering over the favor table before the party even started! If you’re looking through 7 baby shower favors ideas, honey jars are great because they look expensive but don’t have to cost a lot if you shop smart. Plus, who doesn’t like a little bit of sweetness for their morning toast or tea? It’s a gift that people actually use rather than just letting it sit on a shelf.
Finding the Best Local Honey
One thing I’ve learned is that the honey you buy at the grocery store in the plastic bear just isn’t the same. It often tastes a bit flat and boring. For this project, I strongly suggest looking for a local beekeeper or heading to a nearby farmer’s market. You get a much better flavor and the honey is usually a beautiful, deep golden color that looks amazing in clear glass jars. I once bought a huge gallon of honey and filled about fifty tiny jars myself. It took a while, and my hands were definitely sticky by the end, but the smell in the kitchen was just wonderful. It’s way cheaper to buy in bulk and do the work yourself than buying pre-filled jars online.
How to Decorate Your Jars
To make these look really special, you need a few key supplies. I love using small hexagonal jars because they look like a honeycomb. You can buy these in big packs for pretty cheap on the internet. To finish them off, I like to tie a mini wooden honey dipper to the side with a bit of yellow and white baker’s twine. It’s such a small detail but it makes a huge difference for how the gift looks. If you want to go the extra mile, you can cut small circles of yellow fabric or burlap and put them over the metal lid before you screw it on. It gives it that old-fashioned, homemade feel that people really love. Just make sure the fabric isn’t too thick or the lid won’t close right!
Labels and Sweet Puns
Of course, you can’t have a honey favor without a good pun. A simple sticker that says “Meant to Bee” or “A Little Honey is on the Way” works perfectly. I usually print these on round stickers that fit right on top of the lid or on a small card that hangs from the twine. I’ve seen some people get really creative and put the baby’s due date on there too. It’s one of those gifts that looks like you spent hours on it, even if it only took you an afternoon. I honestly think it’s one of the best choices for 7 baby shower favors ideas because it feels so warm and thoughtful. It’s basically a little bit of sunshine in a jar.
6. Natural Hand-Pressed Botanical Soaps
I’m a big fan of things you can actually use, and soap is about as useful as it gets. I remember helping my cousin with her baby shower a while back, and we were looking for something that felt a bit more special than just a bag of candy or another plastic keychain. We decided to try making these botanical soaps ourselves. I’ll be honest, I was a bit worried it would be too hard or that I’d mess up the kitchen, but it’s actually pretty straightforward if you don’t overthink it. It makes the whole house smell like a spa, which is a nice break from all the usual baby gear talk! These are definitely top-tier for 7 baby shower favors ideas because they look like you bought them at a fancy boutique but they only cost a few bucks to make if you buy the base in bulk.
Choosing Your Dried Flowers and Scents
You want your soap to look as good as it smells. I love using dried rose petals or lavender buds because they stay pretty for a long time. You can buy these in big bags online quite cheaply. One tip I learned the hard way: don’t use fresh flowers from your garden. I tried that once with some daisies, and they just turned brown and mushy inside the soap—it looked kind of gross, actually. Stick to the dried stuff. For the scent, eucalyptus or lemon is great because it feels fresh and clean. Since it’s for a baby shower, a lot of people like the smell of “clean laundry” or a very light chamomile. It’s all about creating a vibe that makes your guests feel relaxed when they take it home.
The Trick to Pressing Them Just Right
The easiest way to do this at home is the “melt and pour” method. You buy a big block of goat’s milk or glycerin soap base, melt it down in the microwave or on the stove, and then pour it into silicone molds. The “hand-pressed” part happens when you press the flowers into the top of the soap right before it completely hardens. You have to time it just right. If the soap is still a liquid, the flowers will sink to the bottom and you won’t see them. If it’s too hard, they won’t stick. I usually wait until a thin skin starts to form on top, then I gently press the petals in with a toothpick. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making bars like a pro.
Simple and Sustainable Packaging
You don’t want to hide all that hard work under a big box or thick wrapping. I like to wrap the bars in a simple piece of brown parchment paper or wax paper, but I leave the top open so people can see the flowers. Tie a piece of thin twine or some jute string around it to keep it secure. It gives it that rustic, homemade look that is so popular right now. I’ve seen some people add a little wooden tag, but a simple sticker on the back with the ingredients works just as well. It’s a gift that feels heavy and high-quality in a guest’s hand. Plus, it’s one less thing for them to just throw in a junk drawer and forget about. They’ll actually think of you every time they use it in the shower!
7. Custom Tea Blends in Glass Tubes
There is something so classy about a tea party, isn’t there? I remember helping my old friend Sarah with her second baby shower, which she called a “sprinkle.” She wanted something that felt a little more grown-up and peaceful than the typical loud party games. We went with a “A Baby is Brewing” theme, and these tea tubes were the star of the show. If you are looking for one of the most elegant 7 baby shower favors ideas, this is definitely it. They look so sophisticated lined up on a wooden tray, and they are incredibly easy for your guests to just pop into a purse on their way out.
Choosing a Crowd-Pleasing Tea Blend
Since it’s a baby shower, I always tell people to stick with herbal teas that don’t have any caffeine. You never know who might be avoiding it, and it’s just a safer bet for a diverse group of guests. I personally love a blend of chamomile and dried lavender, or maybe a bright peppermint. One of my favorite tricks is to buy a few different types of high-quality loose leaf tea and mix them together in a big bowl before filling the tubes. It makes the tea look much more interesting because you get all those different colors and textures from the leaves and flower petals. Plus, loose leaf tea just tastes a whole lot better than the stuff you get in the little bags at the grocery store.
Working with Glass Tubes and Corks
The hardest part of this project is actually getting the tea into the tubes without making a giant mess on your kitchen table! I learned very quickly that you need a tiny funnel, or you can just roll up a piece of stiff paper into a cone shape to help guide the leaves. I like to use the tall, thin glass tubes with real cork stoppers. They have a very modern, clean look that people really seem to love lately. Make sure you don’t pack the tea in too tightly, or it will be hard for your guests to get it out when they are ready for a cup. Just fill them up about three-quarters of the way so there is a little room at the top. It looks more balanced that way and shows off the cork nicely.
The “Baby is Brewing” Finishing Touch
To finish these off, I like to tie a small tag around the neck of the tube with a piece of velvet ribbon. It adds a bit of texture and makes the whole thing feel a lot more expensive. You can write the name of the tea blend on one side and a sweet message like “A Baby is Brewing” on the other. I’ve even seen people attach a tiny honey stick or a little silver spoon to the tube, which is a really nice bonus if you have a bit of extra room in your budget. It’s a thoughtful, beautiful gift that encourages your friends to go home, put their feet up, and enjoy a quiet moment of peace.
Conclusion
Planning a baby shower is such a special time, but I know it can feel a bit overwhelming when you are trying to get every detail just right. I hope these 7 baby shower favors ideas have given you some inspiration for your 2026 celebration! Whether you choose the living beauty of a succulent or the cozy warmth of a hand-poured candle, the most important thing is that your guests feel the love you put into the day.
I’ve learned over the years that you don’t need to spend a fortune to make a big impact. A little bit of creativity and a personal touch go a long way in making people feel welcome. If you found these ideas helpful, please save this post and share it on Pinterest! It helps other moms-to-be find these tips, and I would love to see which idea you choose for your big day!
