enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Potted-succulent-favors

I had a wonderful baby shower this past weekend thrown by friends of my mom and Paul's mom. As a thank you to the women who came, I wanted to do something simple but thoughtful.

Baby-shower-thank-you-favors

In general, I am not a big fan of party or wedding favors. Mostly because while of course it's the thought that counts, it's hard to think of an inexpensive gift for multiple people that will actually be appreciated and not just add clutter to their homes. Food is good because you enjoy it and it's gone, but given my recent GDM diagnosis, it seemed a little odd to give out boxes of chocolate or homemade cookies. I figured a small plant would be better (it can always live outside).

Potting-succulent-favors2

I bought 3" terracotta pots at Michael's and small succulents at Lowe's. Their selection varies, but this week is was amazing.

Potting-succulent-favors

Some of the plants had clearly been watered recently, but others were bone dry. To hopefully extend their lives without over-watering, I let the super dry ones sit in standing water for a few minutes before re-potting them into (dry) cactus soil in their new terracotta homes. We left all the plants and the pots outside for the week before the shower and they all looked better by the time they were ready to be given out.

Favor-thank-you-flags

For a super simple decoration, I added little washi tape flags on plastic toothpick like skewers my parents had in the house. I just wrapped the tape around the stick and added a handwritten "thank you!" to the yellow tape with a white sharpie paint pen (also from Michael's).

Succulent-favors

The tape flags are the easiest part and you could totally change up the colors to make this fit nearly any event. Potted succulents favors are hardly a new idea, but it's a fun one. And tiny plants are too cute.

Posted in , , , ,

40 responses to “potted succulent thank you favors.”

  1. Ffion Avatar

    These are absolutely adorable! What a great gift idea. I’ll have to remember that one.

    Like

  2. Alyssa Avatar
    Alyssa

    too cute indeed 🙂

    Like

  3. Jo Avatar

    what a really lovely idea. I can imagine those succulents growing just like baby Cripe does when she arrives. And just so you know my lovely Elise stamps arrived today and they are lovely xxxx

    Like

  4. Faith @ Ordinary Mommy Design Avatar

    This is perfect! I totally agree with you on party favors, but I think that plants are the one exception. And succulents can be so hardy!

    Like

  5. Jessica B Avatar

    I did something similar years ago for my bridal shower. These are always some of my favorite gifts. Love the washi tape idea.

    Like

  6. bridgi Skor Avatar

    That is so cute! And hurrah for baby showers!
    I have a wedding coming up, and trying to think of favors (I’m not a cluttery kind of gal myself) has been hard. These give me a good idea. Thank you!
    Bridgi
    yodgi.com

    Like

  7. Michelle Avatar
  8. Amber Lee Avatar

    They look adorable! My go to hostess gift is a couple of knitted washcloths from The Mason Dixon book (the first one, they also have the best knitted bib pattern in there Elise!) out of inexpensive cotton yarn. I pair it with a not too strong smelling bar of beautiful soap.

    Like

  9. Maggie Zam Avatar

    What a lovely idea!

    Like

  10. Elsa Avatar

    Lovely idea and for me it would mean much more than a bought gift!

    Like

  11. Isobel_A Avatar
    Isobel_A

    What I like about these is that, aside from the cute tiny plant thing (and who doesn’t love tiny plants that aren’t even hard to look after?) that they also seem to be very you – there are succulents aplenty on the blog, and it’s nice to give a gift with a personal touch.
    The whole ‘shower’ concept is a bit alien to me, though, as a British person. Not a European thing, at all, although I think it’s creeping over.

    Like

  12. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    What a cute idea! I will keep it in mind for my wedding. It will go well with my outdoor desert theme here in AZ.

    Like

  13. Kimberly B. Avatar

    Super cute idea!!

    Like

  14. Giulia Avatar

    that’s a super idea because it’s so true, party favors usually get thrown away!

    Like

  15. Katie Avatar

    What a perfect favor idea! Succulents are perfect plants for green or black thumbs alike. The little flags give the favors that little extra somethin’-somethin’.
    Your photography for this post is brilliant, too – very eye-catching. Feeling inspired by your “eye” in this post!

    Like

  16. Chick Tyler Avatar

    This is a wonderful idea! Succulents are pretty much adorable and wonderful to have around! Plus, if they wanted to, succulent planters are always fun to make!

    Like

  17. Daphne Avatar

    Awesome idea…it IS hard to come up with a good party favor that isn’t junk. Love!

    Like

  18. Kaisa Avatar

    Those are so lovely! Great idea!

    Like

  19. desiree Avatar

    Such a great idea!

    Like

  20. Sam Avatar

    I think these are adorable. I’m thinking these would be a cute wedding favour too. Sorry us Brits spell it different! I’d also paint the pots like I did recently on my big pots on my blog http://liveandlove.typepad.com

    Like

  21. Heidi Nicole Avatar

    I absolutely love this idea! Its perfect in so many ways!

    Like

  22. Alyssa Avatar

    What an awesome idea!

    Like

  23. Kathy Avatar

    They look great and as ozone of the earlier comments they are so you and the tape flags look fantastic. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

    Like

  24. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    Super cute! I love how these turned out, and these would look so adorable right along a window sill, as well! I can’t believe how many different options there are!

    Like

  25. Pidgen Avatar
    Pidgen

    Elise, these are adorable! Just a question, but why did you provide the favors at your own shower? Just seemed a bit odd to me as that’s usually the hostess’ job. Then again, if you did this in leu of thank you cards, that would hit two birds with one stone. Did you bring other things to your shower?

    Like

  26. elise blaha Avatar

    My hostesses were awesome and did so much. I think a real thank you favor comes from the guest of honor, not the party planners. 😉 I am definitely still sending thank you notes for the gifts.

    Like

  27. hydeeann - splish splash stash Avatar

    somehow i missed before that you have gdm. just wanted you to know that after 5 normal pregnancies, i had gdm with the last two, which my dr was always baffled by because i am not the typical gdm type (probably like you). anyway, it was scary and overwhelming initially, but once i changed my diet and found my groove, it became very managable. it’s gone away both times after birth and my girls were/are wonderfully healthy. just wanted you to know i empathize with your condition, that it’s managable, and everything will most likely be completely fine for both of you. hugs!
    ps – i love the succulents!

    Like

  28. Chrystina Avatar

    You seriously come up with the cutest ideas, it’s ridiculous. I’m going to have to pin this. Thanks for sharing!

    Like

  29. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    Totally with you on the favor thing, but plants are great. Plus, as someone else pointed out, succulents can survive in lots of climates (like hot dry Vegas).

    Like

  30. mary ann Avatar
    mary ann

    such a cute idea…love it…it definitely will last…thanks again for sharing..:)

    Like

  31. Brooke Avatar

    Such an awesome idea. My Brother and Sister In Law gave little butterfly attracting plants as their wedding favours. 7.5 years later and not much water from my part our plant is still going strong. As is the painted terracotta pot – surprised how well it’s held up.
    Love the tags. Hope you had an awesome time!!

    Like

  32. Diana Avatar

    I love this idea. I think it’s very thoughtful, but doesn’t feel like something that is there to clutter a home.
    xo
    Diana
    http://unusuallylovely.com

    Like

  33. Libbi M. (Ashland, Oregon) Avatar
    Libbi M. (Ashland, Oregon)

    i think what you did was so super sweet and very thoughtful. i had a friend who’s little boy was turning one. they also have another little boy who is 6. not only did i purchase a gift for the birthday boy, but i bought a little something special for the older child too. i wanted to include something a little special for the other child, so he would feel special too. i know i didn’t have to do this but this is how i roll. i also wanted to say thank you for the succulent inspiration. i went to my local home depot this a.m. and bought a few as well and now my kitchen window looks so pretty now.

    Like

  34. Pidgen Avatar
    Pidgen

    Very sweet of you!

    Like

  35. Kristy Avatar

    This is such a cute idea!

    Like

  36. Debie Grace Avatar

    This is lovely, Elise! The guests were so lucky to have these succulents! Would love to have one 😀

    Like

  37. May Avatar
    May

    I love this idea!! I’m going to use it for my sisters baby shower next month! You are so clever 🙂

    Like

  38. Erika Avatar
    Erika

    Hi i was wondering how much you paid for the succulents? Im throwing my sister a graduation party and thought these would be cute
    Thank you! 😀

    Like

  39. Renee Avatar

    I’m attempting a blog and have been playing with succulents too. Check out my recent post about succulent style…http://entertainingdelights.com/2015/01/26/succulent-style/
    Thanks!

    Like

  40. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Hi Elise! I love this idea and would like to have this for my wedding favors. Do you have any tips for transferring the succulent into the pot? I have no experience with plants. Thanks!!

    Like

Leave a reply to Daphne Cancel reply