Party Favors to Remember

Spring is traditionally party season, from graduations to wedding and baby showers. When there’s much to celebrate and you’re looking for something memorable to give as a party favor, we’ve got seven items that are sure to be appreciated—and devoured.—Denise Shoukas

Hand-Painted Chocolate Bars. Featured in the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards gift bags, Sulpice Chocolat ($6.99; sulpicechocolat.com) makes gorgeous and delicious hand-painted chocolate bars. Each bar is individually painted with either a splatter paint or marbleized design and made from premium couverture chocolate that’s spiced with layers of flavor, like the Pistachio, Cardamom & Dark Chocolate Bar and Milk Chocolate Bar with Salt & Almonds. The company also makes gluten-free and vegan bars.

Tea That Makes a Difference. Give your guests a meaningful gift—a box of Ajiri’s sofi™ Award-winning Kenyan Black Tea ($9/box; shop.ajiritea.com). Ajiri’s mission is to create employment for women and educate orphans in western Kenya. All profits from sales go to the Ajiri Foundation to pay school fees for orphans, and the teamaker currently employs 63 women who make the beautiful labels. Ajiri Tea not only tastes good but makes you feel good too.

Gourmet Gluten-Free Cookies. Here’s a carefree party favor that everyone will enjoy. Dr. Lucy’s Gluten-Free Cookies ($18.62/16 1.25-oz bags; amazon.com) are free of milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, and are produced in a dedicated bakery. The perfect size for favors, Lucy’s Grab & Go bags are colorful and available in Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Bun, Sugar Cookie and Oatmeal Cookie.

Custom Boxes Filled with Chocolate. Create your own favors filled with bite-size Lake Champlain Chocolates (prices vary based by choice; lakechamplainchocolates.com). Start by choosing your box design—cream cocoa pods or classic white—then select your favorite chocolates, including truffles, hearts, squares or Chocolates of Vermont, four foil-wrapped flavors like Maple Crunch, Honey Caramel, Evergreen Mint and Green Mountain. Pick from 20 ribbon colors and, as an added touch, get a personal message engraved on the box top.

Hand Decorated Cookies in Custom Shapes. Fancypants Baking Co. specializes in making all-natural, nut-free cookies that are decorated by hand and individually packaged in clear bags, making them fun take-home gifts. Made from custom designed cookie cutters, the designs range from graduation cookies ($3.49/each; fancypantsbakery.com) to baby-themed treats, like carriages or bottles ($3.49/each; fancypantsbakery.com)

Personalized Tins of Cookies. Gloria’s Gourmet Cookies personalizes and customizes tins with any image and wording. Each tin ($14.99/each; arnabal.com) is packed with Gloria’s freshly baked sandwich cookies or gluten-free almond cookies. After the cookies are devoured, the tin is a nice reminder of the special occasion.

Special White Balsamic Vinegar. This light-hued vinegar makes a lovely favor.  Calolea White Balsamic Vinegar ($12; iheartoliveoil.com) is aged for 12 years and imported from Modena, Italy—the birthplace of true balsamics. With an acidity level of 6 percent and a bright and delicate flavor, it will be a treasured gift for the kitchen.

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