Personalized Perfection: How DIY Weddings Are Making a Comeback
10 Creative DIY Bridal Shower Favors That Your Girls Will Love
Bridal showers can be an absolute blast. You’ve got friends mingling, snacks spread across the table, and a chance to celebrate love in a fun and cozy way. But sometimes it’s a headache finding the perfect party favors. You might think, “Do I need to spend a fortune on generic, store-bought trinkets?” I don’t believe so. Handmade gifts can often strike a deeper chord, and they don’t have to break the bank. They can be sweet, practical, or even a bit silly, as long as they come from the heart.
As part of our bridal shower tips, below are ten creative DIY ideas you can try out for your bridal shower. Each is something you can tackle from the comfort of your own home, and you can mix and match ideas to create a personalized flair. Also, if you want to boost the visual appeal—and add a bit of you to each gift—personalized stickers can be the icing on the cake. Let’s get into the details.
1. Custom Lip Balm
Lip balm is a solid, all-year-round necessity. People keep them in purses, pockets, and random kitchen drawers, so a little extra tube or tin is always welcome. And it’s surprisingly easy to make your own. You can use simple ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and essential oils. Melt them together in a double boiler (you can rig one up with a pot and a heatproof bowl if you don’t have a dedicated double boiler). Then pour the mixture into small lip balm tins or tubes.
If you’d like to add that extra something, design personalized stickers with the bride’s name and wedding date, or maybe a fun, witty phrase. Stick them on each tube so your guests will always remember when and where they got their lip balm. You could also experiment with tinted balms
by adding a bit of natural mica powder or even a pinch of lipstick (yep, that works). In my opinion, a simple peppermint lip balm, lightly sweetened with a pinch of stevia, is refreshing and easy to love.
Watch this reel for some inspo:
2. DIY Bath Salt Test Tubes
Imagine you’ve had a long day, and you’re ready to unwind. A quick soak in a warm bath with some aromatic bath salts is often all you need to recharge. Bath salt test tubes are easy, fuss-free, and they look surprisingly fancy. All you need are clear plastic or glass test tubes, Epsom salts, essential oils, and, if you want a pop of color, a few drops of soap-safe dye.
Mix the salts with oils like lavender or eucalyptus. Carefully funnel them into the tubes, seal them up, and add a small label or a personalized sticker for the final touch. You can list the scent on the sticker, or simply place the bride’s name with a floral design. It’s an easy way to
remind your friends how thoughtful you are. Sometimes, I’ll add dried flower petals (like lavender buds or rose petals) to make it look pretty, but that’s optional.
Here’s an example of how this can look like:
3. Mini Candle Favors
Candles create ambiance, which is exactly what a bridal shower should have: warmth, glow, and a touch of romance. Making your own soy wax candles is simpler than you might think. Pick up some soy wax flakes, wicks, and fragrance oils. Melt the wax in a pot or microwave, stir in your scent, and carefully pour into small candle tins or mason jars. Check out this Pinterest page for some inspiration.
Wait for the wax to firm up a bit before placing your wick in the center. Or, if you’re one of those people who likes more control, attach the wick to the container bottom first, then pour in the wax. Either way, keep it centered using clothespins or chopsticks if you need to. Once the candles cool, they become these neat little gifts that feel both personal and practical. A personalized sticker with a short message, like “Love is Lit,” or the bride’s name plus wedding date, can make each candle stand out. The best part is your friends can actually use them, rather than letting them collect dust in a drawer.
Watch this reel for some ideas:
4. Succulent Planters
Succulents are hearty, adorable, and they last a while (unlike certain cut flowers that wilt in days). For a bridal shower, you can present tiny succulents in small terracotta pots, teacups, or even upcycled jars. Paint the pots in a color scheme that matches the event, or keep it natural for that earthy vibe. If you really want to get fancy, you can write each guest’s name on a sticker and stick it on the pot, essentially turning it into a place card as well as a favor.
Caring for succulents is straightforward, so your guests won’t have to agonize over complicated plant care routines. A quick note or instructions on the sticker that says “Water sparingly” can be a useful reminder. You might also add a small message like “Let Love Grow.” Yes, I know it’s a bit corny, but sometimes it fits the wedding theme perfectly.
Watch this reel for some inspo:
5. Personalized Tote Bags
We’ve all got that one reusable tote that’s a total workhorse. It hauls groceries, books, random errands—whatever we need. Creating personalized tote bags can be a memorable idea for a bridal shower favor. You can buy blank canvas totes online in bulk without spending too much. Then, you can screen print or iron on a simple design—maybe a silhouette of the bride’s face (if she’s into that) or her name and the wedding date in a fancy font. You might also want to keep it understated: a small image in the corner of the tote and maybe a short phrase.
I love the idea of adding a sticker element here, too, although for totes it might be best to consider iron-on decals or custom vinyl. Stickers could work, but they might not hold up too well through multiple washes. Still, a hand-drawn or stamped design can make these totes look
unique without too much effort. If you have a friend who’s good at calligraphy, rope them in, and let them help.
Here’s a great sample:
6. Homemade Jam or Honey
If your friends appreciate a little sweetness, homemade jam or local honey can be a real crowd-pleaser. Try a simple jam recipe with fresh strawberries or mixed berries if you’re feeling fancy. It involves just fruit, sugar, a dash of lemon juice, and some patience on the stove. Fill small mason jars with the cooled jam, and seal them tight. Slap on a personalized sticker labeled with the flavor and a short note. Or if you have local honey on hand, you could gift that instead—no cooking required.
I’ve found that people love these edible favors because they’re something they can immediately use. Spread it on toast, swirl it into tea, or drizzle it over yogurt. Plus, the little jar itself is reusable afterward. Throw a bow or a small piece of cloth around the lid, and you’ve got a cute and practical gift.
Watch this video for some ideas:
7. Sugar Scrub Jars
I’ll admit, sometimes making homemade beauty products feels like a science experiment, but sugar scrubs are the easiest item in that category. Combine white or brown sugar with a carrier oil (like coconut or sweet almond), add a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and stir it all together in a bowl. The texture should be grainy but not too dry.
Spoon the mixture into small jars, seal them up, and top each jar with a label. This is where personalized stickers can shine. Write “Bride’s Sugar Scrub” or something playful—maybe “Scrub Away Your Worries.” Some folks like to add a bit of food coloring to match the bridal
shower colors, but keep it light to avoid staining your skin during use. If you’re worried about that, you can skip the color entirely. Let your guests know how to use it: they can massage it onto damp skin for a soft, glowing feel. Just be careful with the shower floor because oils can get slippery.
Watch this lovely video to learn how to do it right:
8. Scented Sachets
A small pouch filled with dried lavender or rose petals can do wonders in a drawer or closet. Scented sachets are quick to make, and they add a lovely touch to the bridal shower vibe. Sew or glue small squares of fabric into a pouch, fill them with your chosen dried flowers, and tie them up with a ribbon. If sewing makes your head spin, use small muslin bags from a craft store.
You can personalize them with a simple sticker that might say something like, “Sweet Dreams, Love [Bride’s Name].” Or you could even go a bit old school and hand-stamp the front. If you want to be extra, you can blend different herbs (mint, chamomile, rosemary) to create your own signature scent. But dried lavender on its own is lovely and relaxing. Throwing a few drops of essential oil in there can also heighten the aroma.
9. Edible Cookie Kits
Cookie kits can bring out the child in anyone. Pack up a small jar filled with premixed dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, maybe some chocolate chips if you fancy). Attach a short instruction card that says what wet ingredients to add and how long to bake. People get to enjoy fresh cookies without measuring out all the boring stuff.
Or you could do a “decorate your own cookie” kit. Bake plain sugar cookies, include mini piping bags of icing, and some sprinkles. Your guests can play around with designs at home. Personalized stickers can go on the jars or the icing packs, labeling them “Cookie Mix” or “Icing.” You could also just put your bridal shower date so your friends won’t forget the memory of messing around with edible glitter.
Watch these amazing cookies for some inspo:
10. Engraved Wooden Utensils
If you want something a bit more practical for the kitchen, consider customizing wooden spoons or spatulas. You can find affordable packs online. Then, use a wood-burning tool or paint pens to decorate the handles. If the bride’s name is short, you can write it out with a small heart. If you prefer something simpler, you could stamp initials or a mini phrase like “Stirring Up Love.”
Seal them with a food-safe finish if you used paint. For a final touch, tie a bit of twine around the handle, and add a small tag or sticker with the date of the wedding. Your friends will likely remember you when they use these utensils for their daily cooking. Just make sure you don’t overdo it with the design, or you might cover the entire handle with scribbles. Keep it clean and minimal.
Personalized Stickers: The Final Touch
I’ve mentioned personalized stickers in almost every idea, but it’s worth pointing out how versatile they can be. They don’t just label your jars or tubes; they add a piece of the bride’s personality to each favor. If you’ve got a playful group of friends, make stickers with fun inside jokes. If you’re all about aesthetics, choose a cohesive theme: maybe watercolor flowers or geometric patterns that match the bridal shower décor.
Making your own stickers these days is easy. You can design them online and order a few sheets, or if you have a cutting machine at home, you could print and cut them yourself. The main point is that they allow you to unify every different favor idea under one consistent look, especially if you’re mixing and matching multiple types of favors.
Wrapping Up (Yes, Pun Intended)
Putting together bridal shower favors doesn’t need to be a chore. In fact, the process can be pretty fun if you organize a small get-together with bridesmaids or close friends who also enjoy crafts. You’ll chat, laugh, and bond while making lip balms, sugar scrubs, or jam. The guests at your bridal shower will appreciate the personal effort, and you’ll have a unique story behind every favor.
No, not everyone will keep these mementos forever. But they’ll likely use or enjoy them more than a random item that gets tossed in the back of a closet. And that, I believe, is what makes a bridal shower favor truly worthwhile. It’s a small piece of you, shared with people you care about, wrapped up with a sticker that ties it all together.
I hope these ideas spark some inspiration. If you have your own twist on any of these DIY favors, go for it. Experiment, make a little mess in your kitchen, and create something that feels right for your bridal shower style. At the end of the day, it’s about celebrating love and friendship—and having a bit of fun in the process. If you’re feeling a bit stressed, try making one or two sample favors first to see how you like the result. Then get the crew involved, and knock out the final batch together. It’s not always smooth sailing, but it’s definitely more memorable than just swiping your card for some generic trinkets online. And hey, even if the jam scorches a little or the candle wax spills, it might be the best story you’ll tell at the wedding.
