Happy 4th of July Everyone! With the 4th of July upon us – we would like to take a moment to honor the men and women who bravely served our country and have lost their lives serving to protect us in the line of duty. We offer our prayers to those families who have lost loved ones in the Armed Forces. And for those who continue to serve – we salute you and thank you for continuing to protect our freedom and independence!
To celebrate this holiday we are offering our blog readers a special discount 15% OFF your wedding favors or wedding order of $175 or more PLUS Free UPS Ground Shipping. But Hurry! This offer won’t last for long, your 15% OFF Discount expires on Sunday July 5th, 2009 at 11:59 PM.
Use discount code: July09 to save 15% off!
And remember! Our New Jersey Showroom features over 2,000 of our most popular wedding favors, over 30 wedding accessory collections and wedding invitations. Plus we carry tiaras, Bridesmaid and Groomsmen gifts. If you are in the Tri-State area we are conveniently located just 30 minutes from New York City, 10 Minutes from Staten Island and centrally located in NJ.
Our showroom is located at 137 Main Street, Sayreville NJ 08872. We are open to the public on Saturdays 12-6 and weekdays by appointment only. We are opened tomorrow, July 4th until 6 PM.
Finally, if you’re on Facebook – become a fan of our page!
It’s 9:30 at night and my cell phone is ringing, it’s my grandfather on the phone. He asks me how things are, if I can take tomorrow off to visit, and where I am.
“I’m still in the office editing products. I can’t make it tomorrow, I have alot of work to do, but I’ll try to make it over on Saturday [the 4th of July] after we close up the store.”
I hang up the phone. Ten minutes later my cell phone rings again, “Hey hunnie, what time are you leaving? It’s almost 10.”
That would be my husband who is battling with a severe head cold. I’ve left him all day alone so I could tinker in the office.
This particular blog isn’t about wedding favors, but in a way, it is – it is my job, my career, my baby. And what I am about to say isn’t necessarily about my business but it’s for any person who wants to be an Entrepreneur.
When I worked a full time 9-5 job, I looked forward to the end of the day. I looked forward to the weekends and paid holidays. I liked having sick time and personal time and all the goodies and benefits of working for someone. But I also longed to be my own boss and create an environment which would allow me the flexibility to take my son to work with me or take the day off if I needed it.
However, being your own boss isn’t easy. As a matter of fact, I haven’t seen a 40 hour work week since I quit my full time job back in 2003. That’s right, no 40 hour work weeks – they are more like 80 or 120. There are no holidays, no sick time, no personal days off. I work almost 7 days a week. It’s been one of the hardest – but most rewarding – job I have ever worked. Perhaps with the exception of being a mom, that’s hard work too.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I adore what I do, I adore weddings, wedding favors and I am in love with the concept of love. But for all those young entrepreneur’s who think it’s easy starting a business, or running one – it’s not. It’s a labor of love.
Just like a baby, you create it, nurture it, and hope it does well. But you need alot more than a string of hope and a bit of luck to make a business a success. You need the tenancity to plow on no matter what you face, the belief that you will be successful and some toothpicks to keep your eyes open during it all. It’s exhausting, exhilarating and consuming. Do you have what it takes?
I wear many hats around Little Things. How many jobs do I have? Well that depends on the day:
1) Buyer – I travel to the trade shows, scour the web for new products, make contacts, and look for leads. I decide on what to bring in, what to keep out and what lines we should carry. I also decide which areas need expansion and which need to be condensed.
2) Webmaster – that’s correct, about 90% of the wedding favors and accessories you see on the site have been input by me, manually by hand. That includes the product descriptions, price points, and all the other junk which needs to go into the backend for you to make a purchase. I also design the categories, subdivide them and move products.
3) Copy editor & Writer – I write the copy, the articles, the section pages, the meat and potatoes of the site – it’s what makes a site rank. I also write the blogs, outside articles, etc… I even have some articles being published in an upcoming wedding book.
4) Marketing & Advertising – whether it be SEO, SEM, affiliate marketing, linking, purchasing advertising space – that’s me too. I also design the graphics when I have to produce newsletters. You’ll find my twitter account managed by me. Our facebook and myspace pages too are handled in house.
5) SEO & Analytics – falls into a category all by itself. Any entrepreneur who is venturing on the web today should know some basic SEO. Even if you’re going to outsource this, you should know what your seo company is doing for you. I can’t tell you the countless numbers of hours I’ve poured into research.
6) Administrative work – the faxes, the bills, the payroll, the monthly sales tax. There is always paperwork to be handled.
7) Sales – yes, you may ocassionally get me on the phone when you call. This usually only happens when all my employees are occupied with other customers. Or if you venture into my store on a Saturday, you’ll see me there working, on the floor.
I wear many other hats including Human Resources, Mom, Hiring, training, developing, IT, software development, etc. Yesterday I had to deal with open season for our health insurance for our employees while trying to deal with networking a laser printer, updating drivers and editing hang tag options on 638 products.
Being an entreprenuer requires you (unless you have a ton of capital behind you to hire department heads) to know a little bit of everything, and figure out all the right answers when you have little knowledge of the subject. It requires extensive hours, hands on training, learning and developing.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I really don’t mind working until 4 am (which I did last night) or putting in 18 hour days. One day, I know we’ll be large enough to alleviate some of the workload. But until then, I plow on.
In the essence of Independence, I’ve created mine. How about you? I’d love to hear your stories as well. Happy 4th of July! If you’re in the Sayreville NJ area be sure to swing by our store – 137 Main Street Sayreville, NJ 08872 (732) 654-5262. Or visit us on the web at www.littlethingsfavors.com
Fashioncraft has updated there offerings on there personalized tags and personalized expressions items. Now all items have 234 designs, and 30 different color options. As we make this transition over the course of the following week, you’ll have all these great choices to select from. There are designs for weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, engagement parties, birthday parties, religious events and so much more!
Please bear in mind though, that all personalized tags are printed exactly as you request in the colors and designs shown. Personalized tags are included in a separate envelope in your order and you must attach these by hand to your favors.
Shaken or stirred – cocktails are at the heart of every adult party. Whether it be a backyard BBQ, a luau themed bash, a cocktail party or an upscale wedding with signature drinks – cocktails go with parties like peanut butter goes with jelly. Whether you are socializing with friends at a casual event or networking and schmoozing at a function – chances are you probably have a drink in hand.
What better way to send off your guests and say “thank you” then by giving them a personalized packet or two (or maybe 3 and 4, depends on how much you like your friends ) of personalized cocktail mixes?
If you’re like me, chances are you will send home with your guests a little “goodie” bag of treats. Adults are just like kids – they love taking home a bag of treats! For my husband’s surprise birthday party last year, I threw a cocktail party for him and I made little bags of goodness to send home with our guests. In them I included several cocktail mix packets, mini martini glasses, these martini coasters and one of my all time favorite favor candles: Cocktails Anyone? Gel Martini Candle. So our guests went home with their own little bag of happiness – they could make their drinks, place it on a coaster, light a candle and relax.
But we have a bunch of designs for all different occasions: wedding cocktail mixes (in over 60 designs), exclusive to Little Things designs such as damask, fleur de lis and love bird which can be found here: exclusive cocktail mix designs, birthday party cocktail mixes and we also have cocktail mixes available in religious, Sweet 15, and holiday party designs.
To get your 10% OFF any of these cocktail mixes just use coupon code: Cocktail609 upon checkout!
Just in time for the beach season! It’s not often we offer a huge blow-out sale on items, but this week we are featuring 8 beach wedding favors at GREAT prices! The following favors were regularly priced $2.25 through $2.35 each – Now ONLY $1.00 Each! Buy these while we have them at this awesome price!
And only a minimum order of 12 pieces on any of the following favors:
From tealights to votive holders, table lamps to floating candles, the choice for wedding candles to light up your reception is, indeed, endless. Wedding candles can take on all different shapes, sizes, designs and types. Wedding candle favors extend the light in your heart to theirs reflecting the wonderful sentiment of your joy filled day. Candle favors are the perfect way to say thank you to your guests.
Here are some of my favorite candle favors, which are suited to a multitude of events, not only weddings.
“Damask Traditions” Black and White Frosted Glass Tea Light Holde
The Damask Traditions Black And White Candle Holder is beautiful for any special occasion. Classic in style, traditional and formal – this Parisian inspired glass favor is decorative for your guests’ homes as it is for table decorations. Tea lights are included in each, but these can also fit a smaller sized votive candle. Trendy and in style these gorgeous candles are a sure-fire win. This is part of our elegant and traditional candle favor collection.
LOVE Design Candle Holder Favors
Some times all you need is “love, love, love.” With love the theme of the day for so many events, its only natural to select a candle favor which reflects the sentiment to a “T”. From our Love & Hearts Candle Favors collection, these remind me of the LOVE statues in New York City, Philadelphia and other major cities. You know the one I’m talking about – the big red LOVE one. So if you’re planning on tying the knot in the “City of Brotherly Love” or just want to show the world how in love you are, these Love Design Candle Holder Favors are the sweetest of symbols.
Elegant Black & Crystal Flower Candle Wedding Favors
Nothing says “Spring Fling”, “Black-Tie Only” or “Garden Party” than an elegant Floral & Garden Themed Candle Favor like this one does. One of our most popular floral candles, these elegant black and crystal flower candles are pretty enough to be used for a variety of social gatherings and upscale parties. Appropriate for a number of occasions, these gorgeous candles are the epitome of elegance and style.
Autumn Themed Candle Wedding Favor
Whether you choose to place these fall candles on each place setting, or scatter them on your tables, these lovely fall wedding candles will add a punch of autumn color to your event. Just a few of these to each table will add just the right amount of outdoors to your wedding without going overboard. Suitable for any fall or autumn themed event!
Elegant Blue Beaded Candle Holder
Nothing reminds me of winter more than icy-blue sparkle. Everything glitters in the winter, the ice on the trees, the newly fallen snow, the stars in the crisp clear sky. We have a varitety of winter candles to suit your winter event, from icy blue candles like above to wintery white sparkling snowflake candles – even red and green holiday designs. The winter season is the perfect season for a candle wedding favors – the dim candle light just reminds me of the season so much!
I hope that I have given you some great ideas on how to decorate your tables with candles. A simple, but beautiful candle on each setting is enough to invoke a wonderful theme throughout your reception hall.
A traditional symbol for marriage, wedding bells pop up throughout the ages as a visually inspiring and universal symbol of marriage. From ringing church bells, to a string of bell-like objects attached to a wedding car, to ringing of bells to ward off evil spirits and clinking of glasses or bells to “ring for a kiss” – bells are as traditional as “something blue”. Wedding bell favors will add charming decor to your wedding reception tables as well as being a wonderful keepsake wedding favors for your guests.
If you’re not sure about giving a wedding bell as a favor, but want to incorporate them into your wedding, we have several ideas for you!
Wedding Bells to Ring in Good Wishes as You Leave Your Ceremony
1) Instead of tossing rice, birdseed, eco-friendly rice puffs, bubbles, wedding wands or rose petals – have your wedding guests ring good wishes to you as you leave your ceremony site. They can bring these bells with them to the reception to echo in the same sentiment as you enter the reception.
2) If you would rather not hear 150 guests resquest you to kiss at the same time, add 2 to 4 bells scattered on each reception table. You’ll stil get the same “chime” without it being obnoxiously loud on your ears.
3) Leave our “mini” ring for a kiss bells at each table setting. These are only 1″ tall so the sound of the bells will be softer than that of our larger, traditional wedding bells. Inexpensive at about .18 cents each, you can afford to put these on your tables in addition to any wedding favors you would like to give your guests.
4) Use bells as your place card holders – rather than buying place card holders or frames, have your wedding bells work for you! Type up on your computer your list of guests and their table numbers. Print on cardstock, and cut out the names in little 1/2″ to 1″ wide strips of paper, about 3″ long. Wrap one end around the bell, and use a glue stick to stick it to the back of the strip – leaving a long strip with the guests’ names fanning out. Alternatively, there are wedding bells such as our Sweetheart Wedding Bells which hold a place card right between the two hearts of the bell.
5) For a traditonal and gorgeous keepsake wedding favor, give your guests Silver Plated Wedding Bells (as shown in picture above) or Crystal Wedding Bells. These will be cherished for years to come.
You may not think of soap wedding favors as a traditional gift for your wedding guests, but this year we have seen a release of adorable soaps in beautiful packaging which will compliment any wedding theme, be easy on your budget and will look gorgeous on your reception tables.
1. Sweetheart Heart Shaped Scented Soap With Signature Charm – How beautifully elegant this soap favor displays on your tables. With a damask inspired print on the 2 part box, satin black ribbon and adorable charm, these are the perfectly packaged favors. A top selling soap favor, the packaging simply wows our brides in person.
“Sweet Heart” Heart-Shaped Scented Soap with Kate Aspen Signature Charm
2. “Hugs & Kisses From The Mr. & Mrs” Scented Soaps – Send a heartfelt thank you with these adorable shaped XO soaps packaged in a darling damask box. Each box is beautifully designed in black and white with black satin ribbon and themed thank you tag.
"Hugs & Kisses From Mr. and Mrs.!" Scented Soaps
3. “Owl Always Love You” Scented Soap – Adorable and sweet, these soaps show what love birds you two are. Two owls are nestled together on a branch inset on the square soap. Packaged in a pink and white 2 part box and tied with brown grosgrain ribbon, your guests will love receiving these cute favors.
“Owl Always Love You” Scented Soap
4. The Perfect Pair – Pear Shaped Soap Favors - Whether you are having a fall themed wedding or just want to proclaim how “perfect” you are as a pair, this charming pear shaped soap in a gorgeous vintage inspired box tied with brown grosgrain ribbon will be the perfect soap favor for you and your guests.
“The Perfect Pair” Scented Pear Soap
5. Fall In Love Leaf Shaped Soap Favors – With the upcoming fall season approaching, these fall themed wedding favors are perfect for your autumn wedding or event. Nestled inside the chic brown leaf decorated box lies two leaf soaps. Tied with satin chocolate brown ribbon and pre-attached themed thank you tag.
We’ve all received them, wedding favors which make you scratch your head and go “huh’? Or “What was the bride thinking?” I’m sure you’ve all received your share of matches (who smokes anymore?), cookie cutters (imagine a guy baking?), post it notes, band-aids, or maybe even the little tulle almonds. Now, I’m not saying these things are bad as favors – some couples really like them – while I admit, some went out of style back in the 1980’s.
So I would like to know what was the worst wedding favor you received?
And to make it more fun, I’ll select the best (or maybe worst ) story and you’ll get something free in the mail from me! (Could be anything, but it will definitely be wedding favor related).
I’m actually thinking of posting a question of the day, everyday, with a freebie giveaway. Let me know if this is something which you would be interested in.
We had a couple come into our Sayreville, NJ showroom on Thursday who were shopping for beach themed wedding favors for their destination wedding in South America. They were looking for something memorable and wanted candles, but we advised her against it. Candles don’t travel well in the heat, and if the cargo area on a plane is hot, you’ll end up with melted candles. Same holds true for chocolates.
If you’re traveling to a destination by plane you’ll want wedding favors which are relatively lightweight (due to weight restrictions on luggage now) easy to pack, and temperature proof.
Wedding Favors we would not recommend for destination weddings:
Candles (due to high heat, they can melt)
Chocolates, chocolate covered candy (again they can melt)
Oddly shaped and/or large items which would be difficult to pack such as our tall candle lamps (they would take up too much room in your luggage)
Heavy items such as 4 pack glass coasters. 100 coaster sets (where there are 4 coasters per set and made of glass weigh approximately 80 pounds which is too heavy for airline luggage restrictions).
Lip balm, chap-stick, soaps and hand cream (again these items will melt in transit)
It’s best to use common sense when deciding on which wedding favors to buy for your destination wedding. If you think there is a possibility they may melt, break or be too heavy – you’re instinct is probably right.
1) Beach Themed Bookmarks – while all of the beach themed bookmark we carry are cute, I recommend “A Jewel From The Sea” Seashell Bookmark because the outside folder is pretty (its a metallic pearl shimmer in your choice of label color, but I am partial to the origina color scheme). It’s lightweight, can easily be packed and the bookmarks themselves are lovely! At about $2 each for a personalized wedding favor, these are sweet. Here’s a picture of them:
"A Jewel From the Sea" Seashell Bookmark (2 Designs and 27 Colors Available)
2. Beach Themed Keychains – lightweight and useful, everyone can use a keychain. However, the boxes (although small, about 2″ x 3″) can take up a bit of luggage space if you’re carrying a whole bunch of them. Inexpensive, these range from $1.75 to under $1, depending on design. My favorite beach themed keychain is Choice Crystal Shell Keychains – they are really pretty and great quality plus the packaging is a pretty blue box which can’t be beat. Here’s a picture of them:
3. Beach Themed Coasters – Coasters are great because they are functional. I don’t know what household wouldn’t be complete without coasters. Men and women can use them, they are a universal favor. Ultimately, our customers who were shopping this week in our store, chose coasters for their favors. And here is my choice, because they are 2 to a pack (lightweight), they can hold 2 photos of the couple, and they are relatively flat to pack in luggage. Here’s a hint to pack these, line your luggage with clothing, pack the coasters above the first layer of clothing, then pack the rest of your clothing on top.
5. Personalized Mint Tin Wedding Favors – cheap, personalized and useful (hey everyone needs a breath mint after dinner) these adorable and useful palm sized tins can be refilled after your wedding day. They come in a variety of beach inspired designs, are easy to carry, are lightweight and won’t melt. Some come in a variety of colors (like the one below comes in 5 different color choices), so these would make great favors.
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Erica
We’ve all received them, 
) story and you’ll get something free in the mail from me! (Could be anything, but it will definitely be wedding favor related).