The age-old European tradition of presenting wedding guests with a small gift has become increasingly popular in the United States. Early wedding favors ranged from lavish traditional porcelain or crystal trinket boxes to elegantly wrapped Jordan almonds signifying fertility, longevity, wealth and happiness.

Today, wedding favors have reached new heights of personal creativity and style, limited only by imagination, personal taste and budget. They can be expensive or cheap, with endless options for themes and packaging.

LaBelle Weddings / Special (ENLARGE)

Couples planning a destination wedding on a beach may choose beach-chair place cards as favors for guests.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

"We can recommend gifts that reflect any aspect of the wedding couple and their interests," said Tanya Sola of LaBelle Weddings in Duluth. "We can package most gifts to coordinate with the theme, the colors and the flowers used in the wedding."

How do you choose an appropriate wedding favor? Leigh Zarelli, vice president of merchandising for gifts.com, said couples should select favors that are practical and that will be used or enjoyed.

Household items such as ice cream scoops, spreaders, and coasters are popular, as are gourmet treats like cookies or candies.

Zarelli cautions brides to stay within their budgets. Since giving favors is optional, it's better to forgo the gift than to give something guests will throw away after the event.

"It's best to give them something they will keep or enjoy."

Select favors that say something about the couple, Zarelli suggested. Golfers could give personalized golf balls and tees. Sailors can give sailboat-shaped soaps, while gardeners may pick themed seed packages or flower bulbs.

"One bride was known for making delicious jam so she filled small jars with her signature homemade jam," Sola said. "We then helped her label and package the jars to coordinate with her wedding theme. It was evident to her guests that she made an extra effort to give them something special."

Edible gifts are always welcome and can be creatively packaged. You can choose gourmet candy in engraved pewter boxes, personalized tins of mints, mini-boxes of truffles, or festively tied bags of color-customized M&M's.

If the bride and groom are coffee or tea lovers, personalized packages of gourmet coffee and tea or engraved coffee scoops are nice gifts, Sola said. Heart-shaped measuring spoons, ice cream scoops and bottle openers are also unique favors.

Some couples give different favors to male and female guests, Zarelli said. The men may get engraved cigar cutters, golf balls or key chains, while the women may receive a packaged jar of lotion, lip balm or shower gel. Wine stoppers, pouring spouts and candles are all practical gifts that can be engraved or personalized.

A small picture frame is also a nice gift.

"When you send your thank-you notes, you can include a wedding photo [guests] can place in the frame," Zarelli said. "This is something that they can display that will be a nice reminder of you and your wedding day."