Baby Shower Honey Favors: Sweet Ideas and the One Rule to Remember
Baby shower honey favors fit beautifully with the popular bee themes, such as what will it bee and oh baby, and give guests something sweet to take home. There is one rule that matters more than any label: honey is for the grown-ups, not the baby. This guide covers favor ideas, label wording, jar sizes, DIY tips and the safety note to include.
The one rule to remember
Honey can contain spores of the bacterium that causes botulism. Adults' mature digestive systems handle them, but babies under 12 months can become seriously ill, which is why the CDC advises never giving honey to infants, even in small amounts or baked into foods. At a baby shower, honey favors are for guests to enjoy. A short line on the label or a small card is a kind reminder. See why babies can't have honey.
Bee-themed label ideas
| Theme | Label wording |
|---|---|
| Gender reveal | What will it bee? He or she? |
| Classic | Sweet as can bee |
| Welcome | Oh baby! A little honey is on the way |
| Thank you | Thanks for bee-ing here |
| Twins | Double the sweetness |
| Safety line | For grown-ups only: honey is not for babies under 1 |
Choosing jar sizes
One- to two-ounce jars are the usual size for shower favors. Hexagon jars echo honeycomb and suit a bee theme. For a hostess gift or the parents-to-be, a larger jar with a wooden dipper is a lovely touch; see honey dipper.
How to make honey favors
Wash favor jars and lids in hot soapy water and dry them completely. Warm honey gently so it flows, keeping it below about 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and fill jars with a funnel or squeeze bottle. Wipe the rims, seal, then add labels, ribbon, a small bee charm or a tea bag. Store at room temperature. Plan about 1 1/2 to 2 ounces per guest, so a one-pound jar fills about eight 2 oz favors.
- Clean, completely dry jars
- Gently warmed honey for easy pouring
- A funnel or squeeze bottle
- Labels with your theme and the safety line
- Ribbon, twine or bee charms
Which honey to choose
A light, mild honey pleases the most guests. Our Clover honey is pale and gentle, and Orange Blossom has a bright, floral note. For a golden color that photographs well, try Wildflower. We sell 16 oz jars that are easy to decant into favors.
Other bee-themed shower ideas
Serve honey alongside the favors: a honey and cheese board, honey lemonade or a honey cake. See honey and cheese pairing, honey mocktails and honey cake. For wedding versions of these favors, see honey wedding favors.
Planning amounts and timing
Count your guest list and add about ten percent for extras and the hosts. For 30 guests with 2 ounce favors, you will need about 66 ounces, or a little over four one-pound jars of honey. Prepare favors one to three weeks before the shower so there is time to print labels and add ribbons. Raw honey may begin to crystallize in that time, which is natural; a small card can tell guests to warm the jar gently in warm water if it sets.
Display favors on a tray with a sign that matches the theme, such as take a little honey home, or set one at each seat. A small tag reminding guests that honey is for adults and older children keeps the safety message friendly.
Sources
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Frequently asked questions
- Are honey favors OK for a baby shower?
- Yes, for guests. Add a note that honey must not be given to babies under 12 months.
- What do you write on baby shower honey favors?
- Bee-themed phrases like what will it bee, sweet as can bee or oh baby, plus a safety line.
- What size jar is best for baby shower favors?
- 1 to 2 ounce jars are most common.
- Why can't babies have honey?
- Honey can contain botulism spores that can make infants under 12 months seriously ill.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
