Getting Married? Give Tomatoes!
By Vanessa Richins
I recently set up a Google alert for “tomato”.
Once a day I get an email with the latest news, links and blogs - all about tomatoes. (I also have a Google alert for my own name, among others…try it, it’s fun!)
This service led me to an article from the Charlotte Observer. A reader wanted an eco-friendly option for wedding favors besides tree seedlings, since summer is not a good time to plant them.
A Master Gardener suggested tomato plants. He said that it would be a good choice since they are hardy, fit in most yards, and are fun for children to grow.
Just think - you could also decorate the tables with centerpieces made of all kinds of heirloom tomatoes! Hold a bouquet of tomato blossoms! Toss a tomato into the crowd instead of said bouquet!
All kidding aside, I think this is a wonderful idea. It’s a gift of life for your guests in celebration of your new life together. Choosing tomatoes as the plant only makes a great idea better.
If the cost of tomato plants for all of your guests is too much, you could do what I had already imagined doing someday - making personalized tomato seed packet favors. Buy seeds in bulk and small paper or plastic packets. Print off stickers that have a message commemorating the event and planting instructions. Don’t forget to play “Sowing the Seeds of Love” while handing them out!
<em>Have any of you given or received wedding favors like this before?</em>
June 5th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Well they have been refered to through history as ‘ Love Apples’ so I guess they do indeed make the perfect wedding gift.
Zoë
June 5th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
But what in the world would some of them do with a tomato seedling (or seeds). If you live in a condo (and don’t have a community plot) are you going to try to grow it in your north facing window? Ack. Not a good sign for the marriage when it dies. I think a selection of herb seed might be a better choice. Unless of course you know the person well enough.
Hmm though a tomato plant as part of a centerpiece. That would be nice. And let the people play some game to win them, so only the people that would actually use it would get it. Then your love apples have a chance to grow.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Well, pots always work for almost any household. Also with favors…at least to me, it’s somewhat of an added bonus to the whole festivities. I don’t think that etiquette (I love Miss Manners, haha) says you have to give them, as nice as the thought is. If someone really can’t use them, they don’t have to take them home. You could also add herb and flower seeds as well as the tomato seeds too.