What are Bomboniere?
The Bomboniere is a bag/box containing “bonbons” (candies) also known as “favors.” They are gifts given by the hosts to their guests on special occasions, such as weddings or baptisms. Thus the guests leave the festivity with a sweet taste in their mouth and a good memory to keep. Bomboniere’s have a long tradition in Europe’s southern countries.
It’s Origin
Bomboniere’s date back to early Europe. As a gesture of thanks, Aristocratic families would give bags filled with treats or sugar. With the sweet stuff considered a luxury and out of the price range of many. Thus, it was a small but lavish gift that offered a memento as well as a reminder of a family’s status.
Contents of a Bomboniere and it’s symbolism
The bag is made of tulle or satin and tied with ribbons in assorted colors. Inside you find five sugared almonds. These five almonds symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life.
The sugared almonds are colored pink for the baptism of a girl and light-blue for a boy. The same colors are used for a birthday. The color white is used for a wedding, red for a graduation, and silver or gold for 25 or 50 year anniversaries.
