Start With Who Is Coming, Not What Is Trendy
Most favour advice begins with a list of ideas. A better starting point is your guest list. A typical bar or bat mitzvah in Montréal mixes four groups: the guest of honour's friends (often 12 and 13 years old), classmates and cousins, parents and family friends, and grandparents or out-of-town relatives. They want different things from a favour, and a gift that delights one group can sit unopened with another.
Spend ten minutes sorting your guest list into these groups before you look at a single product. The numbers tell you how much to budget for each group and whether one favour for everyone is enough or whether two or three small options would land better.
The Four Guest Groups and What Works for Each
Friends and classmates (ages 11 to 14). This group wants something they can use or show off. Personalised items with a name or a photo work well, and so do collectable pieces such as custom trading-style cards with the guest of honour's theme. Avoid anything that feels like a school handout.
Cousins and younger children. Keep it simple and durable. Magnets, small cards and anything with a photo of the day are easy to hold on to and cost little per piece.
Parents and family friends. Adults tend to keep things that are tasteful and meaningful. A custom blessing magnet, a framed keepsake or a printed card with a message from the family usually does better than a novelty item.
Grandparents and out-of-town relatives. These guests are the most likely to put your favour on display. A photo-based keepsake of the celebration, ideally one they can show to others at home, tends to be the most treasured gift in this group.
Using Blessings and Messages Well
Many families want the favour to carry the meaning of the day. A short blessing, a verse or a line from the guest of honour works well on a magnet or a card, because it is read every time someone opens the fridge. Three practical tips: keep the wording short enough to read at a glance, choose a clear typeface, and decide in advance which languages to include so every guest can read it. Our design team can set text in English, French, Hebrew and 52+ other languages, and we always send a digital proof before printing so you can check spelling and layout.
How Many Favours Should You Order?
Order for the number of guests who will attend, plus roughly 10 percent. Children's tables, late additions and the family members who ask for a second one add up quickly. Running out is more noticeable than having a few extra, and leftovers make good thank-you gifts for vendors and helpers.
If you want different favours for different groups, our minimum is 50 per design, so combine groups where it makes sense: for example, one design for adults and one for younger guests.
A Realistic Timeline
- Eight to ten weeks out: finalise the guest count and choose the favour concept.
- Six weeks out: send us your wording and any photos, and request a quote.
- Four to five weeks out: approve the digital proof. Check names, dates and Hebrew or French spelling twice.
- At least three weeks out: place the final order. This is our recommended minimum so there is room for revisions and production.
- One week out: receive, count and pack the favours, and give them to the venue or the person setting up.
Short on time? Tighter schedules are sometimes possible, so ask early.
What Favours Cost
For custom favour magnets and blessing magnets we charge $4.50 each for 50 to 99, $3.25 each for 100 to 249 and $2.50 each for 250 to 499, with a custom quote above 500. Design and proof are included. For a 150-guest bar mitzvah, that means about $536 for roughly 165 pieces including a small buffer at the 100-249 rate, a figure that is easy to plan around. See our full guide to favour pricing in Montréal for worked examples at different guest counts.
Mistakes Families Often Make
- Choosing for the planner, not the guests. A favour that delights the host but means nothing to a 13-year-old classmate is a favour that gets left on the table.
- Ordering the design late. Names and Hebrew dates are the details most often corrected at proof stage. Leave time for two rounds of checks.
- Forgetting the youngest and oldest guests. A single favour rarely suits both. A small second design is often worth it.
- Overcomplicating the artwork. A clean layout with one photo or one border reads better at fridge distance than a busy collage.
A Quick Planning Worksheet
Before you request a quote, write down five numbers and answers: your confirmed guest count, the number of households among them, the language or languages for the wording, the event date, and the date you need the favours in hand. With those five items, we can usually prepare an accurate quote and timeline within 24 hours of your inquiry. Add your theme colours and any photos you would like to feature, and the design can start immediately.
Pairing Favours With Live Photo Magnets
Some families give a printed favour at each place setting and also book a roaming photographer so guests leave with a photo magnet from the party itself. The first is planned and polished; the second is spontaneous and personal. If you book any live package with us, you receive 10 percent off your favour order. Live packages start at $499 for one hour.
Ready to plan yours? Send an inquiry and we reply within 24 hours with a quote and timeline.
Explore party favours and custom blessing magnets → · Request a quote →Frequently Asked Questions
Can we have different favours for kids and adults?
Yes. Each design has a 50-piece minimum, so most families use two designs at most: one for adults and one for younger guests.
Do you write the blessing for us?
You choose the wording, whether traditional, a family blessing or a personal message. We handle layout and design and send a proof for approval.
How early should we order?
We recommend at least three weeks before the event, and four to six weeks is more comfortable.
Related Articles
Bar Mitzvah Budget Guide for Montréal Families in 2026
Bat Mitzvah Photo Souvenir Ideas: Beyond the Photo Book
Last-Minute Bar Mitzvah Souvenir Ideas That Actually Work
Custom Blessing Magnets: What They Are & How to Design One
How Much Do Party Favours Cost in Montréal? Per-Guest Guide