What is a bomboniera?
A bomboniera (bom'bo'në'ir'a) is a beautiful keepsake that is given to guests at special celebrations. It is both a thank you and a token of remembrance. The most popular use is at weddings. They can also be given at engagement parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, births, christenings, anniversary parties, graduations, birthdays and other special occasions. Bomboniere can take many forms. Among the most popular, are small boxes made of paper, silver, porcelain or glass and beautiful pochettes crafted from tulle, lace, ribbons and other fine materials. Both are filled with sugar-coated almonds known as confetti in Italy and dragées in France.

Where and when did the tradition of bomboniere originate?
The practice of giving bomboniere started in Italy, during the 14th century, when the families of engaged couples began swapping small packages filled with sweets as a sign of good fortune. Over time, sugar-coated almonds became the preferred choice of sweets and their use spread to occasions other than engagements and weddings. Today, no special celebration in Europe - as well as other parts of the world - is considered complete without a carefully chosen bomboniera.

Where does the word bomboniera come from?
The tradition of giving bomboniere may very well have started in Italy but the term was coined by the French, probably under the reign of King Louis XIV. The King reveled in the practice of exchanging sweet boxes with visiting dignitaries and during court celebrations. The King and his court used the term “"bombonniere"” - a derivative of the French word ""bon bon"", meaning candy- to describe these boxes. Many of the boxes they commissioned were quite extraordinary in their presentation. They were crafted by skilled artisans and incorporated such precious materials as mother-of-pearl, ivory or gold. Their extravagance helped to elevate the making and presenting of bomboniere to a specialized art, far surpassing the more informal or familial nature that bomboniere had in their earliest form in Italy.

Why are sugar-coated almonds the preferred confection in bomboniere?
Almonds have been present at weddings and births as a symbol of prosperity since the early Roman Empire. During the 13th-century and perhaps earlier, honey was used to enhance their flavor. With the introduction of sugarcane in the European kitchens of the 15th-century, almonds adopted the thin layers of sugar we are accustomed to today. Their consumption became widespread in the late 18th-century when the first manufacturing facilities for sugar-coated almonds were established in Italy and confection stores began carrying them as a staple item.

What is the secret to a superior-tasting sugar-coated almond?
The secret is two-fold: the use of large, whole almonds (preferably of a variety called "Avola" that is grown in the Sicily region of Italy) and limiting the amount of starch in the almond's sugar-coating mixture to a bare minimum. The heavy use of starch results in a pasty or chalk-like taste. Manufacturers of lesser-quality sugar-coated almonds rely on heavy doses to solidify the sugar mixture more quickly and cut down on production time and costs. They may also resort to using almond pieces instead of whole almonds. The preference for "peeled" almonds (known in the industry as "Avola pelata") versus non-peeled almonds is generally a matter of taste and not necessarily an indication of quality. Peeled almonds will yield a sweeter-taste. If your preference is, instead, for a heartier and nuttier tasting confection, opt for sugar-coated almonds where the thin, dark skin on the exterior of the almond was left intact in the manufacturing process.

Are there alternatives to traditional sugar-coated almonds?
Yes! Popular alternatives include: chocolate-filled dragées, confetti made with toasted almonds and heart-shaped confetti called amorini.

Why are there always five sugar-coated almonds in bomboniere?
The five sugar-coated almonds represent five time-honored wishes: happiness, longevity, wealth, children, and health. The notion that sugar-coated almonds represent ""the bitter and the sweet"" in life is, by the way, untrue. Even in their earliest form, sugar-coated almonds were considered a sweet and precious delicacy. Not a bitter one!

Why do sugar-coated almonds come in so many different colors?
In Europe, the colors are symbolic of the event being celebrated.

• Weddings: white
• Engagements: green for longevity
• Christenings or birth announcements: pink, pastel blue or white.
• Holy Communions: white
• Graduations: red for good luck!
• 25th Anniversaries: all silver or one silver and the rest white
• 50th Anniversaries: all gold or one gold and the rest white

In the USA, however, personal preferences and fancy often prevail over tradition. A bride may, for example, choose to use colors that match her bridesmaid's dresses, the season in which the wedding takes place, or the decorative scheme at her reception location. A graduate may substitute his/her school's colors to the color red. At engagements, white is often preferred to green mostly to avoid such negative connotations as "green with envy." No corresponding color exists for bridal showers, because they are not held in Europe. Americans have, therefore, adopted white and multicolored combinations for this much treasured tradition. The colors of sugar-coated almonds for wedding anniversaries other than the 25th and 50th are supposed to match the colors of materials found in traditional anniversary gifts. This is a little tricky because the gift choices observed in Europe are different for some anniversary years from those observed in America. Outlined below are the European choices as well as suggestions for American anniversaries.

Suggestions for European Anniversaries:

• 1st anniversaries: pink (cotton anniversary)
• 5th anniversaries: fuchsia (silk anniversary)
• 10th anniversaries: light yellow (tin or aluminum anniversary)
• 15th anniversaries: beige (china anniversary)
• 20th anniversaries: golden yellow (crystal anniversary)
• 25th anniversaries: silver (silver anniversary)
• 30th anniversaries: aquamarine (pearl anniversary)
• 35th anniversaries: blue (sapphire anniversary)
• 40th anniversaries: green (emerald anniversary)
• 45th anniversaries: red (ruby anniversary)
• 50th anniversaries: gold (golden anniversary)
• 55th anniversaries: ivory (ivory anniversary)
• 60th anniversaries: white (diamond anniversary)

Suggestions for American Anniversaries:

• 1st anniversaries: ivory (paper anniversary)
• 5th anniversaries: beige (wood anniversary)
• 10th anniversaries: light yellow (tin or aluminum anniversary)
• 15th anniversaries: golden yellow (crystal anniversary)
• 20th anniversaries: beige (china anniversary)
• 25th anniversaries: silver (silver anniversary)
• 30th anniversaries: pearl-coated (pearl anniversary)
• 35th anniversaries: coral (coral anniversary)
• 40th anniversaries: red (ruby anniversary)
• 45th anniversaries: blue (sapphire anniversary)
• 50th anniversaries: gold (golden anniversary)
• 55th anniversaries: green (emerald anniversary)
• 60th anniversaries: white (diamond anniversary)

What information should the included on the customary label or card that accompanies a bomboniera?
Depending on the occasion, the card or label should offer the following information:

• Weddings: the first names of the bride and groom and the date of wedding ceremony.
• Bridal Showers: the first or full name of the future bride and the date of the shower.
• Christenings: the name of the child and his/her date of birth. The date of the actual christening is not usually used, unless the word Christening or the word Baptism is also used for clarification.
• Baby Showers: a card reading "[so-and-so's] Baby Shower" and the date of the shower.
• Holy Communions: a card reading "[so-and-so's] First Holy Communion" and the date of the Communion ceremony.
• Graduations: the name of the graduate, the date of the graduation ceremony and, optionally the name of the school or university.
• Anniversaries: the first or full names of the couple and the dates of both their wedding and anniversary.

Who should receive a bomboniera?
The general rule is to give one bomboniera per family or couple attending a celebration. Depending on the type of bomboniera chosen, some hosts/hostesses may choose to give one bomboniera to each and every guest. Close family members and friends who have played a special role in the celebration (i.e. a bridesmaid, a godparent, grandparents, a best man, etc.) may receive a different and more elaborate bomboniera than the guests. Friends and family who were not able to attend a celebration but sent a gift or a card with good wishes, should also receive a bomboniere as a thank-you of their thoughtfulness within a reasonable time after the celebration.

How should bomboniere be distributed or displayed?
If possible, a host and hostess should be take the time to distribute bomboniere personally. Alternatively, bomboniere can be used to enhance the décor of a reception location by creating displays such as the following:

• At individual place settings.
• On a reception table next to seating instructions or place cards.
• Work with your florist or decorator to create a unique and special display area.

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