Summer often brings a steady stream of gatherings—family get-togethers, dinner parties, and many weddings. I made a batch of simple eucalyptus-wrapped palo santo bundles that are ideal as hostess gifts or wedding favors. They’re quick to put together, affordable, and make thoughtful, fragrant tokens for guests.
If you haven’t tried palo santo before, it’s commonly used for stress relief, meditation, and energetic cleansing. It also smells wonderful, which is why I use it. Follow along to make your own palo santo bundles in just minutes.
Supplies for these easy wedding favors and hostess gifts:
- palo santo sticks (sold in sets—often about $1 per stick at places like Whole Foods or online retailers)
- eucalyptus sprigs (a small bundle from a grocery or market will make multiple bundles)
- string or twine (any type you prefer)
- scissors
To assemble: trim eucalyptus stems so they match the length of the palo santo sticks. Use 3–4 short stems per stick, wrap them around the palo santo, and secure with a short length of string. Trim any excess string and your bundle is complete. Present them as favors to guests, tuck a few into a small box as a hostess gift, or include them in welcome bags for an event.
You can personalize each bundle by adding dried flowers, additional herbs, or even several palo santo sticks together for a more substantial gift. Remember these bundles are intended to be burned, so choose fragrant herbs and flowers that you enjoy and that will burn safely.
To burn a palo santo bundle, hold the end over a flame until it ignites and let it burn for 30–60 seconds. The flame usually dies out on its own after about a minute, so you normally won’t need to blow it out. Once smoldering, walk around the room to spread the fragrant smoke, or place the stick on an incense tray or heatproof dish while it continues to release scent.
Photography Brittni Mehlhoff
Have you used palo santo before? Have you created small bundles like these? Share other ways you might use them or ideas for personalization.