How to Choose the Right Size Matchbooks for Your Party Favors
Matchbooks are a go-to, must-have party favor! They’re practical, easy to personalize, and effortlessly stylish. Over the past few years, we’ve noticed custom matchbooks have become a party favor favorite for weddings, showers, and corporate events. They're also very fitting for bar scenes and within candle stores as giveaway staples.
Pairing a matchbook style to your event depends on how you plan to use them, the look you’re going for, and the kind of impression you want guests to take home.
Why Matchbooks?
A matchbook is a warm, interactive keepsake. When you give a matchbook as your party favor, you give an experience and a helpful tool, whether your guest later lights a candle and thinks of you or keeps their matchbook handy when camping. If you plan on lighting candles or floating lanterns at your event, these tie together magically.
30-Strike Matchbooks: A Crowd Favorite
For a timeless, versatile option, 30-strike matchbooks are the go-to choice. These are the familiar fold-over matchbooks most people recognize, offering just enough surface area for personalization without overwhelming your design.
“I ordered these to use a version of business cards and every person I've handed them to since getting them has audibly gasped! The quality is incredible and the foil is such a beautiful touch. I will definitely be re-ordering these.” - Gorgeous C., verified reviewer
Standard matchbooks work especially well for:
- Wedding welcome bags
- Bar setups and cocktail tables
- Casual parties and showers
- Large guest counts where budget and consistency matter
Each matchbook holds 30 quick-strike matches. They’re lightweight, easy to distribute, and ideal for simple monograms, names, dates, or short phrases. If your goal is a polished but understated favor, standard matchbooks strike the perfect balance.
Two-Chamber Matchboxes: Make a Statement
For hosts who want their favors to feel more intentional and design-led, two-chamber matchboxes offer extra impact. With a larger canvas, these styles allow room for bolder typography, illustrations, or foil-stamped details that stand out.
Two-chamber matchbooks are ideal for:
- Weddings with a strong design theme
- Cocktail-forward receptions or lounges
- Events where favors double as décor
These matchboxes hold a whopping 80 matchsticks. They feel more substantial in hand and photograph beautifully on bar carts, tablescapes, and flat lays, making them especially popular for weddings and styled events.
Classic Matchboxes: Structured, Giftable, and Elevated
If you’re aiming for something that feels more like a keepsake than a casual favor, classic matchboxes are an elegant alternative to matchbooks, without the grand scale of a two-chamber matchbox. Their rigid structure and refined presentation make them feel intentional and gift-worthy.
“We ordered these to put at the bar for our wedding and they look so sleek and professional! We got them to match the colors of our wedding and they turned out beautiful. 10/10 would recommend.” - Jennie, Verified Reviewer
The classic-sized matchboxes are a great fit for:
- Formal weddings and rehearsal dinners
- Corporate gifting and branded events
- Hotel, restaurant, or hospitality settings
These matchboxes hold 19 matchsticks. They also offer excellent branding opportunities, especially for logos or foil accents, and pair well with curated favor tables or place settings.
Triangle Matchboxes: Functional and Decorative
For events that lean heavily into candlelight, like outdoor weddings, dinner parties, or holiday gatherings, triangle matchboxes are both practical and visually striking. They sit wonderfully at place settings, table tops, and bar areas, and they stand out wonderfully in photography. With their triangle shape, they offer a face to be “propped up” when sitting on a table.
“I ordered these matchboxes for my fiancé’s surprise guys night and they were a hit! It’s not too often you can say guys are excited about the personal touches to parties but they were! They were just the perfect addition to my party favors and I would definitely order here again! :)” - Brittany, Verified Buyer
Triangle matchboxes work best when:
- Paired with other favors for table settings
- Displayed on bar carts or dessert tables
- Used for design-focused gatherings
Triangle matchboxes hold 20 matchsticks. They’re less for carrying around or putting within party favor totes, and more for table settings to elevate your event’s theme.
How to Choose the Right Size for Your Event
If you’re still not sure which matchbox style is right for your event, we also offer:
- Square Matchboxes - holds 23 matchsticks with a square face to fit many standard logos.
- Mini Matchboxes - holds 9 matchsticks with even smaller and simpler construction.
- Candle Matchboxes - holds 13 matchsticks and purposed for lighting candles.
- Cigar Matchboxes - holds 13 matchsticks with sulfur-free match heads for lighting cigars.
- Lipstick Matchboxes - holds 23 matchsticks with three distinct faces to accommodate your design.
- Barrel Matchboxes - holds 22 matchsticks in a distinctive shape to stand straight for table settings.
When in doubt, 30-strike matchbooks are a quick and simple option. They’re easiest to distribute, go well with minimalist graphic designs, are a familiar style, and a great fit for many guests at once.
Matchboxes to Remember
Matchbooks may be small, but when customized thoughtfully, they become memorable keepsakes guests love to take home. Whether you’re planning a wedding, hosting a celebration, or branding a corporate event, choosing the right size helps your favors feel intentional and polished.
Explore our whole Custom Matches Collection to find the right fit for your party.
