What are you putting in our Out-of-Town Guest Baskets?

[ashley225]

Looking for ideas!

ETA: I tried to search for an existing post on this topic, but couldn't find one. If one already exists, feel free to delete this thread and redirect me. Thanks!

[JerAndKathy]

Assorted carry-out/delivery menus for our favourite resturants
Local maps
Local travel book
Freebies from the governor if we can get any, as most guests will be out of State (and country)
Coupons/Gift Certs for local resturants, if they want to offer anything up
A note welcoming everyone
List of invitees and locations of which hotel(s) people are at
List of planned wedding events
Map to church
Antacid
Aspirin
Toothbrush/paste
Comb
Homemade candy representative of the local area
Candy representative of Kathy's area
Couple local postcards
Booklet with info on malls, historical info, parks, bowling, movie theaters (with times & prices)

[carolinalady67]

In addition to some of the things Jer listed, I got some personalized coffee packets that make one pot of coffee. Since we live at the coast I'm getting everyone a beach towel. Our wedding isn't until May so I'm getting them this fall when they go on sale. Sunscreen, since most people will probably not think to pack it.

We are also doing seperate bags for the kids with kid friendly items.

[njbride06]

Ours had:

water bottles
trident gum
lifesavers - mint and regular
salt water taffy - represented Jersey shore
deck of cards - oriental trading co.
tissue packet
magnet - I made them - its kinda a joke w/ DH's family b/c they tend not to l like NJ, so I made magnets with a picture of NJ and all things associated with the state and across it, it said "I went all the way to New Jersey for Wade and Patti's wedding, and all I got was this stupid magnet" It went over well!

and Info Booklet, which also went over well - I included wedding info, directions, local stores, restauarants, bars, amusement parks, beaches, and how to get everywhere. Also I put in pages about the town the wedding was in, about my hometown, I did a page for each DH and I about our favorite things, I did a wedding wordfind, and NJ facts, and the lyrics to NJ song. People enjoyed the personalization.

I highly recommend doing OOT bags, they were a hit!

[*meghan*]

Ours will include:

Water bottles w/ personalized labels
Visitors bureau welcome packet (maps, local attractions, etc)
Individual packets of Tylenol and Pepcid
Welcome newsletter from me and FH with directions and event schedule
Granola bars and cracker packs
Gum
Probably small tissue packs
Coloring book and crayons for kids

[*Diane*]

Ours had:

water bottles
trident gum
lifesavers - mint and regular
salt water taffy - represented Jersey shore
deck of cards - oriental trading co.
tissue packet
magnet - I made them - its kinda a joke w/ DH's family b/c they tend not to l like NJ, so I made magnets with a picture of NJ and all things associated with the state and across it, it said "I went all the way to New Jersey for Wade and Patti's wedding, and all I got was this stupid magnet" It went over well!

and Info Booklet, which also went over well - I included wedding info, directions, local stores, restauarants, bars, amusement parks, beaches, and how to get everywhere. Also I put in pages about the town the wedding was in, about my hometown, I did a page for each DH and I about our favorite things, I did a wedding wordfind, and NJ facts, and the lyrics to NJ song. People enjoyed the personalization.

I highly recommend doing OOT bags, they were a hit!

That magnet is such a cute idea!!

[*Diane*]

For Kate's wedding, we included:
tea bags
bottled water
color coded maps for each day's activities, personalized for those people
granola bars
cookies
scented candles
matches
bubble bath packet
some other stuff I can't remember

but I do remember that we included blow up pool toys for the kids- big hit. :)

[~Sara~]

We included a welcome letter, a packet of information about Toledo (I highly recommend checking out the Chamber of Commerce or Visitor's Bureau...we got a lot of stuff free!), 2 bottles of water, Famous Amos cookies, crackers, granola bars, Hershey kisses, mini-candy bars, fruit snacks, and a jar of Tony Packo's hot dog sauce (a Toledo speciality!). We got a lot of compliments on them!

Here were ours:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/bgsara16/a913ea95.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/bgsara16/Wedding038.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/bgsara16/Wedding039.jpg

[km]

:computer:

Include some essentials that will make their stay more comfortable—such as bottled water, snack items, mints, tissues etc. Think about what items you often wish for when staying at a hotel. This is also a great place to include relevant information for your wedding guests - phone numbers for the families, other guests staying at the hotel, a wedding itinerary, nearby attractions and local maps.

Also consider including items that are reflective of your wedding location. Use your wedding welcome baskets as a creative way to tie everything together and introduce guests, many of them visiting for the first time, to the area. Getting married in Maine? Throw in some maple syrup! Or Texas - how about a miniature cowboy hat or a packet of spicy chili mix? You get the idea....Use this opportunity to be creative, and make your wedding a memorable event - from arrival to departure!

:wavey:

[serda23]

I'll tell you what I always wish I had brought to a hotel... Q-Tips. Especially if the hotel has a pool! Admit it, you always forget them too.

*note to self: pack Q-Tips for honeymoon