Gift Baskets for Out-of-Town Guests

Question

Since many of the guests (100-150) at our wedding will be from out of town, we wanted to put hospitality baskets in their hotel rooms. We were hoping to spend between $10 and $15 per basket. I knew they would be expensive, but the least inexpensive I have found so far is: a decorative gift bag which contains a few piddly things (a snack package of crackers, a snack package of nuts, and a bottle of fruit juice; I don't remember if there was anything else) with colorful tissue paper on top. This costs $13.95. etc.

Words of net.wisdom

This is a great opportunity to introduce your friends and family to your hometown. They'll probably have some free time on their hands, so giving them suggestions on what they might do would be a good use of the basket. Lots of tulle and white ribbon (or your wedding colors, if suitable) will get them in the wedding mood-- plus they're cheap to decorate with. Whatever you do, have it reflect your interests/occupation/selves in some way. Good luck!

• Wedding-specific items
• a note welcoming everyone (if time permits-)
• List of invitees and location, so they can contact each other
• List of planned wedding events (pre and/or post)
• a map to church
• a travel mug (with B&G names and the date, or a saying like "I survived Maria and Steve's wedding"
• something to tie into any planned weekend events
• You could get creative with an official wedding T-shirt (Hmm...I went to Ted & Sue's wedding and all I got was this crummy t-shirt?). Or "Top 10 Reasons Ted and Sue are getting hitched". Apparently you can buy wine with your event marked on the label. This could be fun as well, but might get pricey.
• Medicine cabinet for forgetful guests
• antacid [for after the big party?]
• aspirin
• sunscreen (for an outdoor wedding)
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• comb
• Snacks
  • candy/chocolate/beverage made in/only available in your hometown (obviously save the local beer for your drinking friends, not your Methodist minister grand dad)
  • champagne (split) or sparkling cider and plastic glasses [hotels have ice for chilling]
  • cheese (the kind that comes in a can) and crackers
  • cookies, crackers, dried fruit
  • exotic flavor teabags (some hotel rooms have the complimentary coffee maker) or gourmet coffee (sample size)
  • hard candies
  • mints
  • nuts
  • peanuts
  • popcorn, pretzels or chips (or some combination)
  • some type of nonalcoholic drink (a nice fruit drink which does not require refrigeration until opening such as mistic or snapple)
• Local Attractions
• a couple of local-site postcards (stamped for a nice touch) (of the church/reception site if possible).
• a few subway/bus tokens
• a local newspaper
• Local tour info & maps of area
• a personalized "entertainment guide" (basically a booklet including information on malls in the area historical sites, parks, bowling, interesting towns, etc. (You could mark the spot where you got engaged, any store where you are registered for those last minute gift buyers) Then roll it up, and tie it with a white satin ribbon.
• provide a detailed map of the city (if the hotel doesn't already)--you can get these free if you belong to AAA
• provide a schedule of events, with directions to church and reception and key phone numbers (I can't tell you how impressed our families were with an itinerary--or how many friends lost their invitations; include numbers of good taxi services who will be able to find the sites)
• Weekend info, non-wedding (museum hours, bike rentals, baby sitters, movie theatres, churchs, hospitals...)
• Miscellaneous
• flowers [silk?]
• a disposable camera (You could ask them to send copies of any wedding/rehearsal photos)
• baseball hat, t-shirt, kazoo, sunglasses.....
• Separate baskets for children of guests filled with inexpensive toys, coloring book and crayons, cookies, etc.

Page last modified: Sunday, May 16, 2004