What to Include- Gift Baskets for Out of Towners
Found this doing research... thought it might help some of you!
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.
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.
