ALL BASKETS ARE FROM CORNUCOPIA GIFT BASKETS
Welcome kits can be packaged in a variety of creative ways inexpensive door hangers can be purchased (or for those of you
who are creative, handmade) with the info placed inside. Small
canvas or pretty cloth bags , or brightly coloured small shopping
bags can also be used. A small daypack is a good idea to help carry
everything. If there’s a colour scheme to the wedding, consider
using those colours.
If you’d like to be a little more generous, you could perhaps include
a coupon for coffee at a local coffee shop and a few generic snacks
(granola bars or a couple of bottles of flavoured water… and get
creative with the labels). If guests are bringing children, perhaps
include a small box of crayons and a colouring book.
A more moderately-priced welcome kit could be packaged in a
Chinese food box (available from most party stores), small woven
shopping bags, a pretty straw basket, or a ceramic dish. Favour
boxes can be wrapped with coloured tissue and tied with ribbon,
and for a final touch, a custom monogrammed sticker.
Spoil your guests by including travel-sized toiletries like toothpaste
and toothbrush, hand cream, hair products, Tylenol, moist
towelettes, etc. A disposable camera is always fun too. You can
personalize these kits according to your guests’ individual tastes
- for example, does Uncle Joe golf? Include a few golf tees (in your
wedding colours if possible). Does Aunt Edna garden? Put a few
packets of local flower seeds from your area in the kit. And once
again, don’t forget the little ones - perhaps include a magnetic
board game or a miniature Etch-A-Sketch.
If you have an unlimited budget, pack a bottle of wine complete
with wine glasses (stemless are elegant) and corkscrew for outof-town guests. For the chocoholic you could add a small box of
gooey brownies from the best bakery in town, or maybe fill the
OOT kit with a variety of local specialties such as maple candies.
A scented candle, bath salts, or a gift certificate for a massage if
there is a spa nearby would also be a welcomed surprise. If you
really want to be extravagant, you could include tickets for a tour
of the city, or a gift certificate for lunch or dinner at a favourite
local restaurant. Finally, arrange for a hospitality suite at the hotel
fully stocked with snacks and drinks.
So there you have it - out-of-towner kits for all budgets. With a
little creativity and ingenuity, these are a wonderful way to say,
“Hello - we’re so glad you’re here!”
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