Making Your Guests Feel at Home
As people are feeling more comfortable traveling again, we are seeing a rise in destination affairs and out-of-town guests attending events. With that in mind, it’s always nice to give your guests who have travelled from afar a welcome bag as a token of your appreciation. I think it’s courteous to have a little something for any guest that needs to lodge away from home in order to attend an event (whether it be at an Airbnb, hotel, or someone’s home).
Now that we are starting to think about welcome gifts, of course we will first run to www.etsy.com for gift container ideas. There are tons of bags, boxes, baskets of all shapes, sizes and material that can be selected. They range from simple to extravagant and personalized. The world is our oyster.
But before deciding on the gift presentation, definitely think about what to include. This will have a hug bearing on what will ultimately be used. So, the first question to ask is, “What are some welcome bag gift ideas?”
There are the standard items that most people will include such as a bottle of water and fruit. But what are some additional things that can be included to make your gift bag both memorable and practical? Here are some options:
Schedule of Events: Make sure your guests know the event schedule whether it’s a single day or multiple days. Let your guests know where they need to be and when. This will help them to plan out their time. If they are considering doing something separate from the actual event, they will know the amount of free time they have.
Local Fare: Chances are your out-of-town guests have never been to the city of your event, so provide some things that highlight the location. What delicacy is the city/town/state known for? What will remind the guests of the city even when they return home? As an example, in Raleigh, NC, Angus Barn is a local favorite and their signature chocolate chess pie is amazing. Your guests might not have the opportunity to visit the restaurant, but they can try the pie when they get home. Simply print out the recipe on cute paper, add a little information about the restaurant and include it in the gift bag. This is simple memorabilia that your guests will enjoy long after the event.
Recommendations: While it’s customary to provide a list of recommended restaurants and activities, try accompanying the recommendations with available Groupon deals or coupons. Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Footies: I will preface this by saying that this idea is one of my quirks. I, personally, like to be barefoot when I am walking around my home. But, when I am in a hotel, I don’t feel confident that the carpet is clean, so I always make sure that I have socks or footies to keep on my feet. So, for me, a gift bag with a new set of footies would definitely be a nice welcome gift.
Seed Kit: What a perfect way to help your guests remember your great event. When your guests arrive home and plant their seeds, they will always think of you as the seeds grow into beautiful plants.
Mini Portable Phone Charger: Your guests will no doubt be taking lots of pictures and you want to ensure their phones have enough juice to take fantastic pictures of you during your big event. Here’s a great way to ensure they have enough battery life to last the entire event.
Sanitizer and Face Mask: In today’s world, hand sanitizer and face masks are a staple for all events. Make sure your guests stay safe while they are celebrating with you.
There are millions of things that you can put in your welcome kits to make your guests feel special. The items don’t have to be costly to be meaningful. And, remember, it’s those small considerate things that help to make your event great and your guests remember for years to come.