Basket of Goodies Greets Out-of-Towners

One way to make out-of-town wedding guests--many of whom have gone to considerable expense to join in the festivities--feel welcome is by having a gift bag or gift basket waiting at their hotel. (Most hotels are used to this and will either place the basket in the guests’ rooms or hand it to them when they check in.)

There are several Los Angeles-area companies that will create themed gift baskets for any occasion. But making the baskets at home is a fairly easy and not necessarily expensive endeavor.

“It’s a matter of graciousness,” said Terry August, of Fancifull Gifts, who has been designing bridal and other gift displays for 10 years. “It doesn’t have to be big; even a small welcome makes guests feel acknowledged.”

The Basics

* A basket and cellophane wrapping paper or a gift bag; ribbon and small plastic bags or pieces of tulle, for wrapping loose candies or nuts.

If going the basket route, those with handles work best for wrapping with a large sheet of clear or colored cellophane and tying with a wide ribbon. Tissue-stuffed gift bags, bought in bulk or even personalized with the bride’s and groom’s names, are somewhat easier to work with and deliver, although baskets make a grander display.

“You can even get interesting boxes; we have one that holds photos and the guest can take that home,” August said.

The Contents

Written materials:

* A welcome note and schedule of events, including times and places; maps and brochures of area attractions that guests might visit during their free time, such as Disneyland or the new Getty Museum.

The note and schedule can be handwritten or computer-printed on nice paper, rolled into a scroll and tied with a ribbon. Most guests don’t bring invitations for all the various events with them and are glad to have a listing.

Edible items:

Although the back pages of most bridal magazines have listings for personalized candy and other favors (as well as “tulle circles” and personalized ribbon in which to wrap them), these items can be more economically acquired at area warehouse or grocery stores and wrapped in fabric-store material, small cellophane bags or colored plastic wrap, and tied with store-bought ribbon bows.

Then have fun choosing what to put in your grown-up goody bag.

Some ideas:

* Large bottle of water

* Fruit juice

* Sodas

* Homemade baked goods

* Mixed nuts

* Mints

* Chocolates, from gourmet to M&Ms;

* Hard candies

* Individually wrapped small cheeses and crackers

* Cookies

* Pretzels

* Popcorn

* One-pot coffee or tea packets

* Split of champagne or bottle of wine.

Miscellaneous:

* Flower and bud vase

* A local magazine or The Times’ Calendar section, with listings of weekend events

* A disposable camera, with or without a request that the guest send back a copy of his favorite print

* Separate items for small children, such as coloring books, crayons, small toys or stuffed animals

* T-shirts, mug, picture frame or other items personalized with the bride’s and groom’s names and wedding date

* A beach towel, suntan lotion and a suggestion of the best area beaches

* A map of celebrity homes and a guide to Hollywood attractions