CANADIAN OOT BAG info...where to shop!

[torilynnsmith]

We wanted to keep them at about $15 - $20 a bag but I think we are closer to $25 a bag (don't tell FI)!

 

 

[celticgirl]

I spent about 11.00 a bag, Mind you, I did not splurge with the travel mugs or towels.  After talking to some guests I found out that most bought bubba kegs while they were on sale at Canadian Tire, so I wanted to save myself some luggage room and not get duplicates! Thank god for that, these things were huge lol! I did however get personalized shot glasses (They are our wedding favor, but we are putting them in the bag)

[torilynnsmith]

I hope our guests didn't buy them!!!! The few I have talked to that I shared with said they never would have thought of that so hopefully were safe!
 

Originally Posted by celticgirl 

I spent about 11.00 a bag, Mind you, I did not splurge with the travel mugs or towels.  After talking to some guests I found out that most bought bubba kegs while they were on sale at Canadian Tire, so I wanted to save myself some luggage room and not get duplicates! Thank god for that, these things were huge lol! I did however get personalized shot glasses (They are our wedding favor, but we are putting them in the bag)

 

[amjohnson]

Thanks for the feedback on the cost ladies. Can I ask what else you put in your bags? I think our guests will have most of the toiletries with them. I would like to put in some unique things that likely won't have already packed....ideas? I am leaning toward decks of cards, not sure if guests will really use them.

 

Finds at Party Packagers..I think there are stores across Canada. They have lanterns, paper puffs, flip flop decks of cards-1$.

They also have large sets of maracas, 7.99$, and mini sets of maracas 3.30$. I am thinking you could maybe get these cheaper.

 

 

[J and G 2012]

@amjohnson, we put welcome letter, postcards (to be used as guest book) and photshare instruction, all from vistaprint. The Keycard/Tip holder is a must. We included inflatable beach toys and floats, crossword books, decks of cards and tracel games to name a few.

We have quite a large group going so we need to keep cost down, each bag will be slightly differnt in the goodies it includes but each will be somewhat personalized with what the individual likes, ie. beer pong for cousin, sudoku for aunt etc...

[MJKH]

Well, for two people who had no plans to do OOT bags, we've tried to stay focused on buying things that our guests will use up while they're in Mexico, or find the items so handy and easy to pack, they don't want to leave them behind.  The last thing I want is for people to look in the bag and think "ughhh...I have no use for this!"  Each of our bags might look a little bit different, which is why we DON'T want to present them at a larger group function...instead, we'll write the guests' name(s) and room number on the bag of the tag, and have a bellman deliver them.  I plan to do three slightly larger "emergency" kits...one for us to keep in the bridal suite and take out on excursions, and one for each of our mothers to keep.  Our guests will know that, should they run out of any supplies in their personal kit, they should check in with one of our mothers.  I've been to this resort before and know how crazy expensive OTC medications, sunscreen, aloe, etc. are, if you can find them at all!  

 

I did grab 5 decks of playing cards today at Dollarama...three regular decks (which will stay in the larger "emergency" kits)...one deck of Transformers playing cards for my nephews and one deck of Littlest Pet Shop cards for my nieces...all for $1.  I'm thinking I'll look online for a little "cheat sheet" of things to do/games to play with a deck of cards and attach that to each box.

 

We just kept thinking back to things we wished we had taken with us on previous trips to Mexico...laundry soap, wipes, aloe, mini shower sponges...and on our last trip, every night I wished I had brought a pashmina with me...so I've ordered one for each of the ladies as a wedding favour...but am thinking I should almost give them out in the welcome bags, so they get lots of use out of them.

[MJKH]

Oh...J and G...you reminded me that I still need to work on the key card/tip money holder situation.  We have been looking for waterproof "safes"...little boxes on a cord that you can stick stuff in and wear them in the pool if you absolutely need to...and we found them at CAA for $3.25 each I think.  But I like the idea (and price!) of the clear plastic badge holder that seals at the top with a zipper, on one of those plastic bungy bracelets.

[torilynnsmith]

Has anyone been able to find the individually wrapped shout wipes in Canada?  I picked mine up in the states but need more! I will be making another trip across the border but thought I would check with my fellow canadians to see if they found any here!

 

amjohnson: as far as contents goes here is what will be in our bags - we will be doing 1 bag for every couple and 1 for every single

 

- Bags 

- Bubba Keg Mugs (1 for each person) - with individual dish soap in each

- Wedding Week Survival Kit (includes)

   - Gatorade individual packs(1 per person)

   - Shout Wipes Individual packs(2 wipes per person)

   - Pepto Bismol Chewable tablers (6 tablets per person)

   - Hand Sanitizer (1 per bag)

   - Mini Altoids (1 per bag)

   - Blistex with SPF 15 (1 per person)

   - Advil 10 ct travel size (1 per bag)

   - Tums Chewable Tablet roll 8 tablets oer roll (1 per bag)

   - Nail Polish remover pads (2 for every lady so 2 per couple bag and 2 per single lady bag - none in the guys bags)

   - 1 Nail File (for every lady so 1 per couple bag and 1 per single lady bag - none for the guys)

   - 3 hair elastics (for ladies bags only - whether they have short hair or not I couldn't be bothered to think that much)

   - extra safety pins (4-5 per bag)

   - Sewing Kit 

- Shell shaped soap

- First Aid Kit - with extra bandaids added

- Notepad and pen

- Facecloth (1 per person)

 

We also have Coordinating Passport Cover, Luggage Tag and Key Tag to add.  I haven't decided if this will all go in the OOT bags or if we will do a "pre-travel" package including passport covers/luggage tags or one of.  My mom collected these for us over the last year or so and they are "His and Hers" Hers being white and his being black.  I thought theyd be a nice addition and theyre FREE but regular $40 a set so I think it'll be good!

 

I may add playing cards or sudoku/crossword books to the bags to but that would be a last minute addition.  We have talked about adding a candy and chocolate to each bag as well which we would likely pick up at the dollarstore something gummy and something chocolate!  A friend of mine was telling me she did Caramilk bars and took off the caramilk label and created her own! I totally forgot until just now so I am thinking I may be designing a candy bar label lol

 

I will be adding bubble bath and the poly to go to our parents and bridal parties bags as our resort has large jacuzzis in each room and some rooms even have outdoor jacuzzis so I thought bubbles would be really nice.  I may still add that to everyone elses bags but again I have to be careful as it is so easy to get carried away with these bags!

 

As for printed material not yet complete that I will be adding

 

- Do Not Disturb Door Hanger 

- Welcome Letter/Postcard (possible vista print?!)

- Resort Map

- Wedding Day Timeline

- Thank you card (may combine this with our welcome letter

- Photo Share Card

 

Ok I think that is all I hope that helps with some tips and ideas, there are TONS of OOT threads with lots of suggestions as well.  Here is the link to my own OOT bag thread so you can see everything I am talking about (I'm OOT obsessed) and I will see if I can find those other threads I mentioned!!!

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/74385/tori-patrick-s-oot-bags-price-break-down-templates-and-lots-of-pics

[MJKH]

Tori...did you see the passport covers at Michaels for $1.50 that coordinate with the colours of the sewing kits?  I was looking at them today, but just couldn't decide if I should get them.  I probably, at the very least, should have bought a pink one for myself...my passport always seems to disappear in the black cavern that is my bag!

[torilynnsmith]

Totally forgot about the key card holders, we have those too!!!!! 

 

It is Avons last week for the 5oz aloe for $1.89 which is a GREAT deal, I really wanted to include this but FI and my Mom said people are prepared for the SUN and the TOILETRIES needs (shampoo, toothpaste etc.) so I thought to avoid giving things people will have already brought we will stay away from them.  MJKH we are doing the "big" emergency kits too and I am thinking stocking extra sunscreen and aloe is a great idea so if anyone needs it they aren't paying an arm and a leg! I was only going to do first aid supplies and medicine but why not sunscreen and aloe... it is essentially down south medicine! LOL