The Wedding Nutritionist

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What To Put In Hotel Gift Bags For Wedding Guests

Wedding gift bags are such a thoughtful idea. It’s a great way to welcome guests who may have traveled near or far just for your wedding day or wedding weekend (these can work for both in-town and out of town guests, and for a destination wedding), picked out a stylish outfit, bought gifts, and made an effort to come to your big day and see you and your loved one get married. 

They can really make your guests feel loved and appreciated, and they're a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding!

Of course, you will provide wedding favors to your guests at the dinner table at the actual wedding, but another way to show your guests you appreciate them, even before they come to the actual wedding reception, is to make hotel wedding welcome bags.

There is an infinite lift of items that can be put in hotel wedding welcome bags.

When coming up with a hotel gift bag, you need to think about a few things: the wedding theme, the time of year (aka the season), the venue, your guests’ interests, and everything in between.

So, to make things a bit easier for you, I am sharing a roundup of items that you can include in your goodie bags that will make your guests feel appreciated and loved, and that will make them love your wedding weekend even more.

Trust me, your guests will love the idea of getting a personal goodie bag from you. You can leave them in their hotel rooms, so they are surprised when they see them. Tying the knot means so much when you have your loved ones to witness it, so show them you appreciate them!

What To Put In Hotel Gift Bags For Wedding Guests

Here are some of my favorite ideas that you can use for your goodie bags, and make your own by adding a personal custom touch!

Healthy Snacks & Treats

Everyone loves snacks and treats, so your guests will definitely appreciate this!

You can include fresh fruit (apples, bananas, berries, oranges, mandarins, mangoes, nectarines, etc.), or even some cute homemade snacks.

Here are a few snacks and treats that you (and/or your friends and family) can easily prepare for your guests!

Note: some of these may not work in real bags, but you can give them to your guests outside of the actual bag.

Fresh Fruit

As I mentioned above, you can give them some delicious fresh fruit:

  • Apples

  • Bananas

  • Berries

  • Mango

  • Oranges

And more.

Apple “Samoas”

269 calories

  • 1 Apple, small - 77 calories

  • ⅔ Tbsp Chocolate chips - 46.9 calories

  • 1 Tbsp Coconut chips - 45 calories

  • 1 oz Caramel - 100 calories

DIRECTIONS

  1. Slice apples on thin and wide slices. Cut out core of slices.

  2. Melt caramel in microwave for ~60 seconds.

  3. Drizzle caramel on top of apple slices.

  4. Top with chocolate chips and coconut flakes.

  5. Note: 2/3 Tbsp = 2 tsp (for chocolate chips)

  6. Bonus tip: make 2 “cookies” & serve the other apple slices on the side, to make the 2 “cookies” have a good amount of toppings!

Banana PB Pancakes

341 calories

  • 1 Banana - 105 calories

  • ½ tsp Baking powder - 0 calories

  • 1 Tbsp Chocolate chips - 70 calories

  • 1 Egg, large - 72 calories

  • 1 Tbsp Peanut butter - 94 calories

  • 1 Cinnamon, dash - 0 calories

DIRECTIONS

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl with a fork. Blend in a blender if helpful.

  2. Spray a non-stick pan with an oil spray.

  3. Add mixture (will make 4-5 pancakes) to pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.

3 Ingredient Banana Cookies

293 calories

  • 0.3 Tbsp Cacao powder - 6 calories

  • 1 Banana - 105 calories

  • ½ cup Oatmeal, dry oats (uncooked) - 150 calories

  • 2 tsp Sugar - 32 calories

DIRECTIONS

  1. Mash banana with a fork.

  2. Combine all ingredients and mix evenly.

  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  4. Spoon mixture evenly onto tray and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Banana Split Pops

181 calories

  • ½ Banana - 52.5 calories

  • 1 Maraschino cherry - 8 calories

  • 2 Tbsp Regular whipped cream - 30 calories

  • 1 tsp Sprinkles - 20 calories

  • 1 Tbsp Chocolate chips - 70 calories

DIRECTIONS

  1. This recipe works best when making 2+ servings at a time

  2. Stick banana with a popsicle stick

  3. Melt chocolate in microwave

  4. Roll banana in chocolate, top with sprinkles

  5. Freeze overnight

  6. Top with whipped cream & cherry

  7. No dairy? You can often find dairy-free whipped creamy at most stores.

Trail Mix

A great thing to add to the goodie bag is a trail mix.

Add all kinds of nuts:

  • Walnuts

  • Hazelnuts

  • Brazilian nuts

  • Cashews

  • Pistachios

  • Pine nuts

etc.

Just remember to check for nut allergies before you give these to your guests!

Dried Fruit

This can be:

  • Dried cranberries,

  • Dried dates,

  • Dried prunes,

  • Dried figs,

  • Dried apricots,

  • Raisins,

etc.

Drinks

Another great thing to include are drinks - water bottles, juice bottles, sodas, ice teas, etc.

Your guests will appreciate that they can stay refreshed and hydrated. You can put mini bottles or regular ones. 

If you want to make it extra special, you can make custom labels for your wedding, and include those labels on the drinks you’re providing. The labels can thank them for being a part of your special day. It’s a cute idea that your loved ones will definitely appreciate. They can keep the bottles as souvenirs from your wedding.

Hangover cures

We all know weddings can result in a huge hangover! So, to show your guests you’re thinking about them, include some hangover cures in your goodie bags - water bottles, pain killers (ibuprofen, aspirin), tea bags, coffee bags, vitamins, etc. You can make a hangover kit, or a recovery kit, with all of these (include a small bottle of water, a pain killer, vitamins, and either a tea bag or coffee bag, depending on what they prefer).

Hand sanitizers

Now more than ever, hand sanitizers are a must! So, include some in the gift bags, so your guests don’t have to go and buy them if they forgot to bring their own. It’s a good idea to include this no matter when your wedding day is.

Location-inspired souvenirs

If you have some out-of-time guests, you can include some gifts related to your town, so they can keep them as memories! Magnets, postcards, keychains, mini-figures, or something unique and specific about your location.

Breath mints or gum

This is something all of your guests will appreciate!

A handwritten note

Include a heartwarming welcome or thank you note for your guests! Make them personal, and thank them for coming to your wedding day, and making it more special with their presence. Include your wedding date, their name (so they know it’s personal), and a note that’s special for you and them.

Hygiene kits

These can be very useful! They can use them on the spot to get ready in case they forgot something, or bring them home. Either way, this is a practical gift, and they’ll love it.

You can even put a mini deodorant in them, so they can bring it to the wedding, to refresh if needed.

Hand fans

Wedding venues can get quite hot when all of your guests are dancing! Especially if you’re having a summer wedding or an outdoor wedding - help your guests stay cool, and they’ll be super thankful! This is honestly such a useful little gift.

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