What would you want in your gift bag?
August 20, 2015 12:48 PM Subscribe
You are travelling to a different city, which you may or may not have visited before, on business. You check into your hotel to find that someone from your office has prepared an awesome gift bag for check-in. What's in there?
Bottle of champagne or wine.
Small box of chocolates maybe.
Map, mints, bottle of water.
posted by JenMarie at 12:51 PM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
Small box of chocolates maybe.
Map, mints, bottle of water.
posted by JenMarie at 12:51 PM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
Good shampoo/conditioner/body wash.
posted by griphus at 12:52 PM on August 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by griphus at 12:52 PM on August 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
Local candies and a couple bottles of water.
posted by something something at 12:53 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by something something at 12:53 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
A map, with places of interest highlighted.
Including a couple of decent/affordable clothing places. Trying to find a new shirt because someone spilled an entire can of Coke on you during the flight can be a metric pain in the ass.
posted by Etrigan at 12:55 PM on August 20, 2015
Including a couple of decent/affordable clothing places. Trying to find a new shirt because someone spilled an entire can of Coke on you during the flight can be a metric pain in the ass.
posted by Etrigan at 12:55 PM on August 20, 2015
A travel Thermos would be nice. Saves endless paper cups for coffee or tea or chai or whatever hot morning drink you fancy.
posted by mykescipark at 12:57 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by mykescipark at 12:57 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
High-end chocolate, for sure.
posted by terretu at 12:57 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by terretu at 12:57 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Local transit card with a couple rides' worth on it, and/or the phone numbers for local taxi companies (hey, not EVERYONE uses Uber!).
posted by rtha at 12:57 PM on August 20, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by rtha at 12:57 PM on August 20, 2015 [11 favorites]
Small umbrella if it is a rainy place, a wrap or scarf for somewhere cooler. Things that are consumable, so I am not lugging stuff back on my flight. Metro card for local transit, as applicable. Taxi voucher?
posted by kellyblah at 12:58 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by kellyblah at 12:58 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
A bottle of wine. A pack of gum. A printed out google map of the immediate area of the hotel (like two or three blocks in each direction). A phone number for a local same-day dry-cleaning place. Printed out reviews of a few highly rated local restaurants. A phrasebook, if the primary language is not my first language.
posted by 256 at 1:01 PM on August 20, 2015
posted by 256 at 1:01 PM on August 20, 2015
Things that are consumable, so I am not lugging stuff back on my flight.
Totally. I've gotten some really nice water bottles and coffee mugs (and wine!) but they've all posed a problem for me getting back home. Local gift cards, teeny maps (personalized a plus), mints and gum, local postcard or two with a stamp, disposable (or teeny) slippers for the hotel room, bottled water or tea, drink coupon for some part of the event later, a fun sticker or two, NO marketing swag.
posted by jessamyn at 1:05 PM on August 20, 2015 [9 favorites]
Totally. I've gotten some really nice water bottles and coffee mugs (and wine!) but they've all posed a problem for me getting back home. Local gift cards, teeny maps (personalized a plus), mints and gum, local postcard or two with a stamp, disposable (or teeny) slippers for the hotel room, bottled water or tea, drink coupon for some part of the event later, a fun sticker or two, NO marketing swag.
posted by jessamyn at 1:05 PM on August 20, 2015 [9 favorites]
Bottled water for sure.
List/directions to close coffee place, restaurant recommendations for dinner.
Directions and map to the office.
List of contact phone numbers.
Snacks.
posted by cecic at 1:23 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
List/directions to close coffee place, restaurant recommendations for dinner.
Directions and map to the office.
List of contact phone numbers.
Snacks.
posted by cecic at 1:23 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh, what a nice idea! When I travel, I would love to find a gift bag with:
- Wine (don't forget a corkscrew if needed)
- Some nuts for emergency starving protein
- nthing some nice chocolate
- nthing water (a couple big bottles, I'm always so thirsty after flying)
- nthing a map with a couple of good local restaurants (non-chain/local knowledge/local food places especially), a close drugstore, good coffee places
- if you live in a really dry place, maybe some decent lip balm and hand lotion
Depending on the amenities of the hotel:
- extra, good coffee that will work with the in room coffee maker
- Menu's for a few good local restaurants that will deliver late (if there's no room service)
- if it's a nice place, I'd skip the standard toiletries, they usually have good enough stuff that most people aren't going to be bothered.
posted by pennypiper at 1:31 PM on August 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
- Wine (don't forget a corkscrew if needed)
- Some nuts for emergency starving protein
- nthing some nice chocolate
- nthing water (a couple big bottles, I'm always so thirsty after flying)
- nthing a map with a couple of good local restaurants (non-chain/local knowledge/local food places especially), a close drugstore, good coffee places
- if you live in a really dry place, maybe some decent lip balm and hand lotion
Depending on the amenities of the hotel:
- extra, good coffee that will work with the in room coffee maker
- Menu's for a few good local restaurants that will deliver late (if there's no room service)
- if it's a nice place, I'd skip the standard toiletries, they usually have good enough stuff that most people aren't going to be bothered.
posted by pennypiper at 1:31 PM on August 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
Snacks/drinks of the type you would find in a minibar (not necessarily alcoholic - could be candy/chips and a Coke), so they're not spending a ridiculous amount of money if they get hungry in the middle of the night in a strange city. Bonus for anything local/particularly cool or interesting.
Voucher for room service + hotel internet if applicable.
Vetted restaurant recommendations with a variety of price points/fanciness.
Depending on your budget, iPhone + Android chargers (perhaps with a note that these could be returned to the front desk for reuse if not needed?).
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:34 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
Voucher for room service + hotel internet if applicable.
Vetted restaurant recommendations with a variety of price points/fanciness.
Depending on your budget, iPhone + Android chargers (perhaps with a note that these could be returned to the front desk for reuse if not needed?).
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:34 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
I saw this question and my first thought was "bottled water bottled water bottled water".
I like the local gift card idea, although as an introvert I would dread running into other people from the conference at the restaurant, so maybe pick 5 places and randomly assign people a gift card to each person? Plus it doesn't over crowd the one restaurant.
If you're in a major city, a metro pass or a T pass for Boston would be awesome, and definitely help me go out and explore different parts of the city.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 1:36 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
I like the local gift card idea, although as an introvert I would dread running into other people from the conference at the restaurant, so maybe pick 5 places and randomly assign people a gift card to each person? Plus it doesn't over crowd the one restaurant.
If you're in a major city, a metro pass or a T pass for Boston would be awesome, and definitely help me go out and explore different parts of the city.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 1:36 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
Nthing the recs for a list of nearby eateries (walkable, if possible) that stay open late.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:41 PM on August 20, 2015
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:41 PM on August 20, 2015
similar to what others are saying: a cold beer and enough of something savoury (sandwich?) so i don't need to go out again. i can kick back, fill my stomach, and then fall asleep (or voucher for room service for same - i am always too tight to use room service and end up wandering streets or eating sweet junk).
also, local travel pass and map.
posted by andrewcooke at 1:42 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
also, local travel pass and map.
posted by andrewcooke at 1:42 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
Oh yes to snacks and water. Disposable earplugs. And a nice little note welcoming me to the city - traveling for business always makes me feel a little out of sorts and lonely - especially if it is to a city I don't know with no familiar faces.
posted by umwhat at 2:08 PM on August 20, 2015
posted by umwhat at 2:08 PM on August 20, 2015
As a (mostly) vegetarian diabetic, I would love to find snacks that are not candy, and are me-safe. So maybe keep possible food allergies in mind when you buy snacks?
And nthing the little maps, and a gift card. SO useful.
posted by Tamanna at 2:12 PM on August 20, 2015
And nthing the little maps, and a gift card. SO useful.
posted by Tamanna at 2:12 PM on August 20, 2015
while i would love to find wine waiting for me, there are a huge list of reasons why alcohol might be a fraught choice unless you know the person well who you're making the basket for.
posted by nadawi at 2:51 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by nadawi at 2:51 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
An invitation to use as much room service as needed on the company's dime. Travelling makes me tired. Eating in the hotel bed makes me happy.
A map and a list of places near by to go to.
A spare phone charger.
Fresh fruit.
A seriously hokey, kind of lame, extremely generic t-shirt advertising the city that I am visiting. Possible a hat as well.
Chocolate and booze.
posted by myselfasme at 4:39 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
A map and a list of places near by to go to.
A spare phone charger.
Fresh fruit.
A seriously hokey, kind of lame, extremely generic t-shirt advertising the city that I am visiting. Possible a hat as well.
Chocolate and booze.
posted by myselfasme at 4:39 PM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
A list of good eating places within a block of me.
If visitor is coming from overseas, a pre-paid SIM card!
Fresh fruit (a banana, an apple).
A healthy snack.
Bottled water.
Map with a circle around closest transit options and supermarket.
An itinerary.
A list of contact numbers I may need.
A travel adaptor!
posted by shazzam! at 5:03 PM on August 20, 2015
If visitor is coming from overseas, a pre-paid SIM card!
Fresh fruit (a banana, an apple).
A healthy snack.
Bottled water.
Map with a circle around closest transit options and supermarket.
An itinerary.
A list of contact numbers I may need.
A travel adaptor!
posted by shazzam! at 5:03 PM on August 20, 2015
Up-to-date printed itinerary. Information on amenities they may need: the best local coffeeshops, nearby restaurants open late and early, nearest pharmacy and supermarket, nearest place where they can get stuff printed, spas and gyms. (All with hours noted.)
And yes. Water, fruit, nuts, chocolate, cheese plate, energy bar, small umbrella, phone chargers, voucher for the hotel bar. Maybe an eyemask, earplugs, slippers, Tylenol, especially if they've travelled a long way. A large neutral woolen wrap if they are female and you want to be super-kind :)
posted by Susan PG at 6:40 PM on August 20, 2015
And yes. Water, fruit, nuts, chocolate, cheese plate, energy bar, small umbrella, phone chargers, voucher for the hotel bar. Maybe an eyemask, earplugs, slippers, Tylenol, especially if they've travelled a long way. A large neutral woolen wrap if they are female and you want to be super-kind :)
posted by Susan PG at 6:40 PM on August 20, 2015
As everyone has said, water and nuts; gift card for espresso (it's nice if there's something local and nearby, but I'll take Starbucks when I'm traveling); and if you really want to be fancy, some sort of multitool that has a bottle opener but doesn't have a knife.
I always forget AAA batteries when I'm traveling, too, but I don't think they're a universal need.
posted by yarntheory at 6:58 PM on August 20, 2015
I always forget AAA batteries when I'm traveling, too, but I don't think they're a universal need.
posted by yarntheory at 6:58 PM on August 20, 2015
I'm a bit confused by the many recommendations for chargers, umbrellas and toiletries. People generally pack what they need/don't want to be without. Clearly we all sometimes forget things but these recommendations assume we have forgotten a lot of things but that may be just me.
Water and nice coffee/tea is great. As are the little pots of coffee milk/cream - the powdered creamer is gross. If there's a fridge for use in the room even fresh milk/cream.
If you want yes, alcohol - beer, wine but I'd happily pass on that if you give me nice coffee and coffee cream.
A savoury snack, a sweet snack and if you want to be fancy some fruit. Especially if you know the visitor is female and/or health conscious.
And information about eateries that are open late/places that deliver late at night.
High speed wifi voucher.
Directions to the venue/office and up to date itinerary. If you do things like provide breakfast before/for the first agenda item that should also be clear - for me that means that I sleep at least 30 mins longer because I don't need to eat breakfast at the hotel/en route, so it's relevant information.
If they are going to stay more than one night something to help them find their bearings in the immediate area.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:48 AM on August 21, 2015
Water and nice coffee/tea is great. As are the little pots of coffee milk/cream - the powdered creamer is gross. If there's a fridge for use in the room even fresh milk/cream.
If you want yes, alcohol - beer, wine but I'd happily pass on that if you give me nice coffee and coffee cream.
A savoury snack, a sweet snack and if you want to be fancy some fruit. Especially if you know the visitor is female and/or health conscious.
And information about eateries that are open late/places that deliver late at night.
High speed wifi voucher.
Directions to the venue/office and up to date itinerary. If you do things like provide breakfast before/for the first agenda item that should also be clear - for me that means that I sleep at least 30 mins longer because I don't need to eat breakfast at the hotel/en route, so it's relevant information.
If they are going to stay more than one night something to help them find their bearings in the immediate area.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:48 AM on August 21, 2015
- Invitation/Reminder to have room-service on the company dime
- Local delivery places - either an invitation to a delivery account (maybe Seamless or Grubhub can generate a code for this?) or just menus for old-school delivery order
- Card for nearest coffee-shop - either Starbucks or Peets or local coffee shop -- but not something that is miles away
- Good nut mix
- 1-2 good chocolates
- bottles of water
- I personally love tote bags if they're nice quality cotton or nylon. NOT the totes that most companies order as schwag because they're often very stiff and ugly and poorly designed. Especially if it has a quirky logo of the city, or a map of the region, or an understated logo or phrase. RuMe makes custom nylon totes and they can be easily packable in the traveler carry-on or roll-aboard suitcase. The plain-colored Baggus are great too.
posted by barnone at 12:12 PM on August 21, 2015
- Local delivery places - either an invitation to a delivery account (maybe Seamless or Grubhub can generate a code for this?) or just menus for old-school delivery order
- Card for nearest coffee-shop - either Starbucks or Peets or local coffee shop -- but not something that is miles away
- Good nut mix
- 1-2 good chocolates
- bottles of water
- I personally love tote bags if they're nice quality cotton or nylon. NOT the totes that most companies order as schwag because they're often very stiff and ugly and poorly designed. Especially if it has a quirky logo of the city, or a map of the region, or an understated logo or phrase. RuMe makes custom nylon totes and they can be easily packable in the traveler carry-on or roll-aboard suitcase. The plain-colored Baggus are great too.
posted by barnone at 12:12 PM on August 21, 2015
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A map, with places of interest highlighted.
Some kind of edible/drinkable treat.
posted by lyssabee at 12:50 PM on August 20, 2015 [5 favorites]