I continue to wonder what became of 2008. Where did it go? What did I even do this year? Well I can ponder all I want but that will do me no good when it comes to getting my OOT bags squared away and ready to go!
When thinking about what I wanted to do for my OOT’s I took a cue from Dana and copied her idea to use canvas/reusable bags as way to “go green” in my own small way. Dana, they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I decided to go with a sort of nostalgic/cheesy Chicago themed bag for the design, which I had screen printed at Strange Cargo here in town.
I hemmed and hawed about which design to choose, but I am really glad with my final choice. The “ink” is actually a deep blue which works with our color scheme, and the bags are quite sturdy.
Now we all know it’s what’s on the inside that really counts. Here are a few of the items which have been stuffed so far:
What we have in each bag is a variety of goodies from peanut butter crackers, nuts (cashews, peanuts or honey roasted peanuts), a Nutri-Grain bar (blueberry, strawberry or apple), granola bars (peanut butter, roasted almond or pecan crunch), and bottled water (2 or more per bag). I realize the plastic bottles are not very green at all, however I have heard from folks they are very useful for OOT guests. Hopefully people will recycle them!
I have not actually put the oh so lovely Laura Hooper map in the bags yet. I am waiting to get folders to put them in along with our contact numbers, event schedule, and other important info. However I cannot stop staring at them as they are too cute for words. Check it out:
Of course now that I have them in my hot little hands there are a million other sites I wish I had added. However I think this is just enough to give guests an idea of where the various wedding festivites are taking place along with ideas of what to do in their free time. She kindly made a double sided map for me with train and trolley info on the reverse side, which I thought was a fantastic way to save paper!
Another exciting addition to our OOT’s are “shorty” tins of the World Famous, Chicago’s Own Garrett’s Popcorn!
I will not be able to pick them up until the 29th, but oh by will I have to restrain myself from gorging on crack-in-a-kernel amazingness that is Garrett’s cheese popcorn. We have ordered both cheese and caramel corn, so it’s a toss up as to what guests will get. Either way they are in for a treat.
Along with all the savory/salty stuff we also plan to throw in some sweetness. I would love to find some Chicago-y chocolate or candy, but I may settle for some good ol Hersey kisses and mini chocolate bars.
And to give my guests some good reading material I am going to scour the city the Thursday before the wedding and pick up copies of The Reader to throw in there as well.
In the end I hope the OOT Guests find the bags helpful, yummy and informative.
What are you doing for you OOT bags?
P.S-I am going to close with a picture of my Christmas Tree, all decked out with the ornaments I received from my Ornament Shower! Can you spot the pickle?
