What to put in Bar Mitzvah hostess bags? So far I have:

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amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 11:34 am

I’m making a bar mitzvah soon and have about 10 families coming from other cities for Shabbos.

What should I put into the hostess bags? Also, are boxes more stylish than bags these days?

So far I have:

Schedule of the weekend with emergency numbers and map of the neighborhood

Mini mouthwash

Mini hand lotion

Vos water bottle

Chocolate covered raisins

Hard candies

What else? I don’t want anything like cookies or popcorn which would leave tons of crumbs in my neighbors’ guest rooms!

Links welcome! Thank you!

amother

Snow

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 11:35 am

I always like it when they enclose a magazine or newspaper, especially if it's out of town.

amother

Vermilion

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 11:53 am

mini shoe polish set and sewing kit
not at all a must but nice

summer0808

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 11:57 am

tea lights and matches.

Listen you can put in much more. but you really covered the basics

agreer

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 11:57 am

Where are they lighting candles? If at the guest, then 2 tea lights and matches.

Boxes are definitely more stylish, if you can swing it.

People also like nuts, or gummy candy worms for the kids.

I was also gonna say a newspaper, but Snow beat me to it.

That should be enough.

Mazel tov!

scruffy

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 11:57 am

Mini pack of tissues

Include times and locations for local minyanim starting Friday afternoon (including through Sunday morning if people will be staying over MS)

amother

Mocha

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 12:07 pm

Can I be honest, I would hate chocolate raisins in my guest room. All I would need like a whole in the head was for one to roll away and then melt on with my bedding or carpet. Much rather pretzels or granola bar crumbs vacuum easier than getting out chocolate.

Nuts work, so do jelly beans/gummy worms.

I always find the newspaper still in the bag when I clean up the room.

amother

Whitesmoke

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 12:15 pm

Not sure if some of these were mentioned:

Dried fruit
Safety pins and Bobby pins
Disposable rain poncho (you can get them at $ tree)
Mini shampoo and conditioner

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 12:22 pm

Thank you all so much!

Can you show me what kinds of boxes? Any Amazon links?

What would you put the candy into? Organza bags?

Chayalle

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 12:35 pm

amother Mocha wrote:

And I'd much rather the chocolates than the granola bar or pretzel crumbs. I hope people are careful about the chocolates not rolling/smushing on the bed/carpets. I've never had an issue (been hosting for lots of years.)

watergirl

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 12:51 pm

I read your OP thinking you want to fill a bag for the HOSTESS, ie the people who are graciously putting up your guests. You are putting together hospitality bags, not hostess bags.

Having said that, please make sure not to ignore the hosts. Whatever you give the guests, give that to the host so they also know when the guest will be coming and going. Maybe instead of the nosh (which I would honestly leave out unless the host is ok with it, you'd have to ask in advance), for the host put in a nice cake. But do not ignore them. I'm cringing now remembering a time I was asked to drop off a bag for a guest at someone's house and the wife answered the door and thanked me for the bag and I was so embarrassed to tell her it was not for her, it was for the guest.

amother

NeonPink

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 1:01 pm

Chocolates are a sweet gesture but if they are staying in someones room/apt./ basement, you really should get an ok from the owners. They might not want any food in the sleeping quarters. If its possible to serve your out of town guests some sort of snack maybe in the hall that you are eating in at a certain time. They can have kugel, vegetables, tuna,. (This can be at 2.00pm, Shabbat is around 4.00pm). Nosh and chocolates can also be served there, or Shabbat afternoon in the hall.

amother

Cinnamon

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 1:14 pm

When I went away for a family simcha, my niece came to show me where I was staying. She picked up a bag (with my name on) for me, and a glass dish of candies for the family who would be hosting me. I had brought my own gift for them, but thought it was a very nice e gesture from the ba'alei simcha to friends who were doing them a favour.

Included in my bag was a pack of cards. Not everyone plays cards on Shabbos, but for those who do it is a cheap way of providing quiet entertainment.

amother

Pistachio

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 2:28 pm

Better to set up pre-Shabbos/Shabbos afternoon snacks at the shul, or send over some cookies/nuts to the hosts. Don't need a picnic in the guest room.

amother

Tiffanyblue

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 2:35 pm

amother Vermilion wrote:

mini shoe polish set and sewing kit
not at all a must but nice

\

I think that yore supposed to light where you eat, not sleep.

amother

Daylily

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 5:03 pm

You don’t need so much
Sterns dessert
Mini pack of nuts
Water
Schedule
Map
Is enough

amother

Snow

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 5:11 pm

amother Tiffanyblue wrote:

\

I think that yore supposed to light where you eat, not sleep.

There are different minhagim.

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 6:21 pm

Thanks all!

We have a place for them to eat before during and after Shabbos. The snacks would be for their midnight munch cravings. What do you think is the “safest” in terms of not making a mess?

Also, can any of you link to the kind of boxes people use? To a shopping page, or even just a picture would be very helpful - I’m drawing a blank about what to look for!!!!

amother

Lightcoral

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 6:26 pm

This depends where you live, but if it's applicable please put in a map!!

amother

Lightcoral

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 6:28 pm

Use this for the nuts/jellies etc:
https://www.amazon.com/VGoodal.....ss_tl

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