Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Bridal Shower gift ideas/ using CVS & Walgreens freebies

I have been waiting to post about this until I got a nice picture of some of the products I have gathered but I don't want to wait any more because I think it is such a great idea and am hoping others might benefit from it.

A few months ago I was invited to a bridal shower and was trying to think of a gift that was practical, unique, thoughtful, yet still within my budget. Here is what I came up with:

A Wedding Day Emergency kit!
This would be a kit that holds all those last minute needed items that brides/bridesmaids are often scrambling to find. This was fairly inexpensive for me because I am able get them in a CVS or Walgreens deal that costs me no out of pocket money (for more info on how this works please check out moneysavingmom.com for a thorough look at how this is done). Others I buy on sale or at the dollar store.

Here is a basic list I use:

Hairpins (I just found some clearanced for 17 cents at CVS)
Safety pins
Rain bonnets (I found a pack of 5 at the dollar store)
Tylenol (I used Excedrin because it has some caffeine and I got if for free from CVS)
Tums (preferably those quick pack individual doses- again free from a CVS deal. I split a 24 pack and use them for more than one kit. I do this with quite a few of the items if appropriate)
Airborne (individual quick packs of this as well) great to help build up their immunity. SO many newlyweds spend their first few days of the honeymoon sick just from all the stress leading up to the big day
Lip Balm
Hand Sanitizer
Baby Wipes
(great for polishing shoes last minute as well as lots of other things)
Lint Remover (dollar store or CVS deal)
Nail Polish Remover
Clear Nail Polish
Mints
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
(I got a sample of teeth cleaning wipes and used these instead)
Hand mirror (found a nice set at the dollar store that had a hand mirror and a compact for a dollar)
Tissues (small travel pack)
Stain Stick pen (generic brand at the dollar store or work in a CVS deal)
Knee Highs 3 for $1 at Walmart
Straws (use the kind that are sealed in paper wrapper-like from fast food restaurant)- helps to keep lipstick from smearing
Sticky Notes (got mine free from CVS)
Pencil
Earing Back
s (a package of these are around $3 from Walmart too bad I haven't seen any of these at CVS. )
Sewing Kit ($1 from most stores)
Eye Drops (I never bothered with these but might if I find a good deal)
Emery Board
Tampons
Deodorant
Scissors
($ store again)
Hair brush/ spray (although I can't imagine all bridesmaid and the bride forgetting these so I don't bother putting them in the kit)
Lotion (great to help with static clean too by just putting some on legs)
Double Sided Tape (kind of expensive but I throw it in if I have it)
Corsage Pins (I haven't put this in yet but someone told me to look for them at Michaels. So I might do that)
I am even including a back massager that I got for free from CVS this time.

I have also seen it suggested to add mock wedding bands JUST IN CASE! I haven't looked but suspect they might be at a craft store like Michaels.

I also like to add a snack- like a bag of gourmet pretzel mix and bottled water.

I didn't include every one of these items but I was able to get most of them. What's great about this is that I can continually add to my stock when I find good sales (or free items). If I were to walk into Walmart and buy all these at full price I am sure I would easily put $50-75 into one emergency kit. Instead I am able to pool most of these items from my CVS shopping trips which cost me almost nothing out of pocket.

I was able to purchase a very nice valet bag that unrolled to reveal 4-5 fairly large compartments. It also had some
small travel shampoo/conditioner containers which I filled with lotion, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer etc. Its more cost effective than buying everything in little travel size.

Hope this idea blesses someone. The bride seemed VERY appreciative of having all these items put together for her.

Any other items you think should be added to the list?

Do you have any additional ways you use your CVS/Walgreens deals for gifts? please feel free to add your ideas in the comments section.