Tote Bags...To personalize or not?

hisalwaysandforever

For my bridal party, I want to get each of them a tote bag and fill them with things that they will love. I want to get a tote bag that they will want to use again. I like the idea of getting them black tote bags, but they have ones you can personalize by getting their names or initials in their fave color thread on them. I am thinking they can use these bags to also pack their things for the night before the wedding. We are all staying in a hotel the night before, near the wedding site. Would this be something you would like to receive & use again, or a waste of money? I think they would use it again when they go places they need to pack for, but not sure if anyone would use it as a purse?

If I do get the tote bags, should I add their initials or names? Or neither & just get them plain?

Another idea I am thinking about is getting purses that they would like to use everyday, but they wouldn't be able to use it for packing for the wedding trip.

bablingbrooke

I would do neither the initials nor the name.  The whole luster of having YOUR name on something wears off around age 12, don't you think?  And I say that as someone whose name is never on keychains or anything like that, so it was always an extra thrill for me.  

I would get them bags that *they* would like and that *they* would use again.  Say you were going to do this for Christmas--which bags would you pick?  Also, I would abandon the "they can use them to pack for the wedding" idea since everyone packs differently.  I can get by with a very small bag for a week, but my BFF will pack a trunk for a weekend.  I'm sure your friends run the gamut as well?

Licia&Wayne

I'm going to ditto Brooke.

If you're getting them tote bags filled with stuff they would like, I would just try to find one that fits their individual personalities (flowers, geekery, bold colors, pastels, etc.) and call it a day. Initials/names on it is a little Jr. High to me. I don't really like the thought of people seeing my name/initials on a bag I'm carrying.

And I don't know that I would get them purses. I think I would rather pick out my own purse just so I could find something I would actually use.

mbcdefg

I've never seen an adult woman carrying a tote bag with her name or initial on it. So unless you know for a fact that your friend(s) would like this, I have to vote no on names/initials.

That being said, I got a tote bag for each of my BMs. Bridesmaid got www.winknyc.com/images/whatever_it_takes_gwen.jpg">this one (I got it from Marshall's) and I know she's used it at least once. MOH got www.etsy.com/transaction/20690702">this one and IDK if she's used it.

Etsy.com has a lot of cute totes in a variety of patterns and colors. I bought www.etsy.com/listing/53060722/keep-calm-and-carry-on-re-useable-cotton?ref=sr_gallery_9&%3Bga_search_query=keep+calm+and+carry+on+tote&%3Bga_search_type=handmade&%3Bga_page=&%3Border=&%3Bincludes%5B0%5D=tags&%3Bincludes%5B1%5D=title">this one for myself a while back, and I use it frequently.

filaw

I got my BM's bags with their names on the *inside*.

That way isn't not all flashing on the outside for anybody to see, which I can see some people not liking.

I also suggest etsy.com.  So much cute stuff there, and many of the bags you can pick the fabric for each of the BM's so they can all be different.

CA2MT4EveR

NOT

I think we all have plenty of tote bags. But if this is the way you want to go, I would lean more towards the reusable grocery sack type thing since a lot of people are leaning that way anyway.

trix1223

I have a one of a kind name.  Literally.  I've met one other person with my name spelled my way.  And it was used once as a character name of a murdered crime victim on a law & order SVU episode. 

I say that to echo brooke.   The only way for me to have ever gotten something personalized was to have it custom made. 

And I don't care for  personalized "stuff".  Give them the tote bag if you must.  I like the idea of their name on the inside if you're going to do a name.

But also a disclaimer:  I'm not a huge tote bag fan anymore.  I think I've outgrown them.

hisalwaysandforever

Thank you for your responses. I am going to search Etsy and see what they have. I am thinking I probably won't do tote bags though, unless I find one they would love...one that is inexpensive too just in case they don't ever use it again.

And definitely no name on it

mysticl

Depending on the tote, I might like it.  I need a new beach bag.  Stay away from the name/initial too.  I agree that alot of grown women aren't into it. 

emilyinchile

I'd use a beach/tote bag, but I'd rather it didn't have my name or initials on it.

Robyn5298

I think the tote bag is a cute idea - especially since you plan to fill it with gifts tailored to each of your bridesmaids' likes and interests.

If you decide to personalize, I would go with initials over names.  Although if I were on the receiving end I would like either.  I see personalization as playful as opposed to juvenile, but it seems as though I'm in the minority here.

Bottom line - you know your ladies best, so if you think they'll like the personalized tote bags I think you should get them.

CTGirl30

I'd much rather have a beach bag than a tote bag. I have 5 zillion tote bags as it is and I only use 1-2 of them on a daily basis for hauling my crap to work (and they're not the cheapo ones, either).  So I'd honestly probably toss a cheapy tote if I was given one more and would definately not want anything with my name or even initial on it. I'm 31, not 12 so the novelty of Personalized Things has long worn off for me.

Bottom line, though, is to ask yourself, "Would my friend use this?" I say friend singular and not plural since they don't all have to match since chances are they are not all clones. Think about each girl's individual style and preferences. Maybe Ann likes books and can use a tote for trips to the library or bookstore - great. Find one with a book theme on it. Maybe Jane loves the beach - get her a beach bag instead. Maybe Sarah likes to eat organic and recycle - get her a bag she can bring to the farmer's market or take shopping. See what I mean here?