Post # 1
Member
176 posts
Blushing bee
Okay so I don’t know what sort of gifts to give my bridesmaids. I would totally shower them with all manner of presents if it were in the budget. That being said- what do bridesmaids enjoy more as a gift?
I have heard that some brides give jewelry to match the bridesmaids dresses but often the girls never wear that jewelry again, and honestly I think I will tell my girls to wear whatever jewelry they want and let their personalities shine!
I have heard of brides paying for the hair and makeup of the girls on the wedding day, which I am sure is a relief for the bridesmaids. But honestly I want to be able to wrap something up pretty and present it to my girls at the rehearsal dinner as a token of my love and appreciation.
I was thinking about clutches, but does that mean they have to carry them down the aisle instead of bouquets? Because that just won’t do either, because I have the loveliest bouquets planned..
What have you ladies done for your bridesmaids or enjoyed receiving as one?
Post # 3
Member
635 posts
Busy bee
@LabDarling: I got my bridesmaids all swarovski crystal bracelets. I think they were not too specific in color and could be worn again. I know they all loved them – in fact several of my bridesmaids wear them on a regular basis still
Post # 4
Member
404 posts
Helper bee
@LabDarling: I’ve seen other brides give the girls those gold rings that look like a knot. That’s something I would really like. This one from Etsy is $16.
Post # 5
Member
4437 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: January 2013 - Harbourfront Grand Hall
@LabDarling: I bought like I was buying them Christmas presents.
@krstino1012: That is beautiful!
Post # 6
Member
176 posts
Blushing bee
@mchitt329: so like something different and unique per girl?
@krstino1012: @fancymichelle: those are both lovely!
Post # 7
Member
4437 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: January 2013 - Harbourfront Grand Hall
@LabDarling: Well I only had one girl and one bridesman, but yes, they each got something unique.
Post # 8
Member
401 posts
Helper bee
@LabDarling: I think the best Bridesmaid or Best Man gifts are the ones that are personal, and that are NOT related to the wedding in any way. To me, it’s less of a “thank you” gift if it’s more about what you like (and how you would like them to look on your wedding day) than it is about what they like and about how well you know them.
Not that a wedding-related gift or two is totally out of the cards — if you’re doing a gift-basket type of gift then I don’t see a problem with it as long as the majority of what you’re doing is reflective of the bridesmaid’s taste or of your friendship.
I’ve got awhile before my wedding but I *think* I’ve got my gifts figured out. I’m using decorative boxes as the containers and then filling them with:
*3-wick scented candles that I already bought (I picked ones specifically for each girl and what I thought they would like)
*some type of jewelry for each one that is not for use at the wedding (I’ll choose something specifically for each girl that I know they would like and use, or I’m thinking of going the living locket route and personalizing that way).
*some type of candy (each girl’s favorite)
*short robes (this is one of the wedding-related gifts, but I’m not doing anything that says “bridesmaid” or is monogrammed or what have you. They will not all be the same, and I’m hoping they’ll all get use out of them for much more than the wedding).
*personalized hangers (another wedding-related gift, but one I hope they’ll use at home).
*as the last gift I’m going with EITHER clutches or cute umbrellas. If I do clutches, they won’t be matchy to the bridesmaid dress and I’ll pick something different to each girl. But I do like the idea of umbrellas, too. They’re far more useful, something nobody ever wants to spend their own money on, and in the case that it actually rains on the day of, we’re covered!
Post # 9
Member
176 posts
Blushing bee
Post # 10
Member
1572 posts
Bumble bee
@LabDarling: For my wedding that just past last week, I got my girls little purple wristlets from Urban Behaviour, the Rosie gift set from LUSH, and a personalized hanger 🙂
They loved it, and the fact that it was mostly NON wedding related.
Post # 11
Member
8434 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@LabDarling: I made each of my bridesmaids custom jewelry (they have very different tastes), I sewed them macaron coin purses, put together emergency kits and did handmade pop up cards (to hold gift cards) then I purchased coach wristlets and put everything into those. I think I spent about $100 per girl and they loved it. I think it’s all about tailoring a gift to each girl’s tastes.
Post # 12
Member
176 posts
Blushing bee
@LilySarah: I was also thinking clutches of some sort like these beauties!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/103453897/set-of-6-8-inch-xl-bridesmaids-clutches?ref=favs_view_1
I would pick individual colors and patterns for each girl specifically. I also think I am doing personalized hangers (Seriously what did people do before etsy???)
Post # 13
Member
176 posts
Blushing bee
I think non-wedding related is the way to go. I think it’s selfish to get gifts for your bridesmaid that will only be useful on your wedding day! Bridesmaids gifts are supposed to be about appreciation for the ladies you love!
Post # 14
Member
3569 posts
Sugar bee
I think really think about your each indivdual bridesmaid and plan for that. I really hate when brides give bridesmaid a gift that really for thier weddiing, so don’t buy them matching bracelets or necklaces and say it’s thier “gift”
I made bags with mini body sprays, wristlests, cheap bath robes, and flats for the reception.
I gave my two friends who were married with kids, giftcards to resturant with promise to babysit(the only thing is they had a few months to take advantage of the babysitting services)
I bought my other friend a cash gift card she a grad student short on cash. I hope she used on books or fees.
I bought my other friend Mac makeup
and the last one got a pocketbook I know she likes bags and it was sale.
Post # 15
Member
2466 posts
Buzzing bee
@LabDarling: My girls are all wine lushes like myself lol…. so I got them each these really awesome high heel shoe wine bottle holders (there are ceremic and heavy!!)…I just google imaged pics, mine were black with the red bottom like one of the pics and the other leopard print. And then I got them each a Vino-To-Go cup…very cute for parties and camping and the week of the wedding.
I also paid a portion of the hair/make-up
Post # 16
Member
1002 posts
Bumble bee
@LabDarling: If you do clutches, I don’t think that means they’d carry them during the wedding. I thought about doing clutches, but was afraid they wouldn’t like what I picked out for them. So, I did robes, I found them on amazon in a variety of colors and got each of them one in their favorite color. I also gave them each a bottle of essie nail polish in a color I thought they’d like and a little bottle of kinky liquor. Then the night before the wedding we did facials and nails while listening to spice girls 🙂 I think the quality time was the best part.
Robes:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJUVSAA/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1