Ideas for bridesmaids gifts?

[beckms]

It's getting to be crunch time! Our wedding is June 2nd, and I'm starting to think about gifts for bridesmaids. I've received gifts of jewelry when I've been a bridesmaid, but I am thinking of going away from that trend. Some ideas I have are to make up tote bags with fun things like lotion, pampering items like bubble bath, etc, or to give people Sephora starter kits, or maybe just a simple, pretty scarf or wrap (it might be cool the night of the wedding). There are three bridesmaids.

Any suggestions? Thanks!:D

[stefania4]

Oooh, I love the wrap & Sephora ideas!

At one wedding we got a frame with a note in it saying that the photographer would take a picture of each of us with the bride, and we'd get a copy. I thought that was a lovely gift.

For some reason folks hear "bridesmaid" and have an Urge To Monogram. I've never quite understood that.

[erinl]

I got my bridesmaids satin pajamas (that happened to be eggplant colored, just like their dresses.) They were very well received.

[beckms]

Oooh, I love the wrap & Sephora ideas!

At one wedding we got a frame with a note in it saying that the photographer would take a picture of each of us with the bride, and we'd get a copy. I thought that was a lovely gift.

For some reason folks hear "bridesmaid" and have an Urge To Monogram. I've never quite understood that.

I definitely DON'T have an urge to mongram. :p There won't be any monogrammed items in our wedding.

I'm thinking of suggesting personalized frisbees for the groomsmen. DF is a die-hard Ultimate Frisbee player, as is one of his GM. The rest will think they're fun (we'll also do something else for the g-men).

[mcgeiger]

I gave 30 minute massages where we got our hair done (I didn't require it, everyone just wanted to get it done...). So each got a massage, rinsed off and then got their hair done:)

[beckms]

I gave 30 minute massages where we got our hair down (I didn't require it, everyone just wanted to get it down...). So each got a massage, rinsed off and then got their hair done:)

Ooh, that's a nice idea...and the place where we're having our wedding has a really nice spa associated with it.

[Robyn1007]

For my sister's wedding she made each of us a sachet purse that we carried instead of flowers and it was filled with little goodies like a mirror, pretty kleenex etc. After the ceremony she gave us each decorated flip flops to wear since all of our feet were sure to hurt. I like the pj and massage idea as well.

For the groomsmen my now BIL gave steak branding irons with each of the guy's initials.

[GADawg]

I gave my bridesmaids monogrammed stationery. Since you don't want any monogramming, you could still use this idea and visit a nice stationery store and buy stationery that fits each bridesmaids' personality.

[avariell]

my sister (ljt2r) gave us books they picked out for each of us. i got a fantastic cookbook - shocker, huh? :)

my SIL who didn't have a traditional wedding at all, got each of us a beautiful basket with 5-7 (?) full size jars of spices from penzeys matched to our tastes. mine was spicy themed :)

i say do something that personalizes the gift. i have a bunch of bridesmaid jewelry i will never use again (altho not having to pay for matching jewelry was nice so i understand why people do it...)

[Peweh]

I'm thinking of suggesting personalized frisbees for the groomsmen. DF is a die-hard Ultimate Frisbee player, as is one of his GM. The rest will think they're fun (we'll also do something else for the g-men).

This is a nice unique & personal idea! DH gave his groomsmen paintball guns since they had all gone paintballing for his bachelor party and they've made a yearly event out of going to play.

I gave my bridesmaids monogrammed clasp silver bracelets (DUCKING as you all throw the jewelry/monogrammed gifts you hated at me!! :p ) I will say they all wear them all the time... at least, I THINK when I'm not around too... :o

[Slowcooker]

I gave my bridesmaids silver heart-shaped trinket boxes with a gold bow on them. It's nice that they all still have them on their dressers. I don't remember what the groomsmen received:o I think DH took care of that. He doesn't remember either- It was almost 15 years ago:eek: :eek:

[Lrimerman]

My SIL got her bridesmaids towel wraps. They were terrycloth, with Velcro closure and she did have them embroidered with each of their first names on them. It was nice, because they wore them in the changing room all day and that way they didn't have to take clothes off and mess their hair or go around in thier good clothes in the dressing room.

Lisa

[melis_d]

My SIL gave shortie robes (in a jersey material) and slippers, which was a cute idea. Everyone wore them while getting ready for the wedding and I still use them at home.

[mightyh]

I think this website has adorable things that would be great for a bridesmaid gift:

www.elizab.com

I have the leopard print flip flops and LOVE them

Last summer, I was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding. She gave each of us a different color pashmina (summer style) which was great for the reception. She also gave us a big canvas beach bag from J crew, a beach towel, and a gift card to Borders "for a trashy romance" which is her signature read. I thought it was an adorable gift. And I never knew how much I needed that big beach bag until I had it--I use it all the time now!

[Beth Y]

I gave my girls a handmade casserole dish from a famous potter in Seagrove, NC. My husband gave each groomsman a really good quality Eastwing hammer. We got the hammers monogrammed. The monogram guy thought it was a great challenge to do it. They all LOVED it and the bridesmaids boyfriends/husbands were very jealous.

[Pony]

I knitted my bridesmaids scarves and they each got something else I knew they would like, such as cookbook, bottle of wine, frame, etc.

I've gotten jewelry at most of the weddings I've been in. I was in a wedding on Saturday and the bride gave us each something different. I got a gift certificate to a spa. Very excited to use it!!!

Michelle

[aggie94]

Our bridesmaids got sterling silver bookmarks engraved with their first initial. I also paid for their dresses. Our groomsmen received leather travel humidors semi-stocked with a few cigars that the boys all enjoyed together after the wedding. We also covered their tux rentals.

[Wendy w]

My sister gave me a sterling monogrammed flask. ;)

[SusanPC]

I gave my bridesmaids cashmere wraps. I have seen them in use beyond the wedding.

[mbrogier]

My bridesmaids were still in college, except for Dh's sister, so my parents paid for their travel to the wedding, kept them at our beach house for a few days after we got married (my bridesmaids loved my mom because she is so cool), and I also gave them pearl necklaces from Ross-Simons.com We also paid for their dresses. My bridesmaids came early to the wedding and helped my mom a lot. We also paid for their dresses, let the girls not wear stockings and wear flat slippers.

I've seen the girls wear the necklaces after the wedding, so I think they enjoyed them.

We got married 7 years ago on June 2nd.

I like the idea of monogrammed silver bracelets and the pashminas. I love pashminas and have been collecting them as they are so great for a light covering on a cool night. Amazon has a ton of them in all colors. I love the wool paisley ones.

[Gumbeaux]

I attended a recent wedding where the bridesmaids were given ring holders. It was real a hit. Ring holders range in price from just a few dollars (glass) to $65.00 (Waterford crystal)

http://www.tableandhome.com/prodimages/35668.jpg

[Delanl]

I just got married in September and I got my girls monogrammed Boat & Tote bags from LL Bean. Inside were a pair of flip flops to wear at the reception, their jewelry for the wedding and a gift certificate for a pedicure. Two of my bridesmaids have kids, so they especially loved the totes. They are a great, functional gift. I just ordered one for myself! :D