Unique Bridal Party Gift Ideas?

Meesa28

Does anyone have any unqiue gift ideas for my bridesmaids? There is a mix of personalities and I want to get them the same thing, but something useful or something they will all enjoy.

bablingbrooke

See FAQ above.  Bottom line: If you want personalized gifts that reflect their personalities, asking strangers is the wrong way to go since we don't know them and you do.

mbcdefg

If they have mixed personalities, then what are the odds that they will all love the exact same thing?

Don't worry about being "unique." Worry about getting each of them something that she will love and use and appreciate. Different gifts are fine. Granted, you shouldn't get an iPad for one girl and a dollar store pencil for another, so it's smart to keep them in the same basic price range ... but it doesn't show a ton of thought if you just get six carbon copies of the exact same gift.

blackfire5th

Shop like it's their birthday.  See bio for my gifts.

scotialee

I got cute umbrellas as part of my gift... practical for my New Orleans wedding, and all the 'same', but I got different designs for each girl's personality. I'm also going to write a personalized note to each one of them telling them how much they mean to me. I might also get something from here: http://www.verabradley.com/ where I can again get the same thing for each girl, but a different pattern to match their personalities. Or else I'm going to get cute picture frames and put in my favorite pic of  me with each girl... maybe with the personalized note on the back of the pic.

I think it is possible to get everyone the 'same' thing without being too cliche or identical.

trix1223

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_unique-bridal-party-gift-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:029ddd68-4d7a-40d2-bc60-66c8606f5efaPost:19bfbb55-05fd-44ec-8bab-da8939ce94b1">Unique Bridal Party Gift Ideas?</a>:
[QUOTE]Does anyone have any unqiue gift ideas for my bridesmaids? There is a mix of personalities <strong>and I want to get them the same thing</strong>, but something useful or something they will all enjoy.
Posted by Meesa28[/QUOTE]

Well there's your first mistake.  WP gifts don't have to be, nor should they be, matchy-matchy.  They also don't have to be, nor should they be, wedding related.

Example:  I have a good friend who loves, loves, loves the Twilight Saga.  She'd be thrilled beyond measure to get any of the books in hardcover.  Me:  I'd donate them to my church used book sale.

I'm a fan of Glee~yes, I'm a Gleek.  She never watches it.  A DVD of season 1 or CD of the music of Glee would make my day.  She'd hate it.

See where I'm going here?  You have friends that are all wonderfullly uniquely made individuals.  So why give them the same thing?  

Shop for your friends, not for a WP.

AJPretty

What about a gift card to ticketmaster? Then they're all getting the "same" thing, but they can use it to go see a show, or sporting event, or concert.

emilyinchile

Why do you want to get them the same thing? If you're giving a gift, you should be thinking only about what your friends would enjoy, not about what they would enjoy that also happens to fit into your little plan of matching presents. Using an example from a PP, I think Vera Bradley bags are fug, and just because you got me the least ugly pattern wouldn't make me like one.

That said, I like AJPretty's idea - it could be giftcards to their favorite stores, as well.

bonnyandtim

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_unique-bridal-party-gift-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:029ddd68-4d7a-40d2-bc60-66c8606f5efaPost:4c031719-c850-4f20-8df7-cda7a79eaba1">Re: Unique Bridal Party Gift Ideas?</a>:
[QUOTE]I got cute umbrellas as part of my gift... practical for my New Orleans wedding, and all the 'same', but I got different designs for each girl's personality. I'm also going to write a personalized note to each one of them telling them how much they mean to me. I might also get something from here: <a href="http://www.verabradley.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.verabradley.com/</a> where I can again get the same thing for each girl, but a different pattern to match their personalities. Or else I'm going to get cute picture frames and put in my favorite pic of  me with each girl... maybe with the personalized note on the back of the pic. <strong>I think it is possible to get everyone the 'same' thing without being too cliche or identical.</strong>
Posted by scotialee[/QUOTE]


YES


I got my 3 BMs some kind of random things they would like & need.

These tote bags:
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=bridemaid+tote+bags&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0">http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=bridemaid+tote+bags&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0</a>

Filled with: 

(silver satin) Clutch purses (Claire's) (1 BM really wanted one & she was with me when I got these, so I just got 2 more. They can use them if they want to.)

Necklaces ($20 Kay's Valentine's Sterling Silver special)

Earrings (Etsy seller YJewelry)

(rhinestone) Headband (Icing)

Wedding Kleenex (Michael's)

1 Shout Wipe

1 heart candle (I got a few for a centerpiece idea & they didn't work. So...yeah, I'm pawning some off haha. My E-ring is a heart shape & a "small" theme of the wedding.)

2 rose-scented sachets (we're carrying roses)

rose-scented (white) petal soap (like this...but different. Got mine @ Dollar Tree. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Lavender-soap-rose-with-shredded-lavender-soap-confetti__6021-DC.aspx">http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Lavender-soap-rose-with-shredded-lavender-soap-confetti__6021-DC.aspx</a>)

small lotion, lip gloss, & hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works

compact mirror (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Handbag-Design-Compact-Mirror__13309-DC.aspx">http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Handbag-Design-Compact-Mirror__13309-DC.aspx</a>)

Trishes

All of mine are getting personalized massages, and then small gifts on top of that:

One really loves cooking, so she's getting a set of artisan salts.
Another's getting a bottle of her favorite wine,
One's getting a handcrafted wooden cutting board with a matching cheese knife
One's getting a print from her favorite local Portland artist
The fifth is getting a coffee press with her favorite coffee beans

emilyinchile

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_unique-bridal-party-gift-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:029ddd68-4d7a-40d2-bc60-66c8606f5efaPost:bdfb5d2c-7b35-4e6b-bfb5-b5bceb712005">Re: Unique Bridal Party Gift Ideas?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Unique Bridal Party Gift Ideas? : YES I got my 3 BMs some kind of random things they would like & need. These tote bags: <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=bridemaid+tote+bags&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=bridemaid+tote+bags&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0</a> Filled with:  (silver satin) Clutch purses (Claire's) (1 BM really wanted one & she was with me when I got these, so I just got 2 more. They can use them if they want to.) Necklaces ($20 Kay's Valentine's Sterling Silver special) Earrings (Etsy seller YJewelry) (rhinestone) Headband (Icing) <strong>Wedding Kleenex</strong> (Michael's) <strong>1 Shout Wipe 1 heart candle (I got a few for a centerpiece idea & they didn't work. So...yeah, I'm pawning some off haha.</strong> My E-ring is a heart shape & a "small" theme of the wedding.) 2 rose-scented sachets (we're carrying roses) rose-scented (white) petal soap (like this...but different. Got mine @ Dollar Tree. <a href="http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Lavender-soap-rose-with-shredded-lavender-soap-confetti__6021-DC.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Lavender-soap-rose-with-shredded-lavender-soap-confetti__6021-DC.aspx</a> ) small lotion, lip gloss, & hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works compact mirror ( <a href="http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Handbag-Design-Compact-Mirror__13309-DC.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.wrapwithus.com/Products/Handbag-Design-Compact-Mirror__13309-DC.aspx</a> )
Posted by bonnyandtim[/QUOTE]

This is a great list of "gifts that are actually for your wedding and not for your friends." Would you buy me Kleenex or one Shout Wipe (not even a whole package, seriously?) for my birthday? I hope not. Even the things that are more for them are mostly generic bath products you would give to a stranger.

And wow, you really must have been thinking of your friends' interests and personalities when you decided to give them leftover candles from an idea that you didn't even like.

trix1223

Thanks Emily.  I read that list from BonnieandTim  thinking Really?  REALLY?  REALLY?

That sounds like a BM "emergency kit",  and not at all a gift for your nearest and dearest friends.

Get them something personal.  Of that entire list, the only thing I'd probably hang onto was:                            well, there you go.

bablingbrooke

Lol @ "one shout wipe."  BMs not worth an extra $3 each?

scotialee

This is why I hate theknot community boards. 'bonnyandtim'  didn't choose you to be her bridesmaids, she chose her 3 friends who I'm sure loved or will love the stuff she got for them, so don't gripe about it. It's her wedding, and she was just giving an idea to Meesa28. If Meesa28 likes the idea, she'll use it, if she doesn't she won't.

bonnyandtim

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_unique-bridal-party-gift-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:029ddd68-4d7a-40d2-bc60-66c8606f5efaPost:154a034b-f92b-4f1a-b6c8-66559382893c">Re: Unique Bridal Party Gift Ideas?</a>:
[QUOTE]This is why I hate theknot community boards. 'bonnyandtim'  didn't choose you to be her bridesmaids, she chose her 3 friends who I'm sure loved or will love the stuff she got for them, so don't gripe about it. It's her wedding, and she was just giving an idea to Meesa28. If Meesa28 likes the idea, she'll use it, if she doesn't she won't.
Posted by scotialee[/QUOTE]

THANKS

Sure, maybe some things are "emergency things" I did give a disclaimer of "Random things they would like & need".

I LIKE the candles...they just didn't work for the holders I bought. Also, if you keep reading, hearts are a part of my wedding.

I'd rather receive a gift package than a GC or something. & I should also mention a lot of these gifts (particularly the jewelry & purses) had DIRECT BM input & choosing.

Meesa28

thanks everyone for the ideas!