Help! Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

futuremrsbecerra

Ok, so i really need help coming up with Bridesmaid gift ideas that are practical, useful (after the wedding) but still inexpensive. I don't want to do the traditional monogramed bag because i have a couple bm that have been in several weddings so they have so many of these. i also don't want to do a scrapbook bc my oldest sister did that for her bm gifts and she is my bm so i don't want to give her the same thing she gave me. Jewelry is out of the question bc 4 out of my 6 bm don't wear jewelry and the bm dresses don't need jewelry worn with them. I want something that each girl will love but yet still use after the wedding. the only thing that i have come up with was a monogramed lunch tote ( and they could use that for lunches at work and put a 6 pack of their fave drink ( alcoholic or non- alcoholic- since 4 out of the 6 don't drink alcohol), but i don't know if they will like that. Would you guys like that given to you? i can't really ask them since it will be for them. I was also def. going to put a small bag together for "Bridesmaid Survival kit" but thats little so i can't just give them that only. Please give me some ideas!! I'm desperate!! These group of girls are so different from each other that its so hard to find something that everyone likes but still the same.

strlzfan11

What would you get them if you were buying them something for Christmas or their birthday?  You don't have to get them all the same thing.

futuremrsbecerra

why did you wish you hadn't have gotten the bags monogramed? just curious

rlavach

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bridesmaid-gift-ideas-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:30642db4-a952-41d0-81cf-315f818d353dPost:5677e165-5560-44b3-b2fe-2027ac5d89a3">Re: Help! Bridesmaid Gift Ideas</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Help! Bridesmaid Gift Ideas : I think it's more for younger kids. Also, I got a monogrammed one as a BM seven years ago and it's still in my closet.
Posted by edielaura[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I would never used anything monogrammed. MAYBE if it was just my first initial, but definitely not if it was both initials. Especially on a lunch box. That can appear quite childish. Maybe if it was a tote or something else that isn't so publically viewed. <div>
</div><div>OP, have you ever seen any of these ladies wear something monogrammed? If that's something they like, then it's cool. Lilke LL Bean does a lot of monogramming and some people are really into it. You just have to be sure that they are. If not, it will like in their closet like edielaura's.</div>

jessicabessica

You don't need to get them all the same thing.  If you are thinking about a lunchbox, I suggest the Built NYC neoprene ones.  You can get them in cute patterns, and they are lead-free.  I have been using mine for a year-and-a-half, it's great.  No monograms, though (although I would pass on the monograms, anyway).  Get each bridesmaid a pattern to suit her taste, and you can put a few items in it special to each girl and unrelated to the wedding.

TiffannieF

I personally would not like the lunchbag just because I know I would never use it but that is just me.  I would just get them something they like as if you were buying them something for their Birthday...whether it's a movie, a lunch bag, jewelry (for the 2 that do wear jewelry), wine...whatever.  I actually think getting them different things shows that you put time, effort, and thought for each individual. 

FWIW: I only had 2 BM's besides the jewelry for the wedding, purse that matched their dress, purse perfume, tide pen, and tote bag I got them an additional present.  1 girl got a flask with her name on it (she really liked it) and the other girl I got fashion jewelry.

HTH and GL!

meganb1977

Ditto that just an initial is better than a monogram.  If you think it's something they'll all find useful you can do that and perhaps even fill it with a few bottles/cans of their favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.

shipsinthenight

Just get them each something they will like. I've come up with a few different things that I would like to do for my bms: survival kits, pretty hankies to carry with the bouquets, coverse for the reception (since I will be changing into a pair I've had waiting in the closet for years), but I would not consider any of these to be their bm "gift". I will probably give them all a nice frame with a wedding photo of their choice (it could even be of  them and their SO) and a gift card to somewhere they like. I got jewlery I never wear at the last wedding I was in, and I deffinitly agree, anything for the wedding is not a gift.

stefaniewattie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bridesmaid-gift-ideas-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:30642db4-a952-41d0-81cf-315f818d353dPost:d2f03654-4e47-4b0c-8265-69f7c0c20106">Re: Help! Bridesmaid Gift Ideas</a>:
[QUOTE]Stefanie, "shop as if it were their birthday, or Christmas" means to give them something that you know for certain that each of them will enjoy rather than a wedding gimcrack.. Yeesh.
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]

Im not saying give them something they wont like - you know your girls best, I know I would rather give my girls something from the heart rather than a gift card or a bath set. (and I would rather receive that as well) on a low budget, you cant really go all out like you maybe would at xmas time or a birthday.
You didnt have to be rude, she asked for advice, I gave mine, dont like it, dont take it. But as someone whos been in a WP...I dont expect much or ANYTHING from the bride - getting your WP something is nice, but is NOT required. Give them something from the heart, if they arent appreciative - theyre the rude ones, not you.

stefaniewattie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bridesmaid-gift-ideas-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:30642db4-a952-41d0-81cf-315f818d353dPost:39015629-0b7c-4b0c-be4f-54b7503c8648">Re: Help! Bridesmaid Gift Ideas</a>:
[QUOTE]I was not rude. You didn't seem to understand the point we were making. I agree about bath sets, aromatherapy baskets, and trinkets.  Everybody has a closetful of those. I would love to get something a friend made for me.  Gift cards aren't thoughtless. Everyone can use them, and Sue will love that you got her one to her favorite bookstore, and Jill her favorite restaurant. 
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]

I found the "yeesh" rude.I understand the point you made, im not stupid.
Just offered an alternative opinion and just hoping to offer a bit of support when shes clearly stressed about something she doesnt need to be, if i was in a WP and I knew the bride was so stressed about what to get us that she went online ro ask strangers for advice, I would tell her to get me nothing, with all the stress and the amount of money that goes into a wedding, what to get your girls should be at the bottom of both the "stressful" and "money" lists..if she is willing to and can afford to do a gift card, do it! But something more from the heart that costs very little and is just as sufficient. Hell id be happy with a heartfelt note :)