In need of an opinion on gifts for my BMs!

MeggyMagoo

Hey ladies, I've never posted on this board but I figured you might be best to help me figure out gifts for my BMs.  They all like to cook so I was thinking about getting them these cute aprons and was wondering what you think of the idea.  If you were a bridesmaid would you appreciate this more than say, a monogrammed tote?  Here's the link: http://www.flirtyaprons.ca/women-s-aprons.html?limit=30

TIA!!

jagore08

I love cooking so an apron would be a great gift for me.  Are you getting them anything else to go with the aprons?

marshallal

I think they're adorable... And it looks like they have enough that they can be personalized to the girls individual favorite colors and patterns.  The only advice I have is that you make sure they really enjoy cooking, and it's not a matter of just not minding it.  I don't mind to cook but don't really enjoy it, so it would be a silly gift for me, but there are of course plenty of girls out there who really love it, and so it would be great.  Just make sure you take that in to account before you buy.

Kate61487

don't do the monogrammed tote - it's over done and once you have A tote, you really don't need anymore.

I love to cook, but I never wear an apron, and I likely never will.  If your girls DO use aprons then I think those are really cute, but I wouldn't do it unless I was sure it would be used.  Remember their gift doesn't all have to be the same, most girls here will advise you to shop like it's their birthday.

I got all my girls a Coach clutch.  I got them on sale and at the outlet store, so it was within my budget, and I went with neutrals (white for my MOHs, black for the other girls) to ensure they'd be useable.  They all raved over them and I've seen them all in use; so I'm happy with my selection.

MeggyMagoo

I'm thinking of doing up a little bridesmaid survival kit to go along with it full of stuff they can use during and after the wedding (little stuff that every lady needs in her purse at all times! like kleenex, bobby pins, stain remover, fast flats etc) and I'll be giving them their jewelry for the wedding and custom hangers for their dresses...which depending on your personal opinions do or do not count as gifts.

Summer2011Bride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_need-of-opinion-gifts-bms?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:03ede1f1-560e-433d-bb52-67d0459ec74bPost:41e64098-fa11-4ab8-b2da-fdfecadabd74">Re: In need of an opinion on gifts for my BMs!</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm thinking of doing up a little bridesmaid survival kit to go along with it full of stuff they can use during and after the wedding (little stuff that every lady needs in her purse at all times! like kleenex, bobby pins, stain remover, fast flats etc) and I'll be giving them their jewelry for the wedding and custom hangers for their dresses...which depending on your personal opinions do or do not count as gifts.
Posted by MeggyMagoo[/QUOTE]

I would say this stuff doesn't count as gifts because it is all for use for YOUR wedding. I brought a wedding day kit with me that had all those items and more and my girls were welcome to use any of them. I didn't find it necessary to give them individual kits with those items and call it a gift. A gift to me, is something the person actually likes and will use in their own lives outside the wedding (and yes, technically you can use stain remover outside the wedding, but have you ever given someone stain remover as a bday or Christmas gift? If not, I wouldn't do it now).

As for the aprons, I don't cook, so I know I am biased. I would say if the girls like and wear aprons, they are cute.

kmmssg

If you KNOW your girls would wear aprons they great.  I love to cook and spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  I hate wearing aprons and I'm sure there are others that do too. 

I personally prefer shopping for each girl as if it is Christmas or their bday and personalizing each gift.  The matchy-matchy BM gifts idea is an invention of the wedding industry so they can focus your money on their products.

I do agree that ANYTHING having to do with your wedding is NOT a thank you gift.  The survival kit, the jewelry, and the custom hangers don't have a thing to do with them personally.  They are all for your wedding.  Please reconsider using them as the thank you gift.

Viczaesar

Just to give another POV, I like aprons and use them fairly often, but I don't like those aprons.  They're too froufrou and girly for me.  Just make sure you keep in mind your bridesmaids' individual tastes.  And ditto the other ladies, anything for your wedding (the survival kit, jewelry, etc) do not count as presents.  They're also unnecessary.

SKronick0823

For my bridemaids gifts I made up a little basket with a cozy theme! I went to Target and got fuzzy slippers ($5 each), huge sherpa fleecy blankets ($12 each), a movie (21 dresses or Bride Wars $5 each) and a little box of chocolates ($4 each)! All of the girls LOVED their baskets! What girl doesn't like chick flick night with a huge blanket and chocolate? They were super affordable, had a little wedding theme tied in and they all can use their gifts for a long time. I would just think about something everyone will love and theme your gifts around that. Good luck!

apaulson831

We are having a catholic wedding, and I told my girls I would provide all their jewelry. I am giving them beautiful austrian crystal rosary bracelets. I am also making them movie night gift baskets. With their favorite movie, candy, popcorn, and favorite bottle of wine

Nikki71

Love the movie night gift basket idea!  Also, Anthropologie sells aprons that are SO CUTE!  In fact, that store has tons of other items (handmade quilts, candles, vases, decor, accessories) that might make great gifts.

I like the apron idea.  I do think the gift should be substantial financially, but you have to be budget-minded and do what works for you.  Perhaps an apron and something else small, like earrings they'll wear on your wedding day.