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Bridesmaids gifts- several questions

BRITT4JOBRITT4JO
First Comment
in Moms and Maids
I need some unique bridesmaids gifts for a July wedding. I also wanted to know what the average is to spend on these gifts? Lastly if a best friend can't be in your wedding because she is pregnant and is due on your wedding day, how do you include them, do you include them still, and do you buy them a gift?

Any suggestions, answers would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!
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Re: Bridesmaids gifts- several questions

  • bablingbrookebablingbrooke member
    5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    There is no set amount.  It's a case by case thing.  For example, if you pay for your BMs' travel or attire or accommodation, you can get them something small.  If you throw a big black tie wedding for yourselves, it's wrong to claim poverty and buy them a $5 bottle of lotion.  Know what I mean?

    As with all gifts, it's the thought that counts.  So long as you pick out something with their likes and interests in mind that shows you appreciate them, you should be just fine, regardless of the price tag.

    ETA: With regards to the pregnant friend, it would be nice to still include her in as many things as possible.  It shouldn't necessarily exclude her from the wedding, and unless she called you up and said, "I can't be in your wedding anymore" (I can't tell from your OP if that's what happened) she's still a BM.
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  • palmettogirl924palmettogirl924
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't know about Ohio, but down here in SC Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer and Vera Bradley are all very popular. One girl bought Vineyard Vines tote bags and got them monogramed with our intials (which I now use as a school bag) and stuffed them with cute things like a Camelbak water bottles, flip flops, beach towel, etc.

    VV, LP, and VB are all pretty expensive designers though for something like a tote bag (~$70.00, just for the bag). The gift will depend on YOUR budget.

    For the pregnant friend, I would mention her as an hoorary BM in the program. If you list her like this in the program, I would give her a gift.
    Anniversary
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  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_bridesmaids-gifts-several-questions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:43790dce-75b0-4fbf-83bd-2868f3fdc291Post:4b76b433-ca3e-4343-a434-7e67ff352c22">Bridesmaids gifts- several questions</a>:
    [QUOTE]I need some unique bridesmaids gifts for a July wedding. I also wanted to know what the average is to spend on these gifts? Lastly if a best friend can't be in your wedding because she is pregnant and is due on your wedding day, how do you include them, do you include them still, and do you buy them a gift? Any suggestions, answers would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!
    Posted by BRITT4JO[/QUOTE]
    The average is based on your budget and financial situation.  I don't know either of those so I can't advise you, except to say that if you're having a black tie affair, you wouldn't buy them $10 gifts, KWIM?

    As for what to buy your girls, that depends on what they like.  If you shop for them as friends rather than bridesmaids (i.e. buy them what you would for Christmas or a birthday), the presents will be unique and more importantly, they'll be gifts that your girls will really like.

    As for your preganant friend, I think it would be really nice if you sent her bouquet to her at her home or at the hospital (depending on where she will be that day) and yes, I would still include her and buy her a gift.
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  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_bridesmaids-gifts-several-questions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:43790dce-75b0-4fbf-83bd-2868f3fdc291Post:6504a9b9-0410-4c77-8d23-ad33f294368a">Re: Bridesmaids gifts- several questions</a>:
    [QUOTE]If you throw a big black tie wedding for yourselves, it's wrong to claim poverty and buy them a $5 bottle of lotion.  Know what I mean?
    Posted by bablingbrooke[/QUOTE]
    Brooke, I swear I didn't read your answer first!  lol  Great minds?
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
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  • trix1223trix1223 member
    5000 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    As brooke said, WP gifts costs really depend on your budget.  What is recommended over and over though, is that you shop for your friends, not your WP.

    Things that are to be used for your wedding:  jewelry, hair, makeup, manis, pedis, wraps, perhaps purses, shoes, are part of the "uniform" to complete your "vision" of your wedding.  So if you require that it be used:  you pay for it, and it's not part of your gift to your WP.

    Instead, think about each friend.  A gc to netflix or a dvd of a new movie for the film buff.  A cool piece of bakeware for the cook.  A subscription to a favorite magazine.  A gc to amazon for the reader.  Concert tix for the music lover, or a NY Giants sweatshirt for me.  (Okay, that last one was a shameless plug for my favorite, if recently hapless team).

    Anyway, you get the idea.  What would you buy for your friend if it were her birthday?  What store or website would you go to first?  Good. Go there.

    And ditto about appropriateness of gift to budget.   Don't have limos, ginormous CPs, designer gown, manolos, and then give your WP two bottles of bath lotion from B&BW.

    GL
    "Trix, it's what they/our parents wanted. Why so judgemental? And why is your wedding date over a year and a half ago? And why do you not have a groom's name? And why have you posted over 12,000 posts? And why do you always say mean things to brides?" palegirl146
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  • bablingbrookebablingbrooke member
    5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_bridesmaids-gifts-several-questions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:43790dce-75b0-4fbf-83bd-2868f3fdc291Post:79b78077-b220-40f3-ab4e-72791e4b9cde">Re: Bridesmaids gifts- several questions</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridesmaids gifts- several questions : Brooke, I swear I didn't read your answer first!  lol  Great minds?
    Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]
    Oh noes, lalap's in my brainz!!!!
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    "I think bablingbrooke is the 13 yr old marring her cousin at the town hall. Lets all give her a big hand. And hope her inbred children can live normal lives." -tabs.

    A word of warning from your friends at Cracked.com: Remember that text is going to be how you make your first impression over the internet; if every third word you type is misspelled, people will automatically assume that you're a moron.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    10000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_bridesmaids-gifts-several-questions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:43790dce-75b0-4fbf-83bd-2868f3fdc291Post:4b76b433-ca3e-4343-a434-7e67ff352c22">Bridesmaids gifts- several questions</a>:
    [QUOTE]I need some unique bridesmaids gifts for a July wedding. I also wanted to know what the average is to spend on these gifts? Lastly if a best friend can't be in your wedding because she is pregnant and is due on your wedding day, how do you include them, do you include them still, and do you buy them a gift? Any suggestions, answers would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!
    Posted by BRITT4JO[/QUOTE]


    Ditto pp's. Just shop for them like you would if it were their birthday or Christmas. What are their interests, hobbies, etc? Go from there. It is okay to get each girl something different.
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  • Summer2011BrideSummer2011Bride member
    5000 Comments Third Anniversary 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Most of the PP's have covered the gift question.

    As for the pregnant BM: I am in the same situation. She is still planning on being in our wedding but may be on bed rest and unable to be (since she had complications with her first pregnancy). If she can't attend, I am still listing her as a BM and plan on getting her a gift also.


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  • mknapp90mknapp90
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I got my bridesmaids custom made ChaChaBella Friendship rings, and they were a BIG hit!  You can design the rings to match the dresses, or in any color you want.  I currently live in Atlanta and these rings are very popular---but I am from Cleveland and every time I wear mine up there i get soooo many compliments.  They are really gorgeous and would be enjoyed for long after the big day.  Check them out at http://www.chachabella.com

    As for your pregnant friend, I would get her a ring too!  Chances are she is bummed to be missing the fun, so definitely include her with a gift.
    Good luck!
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  • BRITT4JOBRITT4JO
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    thank you everyone for such great ideas. I guess I always thought everyone's gift was the same but I really like the idea of individualizing them!  Our wedding is going to be more of a business casual. Not completely laid back but far from black tie attire. Along with that we are paying for the wedding ourselves, so I can't say I have a ton of money to spend on gifts but I want to make sure my girls know how much I appreciate them standing up for me that day and how much they mean to me in general. I will definitely keep your ideas in mind but if you think of anything else feel free to shoot them my way!! I love creativity!

    Thanks again everytone!!!

    Britt
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