Gifts for my bridesmaids ...

jsurmacy

So I have 7 bridesmaids and have decided to get them each a black Tory Burch cosmetic bag. Inside it I am going to put a nice compact, I am thinking one of the Sephora Disney Princess ones -- I loved the Cinderella but it sold out immediately so I may go with Jasmine who is next. Ideally I'd like to pick a piece of makeup for each individual person but I am not sure if budget will allow for that -- my friends all wear relatively expensive makeup. So if I am not able to do that, I want to put a couple other small inexpensive things in there that may be good for use on the day of the wedding. For example, maybe blotting sheets, tissues, chapstick, etc. Any other suggestions for inexpensive things of that sort??

Sidenote: I know most people on the board think everyone should get something different and be shopped for as if it is their birthday. However, I have already made the decision that I am not doing that so please no posts about that! I just would really love some suggestions about what I have already decided! Thanks

brielleinlove

None of this is anything I would use.  I already have tons of cosmetic bags that I chose myself and love, and I need another mirrored compact like I need a hole in the head.  Do not include "wedding party emergency kit" items - nobody needs or wants them.  Kleenex and Chapstick are lousy presents, and they are really gifts to you since they are meant to ensure that your bridesmaids will look good for YOUR pictures. 

To be brutally honest, if I were your bridesmaid, 100% of your gift (as you are currently considering giving) would end up donated to Goodwill or in the garbage. If you are dead set on getting them these cosmetic bags, put a gift card to each woman's favorite store/restaurant inside rather than stuff for the wedding.

And as to your last paragraph: if you don't want honest feedback, don't post.

jsurmacy

I actually do want honest feedback, but why should I waste my time reading the same post over and over again and why should you waste your time writing something I have heard plenty of times and have already decided agaisnt?

If I was just buying chapstick and Kleenex then yes, that would be an awful present ... but I am not so I do not really see the problem throwing that stuff in the bag as an add on.

I also know that my bridesmaid will all love the cosmetic bags, there is not a doubt in my mind about that. So I am pretty dead set. Perhaps I will skip the compact and choose the makeup for each individual instead.

Thank you for your input. 

[Deleted User]

Yeah, I dislike the cookie-cutter presents. It doesn't seem like much thought went into it.

mlg78

I have an obscene number of cosmetic bags and compacts piled up in my closet that I will never, ever use.  I pull on out when I go on vacation...but that's ONE...and I've had it since my first trip to Europe in 1995 and it's still going strong.  These girls won't utilize these items.  They'll tell you they will and they'll tell you how much they love it and then it'll be shoved away and never used.

You're not even making an effort to make it personalized...  You could go down the route you're trying to do but still tailor it to them!  For example, if I were to do this in one I'd throw in some fun nail polishes because one of my BM loves having her nails painted in whacky colors.  Another I'd get those Sally Hansen nail print thingies because she's always using them. I know what perfume my MOH wears so I'd get her a bottle of that and for my last BM maybe I'd do some lip gloss because she's addicted to them.

But go ahead and give them all the same gift.  It really takes no effort to tailor the gift even slightly to what they might like and I guarantee you they'll recognize your efforts.

mlg78

So I just did some googling...

A tory burch cosmetic bag appears to go for $50+...most closer to $70+.

One of those Sephora disney princess compacts goes for $20...

So for the love that all that is holy, please don't waste $70+ when I'm sure your girls would rather have a variety of things of that value far more than crap that will collect dust.

JaxInBlue

I have no problem with a basic black cosmetic bag - or with wanting the presents to be similar.  All of my bridesmaids got a purse that suited their style and an accessory that matched their taste, but the basic gift elements were the same.

I'd keep the make up bag, but really think about whether the compact is necessary.  I'd fill it with a gift card that matches the tastes and personality of each girl and then add little things you know they like - maybe their favorite lip gloss or mascara, a cute pair of (non-wedding) earrings, a (again, non-wedding) bracelet, etc.

If you want to put out tissues, blotter sheets, extra chapsticks, I'd just have that stuff in a bag or basket where you are all getting ready.

AddieCake

I think if you're going to do the bags, a gift card to Sephora would be nice as opposed to trying to figure out a bunch of things to put in the bag or coming up with makeup for each of them. Makeup is a very personal thing, colorwise. I can't speak for everyone, obviously, but "day of" stuff seems pointless to me. I don't think my bridesmaids checked their makeup a single time after we left the hotel. I didn't even check mine and took NOTHING with me. So that's why I think a gift card would get better use than "day of" stuff. 

jsurmacy

Retreat, this is not a compact with Cinderella's face on it -- it a Sephora special line that all of my friends/BM love. They have already purchased pieces from the collection that already came out.

I know the cosmetic bags are expensive but that really is what the taste is in my circle of friends -- Tory Burch is a designer we all love. I think I will get the bags and the compact, and do a Sephora gift card like Addie said -- choosing colors for a friend would be silly and super hard, I agree. 

Thanks so much everyone. 

AddieCake

I just want to reiterate that if you already know they will all love the bag, definitely don't hesitate to get that for them. It's not a waste if you know they will use it.

 I get plenty of eye rolls here when I say I gave my girls monogrammed lunch totes, but they both use monogrammed bags (one of them even has monogrammed grocery bags) and take their lunch to work every day. And I had only 2 girls. If I had had more, the odds of me being able to give everyone that would probably be nil b/c I actually only know one other person who is into monogrammed bags.  But it worked  out for me. 

jsurmacy

Thanks I really apprecaite that Addie. I know individualized gifts would be best in most cases, but I really think in my case that this will work well. My bridesmaids are all very similar, and we all have tastes that are super similiar even down to specific designers. I actually think they will like all having the same cosmetic bag.

And in terms of monograms -- I would love a monogram lunch bag!!

jennyd412

I know people say "day of"stuff isn't really a gift. However, when my friend got married she gave us a gift bag with a necklace and makeup. I personally only wear makeup to weddings or occassionally when going out. Although it isn't something I use all the time, I was happy to not have to buy makeup for the wedding day, since I had already spent so much on the wedding (dress, shoes, shower, bachelorette, gifts) Might sound like a lame gift, but I was happy.

aRachel21

If you think your bridesmaids will like the Tory Burch bags, then go for it!  I have a ton of bags, but I always find a use for them.   Some people commented that they would never use the cosmetic bag, but they're not your bridesmaids so don't worry about it.  As for the contents of the bag, I like Addie's idea about the sephora gift card.  I think that would be perfect.

lovesclimbing

As a PP has said, if you think your BMs will like it, then you should get that for them.

Me personally, I only wear Mary Kay makeup so if I was given a compact, I wouldn't use it because the type of makeup I wear wouldn't fit in that particular one.

AddieCake

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gifts-for-my-bridesmaids-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:236780ac-70a1-4277-b972-3e5af4f7069fPost:34a50bcc-01c9-4e71-bf03-0bf3e5374b7a">Re: Gifts for my bridesmaids ...</a>:
[QUOTE] Addie, I would have liked the monogrammed lunch tote, too....Need something to take my lunch in, and I've had too many problems with lunch thieves in workplaces.
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]



Well, good! I would have thought I would have to leave the monogram off yours!

allychase

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gifts-for-my-bridesmaids-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:236780ac-70a1-4277-b972-3e5af4f7069fPost:ea7f527f-9569-447c-93f8-88e20cfd3328">Re: Gifts for my bridesmaids ...</a>:
[QUOTE]You cannot dictate how people can or cannot respond on these boards. Our point is that most people already have Chapstick or Kleenex in their purses, so it's a lousy "gift." <strong>How would you feel if you got up on Christmas morning and found tissues, nail clippers and lip balm in your stocking?</strong> It's not a present! It's "stuff." Get them random cosmetics if you must, but not junk. I can't imagine any adult wanting a Disney princess compact. Who wants to pull THAT out of her purse at the office???
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Unrelated but this is actually stuff I ask for for my stocking lol. 

</div>

sdstylistmelissa

Check out Stella & Dot jewelry and accessories. They have some perfect bridesmaids gifts.

www.stelladot.com/melissaguerrieo