Gift Ideas for Bridesmaids HELP!!

irishgrover

My wedding is this July and since it's in the summer I am making beach tote gift bags. I already got the monogrammed tote bags but I'm haviing a tough time thinking of things to fill them. Any ideas will be appreciated.

I am going to get the basics, but i need more!!
Towel
Flip Flops
Sunscreen
Lip Balm

Maggie0829

I think you should shop for each of your BMs like it is their birthday.  Specialized gifts to each girl seems more personal and special rather then a generic tote filled with all the same items.

If you still want to give them the items you listed you can but I would also put something in there that they would each like individually and that goes with their personality.

As a BM a few times over, I received generic gifts like you are suggesting and didn't use any of them.  They are basically collecting dust in my closet.  To me it just seemed like the brides took the easy route and didn't really think about what me may like but just went with the "typical" BM gift.

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gift-ideas-for-bridesmaids-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:31cc9437-d724-417b-8fad-0ca4c0520eabPost:b77eaf86-cde8-4a01-a021-f6ae0fa293c4">Re: Gift Ideas for Bridesmaids HELP!!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Gift Ideas for Bridesmaids HELP!! : I like the idea of putting something personal in each bag. As far as the other stuff, I'd use it b/c it's practical stuff that most people use. Well, except for the monogrammed tote. That'd probably be in our next batch of stuff to donate. <strong>I'd welcome a bottle of tequila</strong>. Lol.
Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]

I do agree with this!

TiffannieF

I used a monogram tote bag as basically the "wrapping" of each girl's gift.  I know you are trying to be cute and what not but I would give them stuff that they would really want/use/need.  If somebody got me a towel for being part of their wedding I would think its weird (especially since I don't live near a beach or have a pool). 

FLBucki3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gift-ideas-for-bridesmaids-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:31cc9437-d724-417b-8fad-0ca4c0520eabPost:cc4da302-9d9e-4181-8d42-7a264cbb7c69">Re: Gift Ideas for Bridesmaids HELP!!</a>:
[QUOTE]Magazines.  Chick lit.  A mister fan.  <strong>Margarita/daquiri mix with a bottle of tequila or rum.</strong>
Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]

<div>Agree on the mixes, they have some fun beachy ones. Also might try Flip Flop wines if they're wine drinkers.</div><div>
</div><div>Also a cute beach cover up if they live near the beach?</div>

leamide

I like the idea of a liquor bottle or bottle of wine in the bags for them. Something that is personal to each of them too would be a good idea.
For my bridemaids I got them each a personalized cinch bag and a charm bracelet with a charm that has a special meaning between each of us.

mbcdefg

Do they even like the beach or go to the beach? A summer-themed gift will do them no good if they dislike the beach.

Get them each something different, something they will each like and use. You don't have to get a bunch of perfectly identical gifts. That doesn't show a whole lot of thought.

irishgrover

Yes they are all beach people and we live near several beaches. I wouldn't have thought this up if they weren't. I'm going to toss in some alcohol to each bag, I'm just stumped on pretty much everything else. They aren't super girly, don't wear jewelry etc so bracelets and stuff won't work. I should also point out the obvious, I'm horrible at buying gifts for people .... Lol

irishgrover

Also one is my eleven yr old niece and another is strictly a beer drinker....why does this have to be so difficult? It's just a thank you right? I don't think it needs to be the best gift they've ever gotten.

mbcdefg

So do gift cards to stores/restaurants they like. Amazon and iTunes are pretty universal, too.

Also one is my eleven yr old niece and another is strictly a beer drinker....why does this have to be so difficult?

Which is why different, unique gifts are a good idea.

For the niece, what does she like? I know a lot of kids that age are psyched to have a "name-brand" item, so maybe do an inexpensive name-brand purse or article of clothing. I remember saving my babysitting money around that age to buy an Aeropostale t-shirt and I thought I was such hot shiit in it, lol.
 
Does the beer drinker like craft beer? I listed some beer-related ideas in this post.

It's just a thank you right? I don't think it needs to be the best gift they've ever gotten.

I don't think it has to be The Best Gift Ever, but I do think that it requires some thought. These people are dedicating a lot of their time and money to do you the favor of standing up in your wedding, so it's nice to take their interests into consideration.

Plus, there's so many people out there who spend days and days worrying about what napkin color to choose for their reception, but then they just Google "bridesmaid gifts" and order whatever cheap tacky crap everyone else is getting because "that's what's you're supposed to give them." That's not right. (I know this isn't you, I'm just saying.)

TiffannieF

Shop for them as if it were their birthday then it wouldn't be as difficult.

I got our FG and RB toys.

Mina0122

To add to the tote: maybe some nice sunglasses, a magazine subscription (with an issue in the bag - a gift that keeps on giving for a year!), a beach hat - big floppy kind, not a baseball cap. A coverup is a good idea too.

I think your niece would appreciate a gift similar to the big girls. Maybe a swim suit comparable to the liquor price.

Check out Cap Catchers for the beer drinker - FI got one for the guys. We thought it was a pretty neat idea.

FWIW - I hate the "shop like it's their birthday" line - It's not easy to figure out what you would buy for 10 people that you don't normally exchange gifts with, especially keeping in the same price range. I think the same gift, personalized to each individual is a great idea. And if they don't like the bag, they can donate it - but it's the thought that counts, right!?!? We don't have a pool & we've been to the beach once, but I would appreciate a beach towel, because when you do go, you need more than one. Really, can you have enough towels? And flip flops are a summer staple.