Is it enough?!?!?!

abbyosu1211

I'm having trouble determining if the gift's I've purchased/made is enough or should i do more.  For each bridesmaid I purchased a necklace, made them each a monogrammed wine glass, and made them each a hanger with their name spelled out in wire. I don't know if I feel like a need more because I haven't spent a whole lot on it all together, or if I just don't think it's enough?  Any suggestions would help.

Also while I'm at it.................... I'm not so sure what to get my flower girls?  I've made them each a hanger, crayon mold, and coloring book.  I know I need more for them, but not sure what. 

heyimbren

All the gifts you listed sound like they're for the wedding (i.e. necklace to wear the day of, a hanger for the dress, etc.). I'm not big on monogrammed anything. If you haven't spent a whole lot on it, I'd go out to the mall and pick something out as if you were shopping for their birthday. Something totally unrelated to the wedding that they would love and is completely personal.

For the flower girl, maybe a doll or a book or something? Depends on the kids.

bablingbrooke

None of that sounds like a gift to THEM.  It sounds like either 1) stuff for the wedding or 2) souvenirs from the wedding that they will never use.  What would you be buying them if the wedding wasn't involved?  That's how you should approach gift shopping.

I personally think 12 is the cut-off age for giving people stuff with their names or initials on it (because beyond that age they don't think it's cool anymore), but that's just me.  And I say that as someone whose name is *never* on keychains or crap like that.

stina93446

Monogrammed stuff is a no no in my book. If I receive something with my monogram on it, the likelihood of me using it goes down tremendously. Nothing you listed sounded like an actual gift. The hanger is obviously for the dress so the photog can snap a shot. 

trix1223

Sorry, but I agree with pps.  The necklace is, I assume, for wearing at the wedding, so it's not a gift for them~it's a gift for yourself to complete your "vision" of what your wedding photos will look like.

Some will love the hand painted wine glass.  nms, though.

As for a monogrammed hanger:  also nms.  I have a VERY unusual first name (I've only met one other person with it), and I'm just not a big fan of monogrammed "stuff".

The general rule of thumb around here is to decide what stores or websites you'd shop at for your friends' birthdays or for Christmas.  Now go shopping there.

Shop for your friends, not your WP.  WP gifts don't have to be, nor should they be wedding related, or matchy-matchy.

GL

mbcdefg

I would give them a little something additional. Something personal. (And "personal" doesn't necessarily mean "personalized" ... I've never seen any of my friends buy or enjoy personalized items. I had no idea that personalized items existed in such numbers until I started chatting here and saw that most brides seem to give their BMs monogrammed tote bags, picture frames, figurines, etc.).

LuluP82

I actually like monogrammed stuff. (well some stuff. the one single wine glass with my monogram I'd never use). But I'd get them something else, since, like other posters have said, it sounds like a bunch of wedding-related gifts.

samscsi

Wow.  Every time I've been a bridesmaid my gifts have been completely wedding related, so I thought that was just how you did it!  Good to know that's not the case.  I've got plenty of time to choose, but this advice will make a difference to me when the time comes.

For flower girl gifts, I guess it depends a lot on the girl and how old she is, but my little sister got a silver plated brush and comb when she was a flower girl (I think she was four or five at the time) and she loved them.  I don't think sets like that are very expensive.  Another idea I had was a jewelry box.  But maybe I'm stuck in a "princess" rut with my gift ideas.  A toy or a book might be better. 

abbyosu1211

I'm agreeing with the last post........ I think I always thought that you just got the bridesmaid something for the wedding.  Everytime I've been in a wedding I've just received a piece of jewlrey for the wedding.  I love the idea of getting them some personal.  Thanks for the advice.  Thatwill make me feel so much better.  I felt like I was missing something, and all of the advice makes sense.

heyimbren

It's a common misconception that the gifts should be wedding related- but it really doesn't make sense since if you're requiring them to use it during the wedding, it's more of a uniform than an actual gift.

I'll be honest, I didn't even know the WP received gifts until I started posting on TK.

bablingbrooke

The wedding industry (TV shows, magazines, TK) all have a keen interest in getting you to think that you need to buy them wedding-related gifts (i.e. monogrammed crap): You'll likely buy them from their advertisers.

kates0820

Even though I did not post this question, I learned so much! I am having the same troubles coming up with gifts for my WP. I thought that gift cards were cheesey because, I too, thought the gifts should be wedding related. I think I am going with my original idea of jewelry for the wedding (which is not too fancy where they cannot wear it again) and something for themselves like giftcards.

Thank you everyone!

Starlight Kel

As a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding (I was 16) I had no idea we got gifts but it was such a nice touch.  She got us all a nice candle from Bath & Body works with a cute decorative plate it sits on.  I loved it! 
You know your friends best just get them something they would like. 

mrsmozzarella

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