BM Gifts - would you rather...

kdimartino98

1 - hair and makeup paid for2 - a gift like a watch, embroidered robe, camera?I have two small gifts for each bridesmaid now and wanted to do one larger gift - trying to figure out if paying for their hair and makeup which will run me about $130pp is a nice enough gift or should I opt for an actual present?

melissa82

I'd rather hair and makeup since you're asking, but I'd appreciate anything a friend gave me.

justkris10

I'd rather have the makeup/hair paid for if you already had another gift for me...

I <3 Seabass

My vote is for #1.

BrideMaidPro

If you want them to get their hair and make-up I think it is best that you pay for them.  I hate the idea of a bride demanding BMs get hair and make up done and not paying for it (not that you are doing that).Part of me still feels iffy on the whole giving a gift that is really just something you want for your wedding...like buying jewelry for them to specifically wear at the wedding...

mredynz

hair and makeup paid for!!

kdimartino98

Thanks that is what I am leaning towards. Just as an fyi - i didn't force them to get their hair and makeup done... I am not like a crazy anal bride.  But I gave them the option to have it done with me at a Spa and Salon and everyone jumped on board... I am excited to have everyone there - I was just really stuck on this last gift. 

Partymixx27

I'd like #2, because right now I'm missing my watch and my camera's broken, so I dont' have either. lol  I'd rather have a physical gift like that, it would be much appreciated if it's something the bride knows I could use.  But I'd also love to have my hair/makeup paid for.  I know many don't consider that a gift since it's something that's done for the wedding day, but I would appreciate it and wouldn't expect an additional gift.

kpeteley

Probably hair and makeup  - however I would appreciate anything. 

BrideMaidPro

I gave them the option to have it done with me at a Spa and Salon and everyone jumped on board... In that case...I'd say pay for the hair and make up

uppereastgirl

Hmm... that's tough.  I see the bridesmaid gift (assuming it is not hair and makeup) not as a "thank you for paying to get your own hair and makeup done" gift, but as a "thank you for putting up with me over the past __ months, and going through the hassle of buying and altering a dress, throwing me a shower, and throwing me a bachelorette party.  And for being my friend."  While it would be nice to not have to pay for my hair and makeup, making me look prettier for your party and your pictures doesn't seem like much of a gift?  Two other considerations: (a) I've been in three weddings in a row where the hair and makeup that was done for me was definitely not my taste, so I did not get "ooh, I look pretty" satisfaction out of it.  It was more "yikes, I look a little drag queen and wow my hair is high but I guess at least I'm not wearing a ponytail"-- so if the bride had paid for that as a thank you for all of the things I listed above, it wouldn't have been much of a gift; and (b) only three of my bridesmaids wanted their makeup done-- for the others getting it done wouldn't have been much of a gift?  I'm sure that situation is common.But on the other hand, I don't know that I'd like a watch, a robe or a camera?  Maybe the robe.  But I really do think that a gift-- one that has little or nothing to do with your wedding-- is the way to go.

0hkgbs

Hair and makeup paid for

Danes983

I really like the gift part as long as its not stupid.  The hair and makeup is awesome but to be honest I would want something to remember me being in the wedding.  I saw a post for an awesome clutch posted by a fellow knottie. I am going to use that for sure and get them something else.

cvl105

I kind of like the idea of a gift....a gift that is nice and useful. Something that I can use and think of our friendship and of celebrating your special day with you.However if you wanted to pay for my hair and makeup, I wouldn't complain at all. )

DandT1206

how bout a combo of both?  pay for hair OR makeup AND get them a small gift.  that way they actually have something physical.  I had to pay for my hair in every wedding I was in and I always did my own makeup.

allymp13

hair and makeup paid for.

CM1206

I actually like getting my hair and makeup done and I would love it since I didn't have to shell out more money. I always chose to get it because I suck at doing my own and want to look good. I'd like it more than a tote bag or a robe.

kewltif

Hair and makeup! Sure, in a perfect world it would be nice to get some "Thank you for being a good friend and supporting me during this time and throwing me a shower gift" but seriously, being a bridesmaid is expensive! I would definitely appreciate getting my hair and makeup done for free. I might be biased though, because I would definitely get those things done regardless if someone else was paying or not. There's something about the primping that is just fun to me!

love_jael

I would like hair and make up. But then again I would love whatever was given

emt16

I say hair and makeup

mbcdefg

I think I'd prefer the hair and makeup paid for.That's not to say that I wouldn't appreciate a physical gift. But for instance, if I was going to get a camera or a wristwatch, I'd ideally like to pick it out myself instead of someone choosing it for me. Not because they're bad gift-givers or that I don't appreciate the thought behind it, but because I'm just a picky person.

uppereastgirl

Agree with mbcdefg re: gifts... cameras and watches are tricky because they're personal.  Also, most people already have a camera or watch and may like them.

dominoe611

1 - hair and makeup! for a wedding i was a bm in - the bride paid for our hair and makeup as a surprise - i was so happy!  the wedding was OOT so there was a lot of expense involved - it was great to not have to shell out extra cash.  we had our hair and makeup done at a salon all together the morning of the wedding.  it was a lot of fun!

kdimartino98

the surprise factor is definitely key!  Its like finding money in your pocket.