Gifts

bridalmarch · October 2012

I ordered totes for BM's gifts (I'm hand embroidering them, so that's why it's early) and I don't really know what to fill them with. I've seen lots of suggestions for day of kits with bobby pins and tide pens and such but "thanks for joining me on one of the biggest days of my life, here's a stain pen!!!" doesn't really do it for me. I also need something to put along the bottom for a better presentation. I've seen a beach towel suggested, but our wedding is in March in Baltimore. Not exactly beach weather.

My BFF did "date night" boxes for us - mine had a bottle of wine, a box of pasta, a bottle of sauce, a DVD I liked, some fun size candies, and popcorn all in a pretty basket. I thought it was really cute, but I don't know if I can translate that for 7 girls.

OliveOilsMom · October 2012

I did the same ideas as you. I filled the tote with non-wedding day items, with the exception of a shawl. But I had previously told all my BM I would provide them with a shawl. The other items I got: a small angel statue, bridesmaids the movie, the shawl, a pendant for each girl that I bought off etsy to fit each ones style. There was something else I got, but I can't remember what it was at this time.

KMLara · October 2012

Totally agree with stage manager. I did the tote thing as well.

Wine Tote - Fun glass, initial stopper, wine charms, coasters, etc.
Beach Tote - Beach towel, flip flops, water bottle, lotion, etc.
Bath Tote - Bubble bath, Bath pillow, Loofah, Shower gel, etc.

Please personalize them with stuff that your bridesmaids will use NOT on your wedding day. Bobby pins and stain pens are not a gift. If you want to give that as well - fine. But my mom packed one bag of that type of stuff (aspirin, safety pins, thread, etc.). It is definitely not something that each girl will need.

freebread03 · October 2012

If your wedding is in Baltimore, how about some fun Maryland stuff? Wine from Sugarloaf Vineyards, fudge from that place in the inner harbor where Sisqo (thong song Sisqo) used to work...locally-made earrings or some other jewelry from Hampden.

harper0813 · October 2012

Wow, I'm shocked by some of the negative responses to your tote idea. I was just a bridesmaid for one of my best friends and she did exactly that - sort of a "bridesmaid survival bag" and I thought it was fantastic. It had some candy (so that we didn't get too skinny for our bridesmaid dresses, Iaughed), bobby pins, travel-size beauty products (hairspray, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, nail file, etc), a couple of personal touches (a CD of songs that remind us of one another, some old pictures of us), safety pins, a miniature bottle of wine and a card with a really long and sweet message. Knowing that she was a budget bride, I appreciated the amount of time she spent putting it together and I used the items on the day of (rather than remembering and picking them up right beforehand). I think it's a very thoughtful gift.

Otherwise, other ideas of picking up local gifts, or maybe, if you're getting married in the summer, turning it into a beach bag (flip flops, sun screen, sunglasses, a note reminding them to avoid tan lines

) might be fun.

Summer2011Bride · October 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gifts-19?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:2e737a7d-ae06-43a8-a5c8-b9d394f5913dPost:2c22274b-6ddc-42b5-9501-a7155bb2974b">Re: Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow, I'm shocked by some of the negative responses to your tote idea. I was just a bridesmaid for one of my best friends and she did exactly that - sort of a "bridesmaid survival bag" and I thought it was fantastic. It had some candy (so that we didn't get too skinny for our bridesmaid dresses, Iaughed), bobby pins, travel-size beauty products (hairspray, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, nail file, etc), a couple of personal touches (a CD of songs that remind us of one another, some old pictures of us), safety pins, a miniature bottle of wine and a card with a really long and sweet message. Knowing that she was a budget bride, I appreciated the amount of time she spent putting it together and I used the items on the day of (rather than remembering and picking them up right beforehand). I think it's a very thoughtful gift. Otherwise, other ideas of picking up local gifts, or maybe, if you're getting married in the summer, turning it into a beach bag (flip flops, sun screen, sunglasses, a note reminding them to avoid tan lines :) ) might be fun.
Posted by zoberg[/QUOTE]

I don't know of anybody but you who would like to open up a gift of safety pins, bobby pins and hand sanitizer. Would you be excited to open up a bag with that stuff in it on Christmas morning or on your birthday or Valentine's Day?

I brought all those things and more in a big bag and let all my BMs use what they need on the wedding day. Those supplies were available but they were not made out to be their gifts. It's not thoughtful to just throw in a bunch of generic things that goes along with YOUR wedding (like your suggested flip flops and sunscreen for a summer wedding). Just because I'm your friend and in your wedding that happens to fall in July doesn't mean I'm super excited to open up a bottle of sunscreen.

OP: Stage and others have given wonderful ideas for personalizing each tote to each girl's style and hobbies. I would read those posts and take their advice. No one wants to get tampons, bobby pins, and other "day of survival" supplies. it's fine to have those on hand, but don't make them out to be presents.

bridalmarch · October 2012

I'm not monogramming all of them. I'm hand embroidering something I know each girl will like - flowers for one, puzzle pieces for one, and a few will be getting monograms because I know they like them. I like the idea of doing more specific goodies inside though. I have some good ideas brewing.

libby2483 · October 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gifts-19?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:2e737a7d-ae06-43a8-a5c8-b9d394f5913dPost:dc8efd00-a418-4775-aec7-5756ae4dd9f3">Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]I ordered totes for BM's gifts (I'm hand embroidering them, so that's why it's early) and I don't really know what to fill them with. I've seen lots of suggestions for day of kits with bobby pins and tide pens and such but "thanks for joining me on one of the biggest days of my life, here's a stain pen!!!" doesn't really do it for me. I also need something to put along the bottom for a better presentation. I've seen a beach towel suggested, but our wedding is in March in Baltimore. Not exactly beach weather. My BFF did "date night" boxes for us - mine had a bottle of wine, a box of pasta, a bottle of sauce, a DVD I liked, some fun size candies, and popcorn all in a pretty basket. I thought it was really cute, but I don't know if I can translate that for 7 girls.
Posted by bridalmarch[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I filled each girl's tote with fine chocolates and a handwritten note. With this being said, I know that absolutely all of my girls love chocolate, so this fit for them. Including a handwritten note is a really great (and almost free) way to personalize each gift. A couple of my girls were tearing up as they read theirs, so I know that they appreciate the extra personalized touch.

</div>

bridalmarch · October 2012

Ha! My FI would fall over dead if I baked anything. I burn water.

Viczaesar · October 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gifts-19?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:2e737a7d-ae06-43a8-a5c8-b9d394f5913dPost:2c22274b-6ddc-42b5-9501-a7155bb2974b">Re: Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow, I'm shocked by some of the negative responses to your tote idea. I was just a bridesmaid for one of my best friends and she did exactly that - sort of a "bridesmaid survival bag" and I thought it was fantastic. It had some candy (so that we didn't get too skinny for our bridesmaid dresses, Iaughed), bobby pins, travel-size beauty products (hairspray, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, nail file, etc), a couple of personal touches (a CD of songs that remind us of one another, some old pictures of us), safety pins, a miniature bottle of wine and a card with a really long and sweet message. Knowing that she was a budget bride, I appreciated the amount of time she spent putting it together and I used the items on the day of (rather than remembering and picking them up right beforehand). I think it's a very thoughtful gift. Otherwise, other ideas of picking up local gifts, or maybe, if you're getting married in the summer, turning it into a beach bag (flip flops, sun screen, sunglasses, a note reminding them to avoid tan lines :) ) might be fun.
Posted by zoberg[/QUOTE]
I would not like any of that except local goods.

pretzelgrrl · October 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_gifts-19?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:2e737a7d-ae06-43a8-a5c8-b9d394f5913dPost:bb8f36a6-09c7-4442-ad89-a4caf035aed7">Re: Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]Pretend it's Christmas morning. You open your stocking.....and find Kleenex, Chapstick, and nail clippers in it. Wow. What a thrill. Bet you wet your pants from excitement. Obviously, that's not a "gift."
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]

She said she didn't want to do this in her original post

bridalmarch · October 2012

We have a local winery that has Thursday "happy hour" in summer through September. You can bring in food and any non alcoholic beverage, there's a band, and you sit on a blanket and eat and drink. They have a giant open grassy area where kids can play. I got with my future sister in laws a lot. I can definitely get a few bottles of their wine. I also found some really cute and budget friendly bottle stoppers on Etsy.

jennyjain · October 2012

How about a really nice picture frame? I saw some really nice ones at Macy's and BB&B.You can tell them its for a picture of you and them (individually or a group if they are all friends). Then make sure the photographer gets the pictures! You could even have it engraved with a small quote or a note of thanks, or even just your names. I think I might do this!
(ps- i was also considering the totes for my girls!)

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