I'm basically panicking about bridesmaids gifts. I know everyone on here says shop like it's their birthday, but I am TERRIBLE at buying birthday gifts. It ALWAYS stresses me out and makes me feel awful, so I usually just go with offering to take someone out to dinner/drinks or cooking for them and buying them a bottle of wine. And while all my girls would, I'm sure, appreciate a bottle of wine or some homemade treats, I'd really like to get something that would not be consumed and gone (and, knowing them, they would too...they all like keeping mementos of special occasions).
So, initially I was thinking necklaces. NOT necessarily to be worn at the wedding (though if they want to - whatevs...I really don't have a preference), but just because I know they all wear jewelry and would probably all appreciate something like that. Plus, I'm not too bad at picking jewelry so it seemed a good fit. I really love little initial necklaces (I have a couple I wear constantly) and I saw some I loved on Etsy, but now I'm worried that that's too...matchy? Or they won't like it? So, then I thought of getting charm necklaces, but a different charm for each girl (not even same designer...just like, a bird for one who likes birds, a tree for the one who's a forester, etc). But now I'm panicking that one girl might like someone else's more or think that I didn't put as much effort into theirs or something like that. Ugh...
Also, I'd like to get something a bit more for my sister/MOH because she's been awesome and planned my whole bridal shower herself. But...there, I'm at a loss too. I'd like to do something "mom" related, as she had her first son in May, but I don't know if that's lame/weird. Or a spa coupon. But she got me earrings to match the necklaces she got all her bridesmaids for my MOH gift, so I'm not sure if she'd like something more like that...again...ugh...
Anyone have any advice? Or maybe just encouragement?
Re: Bridesmaids gifts - help!! (sorta long - sorry!)
RSVP Deadline: March 8
If you live near your MoH, maybe take her shopping with you to pick out BM gifts. Maybe she'll have good ideas, or you will notice something that catches HER eye that you can go back and get later.
You're overthinking this and freaking yourself out. It doesn't have to be this hard.
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RSVP Deadline: March 8th
[QUOTE]I made my girls personalized hangers, bought them earrings and necklaces to wear on that day but it is also something they can wear again and I am having personalized wine glasses made for them :
Posted by Christine9866[/QUOTE]
<div>What is with these personalized hangers I keep hearing so much about?</div>
Ugh I'm sorry but this is the wrong way of thinking and approaching BM gifts. Paying for their attire isn't a gift, they needed those clothes to wear in your wedding. The gift is supposed to be a thank you for standing by your side and if they throw a bridal shower or Bach party they should ABSOLUTELY get something thoughtful and not wedding related. I'm giving my girls BM tank tops but that's because I want the photos of them in them. I'm also giving each of them something they may ask for as a gift or buy for themselves. They're doing YOU a favor, remember that when shopping for them. A cheap bracelet isn't the best thank you. Sorry if that's harsh but they deserve something nice. OP, gift cards go a long way if all else fails. You could always do something personal. I went to AC Moore and got a wooden plaque and I'm painting it blue and writing my one BM last name and wedding date. Her mom said she would love something like that. It's personal, handmade, well thought out and that's what makes a good gift. If you aren't crafty at all, a gift card for a spa or Starbucks is something any girl could use.
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses
ChiGirl - Thanks for your comment. Just to clarify (as rereading my post and reading yours, I don't think I was clear), I was never thinking of getting her something she'd use as a mom. More getting her earrings in her son's birthstone (which happens to match her eyes beautifully), or a beautiful locket or something with his picture in it. But, still, I can see what you're saying and will try to steer away from that and think in a different direction. Thanks for your comment.
Ally - your crafty idea sounds lovely! Unfortunately, I am completely spazzy and unable to do anything like that. We're doing very few DIY elements for our wedding and most of the ones we are doing are things that a 5 year old could probably manage. I agree with you that it shouldn't be wedding related though. I do plan on getting my girls shawls (they picked a short dress, so I'm worried they're underestimating how cold it can be in NJ in April!) and possibly engraved wine glasses to toast with while we get ready, but I'm not really considering those gifts.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Bridesmaids gifts help!! sorta long sorry! : What is with these personalized hangers I keep hearing so much about?
Posted by jakigaudet[/QUOTE]
I DIYd mine. They are wood hangers with their name in wire attached to it. I am pretty happy with how they came out, although it took a few tries!
RSVP Deadline: March 8
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Bridesmaids gifts help!! sorta long sorry! : I DIYd mine. They are wood hangers with their name in wire attached to it. I am pretty happy with how they came out, although it took a few tries!
Posted by Christine9866[/QUOTE]
<div>Hmm maybe I can give this a try. Seems like a nice thing to have :)</div>
Haha my girls picked short dresses too and were also in NJ. The last weekend of April though hopefully won't be too chilly!
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses
My two best friends from college live in two different states, so it is a little trickier in thinking good items. I'm actually having the hardest time thinking of something good for my MOH because she is a very choosy person (brand-specific and stylish; very grateful and everything but I'm just worried she will have higher expectactions of me than the other two).
For one bridesmaid who just got married in November, I'm getting a handcarved stamp made for her that has a little pic of a book and two kitties with "I belong to FirstName NewLastName." She loves to read and often lends out her video games and movies so I figured it was a practical gift and a fun way to celebrate her new name.
For another bridesmaid who is really into cycling and tries to be green and recycle and such, I was thinking of finding either some piece of jewelry recycled from some part of a bicycle (she already has a spoke bracelet), or maybe an item for her bike itself (she is doing a ride across the state again this year). Or maybe something else.
For all of them I am going to make a personalized mix CD. We are all traveling for the wedding, so I thought this would be a fun way to jam out on the way home! Plus it's cheap (buying songs on iTunes and sometimes free ones on Amazon)!
I think I might also get something from Lush or The Body Shop or something for each of them, too.
I am watching their Facebook pages more closely and paying attention to what draws their eye when I do get to see them
Reply requested by March 23.
[QUOTE]I'm still working on my ideas. Anytime I see or think of something, I put it into a running Google Doc. (Man, I LOVE Google Docs. I have a ton of them made for wedding stuff and it makes it easy to share them with our planner and FI!) My two best friends from college live in two different states, so it is a little trickier in thinking good items. I'm actually having the hardest time thinking of something good for my MOH because she is a very choosy person (brand-specific and stylish; very grateful and everything but I'm just worried she will have higher expectactions of me than the other two). For one bridesmaid who just got married in November, I'm getting a handcarved stamp made for her that has a little pic of a book and two kitties with "I belong to FirstName NewLastName." She loves to read and often lends out her video games and movies so I figured it was a practical gift and a fun way to celebrate her new name. <strong>For another bridesmaid who is really into cycling and tries to be green and recycle and such, I was thinking of finding either some piece of jewelry recycled from some part of a bicycle</strong> (she already has a spoke bracelet), or maybe an item for her bike itself (she is doing a ride across the state again this year). Or maybe something else. For all of them I am going to make a personalized mix CD. We are all traveling for the wedding, so I thought this would be a fun way to jam out on the way home! Plus it's cheap (buying songs on iTunes and sometimes free ones on Amazon)!<strong> I think I might also get something from Lush </strong>or The Body Shop or something for each of them, too. I am watching their Facebook pages more closely and paying attention to what draws their eye when I do get to see them :) It will be okay! We will all figure it out!!
Posted by mabapunta[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>1. Uncommon goods has some cool bike themed stuff</div><div>2. Lush is having a buy 1 get 1 sale right now I just got a bunch of stuff for my bridesmaids and FMIL
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[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Bridesmaids gifts help!! sorta long sorry!: Ugh I'm sorry but this is the wrong way of thinking and approaching BM gifts. Paying for their attire isn't a gift, they needed those clothes to wear in your wedding. The gift is supposed to be a thank you for standing by your side and if they throw a bridal shower or Bach party they should ABSOLUTELY get something thoughtful and not wedding related. I'm giving my girls BM tank tops but that's because I want the photos of them in them. I'm also giving each of them something they may ask for as a gift or buy for themselves. They're doing YOU a favor, remember that when shopping for them. A cheap bracelet isn't the best thank you. Sorry if that's harsh but they deserve something nice. OP, gift cards go a long way if all else fails. You could always do something personal. I went to AC Moore and got a wooden plaque and I'm painting it blue and writing my one BM last name and wedding date. Her mom said she would love something like that. It's personal, handmade, well thought out and that's what makes a good gift. If you aren't crafty at all, a gift card for a spa or Starbucks is something any girl could use.
Posted by allychase[/QUOTE]
<div>I appreciate your view, but I don't agree.</div>
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses
[QUOTE]So you don't think you should put some thought into a gift to say thank you to the people who are standing by your side on your wedding day?
Posted by allychase[/QUOTE]
<div>No, not at all. The small gifts I bought were not bought mindlessly, they were something my fiance and I picked out together at the renaissance festival this year. </div><div>
</div><div>However, I do not agree that: wedding party gifts are mandatory (they're not, in fact); buying the wedding attire doesn't count as a gift (it does, actually); or that a gift is "cheap" just because it is small (a small gift can say thank you just as well as a large one).</div><div>
</div><div>I'm sorry if you're offended, but I don't agree and I won't be shamed into agreeing. Saying thank you is not all about money nor about buying gifts, and if my friends thought that--well, they wouldn't be my friends.</div>