Bridesmaids Gifts

lindz221 · January 2010

So I have never been a bridesmaid before and I am not too certain on what to do for gifts. I have 6 bridesmaids and so far I am sewing each of them a clutch purse (I picked out different fabrics so they will all be unique) and filling it with little lotions/body wash/other fun things that each of them would like. I am just not sure what else to do.

One thing I was thinking was taking them all to get manicures or pedicures (their choice) the day before the wedding. Do you think this is a good gift or should I do something more practical? Would you enjoy this if you were a bridesmaid?

Thanks!!

bablingbrooke · January 2010

I would definitely enjoy that because I'm a pedi person.

Check out banana's post at the top "new here? read this first"--it has the advice typically given re: BM gifts.

MyNameIsNot · January 2010

Shop for them like it is their birthday. If they are the type of girls that would normally appreciate a mani/pedi, it could be a gift (though I think it would be preferable to give them a GC so that they could use it when they want, not for the wedding). If they are the type that don't usually enjoy getting their nails done, it isn't a gift.

Don't feel like they need all the same matching gifts.

aerinpegadrak · January 2010

Dude, I feel like I should put "sponsored by eBay" on my programs or something. I've bought a ridiculous amount of wedding stuff off that site lately.

stina93446 · January 2010

I don't like mani pedis. I am very weird about people touching my feet or looking at my feet...I'm a dancer and I have ugly feet! The fact that you're taking them out the day before the wedding makes it seem like it's a gift for the wedding so I wouldn't consider it a complete gift. Yes, you're pampering you friends, but why not get them something that is solely for them? And what you get them doesn't have to match. Do they like body wash? You could fill the clutches with gift cards to amazon and victorias secret....just some ideas.

lindz221 · January 2010

Gift cards to Amazon and VS actually seem more impersonal to me...IMHO.
I would rather get them stuff to fill the clutches than just gift cards.
Also I made them all necklaces and I am thinking of getting earrings to match. Arg I don't know why I am stressing about this so much but I am!!

stina93446 · January 2010

They would only be impersonal if they didn't like those things. I gave one of my friends a $50 gc to amazon and told her to buy one of the cds that she had on her wish list because I couldn't choose.

I gave another friend 2 tickets to a baseball game. I think if you decide to do earrings and necklaces, don't buy them the same ones....get ones that each individual girl would like.

mbcdefg · January 2010

I got each of my BMs a tote bag - not a wedding/bridesmaid tote, I got my sister one off Etsy.com and got my friend a brand name from Marshall's (two great places for budget gifts). Then I got each of them a book (novel for one and cookbook for the other) and a makeup bag from a designer they each like.

I will probably give them each a gift card to a place they like and a few other little things. One knits and the other makes jewelry so I might get some craft supplies. I am also thinking of wine, candy, a DVD or CD they'd each like, and maybe a piece of jewelry.

For things for the wedding, I got them each a clutch purse, a silly flower toy to hold during the rehearsal, and I plan to get them each a pashmina for $5 in NYC.

mezzjnny · January 2010

To make it easier on you and their budget, I would suggest gift certificate to get their hair done for your wedding (at the same hair salon would be ideal so you can all get your hair done together). Personally, I wouldn't shop for them like 'it's their birthday'. You have enough to plan. The last thing you need to be doing is shopping for 6 different people.

duckie1905 · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_bridesmaids-gifts-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:8b9cd95e-e27b-4418-9b08-168e5e7996a3Post:ba47a93f-3d9e-4e26-a391-8bbfe736e68f">Re: Bridesmaids Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]To make it easier on you and their budget, I would suggest gift certificate to get their hair done for your wedding (at the same hair salon would be ideal so you can all get your hair done together). Personally, I wouldn't shop for them like 'it's their birthday'. You have enough to plan. The last thing you need to be doing is shopping for 6 different people.
Posted by mezzjnny[/QUOTE]

<div>That's part of the deal when having BMs. If you can't handle shopping for six of your closest friends, then maybe a smaller WP or none at all would've been more appropriate. Gifts are meant to thank the WP and show appreciation for all their support. Buying them gifts they like, will use, and reflect their personalities and likes is a much better way of thanking them than with a cookie cutter gift that required no thought whatsoever to purchase.</div><div>
</div><div>A gift card to get their hair done for the wedding is not a gift for them. It is a gift for the bride.</div>

banana468 · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_bridesmaids-gifts-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:8b9cd95e-e27b-4418-9b08-168e5e7996a3Post:ba47a93f-3d9e-4e26-a391-8bbfe736e68f">Re: Bridesmaids Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]To make it easier on you and their budget, I would suggest gift certificate to get their hair done for your wedding (at the same hair salon would be ideal so you can all get your hair done together). Personally, I wouldn't shop for them like 'it's their birthday'. You have enough to plan. The last thing you need to be doing is shopping for 6 different people.
Posted by mezzjnny[/QUOTE]

There are actually two issues with this:
1) If the intention is that they use the gift for the wedding day then that's a gift to the bride, not the BMs. If I received that for some weddings I've attended or been in, it would have to be used at the salon as I wasn't even local to the wedding location...and then I'd feel like the gift giver was a bit selfish in how she was giving presents.

2) As Duckie said, that's part of the deal of having a BM. Yes you have a lot to plan, but coming up with a thoughtful gift for your friends shouldn't be that big a deal.

It doesn't need to be a 'big' deal but just keep your eyes out for things that you think your friends would love. Now with Overstock, Amazon and other websites, you should be able to find some fabulous stuff.

banana468 · January 2010

Kmm, personally I think if you're buying those things it's very nice but they're more for you as the bride. The hair and shoes are things that they may have loved the help with but they're not "gifts" since they benefit the bride.

Depending on the type of wedding you have, I'll agree that you don't need to spend a ton of money on your BMs gifts. If you know your friends are incurring HUGE expenses because you're having a very lavish wedding, I think the gift should be in line with that.

However I think what you also did kmm is fine. The framed drawing sounds personal and lovely. And that's really all the BM gift needs to be.

lindz221 · February 2010

Thanks Stage. That is a great idea to fill it with more personal things. I have ideas for a couple of them already so it shouldn't be too hard.

Bridesmaids Gifts

Re: Bridesmaids Gifts

Choose Another Board

Search Boards