Suggestions for BM gifts when also giving jewelry...

Re: Suggestions for BM gifts when also giving jewelry...

• bridetobe71412

  

  April 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_suggestions-for-bm-gifts-when-also-giving-jewelry?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:a83ce29e-c5c3-4793-aa5f-107b009c2ae6Post:ebba6113-22ae-4c6a-81c8-00c889f1bf33">Suggestions for BM gifts when also giving jewelry...</a>:
  [QUOTE]<strong>I know the popular consensus on this board is anything you give to be worn at a wedding is not a gift...I've gotten jewelry gifts at two weddings I participated in and was thankful for the gift, did not feel slighted in any way.</strong>  So, my question is, how many of you are giving jewelry and also another gift? I plan to make necklaces for my girls, and I would like to give a mani/pedi gift card that we can use together, either the evening before or the morning of the dinner rehearsal. I also would like to get each girl a present that is a bit tailored to the individual, haven't decided what yet. One of my girls is getting married in the fall and I saw a beautiful wedding picture frame I thought she may like. Another gift I came across that I think another girl would like was a keepsake box that has a picture frame on top. Gifts like that. What are you guys giving? Do you have specific budgets per person?
  Posted by Eliz77[/QUOTE]
  
  It's true - on TK people always condemn girls who give jewelry as gifts, but nearly everyone I've ever met has received jewelry as a bridesmaid!
  
  In any event, I'm giving the girls earrings I found this weekend but I am also giving them getting ready robes. Both are kind of "for" the wedding since they can wear the robes while getting their hair/makeup done on the morning of the wedding (which I am ALSO paying for) and the earrings would look nice with their dresses, but they are both things they can use after the wedding too. The earrings are gorgeous and the robe is super comfy. Plus, these gifts, combined with the hair/makeup = I'm spending over $200 on each bridesmaid. And I have EIGHT.
  
  And you know what? These are things I would have gotten for each one of them for their birthday, anyway, so I don't see the harm. I think the issue with jewelry as gifts is where it's something super tailored to the wedding/colors and isn't their style. So long as you know they'll like the jewelry independently of the wedding, I can't imagine that it's not an appropriate gift. Seriously.

  

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• Eliz77 member

  

  April 2012

  That's what I've been thinking. I may get my MOH really nice earrings that I know she likes-and she can wear them for the wedding or not! The necklaces I want to make will be matched to the dresses and I want to do this as an activity I can share with my Grandma, so it's important to me, but not really costly. Even before knowing about this "jewelry worn for wedding not  gift" thought, I was planning on a 2nd gift. Thanks!

  ~ES~

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• Amanda1443994 member

  

  April 2012

  I'm getting my BMs pearl earrings and a pearl necklace. The jewelry wasn't meant to be worn specifically for the wedding day, but I'm thinking they probably will want to wear them anyway. Any wedding I've been to the bride always bought the day of jewelry for their BM as their gift--so I don't see anything wrong with this at all. All of my BM love pearls and the necklace & earrings are gorgeous so I know they'd love to wear them after the wedding. I have 5 BM and it came out to be about $180 per girl.

  
  

  "Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are."

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• k8888

  

  April 2012

  I've received only jewelry both times I've been a BM and was required to wear it the day of the wedding.  Neither sets of jewelry are my style whatsoever, but I never thought anything of it.
  
  However, I'm giving my girls a tote bag full of stuff aside from the jewelry I made them.  The items include a Coach wristlet, a summer PJ set with a robe, a manicure set, and I'm wrapping the bracelet/earrings I made them in a little mini jewelry box. 
  
  I also just added handheld battery operated fans to their bags in hopes that they will fan me during photographs so I don't sweat to death in the mid-July sun hahaha.

  
  
  

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• lvissers

  

  April 2012

  I'm only planning on giving my girls jewelry. Maybe adding a little pouch or something to put it in. I think that is more than fine for a gift. We are also paying for their hair to be done. I don't agree with people who say that jewelry is not a gift if the girls are wearing it in your wedding. I think anything you give anyone is considered a gift. My brother's wedding that i was in last month we were given a swarovski bracelet and earring set. It was perfect and I thought that was fine to be given as my gift.

  

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• BeabullMom

  

  April 2012

  I am giving my girls a necklace and earring set and also picked out coach wrislets for each of them. 

  

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• colleenm18 member

  

  April 2012

  I am giving my girls a bracelet for the wedding along with a tote bag full of other gifts.
  
  Each tote includes the bracelet, a monogramed beach towel, flip flops, a vera Bradley wristlet, lottery ticket and then a small - stuff you may need for the wedding (includes a cute little poem).  My MOH is also getting an additional pair of earings that are not for the wedding but just because I wanted to get her something else special.

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• butterflyjumper1

  

  April 2012

  my girls are getting pearl earrings and bracelets, plus a customized cosmetic bag. I am planning to put a lip gloss and maybe a nail polish or something else fun in the cosmetic bag for them. (this isn't a gift, but I have the CUTEST "thank you for being my bridesmaid" cards for them too). I am also paying for their hair and makeup (which is REALLY expensive, but I really wanted to be able to do this for them).

  
  

  I don't think you need to worry about jewelry "not counting" as a gift. no one is going to be mad about not getting enough bridal party gifts from you, haha. 

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• kschaben

  

  April 2012

  I'm purchasing their dresses & buying the shoes for the wedding (the shoes will def. be worn after the wedding-cute little ralph lauren wedge sandals).  I didn't want my ladies to have to shell out a bunch of cash to be part of my special day.  Considering I've spent around $300 per gal do you think it would be okay to just do $25 gift cards to their favorite store as a gift??  I don't want to seem cheap but at the same time I would have preferred to have my dress/shoes paid for in weddings I've been in as opposed to receiving a gift.

  

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• bridetobe71412

  

  April 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_suggestions-for-bm-gifts-when-also-giving-jewelry?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:a83ce29e-c5c3-4793-aa5f-107b009c2ae6Post:f89e2b21-a484-43f6-a616-08f9ddbc2e9f">Re: Suggestions for BM gifts when also giving jewelry...</a>:
  [QUOTE]I'm purchasing their dresses & buying the shoes for the wedding (the shoes will def. be worn after the wedding-cute little ralph lauren wedge sandals).  I didn't want my ladies to have to shell out a bunch of cash to be part of my special day.  <strong>Considering I've spent around $300 per gal do you think it would be okay to just do $25 gift cards to their favorite store as a gift??</strong>  I don't want to seem cheap but at the same time I would have preferred to have my dress/shoes paid for in weddings I've been in as opposed to receiving a gift.
  Posted by kschaben[/QUOTE]
  
  I think that is totally ok and is actually very generous of you. :)

  

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• Hallanole

  

  April 2012

  I got my girls Silpada pearl bracelets, making jewelry for them to wear with the dress, and trying to find a tote bag. All my friends have stated they gave/received jewelry for wedding gifts too.
  
  Heck I was also told the Silpada was more then enough.

  MY BIO Still a work in progress. Random Thoughts and the Kitchen Trials Blog

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• michelle11988 member

  

  April 2012

  I bought them all picture frames at Kohl's that I will put in pictures of us in it before the wedding then after they can replace if they want.  I'm also going to buy them jewelry, probably a necklace, and probably a bottle of their favorite wine/alcohol.  I will probably get them each a nice tote to go with it all as well.

  
  
  

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• Eliz77 member

  

  April 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_suggestions-for-bm-gifts-when-also-giving-jewelry?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:a83ce29e-c5c3-4793-aa5f-107b009c2ae6Post:f89e2b21-a484-43f6-a616-08f9ddbc2e9f">Re: Suggestions for BM gifts when also giving jewelry...</a>:
  [QUOTE]I'm purchasing their dresses & buying the shoes for the wedding (the shoes will def. be worn after the wedding-cute little ralph lauren wedge sandals).  I didn't want my ladies to have to shell out a bunch of cash to be part of my special day.  Considering I've spent around $300 per gal do you think it would be okay to just do $25 gift cards to their favorite store as a gift??  I don't want to seem cheap but at the same time I would have preferred to have my dress/shoes paid for in weddings I've been in as opposed to receiving a gift.
  Posted by kschaben[/QUOTE]
  I agree that I'd rather have been given the dress/shoes as well! One wedding I was in gave the cutest sandals as a gift/wedding day accessory and I LOVED them. She also treated us to a spa morning of manis, pedis, facial and massage, plus paid to have our hair done. If I had the money,I would've done this in a heartbeat. Yes, it was all FOR the wedding, but it was awesome all around-we had a great time  together at the spa/salon and didn't have to buy dress/shoes.<div>
  </div><div>Thanks everyone! You've given me some things to think over. The neckalaces I want to make for the girls will be inexpensive and will match the dress, so I wanted to give something else regardless. I'll have to do some shopping next weekend but now feel a bit more confident. </div>

  ~ES~

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