Bridesmaid Gift Ideas?

[RebeccaLynn]

Anyone out there have a fantastic idea for their bridesmaid gifts? My girls are going above & beyond, so I want to do something really nice...but after hours of research I have no inspiration!

 

[Prana]

How many girls? Their ages? Your budget?

 

[RebeccaLynn]

6 girls, early 30's...pretend there is no budget for the brainstorming process!

 

[Prana]

Hmmm. Well if none of them have kids or are too strapped down, maybe you could take them away for an overnight somewhere? Like a B&B, or I don't know if you have any casino's in your area...those are always a good time.

Spa day? Amusement park visit? Mani/Pedi followed by a nice brunch on a Sunday?

Or maybe get them all a nice piece of jewelry, or a custom jewelry box, or something nice to remember the day by. Etsy has a lot of cool handmade stuff.

A nice purse or wallet that will last and never go out of style?

Or you can take them to a show/concert/comedian/movie and a nice dinner afterward? Or maybe just a really nice dinner somewhere?

Skydiving? Hot air balloon ride (maybe not with 6 of you)? Group visit to a psychic (I've heard this is pretty fun)? Do you live near water? Maybe you could do a kayak tour or something like that.

I guess it depends on how adventurous you are, and really what your budget is. You can go crazy, or be more subdued. I guess some of those might sound pretty outlandish to some, but I think they would be fun group activities.

 

[RebeccaLynn]

Thanks for all of the ideas, Prana!
I'm ruling out trips together, because the girls aren't all that close with each other (they're all sort of from different parts of my life) and while I would love more time with all of them, I don't know that they'd consider it a gift.
I'm more searching for gifts that they can keep as a fabulous memory of how wonderful it was to spend their precious time/money/sanity dealing with me and my wedding details!

 

[amc80]

What about one of these?
http://www.tiffany.com/shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP03492&mcat=&cid=288158&search_params=s+5-p+15-c+288158-r+101287465-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+-k+

You could get them each their own initial (obviously) and it would be something they could wear day-to-day.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

What about and T&Co bracelet? That way they could wear it to the wedding too

 

[wyndham]

Hi RebeccaLynn,
I got each of my bridesmaids a clutch from Lauren Merkin (the Louise style): http://laurenmerkin.com/ProductList.aspx?ProductCategoryId=1... They were able to use them the night of the wedding, and I know that most of them still use it! Lauren Merkin is sometimes on Gilt, so you could look for a deal there. I happened to see a coupon code that someone posted on here for 40% off on the LM website at the time I bought mine (some friends and family sale), so it might be worth Googling for one of those if you're interested. If you don't especially love Lauren Merkin, you could do handbags / wallets / wrislets from any other brand...lots of options out there!

Aside from handbags / clutches, I think jewelry is always much appreciated (like previous posters have suggested). Jewelry travel rolls or jewelry boxes, gift sets from Sephora (Philosophy makes cute bridesmaid sets), etc. are also all good ideas.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

I did just cheapy necklaces off Etsy.com that was stamped with each of my (three) girls' initials.

They were $30 each and my bridesmaids really liked them. I've seen them all wearing them after the wedding. Here's a link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62170556/pure-silver-monogram-vintage-style

 

[missy]

I like the above necklace idea!
Another idea that I think would be lovely are pearl earrings. You can purchase whatever fits your budget as there is a whole range of size and quality at PP and TPO. I bought pearl earrings from PP and just love them and think they are a great gift- so classic.

 

[vc10um]

I am getting each of my girls a Rainbow Bezel Ring from DanielM on etsy. None of the girls is very into necklaces, and I know at least one has ridiculously sensitive ears, so the pendants and earrings were out.

I'm also planning on getting them some sort of coordinating clutch/wristlet for the day of the wedding in one of our accent colors (amethyst and kelly green)...most likely the green because they're all wearing black dresses with purple shoes. I like these from syl2830 on etsy.

 

[RebeccaLynn]

Thanks for all of these suggestions! I've searched for jewelry -- it's tough to match 6 very different styles, but I'll probably continue trying....etsy is like a never ending world of options!

I'm currently considering a monogrammed garment bag and matching overnight bag, possibly with a makeup bag set too. I think it's a practical gift that I'd be happy to receive & be able use for years....and I don't have to worry about whether it fits each of their taste.

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

 

[meresal]

For me, it would depend on the look of the bag and the monogram. For women in their 30's I would make sure it has a very upscale feel.

If you are talking about just a plain canvas bag with a single monogram initial, I would say no. It reminds me of college.

Just my .02

 

[RebeccaLynn]

Thanks meresal - i appreciate the input. i was actually thinking of something more like "real" luggage--
http://www.villageluggageandgifts.com/esgabag.html
with a matching overnight bag, and with their full 3-letter monogram in a professional looking font (not curly letters in hot pink!).

Does that change your .02 at all? I'd love more feedback before I get crazy and pull the trigger...

 

[sillyberry]

One thing to remember is that you don't have to buy each maid the same thing!!!

Try to stick around the same amount, but feel free to tailor to their interests. So one girl may get luggage, another a beautiful piece of jewelry, another tickets to a play, etc.

If you wanted, you could accent those individual gifts with something small, like getting each girl a jewelry roll or makeup bag or something. I thought these two etsy stores had some fun stuff: punchanella and JuJuBaju.

I wouldn't be a fan of luggage, because I'm super super picky about my luggage and its features and already have luggage I love, but I may be out of the norm.

 

[kelpie]

I got 5 clutches made from etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/charmdesign?ref=seller_info) that coordinated with their dresses and filled them with my favorite indispensables: clean and clear blotting sheets, flirt tintalicious lipstick, trial size lancome mascara, mini tissues, hand sanitizer and several other small goodies I thought might come in handy.

 

[meresal]

Rebecca, I think it's a nice idea, however, that particular option it looks very masculine to me.

I thought you were talking about an overnight bag, a la "nice duffel type"... I wasn't imagining a traveling garment bag.

ETA: I have a full set of luggage that I love, so this wouldn't be something I would need. However, a nice overnight bag with a pretty monogram, I would definitely use that.
Also, are all of your BM's married? When doing the monogram, keep in mind that if they are single or dating someone, the monogram could change. I ran into this issue with my BM's, so I ended up just doing their first initial, on a wrap towel.

 

[amc80]

Rebecca, I think it's a nice idea, however, that particular option it looks very masculine to me.

I thought you were talking about an overnight bag, a la "nice duffel type"... I wasn't imagining a traveling garment bag.

I sort of agree. If I was given a garment bag I would just end up giving it to my bf, since I don't really use them. I would prefer an overnight bag, or even a nice bathroom/cosmetic bag set.

 

[vc10um]

What about a nice waffle-knit spa robe in your wedding colors that they can wear while they're getting ready on the wedding day? My photographer shot a wedding where the bride did this. She had a white robe with her new monogram in baby blue, and then the bridesmaids were in purple and pink robes with their first initial in white. The getting ready pictures are so cute and coordinated!

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

What about a nice waffle-knit spa robe in your wedding colors that they can wear while they're getting ready on the wedding day? My photographer shot a wedding where the bride did this. She had a white robe with her new monogram in baby blue, and then the bridesmaids were in purple and pink robes with their first initial in white. The getting ready pictures are so cute and coordinated!

LOVE this idea!!

 

[ac719]

I LOVE the spa robe idea as well!

 

[LadyJ77]

There's a bunch of unique bridesmaid gift ideas here:
http://www.sophiesfavors.com/bridesmaidgifts.html

 

[Haven]

What about a nice waffle-knit spa robe in your wedding colors that they can wear while they're getting ready on the wedding day? My photographer shot a wedding where the bride did this. She had a white robe with her new monogram in baby blue, and then the bridesmaids were in purple and pink robes with their first initial in white. The getting ready pictures are so cute and coordinated!

I love this idea! My best friend gave these to us for standing up in her wedding, and four years later I still have my robe. She bought pre-made robes that just had "Bridesmaid" on embroidered on them, which doesn't really bother me, but I think monograms would be even better!

My sister is giving her bridesmaids necklaces from an etsy artist, and I think that's a really great idea, as well.

I wouldn't do the luggage idea. I think most people who have a real need for luggage probably already own nice luggage, and those who don't wouldn't get much use out of the garment bag.

We gave our bridesmaids iPod shuffles, but I knew that they all really wanted them, anyway, from a conversation we all had about them.

 

[havernell]

I gave my bridesmaids nice picnic baskets (with plates, utensils and real glass wine glasses included inside) and they seemed to all like them a lot. There are a few brands of fancy picnic baskets you can choose from- just google picnic basket and you should find some. I also put a bottle of wine in each girl's basket, but you could also put other things in them too (nice jams, fancy snack foods, etc).

Another idea... Since you can't get all of them together to go to a B&B weekend, you could give each of them a gift certificate for a B&B stay of their own. I forget the exact name of the company I've used before (something like "B&Bs online") but, again, if you google B&B gift certificate I'm sure you'll find it.

Finally, I don't know if they exist, but if they do, you could sign all of your girl's up for a wine of the month club for 6 months or a year. Or a flowers of the month club, or anything you think they'd like. That way, they keep on getting gifts once a month for a while after your wedding!

Good luck deciding on a gift!

 

[megumic]

I gave my girls white gold necklaces with one stationary diamond -- a super teeny one but they were so elegant and timeless. Everyone loves them and wears them.

 

[iheartscience]

I got my two sisters silver Tiffany necklaces. I got them each a different one but both were around $170ish if I recall correctly. I know they're overpriced, but they both really loved getting the blue box! My older sister's husband said I made him look bad since he had never gotten her anything from T & Co.!

 

[sillyberry]

I hate when the last post in a thread was spam, so it shows up unread and can't be read, so here's what I ended up getting my 'maids:

Big Initial Totebag (from The Knot)
Purple Robe (from Macy's)
Cream Wrap (from Nimli.com)
Earrings to wear (from bytheseagemdesigns on Etsy)
Clutches (from NY & Company)

They also ended up with a pair of rainboots from Target, purchased the morning of the wedding because of all the rain! I actually need to mail those...

 

[kagordo4]

Sillyberry, would you be able to post a link to the purple robes you got from Macy's. I did a website search and found nada. I want to do purple robes for my girls. : ) Thanks

 

[sillyberry]

Sillyberry, would you be able to post a link to the purple robes you got from Macy's. I did a website search and found nada. I want to do purple robes for my girls. : ) Thanks

Unfortunately, Macy's doesn't seem to be carrying them anymore - they were Charter Club Supersoft Short Shawl in Purple. But! I did order them in December when they had A LOT more options than they do now. Not sure if that helps you or not...

 

[bluesky2012]

What about one of these?
http://www.tiffany.com/shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP03492&mcat=&cid=288158&search_params=s+5-p+15-c+288158-r+101287465-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+-k+

You could get them each their own initial (obviously) and it would be something they could wear day-to-day.

Looks cool stuff.