Many brides admit that they couldn't have made it to the alter without the support of their best friends. Usually these best friends plan bridal showers and bachelorette parties, wear matching dresses on the big day, hold the bride's hand if she gets cold feet, and stand next to her while she repeats life-altering vows.
These girls are the bridesmaids, and picking out gifts for the bridesmaids has become a thoughtful wedding tradition. A thankful bride wants to choose bridesmaids gifts that are unique and personalized – and this can be easily done, whether the bride has money for extravagant presents or is looking for cheap gifts within a budget.
Unique Bridesmaid Gifts
Many brides treat their girls to a spa day before the wedding. Take a unique twist on this arrangement by purchasing spa passes for after the wedding instead. The attendants will get to see the bride plenty before the wedding, but they often have lingering fears that once the wedding is over, their friend might be too wrapped in her marriage to spend time with her friends anymore. Assure them this won't happen by setting up after-wedding spa plans. Alternatively, if all the bridesmaid have a common interest, such as cooking or yoga, signing everyone up for a class together could do the trick.
Do all the bridesmaids adore Breakfast at Tiffany's? Have an Audrey Hepburn inspired luncheon. Dress classy, and give out DVDs of the movie along with inexpensive jewelry from Tiffany's as bridesmaid gifts.
For a bridesmaid involved with activism, make a charitable donation in her name. This could be combined with complementary awareness clothing, books or documentaries.
Personalized Bridesmaid Gifts
Personalized bridesmaid bags are a popular and practical attendant gift idea. Online wedding shops offer bags with names or initials inscribed on the front. Choose an elegant monogram or a playful nickname that is only used between close friends. Personalized gym bags would make a unique bridesmaid gift for exercise-addicted bridesmaids.
Bridesmaid shirts are fun to wear, especially during lingerie showers or bachelorette parties. They also make fairly inexpensive attendant gifts. Bridesmaid shirts can be designed in various ways. They can have the bride and groom's names on them, the date and location of the wedding, the bridesmaid's name, or simply the word "bridesmaid." To make sure the shirts will be worn even after the wedding, choose the bridesmaid's name or the location of a destination wedding. Other bridesmaid attire could include personalized sweatpants or robes, and a monogrammed hat.
Monogrammed jewelry makes a classic bridesmaid gift idea. When money isn't an object, finding something the bridesmaid will treasure shouldn't be a problem. Bracelets, necklaces, even earrings, can be monogrammed with the initials of the bridesmaid. Ask the girls to wear the jewelry during the wedding and then they can enjoy these pieces for years to come.
Perfume bottles, flasks, or jewelry boxes are also easily personalized to create the perfect bridesmaid gift.
Cheap Bridesmaid Gifts
Homemade gifts are the way to go for brides looking for inexpensive presents that still show a lot of heart. If a bridesmaid is a childhood friend, make her a scrapbook filled with pictures from the past to the present. Include heartfelt letters of thanks or hilarious memories from younger years.
A baking bride can put her passion into good use by making picnic baskets for her bridesmaids. The baskets will be cheap, and filled with delicious homemade cooking. Include wedding souvenirs by providing personalized silverware or picnic blankets.
Day at the spa too expensive? Luxury can be cheap with at-home spas gift bags. Make each bridesmaid an assortment of small gifts to pamper herself with. Include bubble bath solution, lotion, face masks, a back scratcher, a foot massager, and a small serving of inexpensive champagne or wine.
Bridesmaid Gifts for Individual Bridesmaids
Whichever kind of gift the bride is looking for – unique, personalized, or cheap – it is important to keep each individual bridesmaid in mind. It might be easier to get identical gifts for each girl, but if the bridesmaids do not have similar tastes, different gifts might be in order. The bride should not only keep her own priorities in mind, but the unique preferences of her bridesmaids as well.
Kristin Wood - K. Wood is a freelance writer from the Southeast who specializes in content about education, health, business, home management, and ...
