Years ago, grooms pretty much gave their groomsmen a standard, traditional gift. Maybe a money clip, an engraved flask. But today’s groomsmen gift options have moved beyond the stereotypical. Yes, those money clips are still in the top choices category – only they’re made of titanium now and might have a very cool flip-out section for credit and business cards. The engraved flask might have a personal message engraved on it, something funny or an inside joke, rather than just a formal, swirly, italics version of their monogram.

 The key is to give the guys something modern, something useful that fits into their lifestyles, and many groomsmen say they like getting something that’s a conversation piece too. So here are the top new trends in groomsmen’s gifts:

• Binoculars. Men love this gift, engraved or not, to use at sporting events.

• Silk ties. Especially when you go with a designer name, the tie becomes part of their work wardrobe, and something special to wear to big events. Skip the kitschy ties with the jalapeno peppers on them and go for something classic.

• Travel bags. From leather backpacks to travel cases that hold a laptop, cell phone and assorted business supplies to roomy weekend bags with toiletry kits, these custom-color choice bags become their weekend getaway duffel.

• Gym bags. The new designs in gym bags offer separate zippered compartments for damp clothing and dirty shoes, so the new crop of gym bags are a top choice for men’s gifts (as well as ladies’ gifts).

• Watches. The trend is for grooms to spend more on their groomsmen’s gifts, so a fine watch is now the jewelry piece of choice for men. Engraved on the back, sleek and stylish black, silver or midnight blue watches are the top pick.

• Tickets to an event. Box seats to a ballgame, playoff tickets, seats to a concert or theater production give your men something better than a money clip – it’s an experience you all can share together.

• A fine bottle of wine, paired with liquor-filled truffles. The gift is classy, and he can use it to romance the woman in his life.

• Business card case. Silver and engraved, the case becomes a conversation piece when drawn out in a meeting or at a bar.

• Golf accessories. If your men play on the links, give them custom club covers or even a titanium driver. Some grooms buy their men a round at a local golf course, perhaps for them all to play together in the morning, for the ultimate golf-lover’s experience.

• A fine pen set. Pens? Absolutely. The corporate types consider this the new collector’s item, and some even buy or build cases to display their pen sets. Top pen companies now offer stylish designs, some made of real Italian marble, and celebrity wedding coordinators suggest this as the stylish, celebrity-type gift for groomsmen.

• Pewter steins. Especially if it’s incredibly ornate, a silver beer stein can become a décor centerpiece in the groomsman’s home. Today’s brands of beer steins now feature topography of a country or of golf courses, or traditional cultural designs.

• Movie collections. A boxed DVD set of his favorite TV show could be the perfect gift, giving hours of entertainment and insider looks into the creation of a much-loved program.

• Jump drives. Going high-tech, a jump drive allows the groomsman to take his computer’s files on the road.

• iPods. Again, going high-tech, your gift can upgrade his current model, and if you pair the gift with an iTunes gift card, you give him lots of song choices and video clips to choose from.

• Framed photos. On one side, a picture of the two of you when you were little boys. On the other side, a photo of you now. It doesn’t matter how macho a guy is, this gift will earn a place of honor in his home. He’ll love it.

• Digital photo frame. A hi-tech wired computer screen picture frame displays a montage of photos that you download into it. The images are always changing, or he can set it to stay on his favorite.

• Video montage from your early days. Edit your old home videos onto DVD to create a funny montage of your best memories, road trips, momentous moments in your lives, such as footage from your buddies’ weddings where you all were groomsmen previously.

• Leather checkbook holders and wallet sets. Again, go for a designer name and consider having each monogrammed for the men.

• Monogrammed handkerchiefs. The old-world charm of this gift has made a comeback into present day, as classy executives score gentleman points when they produce a hankie from their pocket rather than a tissue.

• Pocket squares. Paired with a silk tie, this accessory color coordinates your groomsman for a big night out.

• Cufflinks. Choose from simple and elegant, such as a silver square, or go with a theme shape, style or color. Some grooms visit antique shops to find cufflinks with a history, rather than monogramming traditional cufflinks. This is a traditional choice, and some experts say to consider this carefully. Will your men get a lot of use out of cufflinks, or will they sit in a drawer back home? If you’re sure your groomsmen will have occasion to wear them, express your classic and traditional style with this gift.

• Individual interest items. The trend of giving all of the groomsmen identical gifts has given way to personalizing choices for each man. For your cigar enthusiast, you might give him a box of fine cigars with a snazzy lighter. For your chef, a set of top-tier cooking knives. For your football fan, an autographed football from his favorite player.

Groomsmen love it when the gift is a custom choice that reflects not only them, but your appreciation of who they are in – and what they bring to -- your life.

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Sharon Naylor is the author of The Groom's Guide and over 20 additional wedding books, [url]www.sharonnaylor.net[/url].  Sharon is also available to answer your wedding-related questions in her forum.