Gifts for your bridal party - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

Sharon Naylor · #1 06-21-2006, 06:08 PM

I've received several letters asking for the latest trends in gifts for the bridal party, and I'll soon be writing a magazine article on the topic. Here are some of the most exciting new items I've heard about:

* Monogrammed binoculars for the guys to bring to their sporting events
* Really high-quality pens for your corporate-type BP members to sign their giant contracts with. Retailers tell me the Italian marble pens are hot right now, but you'll find great designs in every price range. And never mind about the Say Anything line: "I gave her my heart, and she gave me a pen." BP's love the fine pen to show off at the office.
* Tree seedlings to plant, including peony plants and rose bushes for a long-lasting gift that grows over time
* Tickets to a hot concert (Apparently, everyone is going to the American Idols tour, or Mariah Carey this summer!)
* A round of golf at a great club, accompanied by a member
* Spa days
* Theme baskets personalized to the bridesmaids' personalities: coffee-lovers, pampering, mom-to-be, tennis player, etc.
* Jewelry for the ladies, in a range of budgets
* Jewelry boxes
* Photo albums personalized with captions, created online or DIY
* Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate

One idea I heard for flower girls is a tea party basket with actual tea cups. Baby's first china set!

Share your ideas on what you're giving your bridal parties -- and parents -- as a thank you after the wedding. You might inspire your friends on this forum, and I might contact you to be in a national magazine article too!

Thanks!

Sharon

Marge129 · #2 06-21-2006, 06:47 PM

I was boring with my first wedding. The girls got jewelry and a candle set. The guys got engraved beer mugs. My Mom (she hosted) got a Sweedish massage and a MOB handkerchief.

We didn't have attendants for the second wedding.

Julz518 · #3 07-21-2006, 05:35 PM

Not to spoil the surprise, Marge, but I got a catalog that had those wine cooler bacpack things - like a picnic basket for wine that comes with plastic glasses, a bottle opener, cheese board & knife. It was like $25 and I thought with a bottle of wine would make a GREAT gift for the girls... except my FSIL who's only 16

I may even be able to get them monogrammed.

I've also seen similar kits online for coffee & tea, and plain old monogrammed tote bags.

The same catalog also have a golf bar set - two golfball bottle stoppers and 4 golf club swizzle sticks. I thought it was cool, but Rick didn't... he didn't like anything in the catalog. He's been in a lot of weddings, and so far his fav gift was a soft-sided cooler bag with his college logo on the side. And we actualy use it A LOT!

I'll have to suggest the monogrammed binoculars to him - that sounds like something they could all use! We're always in the nose bleed section at homecoming!

kenzies_mama · #4 07-21-2006, 05:43 PM

I'm being pretty boring too I guess:

My girls are getting a personalized bracelet and a clutch with a little matching compact mirror.

The guys are getting those engraved silver coolie cups, but it fits for them because his friends are always bringing something like that along to barbeques.

Then my cousins who are both smokers are getting personalized zippos.

What I'm having trouble with is the kids... anyone have any ideas?

Julz518 · #5 07-21-2006, 06:02 PM

I was the flower girl in my older sister's wedding when I was 6 - she gave me a simple silver heart necklace and a beautifully carved wooden jewelery box.

I still have and use both and treasure them dearly.

I guess what I'm saying is that, with kids, it doesn't have to be something they'll use right now, but maybe something they'll hold on to and when they're 27, look back and remember what a fun day that was :-)

Sharon Naylor · #6 07-21-2006, 06:22 PM

For the kids, we're seeing more music boxes -- not so much child-themed music boxes like Minnie Mouse, but something that can be displayed for years like florals and carousels, or snowglobes with scenery inside. Lots of kids start collections of these too...

And my niece and nephew (ages 11 and 9) have requested gift cards for iTunes, which I know isn't a lasting gift to cherish in the future, but perhaps a pretty carved wooden box that holds any gift card would be...they get instant gratification for their toy of the moment, and then something to hold onto for later...

Another idea...those pillows that play their iPod music. The tween set loves these.

And handbags...flowergirls and junior bridesmaids love having 'fancy' clutches and oval bags to feel stylish like the bridesmaids.

Sharon

Kim&Bob2004 · #7 07-22-2006, 01:37 AM

For our FG's I gave each a tote full of play toys and coloring books etc. And I also gave a porcelain doll that they could have for years to come. I bought one based upon each little girls personality. And they weren't terribly expensive, I bought on sale.

sparklesweetie · #8 07-22-2006, 02:18 AM

I made memory boards to match each girls' personality. I also stuck in my favorite picture of the two of us at the wedding (they did not get them until after the wedding). Oh, and I got each girl a garter too.

I had intended to make tote bags to put them all in, but ran out of time. I've heard of others giving flip flops for them to wear at the reception, and I briefly thought about doing that as well.

AngelRoseFyre · #9 10-06-2006, 06:12 AM

I haven't chosen gifts for my attendents yet, but I really love this post it has some great ideas I will definatly keep in mind!!!

Thanks guys

#10 06-13-2008, 06:24 AM

Wow...I didnt know that we had to give gifts to the best man and maid of honor! And to tell the truth, I really wouldnt know what to get either one of them!

feb-bride · #11 06-13-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss_jeanine

Wow...I didnt know that we had to give gifts to the best man and maid of honor! And to tell the truth, I really wouldnt know what to get either one of them!

You really should get them something, even if it's a gift certificate for a restaurant, etc.

Sjohnson · #12 09-26-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Naylor

For the kids, we're seeing more music boxes -- not so much child-themed music boxes like Minnie Mouse, but something that can be displayed for years like florals and carousels, or snowglobes with scenery inside. Lots of kids start collections of these too...

And my niece and nephew (ages 11 and 9) have requested gift cards for iTunes, which I know isn't a lasting gift to cherish in the future, but perhaps a pretty carved wooden box that holds any gift card would be...they get instant gratification for their toy of the moment, and then something to hold onto for later...

Another idea...those pillows that play their iPod music. The tween set loves these.

And handbags...flowergirls and junior bridesmaids love having 'fancy' clutches and oval bags to feel stylish like the bridesmaids.

Sharon

fabulous ideas ladies. just assisting in some planning with a girlfriend and when i was married the first time, i purchased crystal for my dressmaker (she was a dear friend as well), and jewlry for the girls. then as gifts for the guests i gave a 3.5" x 4" framed wedding photo. it was a small wedding, but that seemed to work for us. my girlfriend was looking for new ideas though, and i'm going to be sure to share a few of the ones on this thread with her. cheers. thanks. samantha