While there are a lot of gender-specific gifts you can give (necklaces or spa days for girlfriends, and flasks or money clips for men), there are plenty of gifts that could be given to bridesmaids or groomsmen. Basically, gift-giving depends on what you and your circle of friends are interested in. It is important to remember that a gift like this should reflect the relationship between you and your friends.
Many women give jewelry, photo albums, or tote bags full of small treats—fancy pens, chocolates, and things like that. However, if you’re working on a budget, there are plenty of homemade ways to say you appreciate your friends sharing your day with you. One suggestion is to create your own spa day by making your own scented bath salts, candles, and soaps. You could even add to the atmosphere with the smell of baking cookies—that you make to share with your bridal party, of course.
However if your bridal party are into technology (and this could be a good gift for everyone in the wedding party), perhaps a better gift would be a classy iPhone case, like the BookBook iPhone case, which, looks like a tiny notebook and doubles as a wallet.
If you’re in a World of Warcraft guild, and everyone is nervous that you won’t be coming back for more raids after the wedding, a good gift to give your bridal party may be some nice headphones with a built in microphone. This is a gift that is both practical and comes with a promise to stay in touch.
It’s easier to shop for fun gifts when you aren’t restricted by a budget, and one gift that has become popular for brides and grooms with some monetary leeway is a pocket-sized camera, which can be used instantly. Brides could even get creative and give small cameras in the wedding colors.
No matter what you give, remember that you’re trying to find a way to show appreciation for your friends’ support and love—before and after the wedding day. Including something small—a special mix CD or a framed photo of you with each friend—can go a long way in making sure that your friends know that you love and appreciate them.
— Katie Darby-Mullins
