Gift Giving Strategies
Before purchasing gifts for anyone, it’s best to put some thought into what you’d like to get the people in your wedding. If you have a lot of people to give gifts to, it might be easiest to buy two gifts (one for the men, the other for the women) in bulk and give everyone the same thing.
A slight variation to this strategy is to give everyone the same item, except for the maid/matron of honor and the best man. For a more personalized touch or for smaller bridal parties, you might want to opt to give individual gifts to everyone.
You should also consider what will mean the most to the people receiving gifts. Would something from your bridesmaid’s favorite store warm her heart or would a picture of the two of you in a beautiful frame be the personal touch she would adore? Homemade gifts, store-bought or a combination of both are all entirely appropriate and should depend on each relationship and the thought you want to express.
Once you’ve decided what strategy works best for you, you can move forward and buy or make your gifts. To assist you with this, consider some of the following suggestions.
With This Gift
In keeping with tradition, many brides and grooms exchange gifts with each other that celebrate their union and represent their everlasting love. If you’re getting married, consider giving your fiancé one of the following traditional bride and groom gifts:
Diamond or pearl earrings (for the bride)
Antique or engraved cufflinks (for the groom)
An elegantly-bound collection of romantic poems
A hand-written love letter
A copy of a song or movie that has special meaning for the two of you
Some couples prefer to buck tradition and give each other more contemporary presents such as:
Concert tickets
Cooking classes
A spa treatment
Golf lessons or a club date
Membership to a gym
Thank You For Being A Friend
In addition to your fiancé and family members, your wedding just wouldn’t be the same if your friends weren’t a part of it. This is especially true of your bridesmaids and groomsmen. To thank them for being there for you, a gift with a personalized card is in order here.
Gifts for your bridesmaids should be presented to them at a luncheon or party that’s held before your wedding day. Suggestions for these gifts include:
A traditional strand of pearls
A framed photograph of the two of you sharing a special moment
Engraved silver or crystal keepsakes
Jewelry to wear in your wedding
A massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure
A sentimental, hand-written note telling them how special they are and how glad you are that they are in your wedding.
Assistance with wedding expenses (dress, shoes, airline ticket, etc.)
Perfume with an elegant atomizer
Personalized stationery
To thank your groomsmen, consider some of the following examples of gifts that a groom gives to his men, usually at the rehearsal dinner:
A deluxe Swiss army knife
Pair of nice sunglasses
A martini or margarita set
Membership to a beer- or cigar-of-the-month club
A music gift certificate
Assistance with wedding expenses (tuxedo rental, hotel expenses, etc.)
A monogrammed money clip
Tickets to a favorite sports event
Home Is Where The Heart Is
Though there’s no gift that can match a parent’s love, your gift to them lets them know you’re thinking of them during your wedding and that you’re grateful for their support.
Some ideas for mom include:
An ornate brush and comb set
A flower-of-the-month club with a 3, 6 or 12-month membership
Some of her favorite gourmet teas
or coffees
A luxuriant bubble bath kit
A fine linen handkerchief
For dad, consider giving gifts such as:
A favorite magazine subscription
A shaving kit
A gift certificate to a restaurant or
specialty store
“Father of the bride/groom” cufflinks
A framed photo of the two of you
sharing a special moment
Last, But Not Least
If you have a flower girl, ring bearer, reader, or any other person with a special role in your wedding, you should give them a gift as well. For the children in your wedding, consider gifts that are age appropriate and appealing, like a special book or a small toy. For other special participants, Godiva chocolate, a silver, monogrammed key chain, or a good bottle of wine are all excellent choices.
