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Jeanette
Dedicated December 2017

Best/Worst Bridesmaid Gifts

Jeanette, on October 2, 2017 at 8:32 PM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 139

What is the best and worst bridesmaid gifts you have received in the past. I have never been a bridesmaid and I'm seriously lost looking for gifts for my girls. I need some inspiration and some words of caution. Thanks!

What is the best and worst bridesmaid gifts you have received in the past. I have never been a bridesmaid and I'm seriously lost looking for gifts for my girls. I need some inspiration and some words of caution. Thanks!

139 Comments

  • Lucky
    Devoted October 2018
    Lucky ·
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    I have to agree, I had all the bridesmaid, MOH labels for gifts. I made sure to stay clear from that!!

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  • PBiazinha
    VIP May 2018
    PBiazinha ·
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    ETA: to answer the questions:

    worse: anything with bridesmaid on it. Last wedding I was in, I got a tee saying bridesmaid, a bracelet I will absolutely never wear again (I don't wear any of those colors/style) and a hanger with their date on it.

    Best: a weekender bag I take with me every time I travel, the things is perfect in size and weight. Has my initials engraved.

    I am getting MOH a clutch she has been dying for (not for wedding), jewelry (she gave me a few options and I am picking one), tumbler, gift card, note, and a mini prosecco. I gave her for the shower a tote she wanted bad, a water bottle that matches it, a candle of her very favorite scent and a note.

    We are not matching outfits to get ready.

    I am paying for her hair and makeup - she is free to do whatever style/colors she wants.

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  • Summer
    Super August 2018
    Summer ·
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    The only thing I got my girls that's moreso for pictures/wedding stuff are satin robes, but didn't get anything put on them (who would want a robe that says Bridesmaid?) so hopefully they'll like them, I think they're pretty cute and would personally like to receive one.

    Also got them a few other things, including nice tote bags with their monograms on them, nice gold travel mugs, and some high-end make up. Hoping everyone likes it!


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  • Summer
    Super August 2018
    Summer ·
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    So glad someone likes plain floral robes! Personally I think the ones I got are adorable.

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  • V
    Super April 2019
    Valerie ·
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    Worst: The stupid floral robes in the wedding color. (I'm sorry, they are annoying and I have a good oversized robe for actual wearing) Pearl earrings (I don't like pearl earrings, my ex SIL knew I didn't like pearl earrings since she asked me specifically before hand if I wanted them and I said no yet got them anyway)

    Best: Monogrammed zip up hoodie for getting ready. (Still wear it) Booze

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  • Noelia
    Devoted October 2018
    Noelia ·
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    So did you throw it away? omg! I better double check initials then. lol Smiley xd

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  • BB-H
    VIP September 2018
    BB-H ·
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    I don't necessarily have a "worst" but I have a "meh." It was a small necklace with an infinity symbol that she gave each of the bridesmaids and we wore them for her wedding. It was nice, but not something I'd necessarily wear again.

    The best was a sparkly bracelet. It wasn't a big expensive thing, but I love it. Since all of the girls were wearing simple dresses with their hair up and no jewelry, she gave each of us a bit of bling for the wrist that she felt matched our personalities. I wear mine for special occasions, usually on new year's eve, which is great because she was married on January 2nd.

    Another good one was my friend's wedding whom I was a witness for, as they didn't really have a bridal party. I was her roommate and was along for pretty much everything, so the morning of the wedding, I come out of the bathroom to find a note and a lovely necklace with a note. I don't often wear jewelry, but I take care of this necklace and wear it on occasion because of the memory of that morning with her.

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  • Susan
    VIP December 2017
    Susan ·
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    Best a personalized gift basket with items that matched my interests (cant remember exactly what was in it, because it was over 10 years ago).
    Worst: jewelry to wear for the wedding. It's sat cluttering up my jewelry ever since and I've never worn it again, but I feel guilty getting rid of it because it was a gift.
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  • T
    Super December 2018
    T P ·
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    I've always gotten jewelry when I have been a bridesmaid. I enjoyed wearing for the ceremony, and I still wear many of the items to this day.
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  • Lindsey
    VIP June 2018
    Lindsey ·
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    worst: I went to a destination wedding in south america and everyone got a purse hanger with a sticker that had the bride and gooms name on it. Best/Worst Bridesmaid Gifts 1


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  • Elena
    Just Said Yes August 2018
    Elena ·
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    I have seen lots of cute stuff on etsy.com. I was thinking of putting a little box of goodies together for my girls, my mum and probably my future mother-in-law.

    Check out the wedding section on the Etsy website!! They do everything!! Majorly cute stuff xx

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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Best: paid hair and/or make-up, earrings to be worn at bride's wedding, wine (never been given a spa gift certificate but that would be rad)

    Worst: anything with "bridesmaid" on it. Would be fine with stuff the bride wants in her pics (matching bathrobes, shot glass, funny coffee mug) but I don't want "bridesmaid" written on it.

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  • Stephanie
    Super June 2019
    Stephanie ·
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    I'm making personalized tote bags for them with their initials, inside I will include their jewelry for the day of, something of their liking/interest, a BM sash, a shatterproof wine cup with 3 levels of measurements with funny sayings and spa slippers that they can change into during the reception so they can dance the night away.

    Recently, I came across a large variety of swim suit pouches for after a pool/beach day if they don't have time to dry off or want to simply change and I considered maybe replacing it with something from the bag like either the cups or slippers but FH thought maybe the slippers would be better because 3 of them live in NY and their summers are very short unless they go on vacation like to here, Florida, or another hot location.

    still debating lol

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  • Stephanie
    Super June 2019
    Stephanie ·
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    I've only been a BM twice, and no gift at all lol I paid for my dress and shoes, I did my own nails, hair and makeup because I guess the Bride wasn't aware of this. But I wasn't bothered, I was pretty young, like 18 and then about 20 or so.

    Recently, I was the photographer for a friend (I am not a pro, just a hobby that I've learned to catch certain images with a detailed eye) she's seen my photography before and she asked me for the favor, it's her second marriage and she wasn't going for anything professional. I honestly didn't expect anything but she gave me a thank you card with $60. Which is going straight to my wedding funds lol

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  • Matt
    Beginner September 2020
    Matt ·
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    Love the idea about personalizing for each bridesmaid's favorite location etc.

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  • Kimberly
    Devoted November 2018
    Kimberly ·
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    Best gift I ever received was just a reusable cup and straw that had my name in big letters and "bridesmaid" underneath in smaller letters. I used it often. But I also had never been a bridesmaid before and was very excited about it. The cup was filled with our favorite candy. (: Simple, easy, cheap, cute, we loved it!

    I'm thinking of gifting my bridesmaids a new pair of white vans (they will wear it for the wedding but some who have already found out about the gift are thrilled that they'll be able to use them so much after), a personalized hanger (not really their "gift" but it'll be included in that bag for convenience sake), and a watercolor painting from a local artist that will be themed around something that interests them.... Ranging from favorite animals to skylines of favorite places to favorite movie characters. (: I hope they like them.

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  • Audrey
    Devoted October 2018
    Audrey ·
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    Honestly, I've been keeping my girls in the loop. I've never been a bridesmaid either! So I've been kinda throwing ideas at them to see what they would like and don't like. Like, I read here the tiny satin robes are a no. But when I texted my girls and asked if this is something they would want to do or would they like t shirts or flannels, they all agreed on the robe. So I think it depends on your girls. I keep throwing random ideas at them to get their opinions, water bottles with names, chapsticks, all that stuff, etc.

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  • Happily Ever Mrs. H
    VIP October 2018
    Happily Ever Mrs. H ·
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    Would anybody be willing to give me their opinion on the items I've bought for my BMs? I wish I had started posting on this forums last year before most of my planning was already complete! lol

    In a perfect world, I would have done a lot more for my BMs, but I think that I did pretty well for being on a budget. I asked them if they would be willing to pay for their hair, and I would cover the costs of the MUA as a gift to them. They were all perfectly fine with that. For their BM gift boxes, I got them each a glass vintage jewelry box/keepsake box, a burgundy metallic/holographic makeup bag, their robes for the day of (plain floral, no names or stitching), their earrings for the day of, a teacup candle (wax poured into a teacup, made into a candle), a champagne scented and infused deep-conditioning hair mask, and their hair accessories for the day of. I also wanted to order champagne gummies, but is that too corny? And I was going to include a mini bottle of sparking wine.

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  • Lisa
    Devoted October 2018
    Lisa ·
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    I've never been a BM. I got my BM a monogrammed button down shirt for getting ready the day of - white shirt with just their initials on the pocket, I got them bracelet and earrings to wear for the wedding, I got them monogrammed pjs/loungewear (shorts and tops) with just their initials. I know that all of them will love the gifts. I got my MOH an extra gift of a bar necklace that says soul sisters with our initials because she is my bff and has gone above and beyond for me. She made all of us yeti wine cups with our names.

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  • Laura
    Dedicated October 2020
    Laura ·
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    I have only been in 3 weddings. Once for my sister who did not have a lot of money at the time so we both agreed that gifts were not necessary. And twice with my best friend. For her first wedding I am sure she gave us a gift but for the life of me I can not remember. For her second wedding she gave us personalized tote bags in our favorite colors with just our names embroidered on it. I can't remember what was in it but the bag I still use to this day.

    I plan on doing two different gift sets. One is items to be used on the day of the wedding for the wedding that I do not expect them to keep if they do not want. At the rehearsal dinner is when I will be giving them their gifts. Since all 6 of us are obsessed with movies, I am giving them all a gift certificate to their local theaters. We are also obsessed with Harry Potter so when I head to Universal Studios I am picking up a gift for them at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. All gifts from there will be based off of their personality and what they are interested in and will use and appreciate.

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