Best/Worst Bridesmaid Gifts

Best: paying for my dress/hair/makeup/etc. I really believe BM's should not have to drop any more $$ on your wedding than any other guest, so I definitely appreciate this (I paid for those things for my girls as well)

worst: cheap white lace scarf that we never even used for pictures, cheap jewelry/makeup bag, one single pint glass, empty frame (cheap and ugly) with a note "i'll send you a pic of us after the wedding!". I'd rather get nothing but a nice letter or thank you note than a gift you clearly put no thought into.

My worst/best gifts were a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set. I say worst/best because I do not nor have I ever worn pearls, and best because they are absolutely beautiful and I will hold onto them because I love the bride that gave them to me. Maybe someday I'll pass them onto someone who loves pearls

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I think anything monogrammed is great, it can be reused and is much more personal than their role.

This thread is giving me so many great ideas.

The worst gift I've ever received is my 'bridesmaid' robe. Photographer never came in to take getting ready pictures so no one ever even wore it.

The best gift was a mason jar with a leather sleeve with my name engraved on it. I still use it to this day.

I've always hated the branded gifts so I'm staying away from them when it's time to assemble my gifts. I'm tailoring each gift to be personal with a few things that'll be the same. We're not fancy, I'm buying my girls sweatpants to wear the morning of, and then just a pack of t-shirts they can cut down the middle once their hair and makeup is done. I'm paying for their hair and makeup as well. Each is getting a bottle of their favorite alcohol and I'm still debating on getting them something to accompany it like a yeti tumbler (not labeled). Still have a ways to go in terms of my wedding so I have time but this is what I got so far.

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That is what I was thinking. How can someone complain when the bride is spending probably the little extra she has on her bridal party. I love the idea of having something that says bridesmaid or maid of honor. Will I use it every single day? Maybe or maybe not. But, I would def love something to keep for the memories.

I have only been a bridesmaid in one wedding so far, and it was my brothers wedding.

His wife gifted each bridesmaid a blanket scarf for us to wear during photos(it was a fall wedding and it as raining the day of the wedding- so the blanket scarves were a life saver.)

She also gave each of us a makeup bag with our names printed on them, and also a Lauren Conrad Lotus flower necklace(shes really into flowers/plants)

Over all I thought they were great gifts. I plan on doing something similar and i guess with the other posters...I would hate to receive gifts with bridesmaid written all over them

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Me too! I'm searching now and I don't want to give them anything lame. I'd like for them to be able to use it in the future as well.

I think anything stating the role is not a good gift.

Personalized items are also an iffy gift as many people (Adults) do not walk around with large bags or cups etc with their names on it.

Anything practical (even clothing or jewelry) is nice. If you can incorporate their interest that's even better.

I got my girls massages the day before the wedding. Everyone loves the idea except my 2 bratty nieces who then proceeded to ask me what they were getting instead. They got mad when I told them nothing because the massages were non-refundable and they just wasted their gift.

I have just started thinking about this. I've been in several weddings, most of them 15-20 years ago and I honestly can't remember what I got for many of them, certainly not anything I am still using. What I have so far for my bridal party and officiant is: Personalized Yeti tumblers with a flask top with a bottle of their fave alcohol (not sure if I just want first initial or first name, thoughts?) My one bridesmaid who is my best friend's 15 year old daughter will just get the tumbler obviously. I was thinking of getting her some stuff from Lush because she loves that store but also trying to figure out something that she'll be able to keep after the wedding. I am going to get my MOH a Glassybaby candle holder because we discovered them together and fell in love with them. My other bridesmaid, I will try to find something from Kate Spade for her because she loves it. Still thinking on my officiant, he is my other BFF. I was thinking of asking them whether they would want their hair done but I can't see any of them doing an updo and I am not dictating their dress, only that it's black.

I was realllly young when i did it and to make ya'll feel better, the marriage lasted only couple of years. I thought my best friend deserved much, much better so I gifted her a psychology book called Discovering Psychology so that she could understand attachment styles better. I don't think she appreciated the gift then but does so now

I haven't ever been a bridesmaid, but I got my bridesmaids a satin robe with their Name on the back, because I feel like I'd never wear one either if it said "bridesmaid", I got them slippers to wear while getting ready that say bridesmaid and if they never wear those again it won't hurt my feelings. I also got them each a yeti with their name, and a cliche bracelet with a knot. I also got each one a wooden hanger for their dresses that have their names engraved into it. We are also buying their dresses, I felt bad asking them to be in our wedding and then asking them to fork out money for their dress.

I haven't gotten any bridesmaid gifts yet, but for my girls I bought them each coffee mugs that had pics/phrases related to them. Like one girl is in grad school for genetics so I got her one that said "My degree in genetics qualifies me to judge you" and my sister loves wine and drinks everything out of mugs so I found her one that says "This might be wine"

I am getting my bridesmaids a robe with their name on the back, I got them a bracelet the has a knot (tying the knot), getting them a toasting glass with their names, and a custom hanger for their dress.

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I must say i'm reading through all these replies (am planning a wedding myself) and i have seen those bracelets, but must say they are *NOT* cheap... not sure the one you received but through my research they have all been on the pricier side of BM gifts... just throwing it out there

I never felt any BM or MOH gift was bad. It was a thought that counts, and it was my honor to be a part of their day. I even appreciated the cheesy bridesmaid things.
That said:For my BMs and MOH, I bought the dresses not as gift, just felt it was the thing to do.
Their gift.. overnight bags with their initials, filled with a button up denim shirt for hair and make up painted by my artist friend. PJs in their favorite color, matching satin Robes, comfy fuzzy German Shepherd socks.. and pair slippers their style (night before wedding we are having wedding party bonfire/ pj party) I also got them custom yetis with names and then added their favorite coffee shop gift cards. finished with made with love and thanks you:s homemade box or their favorite fudges and candies that I made specially for each. With a personal note with either a bottle of wine or sparkling cider. With cheesy plastic throw away wine glass that they painted at a bridal shower! 💖🥰💖 I truly appreciate each of them

I had some trouble with this too. So far, I've gotten them matching robes (no monogramming or anything on them), insulated champagne flutes (mimosas are "a thing" for my group) and matching hair combs for the wedding.

I've been toying with getting them jewelry for the wedding too.

I've never received a BM gift. They weren't really a thing the last time I was a BM for someone.

I've never received a great bridesmaid gift but many years ago I was MoH for a best friend from high school. She insisted on expensive dresses, etc and gifted us with horse themed jewelry to be worn at the wedding...her hobby, no one else's.

This gives me a lot of input for my bridesmaids! I want them to enjoy the gifts.