Favorite Bridesmaid's Gifts

I actually saw one this weekend at a wedding I went to. The bride gave the girls bottle holders. I liked that because it kept their hand not freezing from holding the cold bottle. I always liked getting the jewelry. I got a small jewelry box once too that I liked.

I appreciate useful things. At my cousin's wedding, our gift was the jewelry to wear the day of -- I haven't used it since. They matched the brown BM dresses and have yellow gold-colored accents (the chain loops, etc.) and I have had nothing brown to wear it with. I only still have them out of guilt, my cousin made them herself.

At another wedding, I got a bag embroidered with my name and a "survival" kit of things I don't use. I don't use hair spray, I didn't cry at the wedding (but the tissues came in handy in my car), other little things that just went in my bathroom and were maybe used, not even sure. And I didn't like the bag with my name on it, kinda small to carry much and I don't like advertising my unusual first name to strangers.

These are the reasons I gave my girls useful items -- tote bags, fabric flip flops (we live in FL), key fob wristlets (they have many keys between home and their jobs.) If you do jewelry, make it timeless, like pearls.

I would try and stay away from stuff that has "bridesmaid" and "MOH" on it. I would use a tote with my name or initials again... but not if it said "bridesmaid." I also got a pearl necklace and bracelet for a wedding I was in but haven't worn them since.

Definitely keep to practical stuff. I got my girls totes, hand lotion, chapstick, a wine glass with their name on the charm (they all drink wine). Useful stuff!

Wine!

I have gotten Coach wristlets a few times actually, awesome! I have also received jewelry to wear with my BM dress in addition to a wonderful personalized picture frame- I do think if you are going to ask them to wear certain jewelry you should supply it.

I think for my girls I am going to get them simple bracelets not for the wedding but for life I am thinking about a Tiffany knot bracelet or an Alex and Ani friendship one.

Love the ideas ladies. Those of you who purchased totes, where did you purchase them from? Also, has anyone purchased those cute day-of getting ready robes/received one? They look great for pictures, of course, but are they practical? Has anyone used one since? Not worth it?

Love the wine ideas and chapstick! haha, I have like 6 sticks in my purse, love the stuff, lol.

Im getting my girls make-up bags and i feel those are useful and probably a picture frame

I got these Envirosax bags during a Groupon sale -- they roll up really small, but they're pretty big. They have various collections, I try to post on here when they have a deal available. My deal came with these four bags, so one for each of my girls and one for me!

And I got myself a "getting ready" robe, well a robe, from Walmart. That morning has been the only time I've used it. I asked my cousin (one of my BMs) if she'd want a robe, she said she already had one and doesn't use it, so that's really what scratched it off my list.

I've been in 2. The first, the bride gave us these silk floral robes. I wear mine all the time! So I'd say it was a great gift!

The other, she gave us a small bird necklace, and a DIY teacup candle. I wear the necklace occasionally, and while the candle is cute, I'm not a knick knack person at all. I hate clutter, and I see things like that at clutter. But it is really cute, and I know many girls would love it.

At one wedding I received a simple, plain black Coach wrist bag. I'm not a huge Coach fan, but I find myself using this bag over and over and over when I go out to bars or other places where I don't want to worry about a purse.

At another wedding I got a Vera Bradley overnight bag that had my initial monogrammed on it. The bride is a Marine so she got a great deal on the bags and had her mom monogram them. I'm also not a Vera Bradley fan, but I use that bag ALL THE TIME. It goes to the gym with me and is my overnight bag for trips to the in-laws.

My cousin was just raving about a gift she got as a BM. It was a soft-sided rolling cooler with her initials on it. Inside was a bottle of champage and a bottle of her favorite booze. These girls all just got out of college and are the partying/tail-gating type so it was perfect for them.

I am giving my bridal party a waffle-spa robe. I had my nickname for each of them embroidered on back. Just got them and they look great!

I got mini duffle bags with their names embroidered on them. Perfect for an overnight visit! I'm going to give them to them for the bachelorette party the weekend before the wedding so they can use them that following Friday since we are staying on site for the night before the wedding. I'm going to make a bridesmaid survival kit and put it in the front pocket. I'm making it instead of purchasing one already made because I noticed its cheaper & they will probably one use them the day of anyways. I also got some tumblers with built in straws I'm going to add their name or first initial to

I'm giving a necklace to each of my bridesmaids and a bottle of wine to the three bridesmaids of age to drink.

I have only been a BM once. We got our manicures paid for, and she bought us earrings (Claire's clearance - the price sticker wasn't removed) and a cheap mani set (also from Claire's with the price sticker). All RD guests got a bottle of wine (which was delicious!) as an RD favor. And at the last minute, the bride's father covered the hotel rooms for the wedding party. I though the actual gift was cheap (the earrings broke by the end of the day!) but I very much appreciated the dad paying for my hotel room!

I am giving J.Crew Cardigans and a necklace. I am also paying for day of hair and make-up. I don't think my BMs will be disappointed.

I would be careful about giving too much wedding specific gifts. I am not a fan of "Day of Survival Kits" being the gift. As for the robes - some people, others aren't. If they are, they probably already have one they like.

I've been given jewelry boxes - nice

An 8x10 silver frame with their names on it - weird

Totes that say "bridesmaid" never used again, waste of their money

Jewelry for the day to match my brown dress pretty, never wore again

I only have a MOH and I am getting her a silver & diamond necklace, nice enough for the wedding and for an everyday piece.

Tote bag with my initials - still use it

picture frame - bride wrote a nice note on the back, someday I'll actually put a picture in it (haven't yet because I'm lazy when it comes to printing pictures)

1 necklace I will wear again and another I won't

I'm making make-up bags for my girls, not personalizing them other than trying to match favorite colors. Also throwing a bunch of samples from make up counters and birchbox samples I'll never use. No loss if they don't use them.

I was in one wedding and got nothing, I was the MOH and it was my sister!! I'm in my second wedding in two weeks and I know she's gotten us Alex & Ani bracelets, not sure what else yet.

I'm giving my girls -

- Silk robes with their monogram (also to be used for pics, I hope they use them again)

- Necklace with a knot with a card that says Thank you for helping us tie the knot, with matching earrings (to be used day of, I hope they use them again, they're pretty and pearls)

- Tote bag with their initials to hold the stuff

- Hangar with their name (for day of pictures, I'm sure they'll use again)

- Michael Kors clutch with survival kit stuff inside (I'm sure they'll use again. *This is the real gift when everything else is pretty much for the wedding.)

- Flip Flops (I just hate barefeet and if their feet hurt, I want them to be comfortable)

What do you think of these gifts? This is my first time really dealing with bridal party gifts, hope it's OK!

Michael Kors clutch? I want to be in your wedding Bride2Be. I love the idea of silk robes (I know others don't) but it is definitely something I would wear again because I wear one getting ready as it is now.

I think jewlery is a good gift. Try to keep it inexpensive. Chances are they may never wear it again but at least they didnt have to pay for it. I also plan on getting some type of clutch/wristlet purse in like a grey/silver color so they can reuse it (i know all my girls will use again). I have seen little compact mirrors I may get to put in the purses and also pay for their manicures.

@Bride2Be - Michaels Kors clutch! So jealous! If I could find ones at a reasonable price I would consider getting those as I love MK and so do most of my girls! Where did you get yours from?

I ordered personalized name hangers off etsy $4.50 each, then I'm debating between a coach wristlet vs a pair of "knot" earrings from Macy's or Tiffany's with a note saying "thank you for helping us tie the knot " and maybe a small tote I dunno, but I only have two girls

I still use my engraved pocket mirror. LOVE

Love mani-pedi gifts.

I have never worn the jewelry again. Except for my flower girl necklace when I was a kid. (1 flower girl - 3 MOH - 4 Bridesmaid - 2 Bride's Personal Attendant)