If you were a bridesmaid...

I love the foldable ballet flats idea !

i would add in a compact mirror

I tended to enjoy gift cards or useful gifts.

A lot of gifts/wedding favors just get tossed, which is a shame since so many people spend a good amount of $ on them.

I would shop for them like it’s their birthday. I’ve never reused a tote bag, compact, shoes, tumbler, robe etc that I’ve received as a bridesmaid gift.

View Quoted Comment Which is exactly why I’m asking this question, I’m not really looking for anything thats labeled with a “bridesmaid” tag on it, their kind of corny after the wedding. What are some useful things YOU like/liked?

I'm the personal gifts camp. Not "personalized" (e.g., monogrammed tumblers or totes). But personal, as in something I personally would actually like and use beyond the wedding day. With that in mind, there's no way I could suggest anything to get your bridesmaids because I don't know them. You know and love them; trust your instincts and get them something they will like and use.

I would like a perosnalize tote bath bombs and a gift card. Im very simple

I'm always for anything food related. What's a favorite dish of theirs? Put together all the ingredients to make it. Do they each have a favorite lipstick or nail polish. Facemasks, tea, candles, fresh flowers sent to their homes, wooden hand/foot massager with oil, Velcro hair towel to keep hair back. And of course a personal note to each bridesmaid.

I agree with PP here. If you make the gift personal to each of your ladies, it will be a very thoughtful gift. You don't even have to spend a fortune. Just taking the time to get each BM something that they would like, or speaks to their interests is a lovely thing! For example, I'm a total bookworm, and I also love movies. So, if you were getting me a BM gift, you could find a couple of cheap DVDs, some movie-night fixings (popcorn, candy), and a bookstore gift card. Simple, but personal to each one. That's the kind of thing that really shows you appreciate them being there for you on your special day.

I think I’m against the norm but I wouldn’t love a tote just because I have a ton already. Not necessarily from being BM but from other stuff! I very much tried to shop for everyone personally to a point. I did get everyone PJs but they weren’t “bridemaid-iffied”, just in a green leafy pattern that fit my theme. They were of course for pictures but I really wanted them to be something I knew my friends would actually want and wear. I also got them some jewellery, wine, facemasks and stuff I thought they would use. As a BM I really prefer a gift that’s not super wedding related because it’s a bit wedding overload lol. You’ll know your friends best and they’re close enough to be in your wedding so I’d trust your instincts.

View Quoted Comment

Hmm...honestly if there's a certain type of accessory you want the bridesmaid to wear, it's nice to receive that as a gift. One summer I was in back-to-back weddings and having to pay for the dress, shoes, and accessories for each one kind of sucked, since I was on a tight budget.

I've gotten a handwritten thank you letter and a gift card to Starbucks and that was greatly appreciated

View Quoted Comment The best gift I received as a bridesmaid was having my hair and makeup paid for by the bride.

I agree with previous posters, I like the idea of gifts that are personal to each person. I've only been a junior bridesmaid once and a MOH once; both times I received personal gifts (as a junior bridesmaid, my aunt bought me a necklace, and as a MOH my stepsister gave me a framed photo of us). I like putting together little gift boxes for people that contain things they love but wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves, such as quality bath/body/skincare/cosmetics products or snacks/food items, alcohol or special tea/coffee/hot choc, pretty glassware, etc. Obviously all depends on the budget you have for gifts or what you feel comfortable spending on each.

But I also agree that if you're expecting bridesmaids to look a certain way or wear specific items, it's very nice to gift those to them, as it can be stressful for bridesmaids if there are certain expectations and they're worried about affording those things. When I've been in parties before I wasn't thinking about the gift I might get, I accepted because of my relationship with those people -- so gifting hair/beauty if you're expecting that anyway is a nice 'treat' and way to make them feel special without buying items they aren't expecting to get or may not use anyway.

Some items I really appreciated were jewelry, a robe and a mini wine bottle. These items were nice because I could actually use them the day of the wedding. And till this day I use the robe whenever I'm traveling.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for your reply

View Quoted Comment Thanks for replying, I think I might go the nail route