Okay, I love the idea of individualized gifts, really, I do; and I wholeheartedly agree that the gifts shouldn't be the fur wraps, monogrammed pajamas, or jewelry to wear on that day. However, I don't entirely understand the "shop like it's their birthday' thing. I don't think I've ever given any of my five bridesmaids a birthday gift. The bridesmaids are my three sister in laws (two of them were my very best friends growing up and two of my brothers ended up marrying them! The other SIL has been with my brother since I was 9 years old, so she is like a second mother figure to me; I was in all of their weddings) and my BEST friend (MOH), and her cousin, because we kind of spent our teenage and college years as sisters (I was also in each of their weddings; last to get married, woohoo)! I couldn't stand up on my wedding without these five women.
With that being said, for birthdays, we go out for nice dinners, or do family get togethers and make each other cakes! Occasionally, I draw my sister-in-law's names at Christmas for our gift exchange, but that's about it. I don't have a "wine lover" or "coffee drinker" or "makeup guru" in my crew. We are average gals! My best friend's cousin and dear friend of mine is a singer/musician- I did find a really cool throat soothing tea on Etsy, but that seems like a weird BM gift, right?
I was thinking perfume, wristlets, maybe Kendra Scott earrings or something? But all this "shop like it's their birthday" individualized gifts has me stressing. Can anyone offer me any guidance on what's actually expected?