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Giving a gift to the bridesmaids is a tradition that has existed for a long time. After all, bridesmaids often put in a lot of work and time to help you make your wedding day fun and memorable.
Finding the right gift for your bridesmaids will not only show your appreciation for them but may even be something they can wear or use on the wedding day and beyond.
Here are our tips on how to buy the right bridesmaids’ gifts for your group of best female friends, followed by our top 10 gift ideas.
Timeline:
There’s no rule about when you should give your bridesmaids their gifts. But remember that the nearer you get to your wedding date, the crazier everything is going to be. In this case, it makes sense to choose and purchase your bridesmaids’ gifts ahead of time so that becomes just one less thing to worry about later.
About 3 months before the wedding is generally enough time to get the girls their gifts. By this time, you’ll know what they’re going to be wearing and will also have a clearer idea about details and colors of the wedding, if you want to get them something they could wear on the day.
Value:
The next big issue is wondering how much you should spend on the bridesmaids’ gifts. How much you’re willing to spend on the gifts will depend largely on your overall budget but also on your relationship with the girls and other personal factors. Find the balance between being cheap and being overly extravagant.
Generally, the value of a bridesmaids’ gift ranges from the $30 to the $150 mark for each bridesmaid but remember that you might be able to pick up some amazing gifts on sale or with big discounts if you start your search early.
Type:
What type of gift do you have to choose? While you might gravitate towards gifts that are related to the wedding in some way, this doesn’t have to be the case. Ideally, a bridesmaids’ gift is something that they can use or keep for years as a memento of your wedding and appreciation for them.
While you can get all the girls the same gift, you might want to personalize each gift, giving something unique that matches each girl’s taste and personality. However, if doing this, you have to ensure that each gift is equally valuable and thoughtful. This is why most brides opt for the same gift for all the bridesmaids – to avoid comparison and any hurt feelings.
When looking for your gift for the girls, think about what you yourself would like to be given. Get something that you could see yourself wearing, using or keeping. Not something that would end up in a thrift store.
Time:
So, once you’ve got the ideal gifts, when do you give them to your bridesmaids? This depends on how formal your wedding is and the events leading up to the wedding. For example, if you’re toasting your bridesmaids during the rehearsal dinner, traditionally that would be the time to present them with their gifts.
If you have time to get together with your bridesmaids before the wedding, you could organise a lunch or dinner date with them and present the gifts then, in a more private setting. This also lets you tell them how much they mean to you and thank them for standing by you during this time of your life.
What we do suggest avoiding doing is giving them their gifts on the morning of the wedding, when attention should be on you and your groom.
Inspiration – Top 11 Bridesmaid’s Gift Ideas
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s a look at 10 excellent bridesmaids’ gift ideas. We’re sure you’re going to fall in love with some of them!
#1 – Why we love it: Cute stud earrings with a personalized message. Perfect to wear on the day and afterwards. Looks luxurious but comes at a great price!
Stud earrings and personalized message by The Modern Day Bride. Check price HERE.
#2 – Why we love it: A make-up bag is always handy, especially when travelling. Beautiful lettering with personalized name on the bag and secret thank you message. It’s a gift that will be appreciated.
Personalized makeup bag by The Personal Wedding Co. Check price HERE.
#3 – Why we love it: Who doesn’t love a spa gift? Great smell, lots of bits and pieces and an overall quality product. Citrus is usually a hit with everyone.
Citrus spa set by Bathglow. Check price HERE.
#4 – Why we love it: Very sweet and cute, hand painted with a secret message inside. This little box is deal to keep little treasures. Comes packaged in a cute box and ready to give as a gift. Amazing value for the price.
Small friendship keepsake box by Willow Tree. Check price HERE.
#5 – Why we love it: Classic and wedding related but can be used long after the wedding. Personalize it with your bridesmaids’ initials.
Tie the knot bracelet by Sincerely Silver Shop. Check price HERE.
#6 – Why we love it: A bit of luxury for a more high-end bridesmaids’ gift. There’s a range of options to choose from and it comes in a ready-to-gift ribboned box.
Body pampering kit by L’Occitane. Check price HERE.
#7 – Why we love it: Personalized secret message in international morse code. Looks expensive and stylish. Ideal for daily wear.
Morse code personalized bracelet by Rustik Heart. Check price HERE.
#8 – Why we love it: Adorable and beautifully made, this comes wrapped ready to gift. Lots of customization options to make the characters look like you and your friends. Cute and thoughtful.
Adorable custom mug by Inky and Indigo. Check Price HERE.
#9 – Why we love it: Something that will be kept on a bedside table to illuminate a dark room. Cute and personal with a lot of heart.
Stars in a bottle by Laser Made Occasions. Check Price HERE.
#10 – Why we love it: A useful gift that has nothing to do with the wedding but will be highly useful and appreciated. Perfect for those of your girls who love their yoga.
Personalized yoga mat by Personalization Mall. Check Price HERE.
#11 – Why we love it: Funky and useful, with a wide range of options to choose from, there’s a design to suit every personality in your group from goth and punk to sweet and cute. Perfect for a destination wedding.
Round beach towel by Morinostation. Check Price HERE.
Let’s Wrap This Up…
When it comes to giving your bridesmaids the perfect gift, it all comes down to the thought and time you spend on it. An expensive gift that’s thoughtlessly chosen will not be as appreciated as a cheaper gift that’s carefully selected.
At the end of the day, this is your chance to say thank you to the girls who’ve stood by you in this big transitional stage in your life and who’ve probably spent a lot of money too on their dresses, makeup and other accessories. Don’t you think they deserve something amazing?
