Advice on Bridesmaid gifts - 20 year age spread

I would honestly get them all a gift tailored to each one. It’s more awkward for someone to get a makeup back they’ll never use (speaking as someone who wears makeup like twice a year, if that). The most common advice on here is to “shop like it’s their birthday.” You’re thanking them for all the time, energy, money, and support for being a part of your wedding. So I would pick a price point and choose individual gifts for each person based on their interests in that price point.

If you get different gifts for each of them, you still could say it's fine if you want to swap with one another. I just mean that you would share that you are not bothered if they swapped gifts.

I would shop for gifts for them as individuals, as opposed to trying to tailor the gifts to the wedding per se.

I know you said you don’t want to get them different gifts. Your reason was that they might compare gifts and feel less important if their gift wasn’t “as nice” as someone else’s?


Maybe you can give them their gifts privately in the weeks before the wedding?

however the nice makeup bag sounds like a good option too. They could always use it for other things besides makeup. And I would recommend not putting their name on it and just leaving it blank. I would also write a heartfelt thank you card and include with your gift.

Good luck!!!

Unpopular opinion, but I agree with getting them the same gift so it doesn't become a comparison of who got a nicer/ more expensive/ more thoughtful gift and result in hurt feelings (even if on paper they're all at the same level). I think the makeup bags sound nice if they're something you know everyone will use. You could also try things like candles, candy, fuzzy slippers, monogrammed leggings, travel coffee mugs, etc. I searched "bridesmaids gifts" on Etsy for inspiration when I was trying to figure out gifts for my bridesmaids.

Hello Emily:

I was so sick and tired of the typical bridesmaid gifts, I already customized so many things it became boring and I'm also not a traditional type of girl. So, what my fiancé and I decided to do was having a " Pre Wedding Brunch," to say thank you to our bridal party for everything that has done with us along the way. It turned out really nice. It was very intimate, it was catered, we decorated a little, we had music playing, and some card games out. We had wine and champagne to make mimosas. It was a huge success! I ended up giving a toast, pretty much saying thank you to them for being such a huge support during such a huge milestone in our lives. We talked just a little about some wedding things but the day was strictly for them. They said they felt special and loved. I'm happy we went with that idea. It wasn't stressful and dint feel forced. I also gave my bridesmaids small gifts (robe that says bridesmaids and some slippers I got from dollar tree and a headband that said "team bride" for the bachelorette party). Of coursed they loved it.

Of course things are up to you and my bridesmaids appreciate everything I hope you figure something out but I say do somethin different.

I also agree with Paige. I think the leather makeup bags are good idea - even if the ladies don’t wear makeup often. They could always be used as a clutch purse if one of them doesn’t want to use it for makeup. If you do personalize, I’d recommend only going as far as their first initial.


The travel coffee cups/tumblers would also be a good idea. Any kind of drinks could be put in those. How about getting them Yeti Ramblers? They’re good quality. They come in many colors, so you could pick colors that each bridesmaid likes 🙂

Get something related to each individual person’s interests and hobbies that has nothing to do with the wedding. The typical gifts you get on Etsy or a bridal website (totes, tumblers, jewelry, etc) is something they will never use again and it goes straight to the trash despite being super expensive because it’s for a wedding. If you shop like it’s their birthday, they will not throw out the gift.


Also anything for the wedding day is not a gift for them but a prop for you. This includes the new trend of covering attire/beauty/travel expenses, jewelry, robes/pjs for getting ready.