As a bridesmaid, what are some things that you would like to receive?

I was in my girlfriend's wedding last year and she purchased our jewelery for the wedding. I've worn the earrings again to someone else's wedding so that was definitely a nice gift.

I think the bottom line is it should be personalized.

Like, if you got me a wine glass (I don't drink) or earrings (no ears pierced) it'd be pretty useless, but others would love it.

I'm actually making my BMs purses with fabric that I purchased specifically with them in mind. My actual gift is their BM dress and paying for their lodging for the night before and of the wedding (2 of 3 are out of town BMs).

I really like this meme though....

Alcohol

ETA: Just saw the things you will use more than once part. In that case, large bottle of alcohol.

I've been a BM a zillion times and the best gift was a beautiful Goebel vase that had nothing to do with the wedding or the couple. We use it all the time.

Other nice gifts received: a Waterford clock with my name engraved on it. Use it all the time. A nice pen (fountain pens are awesome) with name engraved.

The jewelry gifts, for me, are not exactly gifts, especially if intended to be worn at the wedding. I don't wear costume jewelry and I don't wear inexpensive real stuff. So any jewelry gift is going to sit in my closet and/or be given to my 8 year old niece.

Do the best you can. If you're even posting this to ask, you're clearly a more thoughtful bride and that means a lot.

Alcohol, chocolate, a cute note... stuff like that.

I'm getting my BMs a bag full of that stuff, along with a nice soap and a cheap frame with a note inside that says, "I owe you one picture." Nothing has their names on it, nothing has my wedding date on it. It's all either consumable or reusable.

And my one friend gave us all Willow Tree figurines for being her BMs. It's a cute little item that reminds me of her. She gave us all different poses/colors depending on our personalities.

Make it personal. IMO I would not like to receive stuff specifically for the wedding like hair or make-up services, necklaces, or the typical shirts/bags bridesmaid "gear". Bridesmaid spend sooo much money on your wedding so its not really a "gift" if you're only giving it to them to use during YOUR wedding. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding once and the bride gave each of us a gift card to our favorite store and an engraved frame with a picture of us in it. I loved it that gift! Best by far I've ever received.

Oh! Just a thought. If your BMs are OOT, don't get them liquids (unless you all plan to consume them because alcohol is still the best imo) because they'll have to check a bag. When I was a BM and flew from KY to SLC, the bride gave us VS body spray, body wash, and body lotion. My FMIL who lives in SLC ended up shipping the stuff to me because I couldn't check it with my bag (I had one small carry on with me which also had my computer and I will not check a bag with my computer in it). It was a hassle trying to figure out what to do with this gift.

So if you have OOT BMs, no liquids that aren't consumables and keep it small or pack-able.

I'm kind of the opposite than some other people I guess...I would love to be "gifted" with having my hair and/or make up paid for the day of your wedding. I'm pretty basic/not talented when it comes to doing that stuff on my own, so I'm going to pay to have it done for your day if you don't pay for it for me, and I'd consider it a lovely gift to be able to save that $$ On the other hand, the fun-looking robes, over-sized button up shirts, etc, to get ready in would be a total waste on me...I'd never use those again. A good bottle of champagne would also be awesome!

I've only ever received one set of gifts that I used after the wedding, and that was a nice bottle of champagne and an awesome pair of sunglasses.

I got my girls kimono robes, and I'll be getting them each something else personalized to them to let them know how much I love them.

When I was a bridesmaid the bride gifted us silver earrings which we wore in the wedding but I've worn a few times since so that was a nice gift. It wasn't personalized but she knew we had pierced ears.

My mom still has a little single stem crystal vase she was given as a bridesmaid gift and she uses it all the time... we're actually probably borrowing it to use at our wedding for the licence signing table.

@Elizabeth - that exact issue happened at FBIL's wedding. He gave his GM (including FH) bottles of whisky (they were on the smaller side, but still way too big to go in a carry on, which was all we brought to their wedding). Thankfully we had already planned to stay an extra day, and Savannah (where FBIL got married) doesn't have any laws against open containers (as long as it's in a plastic cup), so FH walked around town for the next two days drinking whisky drinks made with the fresh lemonade/juice that the hotel provided every day.

Otherwise, alcohol is a great gift. You can get each BM their favorite wine or liquor. If you do wine, you could even add a pair of cute wine glasses that fit each BM's personality. I also love jewelry IF it is unique to each BM and they aren't required to wear it for the wedding.

I've only been a BM twice; the first time we received monogrammed compact mirrors, which were nice. The second time, I got a bunch of travel-size things (shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.) and some cheap jewelry to wear in the wedding (not impressed...). FH is lucky though, and has received the best GM gifts (a really nice watch, personalized flask/beer mug/shot glass, Dakine backpack, Herschel bag with a bottle of whisky). He still uses every single one of these gifts (aside from the whisky which he drank of course).

I have gotten this engravable and now I wear it almost every day! Its so perfect to pair with other necklaces!

Although you can't use it again, I would absolutely love a massage or mani-pedi gift card. I never pay for them myself so I think I would flip out if I got one for a gift. Be careful with personalization. Stylistgwen may love that necklace with her name on it, which is awesome, but I'd feel like it was an identification collar if you gave that to me. That's just my style though.

I actually LOVE when the bride wants to pay for things for me. And buys my jewelry so I don't have to search for things to match. If you buy me something for the wedding just make sure its something that doesn't have my name/ bridesmaid across it or your wedding day so I can use it again.

I got my bridesmaids beach bags (all different patterns), a grey clutch, a tall skinny tumbler, necklace and earrings for the wedding, their hair paid for and some nips in the beach bags.

To not have to pay for the dress that I'm wearing to the wedding, that would be a great gift IMO. But honestly something personalized would be nice if dresses are too expensive.

And yep, I'm doing this for my BP - plus hair, make-up, and necklace. And if I can I will also buy a little gift for my appreciation.

I got a picture of the bride and me last time I was an honor attendant-- that was sweet, and I look at it often. Oh, and I was in my brother's wedding just a couple days ago and he and his husband gave everyone 'personalized' drinking vessels-- some got wine glasses, some got shot glasses, I got a regular glass (cause i don't drink) and each had our name and the grooms' initials on it. It was a sweet gift (and inexpensive!) and I'm sure I would have used mine a lot-- if it hadn't broken on the way home. That was my fault, though, not my brother's.

I love starbucks gift cards. I don't buy starbucks but I love it so a gift card is the best. I also love jewelry even if it is costume.

I got a personalized beer mug one time that I use alot, and another girl got me a Coach purse/duffel bag, which is perfect for short travel trips!