As a bridesmaid, what gifts do you prefer?

I’m a bridesmaid right now and I don’t know if I’d use all of those things personally but they do sound useful

I personally wouldn’t use any of those things beyond the wedding day. But this is a very know your crowd thing. I gave my girls gift cards to a place I know they’ll like.

I would use the tumbler and maybe a rose with their monogram and not the title bridesmaid. Maybe something edible or a starbucks gift card?

I would use a mug, earrings, beauty products, face masks, nail polish, candles, pjs, gift cards, chocolate, note pad, cute pens/stationary, picture frames. I think these are the gifts I'm planning on getting my girls.

View Quoted Comment That’s exactly what I got all my girls in the proposal boxes! I’m getting them a mug and earring the morning of too!

I probably wouldn’t use any of those items after the wedding day. I appreciate personal or edible gifts.

I think it depends on your crowd - if they haven’t been a BM many times before, they may love these. My friends and I have been in so many weddings, stuff like this will probably get thrown in a corner never to be used again.


I am covering my BM hair and makeup and giving each a battery pack (for phones etc), fully charged for the day. They will use it that day, and it’s practical enough they will use it on a regular basis.

I'm planning on a candle with pictures of us on it, plus a monogrammed button down, and a pair of earrings/necklace for the day of (if they don't want to wear them past the day of then I won't be hurt). I already gave them a monogrammed tote bag and little rings that came in bath bombs as their 'ask' gifts.

I was given a robe, earrings, and tote bags that I never used after the fact. I did get a tumbler from the last wedding i was in that I use all the time now, so I might be doing those too. I think having something for the girls to wear during prep if theres pictures is a nice gesture.

I'm buying my girls bridesmaids dresses in a lilac color, not the blue on the model.

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Oh nice! My girls will also be wearing lilac.

So much nicer when a bride does not give lots of little, same for everybody gifts. And instead just gives one thing at the end, chosen the way you would a birthday gift, just for that woman's interests or preferences. The other stuff is just so much junk after the wedding. My own wedding (2nd) was the 4th wedding I was in. It is now up over 70. All cups, mugs, jars, candles, robes, most jewelry that I have received has been instant trash. Not worn at the wedding, not used then, disposed of after. I had a mug with my name on it age 8, a beer Stein in my first dorm room. Other than that, I have had no use for 1 of a kind and dishes etc. I have a home not in need of clutter type stuff laying around. I have kept an Afghan and a fleece blanket, a hooded anorak ( no name), a couple of nice sweaters, DVD's or CD's of music I like ( not bride's selections for all, which are always bad ) . I have a couple of large and small cut glass and pottery vases, a pottery based lamp, an Icelandic Sweater, several books, an AMC guide book to the White Mountains s, to the Green Mountains and Vermont trail and canoe trips, a couple of coffee table art books, strong leather dog leads for my big dogs, saddle bags for my mountain bike and my touring bike, a hammock for camping, a jewelry case with slots for 100 pair pierced earnings, a hassock, a leather wood carrier, a rip stop nylon wood carrier, and a set of rocking chair cushions, and one of lounge chair cushions. A wall mirror, a framed Renoir print, and a framed Chagall print All thoughtful and much appreciated things from brides that I can think of now.
I have had a few weddings with about $20 in proposal gifts junk, a bridesmaid t shirt never worn, a robe and wineglass and wine, or champagne, about $30-$100 per wedding, thrown out or given to a kid to cut up to make doll clothes. Neither of us drink wine. And the only piece of jewelry I have ever kept was a tiger's eye necklace and bracelet, polished stones, that was an end gift, just for me. All jewelry for BM to wear picked out by bride for all, has matched stuff I have never worn again, bride's taste not mine, and I never put it on. I have a dozen hobbies, and anyone who knows me well enough to invite me to be in their wedding should find it easy to buy a real meaningful gift I will like. But one for all gifts, and gift shop type things, are never right. And if it has my name on it, or couple's name and date, trash. Even Goodwill won't take it. Or anything referring to a wedding. Sad that some brides have spent up to a hundred or more on junk, when I would be happy with a nice umbrella, or a scarf and mittens . A bottle of white rum. Liqueurs. Anything for cooking. ( Like pistachios honey, filo, almonds or cashews, unsweetened chocolate. I'm easy.)

I got my bridesmaids robes but I monogrammed them. I try to avoid anything that has bridesmaid or maid of honor on it, because I want them to reuse it. The only thing that had "their titles" was a hanger but that's it. I got them jewelry boxes with their names, fingernail polish of the colors of the wedding, perfume bottles, and jewelry to wear with their dresses.

I used an oversized monogrammed button up, i sometimes use my robe with my name on the back.

I often use a tote bag with my monogram, a tumbler and would definitely use a ring dish!

View Quoted Comment Oh, thank you, I adore lilac, even with my winter wedding I had to have it!

I got my girls black leggings and a button up tunic to wear the day of. They are things I know they will all wear again as a part of their normal wardrobe. In the past I got a hanging pot, necklace, and super cheap silk robe.

Brides like the robe thing because it looks cute for them in pictures. It's selfish and we know it, because hardly anyone in our generation wears silk robes. Let's be honest. I will probably get my girls boxer short PJ sets because I know they will get used (if I go the whole "matching PJs" route) and whatever earrings or jewelry I want them to wear that day.

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The robe I am planning to give my BMs are satin/cotton, and they are the nice, expensive ones (same one I got). I was thinking of PJ sets as well; however, my BMs' sizes range from XXS-Plus size. I am worried those won't fit them, robes have more room to wiggle.

I'd like the robe if it was cotton and good quality, but not if it was a one size fits all cheap satin one. I use ring dishes & tumblers. I have two personalized hangers and I use them for nicer things that need sturdier hangers. I got a cheap robe & a cheap bedazzled watch once, donated both almost immediately. I really appreciated getting a thank you letter from a bride once too.

So I'm doing slippers (for the wedding. I'm wearing slippers so I got them ones that match mine but in a different color), a soy candle, their necklace and earrings for day of, and cookies!