Inexpensive Bridesmaid gift ideas

IMO, BM gifts should be heartfelt, something that they will use after the wedding.

I've purchased kimono robes for all my ladies (about $17 a piece), because I know they will all use them AFTER the getting ready photos. I'm also picking up a coffee mug with a saying or picture that will go with their personality. I'm giving them their hair flowers for the wedding at the same time, but don't consider that part of the gift.

If you're looking for something inexpensive and heartfelt, maybe print out a favorite photo of you two together, and get a cheap frame? I might do that instead of the mugs, if I can't find good ones for each girl.

^^Oh yeah. Definitely write a note. My sister teared up and my cousin specifically thanked me for the card. Meaningful sentiments go a long way.

My girls got monogrammed robes, necklaces (got them on sale for $10), a hanger with there name on it ($2 each), sunglasses (got them on Amazon for $4) the whole bridal party had them and we wore them for some location pictures.

I agree with @m.

I was BM at a wedding where we got those "day of survival kit" things - cheap makeup bags with a bunch of random stuff in them (tissues, advil, qtips, hand sanitizer). I really didn't know what to do with it all - I can buy that stuff myself lol. Pretty sure I left it all at her house.

She ALSO got us beautiful scarves from J Crew and paid for our hotel at her bachelorette in Vegas (among other expenses related to the trip) and hair and makeup the day of, so don't get me wrong - her gifts altogether were amazing and her card was lovely - it still sits on my dresser. But the "kit" thing she really could've saved the money on, and if that was the whole gift I would think it was odd.

I also second @m's suggestion re: Kate Spade. Sign up for the secret sales on the website - you can get some really adorable jewellery for super cheap when things go on sale, and they come already wrapped in little boxes. I got my girls knot rings from there (unfortunately not on sale - those never seem to go on sale but I love em and my girls seemed to really like them - they're all still wearing them!) I also got them gold silk pashminas (luckily one of my BMs went to Thailand a few months ago so I got them for a great price), paid for their hair and make up and took them for a nice boozy brunch when we went dress shopping.

What got ridiculous? I must have missed it.

Anyway, Lynsey, you are absolutely free to do what you want in terms of gift giving, but there are plenty of people who might agree with "m" on the hand sanitizer and chocolate thing (I'd probably add water to that list, but it's not my wedding and not my BMs). She is absolutely entitled to weigh in when a third party asks for ideas for inexpensive BMs gifts.

Serious question -- the lipstick. My daughter swears by MAC, so I know it's well loved by younger women. I'm wondering how it's going to work with the MUA giving the BMs tubes of lipstick that match whatever she put on them for the wedding. Did they all have trials so she already knows which shades to buy for them? I'm clueless on this one. How is this going to work?

I did Kate Spade ring/ jewelry holders for each girl (they all wear a ton of jewelry) and a nice coffee table book.

I did pay for part of hair and makeup as well (wasn't required) but wasn't part of their gift at all. That was separate to keep the costs low for them if they chose to get it done.

Yeah the Kate Spade boxes are adorable, and I didn't have to wrap a thing, haha.

I didn't want to buy something because it was "cheap" if I was going to get them gifts- they better be something I was proud to give so I really watched and looked for good deals on nice things- here is what I did-

Kate Spade makeup bags filled with their real pearl jewelry (spend a long time finding a good deal on this), nail file kit, compact mirror, small sewing kit( that was my "cheap thing" but I thought it was a good thing to have on hand). I am super picky on makeup and lotion so I wanted to stay away from that.

I also paired the bags with scarves from Betsy Johnson.

I bought everything for myself too since I loved my gift.

Sara STB I did the same thing - I am wearing my knot ring right now haha. Although I forgot to tell my BM to get me an extra scarf which makes me sad lol.