What do bridesmaids actually want as gifts?!

As a bridesmaid, I have only ever received junk. Wedding day jewelry, fake flower bouquets I was lucky enough to keep, flip flops that didn't fit, etc lol. Everyone has different tastes. I personally think if you can pay for something like their dress or hmu, great. If not, a gift card and a note is great, imo.

I always suggest to shop like it’s their birthday! Do they like chocolate? Tea lovers get a nice tea set? Or if any of them collect something you can add to the collection

Shop for them like you would for their birthday or Christmas. Monogrammed bags are great if your BM is a monogrammed bag kind of girl. Gift cards to their favorite restaurant or store along with a nice hand written thank you card always make great gifts.

I also have only ever received junk as a bridesmaid. I have my own good quality robe, so crappy mini robes, anything scented/for a bath (I get migraines with smells and don't have a bathtub...), wedding day jewelry. I honestly just leave most of it at the hotel after the wedding and don't even bother bringing it back. Also any sort of tumbler or wine glass as I already have ones I use and like and match. I don't want random glasses. In general, if you are getting the exact same thing for every girl, it isn't a gift as unless people are clones, they have different likes/dislikes and interests.

I would want something that actually reflects who I am. I did get my bridesmaids zip up sweatshirts and earrings paid for HAMU because I wanted them for pictures, but they really aren't their gift. For their gift I got each of them something that is true to them. For one of them that was a nice bottle of whiskey she can't usually justify spending the money on, another it was a spa day certificate as she has been talking about wanting a pregnancy massage for like 2 months, and the third I got her a board she can hang her running medals/bibs on as well as track her PR times. I did spend more than some people, but that is why I only had three people in my bridal party. I wanted to be able to spend more on them so I could get something they would truly use and enjoy and not get them cheap crap just so they would open something and I could feel like I got them a lot of stuff.

View Quoted Comment Yes! I would rather get a hug than junk lol.

I got mine a monogrammed bag with some stuff in it, but he 2 nicer things I included was a makeup bag that fit their style/personality and picture frame. I got them a bag because I wanted them to have something to carry their stuff in, shoes accessories, change of clothes, etc.
Also in the bag I put makeup wipes, chapstick, hairties, a bridesmaid shirt, and a wrap Incase it was cold that day.

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. Basically personalized gifts rather than engraved with their name for personalization. Like one of my girls is a harry potter nerd so I want to get her some stuff like that too, bath stuff like candles and raxing bath salts everyone can use, something they can keep thats close to you like a picture frame of you guys and a card thanking them, etc! Or ask them! Also, hobbies or collections (ex. One of my girls has a spoon collection like vintage ones) and most people would love booze or booze related things, wine and wine glass engraved, pjs, etc! Hope this helps

I got my girls gift cards and paid for either hair or makeup for them! I’ve been a bridesmaid so many times and gotten junk I have never used again so I didn’t want to do that to them.

I’ve only been a bridesmaid once and got jewelry for the wedding, flip flops (that I hate wearing) and a picture frame with my picture in it.

I’m personally getting mine jewelry for the wedding, shoes for the reception, and a little pamper type of box with bath bomb a, face masks, lotions etc. that has this sticker saying “Thanks for being my ——.” So something they can use but not have to worry about storing long term.

I am getting mine the robes and hangers for the day of with monogrammed bags to carry everything they need in it. I am also getting them their favorite candy and snacks to munch on along with some mini bottles of their favorite alcohol and a gift certificate for a message.

I got the bridesmaids and groomsmen personalized yeti can coolies. I checked with them first (asked them if they wanted it personalized and what they wanted on it) and I knew everyone would use it. I also took them out the day before the wedding to get their nails done (they chose if they wanted a mani/pedi and the color style). It was a nice way to spend time with them and all of them loved it. I also paid for their hair if they wanted to get it done. They had sola wood bouquets so they could take them if they wanted them.

I'm planning on using most of the gifting budget on gift cards for them. I'll get 4/5 of them a bottle of wine (and a 6 pack of her favorite beer for the one who doesn't like wine much). And maybe a little something else to personalize it for them. But I want to get gift cards to places that I know they'll all enjoy rather than spend a bunch of money on random stuff. Also, although I am getting jewelry that they can CHOOSE to wear to the wedding if they want to, I'm getting all of them a piece that I think they will actually like and wear again and they won't all be matching.

Under no circumstances get them something with Bridesmaid/MOH or your wedding date on it. I was MOH in a friend's wedding and all I got was a horribly made sash and an etched mug that broke on the flight home.

Granted I will be getting my girls some wedding day accessories, but I'll be shopping for them as if it's their birthday. My MOH is an adventure junkie so a gift card to her favorite rock climbing place. BM #1 is a book nerd so a gift card to Barnes and Noble to her. BM #3 is a mom to a 2yo boy, so lots of Starbucks cards for her lol. and BM #4 is renovating her new house so a gift card to Lowe's will go a long way for her.

I like getting the typical bridesmaids stuff, I think it's cute. I don't particularly like stuff that says "bridesmaid" or the wedding date, but if it says my name or initials that's fine. I love robes & nice water bottles, so both those gifts are great for me. But the two times I've been a bridesmaids, I've been an out of state bridesmaid, so the travel fees have been insane. Over a gift, I would have appreciated the bride paying for my hair and makeup or dress or hotel or giving me a gift card.

Gift card to someplace i like, target, the spa, amazon, etc and a heartfelt thank you note.

Also, being a BM is a pain in terms of cost so i would much prefer to have my dress/hair/makeup paid for before you even think about getting me a gift.

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So much this!!!