How to Choose Bridesmaids Gifts

Weddings require a lot of planning and effort. You obviously want to thank everyone for helping and attending, including your bridesmaids. These women are probably some of the most important in your life. Choosing gifts for them will remind them how thankful you are for their friendship and their part in your wedding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Spend what your budget allows. Think about what you asked them to spend on a dress, hair, makeup, hotel and anything else. If you have given them a lot of bridal tasks to help you, and have asked that they spend a lot of their own money, get them more expensive gifts than if you paid for everything and did not require as much help. Also remember to give your maid/matron of honor a slightly larger gift.
2. Decide whether to give similar gifts to each bridesmaid or give completely different gifts within the same price range. Many brides are choosing to give more personalized gifts to each girl, as it is difficult to find things everyone will like.
3. Think about the type of person each girl is and buy a gift based on her personality and interests. For example, if she loves entertainment consider a collection of DVDs or tickets to a musical. Consider a travel diary and handmade luggage tags if she loves to travel. Giving gifts of this nature shows you really know the person. If you don't know the girls very well you either need to do some detective work or give something less personal but equally as nice.
4. Pick items in the girls' favorite colors rather than your wedding colors. It may seem like a great idea to tie in your colors wherever you can, but since the rest of the wedding is about you, make the gift about her. She will appreciate your effort and most likely cherish the gift more!
5. Allow plenty of time to personalize the gift with a name or initials if you choose. Many companies will engrave quickly and have it for you immediately, while others send items out and require weeks. If you engrave names or initials, make sure it is something your bridesmaids are comfortable with. If a girl hates her given name or is getting married soon and would rather see her new initials, do your best to get it right or forget the engraving altogether. Resist the urge to engrave you and your husband's names and wedding date—make it personal to her.
6. Check online and in bridal magazines for ideas. If you start looking early you will have plenty of time to find a perfect gift and maybe even a great sale.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask yourself whether you would want the gift. If you would never wear flowered flip-flops, maybe your bridesmaids wouldn't either.
• Avoid getting gifts that match the bridesmaids' dresses unless it's something you're sure they'll use again.