How to Choose Inexpensive Groomsmen Gifts

If you are looking for a way to save money on thank you gifts for the groomsmen at your wedding, don't worry. You don't have to look cheap at your rehearsal dinner--and you also don't have to give impractical gifts no one ever uses like the old standby monogrammed flasks.

Instructions

1. *Be gracious when presenting groomsmen gifts

   Most often, you can give gifts at a rehearsal dinner or wedding shower. You are thanking a groomsman for spending a lot of money and for standing up front for you, so be gracious when you give the gifts. A personal thank you to each person is appropriate. Don't make a cattle call and then distribute gifts. A few nice words about each person will make the occasion much more personal and special.

   One more thing: You absolutely must wrap all groomsmen gifts. Giving an unwrapped gift on an occasion such as this is tacky--take the time to wrap to show them how much you appreciate all they're doing.

2. *Consider giving unique groomsmen gifts

   One important thing to remember is that you don't have to give a "keepsake" groomsmen gift. Buying an impractical item because it's supposed to be a memento of your special day seems silly--isn't that day mostly important to you as the groom? Just because somewhere along the lines it was decided that groomsmen gifts had to be impractical doesn't mean that you have to take part. The truth is that the impractical tradition is an old and tired one...and a gift that's supposed to be thoughtful or personal ends up being just like everyone else's. Instead, do something unique. It will be much more appreciated than a silver-plated shot glass.

   If you're looking for inexpensive groomsmen gifts, then consider the following:

   a $10-$15 bottle of wine

   a $15 gift certificate to the local casino with plans for a get-together

   A gift bag filled with meat rubs and BBQ sauces (purchase multi-packs at warehouse clubs and break them up for several gifts)

   Two really good individually packaged steaks

   Two large frozen lobster tails

   A $15 gift certificate to the local movie theater attached to a giant box of Milk Duds or Snowcaps

   A rabbit corkscrew

   A huge glass canister filled with fresh chocolate chip cookies or wrapped candies

   A good bottle of vodka

   A 6 or 12 pack of microbrew (if desired, give a pub glass with beer)

   A set of 4 unusual or fun shot glasses (like the roly poly ones from Crate and Barrel)

   Your favorite DVD

   A $15 gift certificate for a men's barber (the Hair Saloon for men is a great idea)

   A $15 iTunes card

   A really good tape measure or flashlight

   A nice board game such as deluxe Scrabble or Yahtzee

   A world almanac, Guinness book of records or Darwin Awards book (men love fact books and these will be read time and time again)

   A gift subscription to a Sports magazine (purchase an issue from the newsstand and tie with a ribbon; enclose a card with the details)

   A good set of ear buds for an mp3 player

   Three mini (airline size) bottles of good liquor and a shot glass

   A good pair of yard work/heavy work gloves

   A good pair of cold weather fleece gloves from LL Bean or Lands' End

   A hoodie from Old Navy

   Two or three pairs of socks from the Gap

3. *Consider giving traditional groomsmen gifts

   If you are apprehensive about straying from the "norm" and wish to purchase more traditional gifts for your groomsmen, consider getting "magic" wallets, good flashlight keychains, engraved door knockers with each last name, or sets of 4 chic appetizer plates from CB2 (Crate and Barrel 2). These gifts are all relatively unique and stay in the more traditional realm.

   If you decide to go with a less traditional gift, you can always make an announcement before personally thanking each groomsman. Tell the crowd that you're tired of "museum" quality gifts and that you wanted to present each person with something he could use. The participants will better understand your reasons for these gifts and will appreciate them that much more.