Trendy Bridesmaid Gifts

Keep your bridesmaids smiling with trendy gifts.

Tradition calls for the bride to give her maid of honor and bridesmaids gifts to thank them for their participation in her wedding. Styles of bridesmaids gifts evolve over the years, and modern-day bridesmaids are receiving personalized items that suit their tastes. Stay on trend and select a bridesmaid gift that your gals are sure to appreciate. Consider their interests when selecting a gift, and choose an original gift for each bridesmaid if you'd like.

Monogrammed Gifts

Monogrammed bridesmaid gifts add a personal touch from the bride. Choose a patterned tote bag with the bride's initials monogrammed on it in a bright color like hot pink or lime green. You can fill this bag with wedding-day goodies like flip-flops for the bridesmaids to dance in at the reception. If you and your bridal party are getting your hair and makeup done on your wedding day, choose matching, monogrammed robes that the girls can wear as they get pampered. Choose short robes in a bright color, which give the gift a more youthful appeal. Other monogrammed gifts include a monogrammed apron for the bridesmaid who loves to bake, a monogrammed lunch bag for the health-conscious bridesmaid who always brings her lunch to work or a monogrammed travel bag for the makeup-obsessed bridesmaid.

Embroidered T-Shirts

Since today's wedding photographers may follow the bride and her bridesmaids for hours leading up to the ceremony, the ladies want to look good in their prewedding photographs. Give your bridesmaids a tank top or T-shirt to wear as you get ready for the wedding. Work with a printing shop, or visit a local crafts store to get ideas to personalize your gifts. You can find iron-on, sequined letters that say "Maid of Honor" and "Bridesmaids." Iron these onto tank tops in your wedding colors, and let your gals show off their elite status. Or, have T-shirts printed that say something like "Jake and Crystal's Wedding, May 16, 2011" on the front and "Bridesmaid" or "Maid of Honor" on the back, like a sports jersey.

Jewelry

Brides have been giving their bridesmaids jewelry to wear on the wedding day for decades. However, some brides are now giving their bridesmaids more freedom of expression and letting them choose their own jewelry. So, instead of matching jewelry items that they might only wear once, give your bridesmaids a personalized piece of jewelry just for them. For example, if one bridesmaid wears chandelier earrings and another prefers statement necklaces, look for one-of-a-kind pieces on handmade jewelry sites. Your bridesmaids will appreciate receiving a versatile piece of jewelry that they can wear time and again that suits their tastes.

References

• The Knot: Bridesmaid Gifts: Shopping Tips and Etiquette