As any blushing bride knows, there is an awful lot to think about in the weeks and months leading up to a wedding. You have to choose the right dress, pick a venue, and decide on which fabulous location you want your new husband to take you for the honeymoon. You also need to figure out what to give your bridesmaids in return for helping you make a wonderful day even more special.
Why Buy Bridesmaids Gifts?
Bridesmaids do an important job. They are there to hold your hand and take care of some of the details during the planning stages. They are also responsible for the hen night: the last night of freedom before the big day. Most brides choose their best friends to be bridesmaids, so it is essential that you pick an appropriate gift or your friendship might be derailed.
Wedding planning is time consuming, but do not forget to factor in enough time to go shopping for bridesmaid gifts. This is not a time to experience a major lapse in judgement. You don’t need to spend a fortune on bridesmaid gifts. It will be possible to pick up some great deals online if you come across a coupon or two. However, in order to select the right gift, try to plan a shopping trip around two months before the big day, so you have plenty of time to source the perfect gifts for your bridesmaids.
Keep a close eye out for bargains in the meantime. You never know – you might be shopping at your local mall and spot a wonderful piece of jewelry or trinket that you know your bridesmaids will adore.
What’s Your Budget?
Every bride has a budget. The more bridesmaids you have, the higher the cost of buying gifts. If money is no object, then you don’t need to be too concerned, but if you are wedding planning on a very tight budget, think about how much you can afford to spend per bridesmaid and stick to it.
The other point worth making is the time and effort your bridesmaids are putting in to make your day perfect. Some bridesmaids do little more other than show up on the day whereas others play a big part on the organization of the event. Gifts are your way of thanking the bridesmaids for their time and effort, so choose a gift that matches the effort expended.
Gift Planning
Whilst it is certainly easier to give each bridesmaid the same gift, there is no rule that says you are obliged to do that. In fact, it is often better to come up with something a bit more personal – a gift that suits the individual’s personality and/or interests.
Gorgeous Gift Ideas
- Jewelry is always a popular gift for bridesmaids. You will be spoilt for choice if you decide to buy each bridesmaid an item of jewelry, so don’t make a snap purchase. Ideally choose something that the recipient will wear. After all, whilst your maid of honor may cherish a pair of antique diamond earrings, they won’t be suitable for a younger bridesmaid.
If you want to go the extra mile when gifting pretty jewelry, look for a beautiful jewelry box so your bridesmaids have something special in which to store their gift. It is also cute to give personalized jewelry as a gift.
- Compact makeup mirrors are wonderfully feminine and the perfect gift for a busy bridesmaid. Look for decorative compacts made from sterling silver or even gold plate. You might also like to have each one engraved with the recipient’s initials and the date of the wedding.
- Monogram clutch bags are practical and a nice gift. If the wedding has a color theme, buy bags that fit with the scheme.
- Makeup is great for bridesmaids who love to pamper themselves. Designer skincare ranges are always popular and if you shop around, you can probably pick up some excellent bargains online.
- Candy baskets may not suit the bridesmaid who is watching her weight, but they still make a cute gift. If candy doesn’t seem appropriate, fill your baskets with dark chocolate and other healthy sweet treats. Isn’t that a great compromise?
- A gift certificate to a luxury spa will go down brilliantly, especially if the wedding planning has been a bit stressful.
You don’t even have to buy a gift if you are really cash-strapped: make some jam or decorate a mug at a ceramics workshop. After all, it is the thought that counts.