"Not Another Shot Glass...": Groomsmen Gift-Giving Ideas
One of the last things the groom does before his wedding day is select the attendants' gifts for his groomsmen. There are the traditional gifts such as shot glasses, cuff links, flasks, money clips, business card holders, pocket watches, and tankards. Those are all great gifts but sometimes they can be considered "safe" to give. Ask yourself this question... if your beau has ever been in a wedding before, what was the gift given? Have the flasks, beer steins, and shot glasses started collecting dust on the shelves? If the answer is "yes" then you might want to consider trying a different approach.
The phrase "think outside the box" is truly a commodity in this case. Instead of reaching for the catalog with the standard gifts, try looking at the groomsmen as individuals and get them things that really reflect the person they are. We know what you're thinking... "Guys won't care about that". On the contrary, that can't be further from the truth! A guy would much rather receive a "cool" gift they can use instead of a show piece that's considered a knick knack. Here are some great, innovative ideas for you to consider when selecting your male attendants' gifts that won't break your wallet.
Board Games:
This is a great gift to give especially for a best man that's a sibling. It will demonstrate much thought and creativity. What was the favorite board game you played when you were kids?
Magazine Subscription:
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. We recommend that you get the subscription in plenty of time before the wedding so that your groomsmen can indulge in the first issue upon receiving this gift instead of a piece of paper. ( This can include adult, sports, tools, etc. )
Tickets
This can be a bit pricey but if there were a reunion of some 80's hair band that your best man really loved, why not get tickets for both the groom and the groomsman ( you may not be able to afford tickets for all the guys but you could for your best man )?
Jerseys
What are your groomsmen's favorite teams? This is a fabulous gift for them to wear when their favorite team is playing. Don't know their sizes? Call the tux shop where you got your tuxedos. It will be a genuine surprise because no one will suspect a thing.
Handkerchiefs
For the businessmen in the bunch, monogrammed handkerchiefs are great to coordinate with any suit. (Stick with basic colors- white, black, beige)
Beer Koozies
What kind of guy wouldn't want a great beer Koozie to keep their favorite brand chilled? It can be either plastic or a nice sterling with their name engraved. They are available with different sports teams and other personal choices.
Gift Certificates
This can be a very useful gift. Find out where your groomsmen like to eat, shop or play. Don't get standard gift certificates for each person from the same place. Get a special one for each attendant for a different place you know they'd enjoy.
Tools
This may seem odd but there are a lot of guys who are savvy with tools and it could be a nice "thank you" to them if you gave them a hammer with their name engraved on the metal or on the handle. A mag flashlight is not only practical but extremely unique and appreciated!
Pens
This is a borderline "safe" gift to give but if you have someone in your wedding party who's in a position to use a power pen, this could be very useful. (A construction worker probably doesn't want a fountain pen).
Gift Baskets
This is a fun way to say "thank you". What do your attendants like to do in their spare time? Do they like to fish? You could get them a set of lures, fake bait, some fishing line, etc. for their basket. The possibilities are endless.
Attendants' gifts (male and female) can be very difficult because you want to get the "right" thing for them without having to forfeit the disc jockey due to wedding budget cuts. It doesn't matter what you spend on a person, it matters about the thought you put into their gift. Guys may be used to practical gifts but you don't have to follow the standard protocol for gift-giving. Happy gift hunting!