Goodie Bags: Ideal Gifts For Your Bridal Party

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Goodie Bags: Ideal Gifts For Your Bridal Party

by Mia Bolaris-Forget (Staff Writer NYCityWeddings)

While it’s your party, and normally YOU should be the one receiving gifts, being a bride also encourages you to embrace the joy of giving. In fact, etiquette mandates that YOU shower your bridal party with gifts of gratitude for their love, support and willingness to share in your very special day.

Customarily, brides and grooms lavished their friends and family with jejune tcholchkies. But experts caution today’s brides and grooms to implement a little “caveat emptor” in their purchases and think practically about gifts that keep on giving. A few expert ideas for saying THANKS with style.

1. Get The Most For Your Money: Sometime less is more and sometimes you can get more for less. Consider buying in bulk. This is especially practical and cost-effective if you have a large bridal party. More than likely your “party” will have similar tastes and by buying in quantity, you can save yourself some serious dollars and cents. But remember; before you buy take into account, hobbies, professions, marital status and the such.

2. Specialty Items: Consider giving your Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man with a personalized, customized gift just for them. Think about specific hobbies, interests etc. Order in bulk for everyone else, but make a special effort for the two most “important” members of your bridal party.

3. Dare To Be Different: Since no two people are the same, perhaps you want to opt for gift just as unique as each individual. Invest in a diversity of items to suit every taste, personality, likes, dislikes, and interests.

4. Groovy Gifts: Experts agree that gifts should be more than just a “token” of appreciation, but a practical present with meaning and usability. Some sensible suggestions include:

For The Girls:

· Day of beauty gift certificates

· Spa gift certificate

· Wedding day jewelry/accessories

· Hair and Makeup gift certificates for the day of your wedding

· Fragrance and atomizer (Consider even

customizing a fragrance for each girl at a specialty perfumery)

· Cosmetics and cosmetic accessories (Think about all natural cosmetics and accompanying “appliances”)

· Hair care products and accessories

· Picture frame (Consider also incorporating a gift certificate for a photo or portrait session).

· Concert or theatre tickets

· Magazine Subscriptions

· Book basket including book marks

· Gourmet gift baskets with exotic foods, desserts, wines, teas, and coffees

· Restaurant gift certificates

· Gift certificate for exotic cooking classes

· Personalized stationary including pen or pen/pencil set

· Flower or fruit of the month club

For The Guys:

· Personalized office or desk supplies

· Personalized business card case

· Deluxe Swiss Army knife

· Luxury watches

· Really good sunglasses]

· Wallets

· Golf or hobby accessories or gift certificates.

· Martini or drink mix set

· Restaurant gift certificates

· Beer, wine or cigar of the month

· Men’s magazine subscription

· Shaving/grooming kit

· Gift certificate for shave and a hair cut

· Barbeque equipment and perhaps some meats and grilling sauces.

· Concert tickets

· Music store gift certificates or a music gift basket with some of their classic or current favorites

· Tools (tool sets, tool box etc.)

· Custom key chains

· Gift certificate for massage

Experts suggest incorporating your theme or the theme of the season as part of your gift. Consider Putting jewelry in a seashell casing if you’re having a beach wedding or using sand pails instead of baskets for a goodie “basket”. Holiday time lends itself to a variety of colors and/or seasonal items such as decorative ornaments. Instead of a “tangible” gift, consider helping your guests recoup some of their expenses. Consider paying for part of their trip, lodging, food or perhaps coving the cost for the attire and accessories required to participate as part of your bridal party. Remember, stay within your budget, be realistic and frugal, but most of all practical. Remember, even the littlest gestures speak volumes when presented with thought and class.