One truth of wedding planning nobody warned me about: shopping for bridesmaids gifts is freaking hard.
It shouldn’t be, because we know these girls better than anyone. That’s why they’re in our wedding party in the first place, right?
Christmas, birthdays, “congrats on your new job” presents: none of these occasions posed a problem. Shopping was always a breeze.
For whatever reason, though, buying my girls’ bridesmaids gifts stumped me.
In the end, I found unique items for each girl. They loved them and still use them to this day. But the search wasn’t easy.
First and foremost, I had to abandon the misguided idea that bridesmaid gifts were in some class of their own.
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Do Bridesmaid Gifts Have to Be Different from Regular Presents?
I thought so. And it turned out I was totally wrong.
Not only do presents for your bridesmaids not have to be anything different from what you’d usually buy them – but in many cases, they shouldn’t be!
If your maid of honor never wears jewelry, there’s no need to buy her a pair of earrings just because it “seems” like something you “should” give a bridesmaid.
Likewise, if your bridesmaid never wears pink, why gift her a pink-and-gold scarf to match the wedding colors?
In my gift-buying research and many gift-receiving experiences (I’ve been a bridesmaid a lot), I learned it’s far better to give our bridesmaids presents we’d give them anyway. Things that suit their unique personalities and tastes, things they’ll enjoy and use.
But How Do I Make “Normal” Gifts Special?
The reason there’s so much pressure to give things like wallets, earrings, and wedding-specific items like tumblers printed with “Bridesmaid”…is because these things seem “bridesmaid gift”-y.
We’ve seen them done before, in cute packaging and coordinated totes, and they look…well, special. Different.
I’ll let you in on a secret, though: it’s not the gifts themselves.
It’s the presentation.
No matter what you give your girls, you can make them “look” like bridesmaid gifts. Package everything in a customized tote, sure – there’s nothing wrong with that!
(While we’re on the subject, there’s nothing wrong with earrings, wallets, or wedding-color gifts, either – as long as your bridesmaid would like those items anyway.)
You can also wrap your gifts in paper that matches your wedding colors, or assemble gift baskets.
As with food, presentation matters when it comes to giving your bridesmaids gifts they’ll love.
17 Awesome and Unique Bridesmaid Gift Ideas
1. This sweet macaron pillow in Tiffany’s blue (or any color she’d want)
Maybe this one caught my eye because I so wish I’d seen it when I was shopping for my bridesmaids.
Two love all things French. And soft. And cute. This cuddly pillow would’ve been a triple threat.
This one’s actually just called “Blue” according to the seller, but I like the idea of pairing it with some Tiffany’s earrings or cute silver necklace.
Get it here.
2. This stylish & clear Kate Spade New York umbrella
You should probably order one for yourself, too. Seriously: I love the look of this so much, I could easily see getting one for every member of the wedding party.
Bonus: it serves as a practical “rain plan” accessory, in case your wedding day gets some clouds.
(I sincerely hope it doesn’t – I’m just saying, at least everyone would look amazing and chic with this thing.)
Check it out here.
3. Add some shimmer to her home office with these gemstone pens.
Bonus: these come in a three-pack, so you can stock up on multiple sets and divvy them out into adorable themed baskets for each of your girls.
Or, you know…keep a few for yourself, if you’re so inclined.
You can get these here.
4. Get each girl a hydroflask in her favorite color or print (shown: Birds of Paradise).
Made of durable stainless steel and insulated, this vacuum-seal water bottle keeps your drink cool – and keeps itself looking great through every fumble.
I mean, it won’t be quiet when she knocks it off her nightstand in the middle of the night for a drink. But it’ll hold its own.
Check out more color options here.
5. This tiny but powerful Bluetooth speaker that’s as cute as it is functional.
With 6 hours of playing time before it’s in need of a charge, this speaker weighs less than 10 ounces, looks incredible, and sounds even better thanks to boosted bass and surround-sound capability.
Just prepare for your bridesmaid to immediately play wedding prep DJ in the hotel suite when she opens this up.
PS: It also has a built-in microphone, so your bridesmaid can use it for speakerphone calls and blasting playlists.
You can get this gift here.
6. An old-school camera with a new-school look.
Whether your bridesmaid is the scrapbooking type, a sucker for a good fridge collage, or a bonafide photographer, she’ll love this instant camera that prints 2×3-inch photos immediately.
It uses smudge-free technology without ink or toner, and saves all your photos on an SD card so you can pick and choose what to print right away, and what to save for Instagram instead.
This adorable gift also comes in six different colors.
7. A porcelain teapot that can prepare up to 5 cups of her favorite tea (and look cute as hell in her kitchen).
Available in 7 modern colors, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cuter teapot for your Hygge-loving bridesmaid.
It’s also safe for dishwasher and microwave use – a must-have feature, in my opinion. There’s nothing worse than a dish you have to hand-wash.
This and other styles available here.
8. A pineapple-print, sand-proof, waterproof oversized picnic blanket (try saying that 5x fast).
Is your bridesmaid an early-rising trailblazer, or a proud beach bum? No need to choose – this oversized picnic blanket will please both those nature lovers.
It folds up into a compact, lightweight shape for easy toting, and can seat 4 adults upright or 2 lying down.
She can also use it as a seat cover – perfect if her furbabies join her excursions and track all that beautiful nature inside her car.
9. An essential oil diffuser to chill her out and liven up the house.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sold on the benefits of essential oils for a long time. And I’m still not.
Well, not for the more outlandish claims, anyway. But aromatherapy has enough sound science behind it to get me on board.
Lavender really is relaxing; citrus scents really are energizing. Whether it’s all in my head or legit, I don’t know…and I don’t care, because they smell amazing. It’s like a plug-in air freshener, without all the mystery chemicals.
Add in the cool color-changing effect and soft wood grain look of this diffuser, and your bridesmaid can create a spa-like environment right in her bedroom.
10. This portable turntable (that’ll also turn some heads).
For the retro-loving bridesmaid, nothing beats a compact and cute way to enjoy her vinyl collection.
Also available in bold colors like olive green and blue-ish purple, this turntable can run on batteries or an adapter (included) – so she can take her tunes anywhere.
See all the options here.
11. The perfect tea gift set for the bridesmaid who takes forever to answer the door, and everyone knows why.
No pants, no problem – no shame. I think every group has that one friend who takes it off the second she gets home.
Unless you’re that friend. Then maybe you should have this diffuser and mug set. There’s also an adorable narwhal version, or a sloth.
12. A day at the beach…or at least, hair that looks like it.
This texturizing spray adds volume and gives a beautiful matte finish for hair that looks like your bridesmaid just stepped out of the ocean. Suitable for wet or dry hair, it gives that flawlessly messy look in seconds.
Pair it with a cute beach towel and cover-up, maybe a water bottle (or the pineapple blanket!), and you can craft a gift basket any beach babe will adore.
13. A Kate Spade water bottle to match her sparkling personality (or just her love for shiny stuff).
Yep: two Kate Spade gifts in the same post.
I not only love the line, but think it’s got that “bridesmaid gift feel” while still being cute, practical, and full of things your girls will actually use – and not just during the wedding weekend.
Pair it with her favorite candles, nail polish, and some new slippers – and maybe a cute robe for some matching getting-ready photos – and your bridesmaid will be swimming in sparkly self-care all year.
14. Natural lip tint in the perfect shade of pink.
Made with all-natural ingredients like coconut oil and rose absolute, this lip tint is free from all artificial ingredients – not a drop of alcohol, parabens, fragrances, or other nasties in sight.
Even if your bridesmaid isn’t into the eco lifestyle, she’ll love this tint for its sweet color, natural shine, and powerful hydration. Check it out here.
15. Bath bombs for daaays.
Sold in sets of 10 (or even 60, for extra-large bridal parties), these bath bombs let you give each of your girls the gift that keeps on giving and fizzing.
Good news for Lush junkies: many reviewers say these are just as good, even if they fizz a little less and the scents aren’t as complex: think basics, like lavender or honeysuckle.
Additionally, reviewers say these bombs are ultra-moisturizing, and vibrantly color the water (which we all know is the most satisfying part of a bath bomb).
16. These pineapple earrings, for the girl who’s tough on the outside (but sweet to the core).
Available in both brushed gold or silver, these adorable earrings come with a gift box and aren’t too small or large – about half an inch tall, which makes them ideal for bridesmaids who like a little bling…but not too much. Check them out here.
17. This runaway alarm clock – for the friend who always sleeps in.
It’s okay for me to say that, because I’m that friend: I sleep through every alarm and phone call.
So I had to include this weird clock that rolls away when it’s time to wake up – it rolls right off the nightstand, forcing you to chase it to shut it off.
Also available in pink, blue, or black, it’s easy to find one that’ll suit your sleepy bridesmaid’s tastes. Consider pairing it with some gourmet coffee and a new travel mug for your own Sleeping Beauty.
When It Comes to Bridesmaid Presents, Think Outside the Giftbox
You don’t have to stick to monogrammed totes or matching robes if your bridesmaids aren’t into that thing. And, even if they are, you can pair those time-tested favorites with more personal additions they’d love any day of the year, for any occasion.
And for brides on a tight budget, don’t worry: pairing multiple inexpensive gifts can work just as beautifully as one big-ticket item.
It really is the thought that counts. If you take time to find gifts each girl will love, considering their unique tastes and personalities – that’ll shine through. And that’s what she’ll love most.
What’s the best bridesmaid gift you’ve ever gotten? Share in the comments!
