Want
to know how everyone else is thanking their bridesmaids? To satisfy your
curiosity, we checked out what gifts some Knot brides have given -- or
plan to give -- their maids. What we found? A hotbed of smart and stylish
ideas we think you'll want to steal. Here's a roundup of our favorites,
with price estimates and shopping tips:
A FUZZY FIND
Gift: "I was lucky and found beautiful cashmere scarves on sale --
cashmere's a luxury my friends don't treat themselves to often."
Cost: $50
Tip: Plan ahead and score your bridesmaid gifts during off-season sales.
Think straw summer totes after Labor Day, luxurious leather gloves in
spring, Christmas decorations in July...
GOODY BAG
Gift: "I bought vintage beaded handbags and filled them with mints, a
handkerchief, a pen, a tiny note pad, and a crystal necklace my
grandmother made for each maid. I also gave each shower hostess a Jaqua
Girls beauty kit (there are four different ones) as a special thank-you
gift."
Cost: Bags = $10-$25; Accoutrement = $15; Kit = $35 (Total = $60-$75 each)
Tip: No antique stores in town? Try
ebay.com for your vintage
bags.
THERE ONCE WAS A MAID FROM NANTUCKET...
Gift: "I wrote each maid a personalized limerick (I write them for a
living) and tucked each one inside a Kate Spade jewelry case. The
limericks were sentimental and funny, all about my personal relationship
with each maid."
Cost: Cases = $65; Poem = $0
Tip: Creativity can really make your gift unique. If you have a clever
idea in mind, get cracking now -- don't leave it to the last minute.
HEARTFELT HANDIWORK
Gift: "I made throw quilts for my seven bridesmaids, my two personal
attendants, my mom, and my future mother-in-law -- a total of 11 quilts!
They weren't big, but perfect for curling up on the couch. I chose fabric
that suited the personality of each person."
Cost: Quilting materials = less than $80; Time = $$$$$
Tip: Got a little one in the wedding party? If you're planning a huge
project like this, ask her to give you a hand with thread, pinning,
cleanup, etc. Since she's not able to help with other pre-wedding tasks,
this would be a great opportunity for her to contribute.
FRESH AIR FUN
Gift: "I gave my bridesmaids backpack picnic baskets that included plates,
linen napkins and tablecloth, wineglasses, a cheeseboard and cutter, and
silverware."
Cost: $76
Tip: Find backpack picnic baskets on
The
Knot and, if you're up for a splurge, include a fabulous bottle of
wine from wine.com.
TOTES & TOES
Gift: "Since my bridesmaids will be wearing sandals at our June wedding,
I'm giving them nail polish for their toes. I'm also giving them a handbag
to tote down the aisle. We are going for functional, but fun."
Cost: Nail polish = $5; Bag = $50
Tip: You don't have to buy nail polish in shades to match their gowns --
clear and red are ultra-classic colors. Need purse ideas? Go to
The Knot Accessories
Search.
HOMEWARD BOUND
Gift: "I had such a good time registering for housewares, I decided I had
to hook my maids up with some decorative accessories and kitchen gear. I
settled on an Asian-inspired glass plate, a couple of vases, a set of
candlesticks, and a juicer for my sous chef maid of honor."
Cost: $40-$100
Tip: While beefing up your registry, it's smart to keep an eye out for
attendant gifts, too. You'll find great ideas at places like
eZiba.com, Lechter's, Restoration Hardware, and on
The
Knot.
TIFFANY TRINKETS
Gift: "I only had two maids so I splurged on Tiffany items. One woman is a
music teacher, so I got her a sterling silver pen with a clef on the cap
and music notes on the pen. For my other friend, who loves anything with
hearts, I bought a silver triple-heart necklace."
Cost: $75
Tip: Your maids' interests and passions should be top of mind. A splurge
like this is a total delight, but personalized treasures don't have to be
pricey. Custom stationery or notecards might be a less expensive
alternative.
SAY IT WITH CLAY
Gift: "I was thinking of going to a do-it-yourself pottery place and
making each attendant an item painted with our wedding colors, but
specially decorated with each maid in mind."
Cost: $20-$40
Tip: These places tend to charge by the hour, so if you have 10 maids, or
even two, you won't be doing yourself any favors. Talk to the owner about
cutting you a two-for-one deal.
GOOD POINTS
Gift: "My fiance and I have decided to save all our reward points through
credit cards from now until the wedding. We hope to give our attendants
hotel stays at a nice resort, or buy gifts with our points. We are paying
for 95% of the wedding ourselves, and think this is a great way to show
our appreciation."
Cost: In general, you'll earn one point for every dollar you spend.
Tip: Start saving now. Call of your credit card companies to find out
about their point programs and partnerships (airlines, hotels, resorts,
etc.) to assess what your options are.
BAHAMA MAMAS
Gift: "For our beach wedding in the Bahamas, I wanted my maids to feel at
home on the island. I gave them coolers containing soda, towels,
sunscreen, after-sun cream, ready-made frozen pina coladas, and a CD with
our wedding song on it."
Cost: $85
Tip: Marrying far away? Think about creating mini-versions of these "kits"
for all of your guests -- it's a great way to welcome them.
SPA SPLURGE
Gift: "Since the girls have had to deal with my stress, I'm giving
each of them a gift certificate for a manicure and a massage."
Cost: $50-$100
Tip: Save yourself more stress and buy your gift certificates online:
Giftcertificates.com offers affordable spa packages at locations all
over the country.
TRADITIONAL IRISH
Gift: "We're giving the ladies claddagh necklaces: Heart for love, hands
for service, and crown for loyalty."
Cost: $50
Tip: A token that's symbolic of your cultural heritage can be very moving
-- gifts with religious symbolism are nice, too, but not if your maids are
of different faiths (or aren't religious). Remember, what's meaningful to
you may not be to someone else.
PAJAMA PARTY
Gift: "The night before the wedding, my four bridesmaids and I will spend
the night together in a hotel suite. I am going to get them each a cotton
pajama set with a bottle of shower gel in their favorite scent."
Cost: Pajamas = $30-$100; Gel = $7.50
Tip: Get the right size. By now you know their dress measurements, right?
Let that be your sizing guide. Still worried about fit? Go with a gift
certificate to Victoria's Secret.
ANTIQUE CHIC
Gift: "At an antique show, I found five pressed glass pitchers in five
different patterns, all made by the same manufacturer in 1894. I am going
to tie beautiful satin bows -- in my maids' favorite colors -- around the
handles and distribute them at the rehearsal dinner."
Cost: Pitchers = $50-$75; Ribbon = $1.75
Tip: No time to plow through antique show aisles?
