4 Great Ideas For Bridesmaids gifts & A Note of Thanks
After all the pre-wedding parties and then the wedding itself, the newlywed couple could consider opening up a small, intimate, “gift” shop of their own. The bride is probably given more parties than the groom, but put all the gifts together and you have quite an accumulation that often times have duplicates: especially when you have parties just for the bride, just for the groom, and those for both. What a bunch of to-do’s.
Among all of that giving are the bride’s thoughts as to what she is going to give to her bridesmaids and maid of honor. She puts a lot of consideration into these gifts. In choosing her bridesmaids and maid of honor, the bride is bestowing an acknowledgment of stature in her bridal party as well as their importance in her life. Mind you, with the acceptance of this recognition comes responsibilities – social, personal, and financial before and during the wedding itself.
Socially, they are expected to be a kind of spokesperson and hostess for the bride among the wedding guests – answering questions, assisting in whatever way necessary to help make the event go smoothly and comfortably for the bride (and groom). It is also possible that they will have shared their ideas with the bride – pre-wedding – as far as decorations and catering are concerned, and will occasionally advise the bride about whether to keep her maiden name or choose to use her husband’s sir name. (This is more recent, and is usually done for professional purposes.) They are the welcoming committee: and, when the song of choice for the wedding is played, they are the dance partners for the grooms “men.” Financially they have the expense of a wedding gift as well as a bridal shower gift. But, they are also financially responsible for buying their dresses and shoes both of which are chosen by the bride.
That is a lot of gratuitous responsibility, and they deserve a keepsake, a unique one, for all they do. Just what that should be is another question: one that falls entirely on the bride. There is no real right or wrong in choosing a gift for them, but there are considerations. Some brides like to personalize each gift: some prefer to give similar or the same ones. Again, it is a matter of choice, but in making that choice it is equally important to know the temperament and sensitivity of one’s bridesmaids. Some ideas might include: a flowing shawl that compliments her dress: that way the bride can give the same gift; earrings or a necklace in stones that match the bridesmaid’s eyes; perhaps an evening purse: or perhaps if the bride knows each ones preference in make-up, a make-up bag with different cosmetics.
A bride’s maid of honor holds an even greater responsibility in the planning stages as well as during the wedding itself. If the bride gives her the same gift as she does her bridesmaids, then she will usually add a little something else, a token of extra “thank yous.” It may be an extra piece of jewelry, or maybe a set of linen monogrammed handkerchiefs used more for show than anything else.
Giving bridesmaids’ and maid of honor gifts are really personal acts of friendship and appreciation. Adding a short individualized note of acknowledgment and affection puts the finishing touches during a private and intimate moment among friends when the bride gives each person her gift. Friends are chosen and they are chosen for a reason; and letting your friends know that they are very special to you deepens the bond you already share with each other.
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