For a groom, there aren’t many people who do more for you on your wedding day than your groomsmen. In fact, they probably have all been there well before you even met your bride to be. From planning your bachelor party to making sure you look and feel great on the big day, your groomsmen are there for you every step of the way.
That’s why, as a groom, it’s important to show your thanks and appreciation to your groomsmen in every way that you can. They’re doing so much for you, so you need to do all you can for them. As a groom-to-be, I’m currently in the process of choosing gifts for my four groomsmen, and I decided to choose a different gift for each one. Here’s the best way to go about doing that, and why it’s a good thing to consider.
Gifts they will use
Giving your groomsmen gifts that they will actually use (and get a lot of use out of) is a great idea. Chances are your groomsmen are all into different things. Of my groomsmen, not all of them drink alcohol, so four personalized flasks weren’t a good idea. However, I knew that one of my groomsmen in particular would love a personalized flask and get a lot of use out of it, so I considered that as the backbone of his gift.
Personalization is definitely a must, and I knew my brother (one of my groomsmen) could seriously use a new wallet, so I opted to give him a monogrammed wallet that I knew he’d get a lot of use out of. Awesome groomsmen gifts aren’t tacky or goofy, they’re gifts that your groomsmen will use and cherish, and think about you when using. Remember that.
Giving your groomsmen their gifts
In addition to the gift itself, the presentation is key. Wrapping the gift in the newspaper’s cartoon section is so 1995. If the gift fits, a cigar box is a great choice (and if you include a cigar, an even better choice).
If you’re doing unique gifts for each one of your groomsmen, I’d suggest presenting them their gifts in private. This makes for a more meaningful presentation in my opinion, as you can explain why you got that gift for that person (especially if the reason is meaningful for both of you).
Why it’s a great idea
You don’t want to give your groomsmen something that will get tossed onto their dresser and maybe used one every few months. You want to give them something that they will use constantly. Gag gifts are just that, a gag that might cause a brief chuckle but no real value.
Your groomsmen are there for you every step of the way, which is why it’s important to show your appreciation in the form of something that really matters. Quality gifts last a lifetime, and personalized gifts mean even more. Cliché gifts are often quickly forgotten, but meaningful, useful gifts rarely are.
Ted Levin is a freelance journalist who covers a wide variety of topics for various websites. He’s currently in the middle of planning his May wedding. You can connect with Ted on Twitter.
Photography courtesy of Telluride Wedding Photographer.
