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Welcome to The Groom’s Guide, our expert-led handbook to help you navigate the proposal, the wedding and everything in between. Find all the stories here.
Let’s hear it for the boys. Your boys, specifically. The friends who have been there through thick and thin, and against all odds, have survived the pre-wedding festivities to dutifully fulfill their roles as groomsmen. As they have given to you, so you wish to give to them.
What makes a great groomsman gift? Finding an appropriately tasteful, yet thoughtful present within your allotted budget is difficult enough, but throw in the fact that groomsmen, being men, are generally inscrutable when it comes to the act of gift-giving, and you’ve got yourself an alter objection-level problem on your hands.
We’re not the first to point out that a flask probably isn’t going to cut it. Given that these are the men you have chosen to surround yourself with for one of life’s major milestones, your competency in delivering a small physical manifestation of your overwhelming gratitude and eternal brotherhood is as mandatory as making sure none of your weird cousins accidentally end up on the guest list.
Luckily, you’re not alone in this monumental undertaking. We’ve got 20 recommendations for considerate, useful and potentially personalizable gifts that’ll show your closest buddies how much you care…and quite possibly get them through the most important day of your life. They run the gamut of price points, from “I still haven’t forgiven you for throwing up on my shoes in college” to “I’m about to make your whole year.” Below, find the best groomsman gifts to bestow upon your boys.
Budget Blockbusters
While a gift that shows you care is compulsory, it doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Presents for a whole party can add up quick, and is that really where you want to break the budget? Luckily for you, there are tons of affordable tokens of appreciation that make for excellent “thank you”s. Aim for things that he’ll absolutely use, but might not buy himself.
The Groom’s Guide: Expert Advice for the Proposal, Wedding and Everything in Between
You’ve (hopefully) only got one shot at this. Here’s how to nail it.Wedding Weekend Wins
Gifts for the wedding weekend itself can prove to be a serious win-win: it will help him take a load off, and you won’t have to worry about what tie he’s going to show up in. A little gadget to capture the weekend is also a lovely way to bless him with a cool toy and not-so-secretly score yourself some extra wedding footage.
Perfect Personalized Picks
Want to tailor your gifts to the recipient’s individual tastes? Go the personalization route. Nowadays, plenty of your favorite brands will let you customize your gear or garb with embroidery or other inscriptions. Hell, maybe you even go as far as an inside joke-monogrammed Boat and Tote. He deserves it.
Novelty Knockouts
To be clear, we are not advocating that you get a gag gift for the people who have gone out of their way to plan and attend a notoriously painful and expensive process (this applies to both the bachelor party and the wedding itself). That being said, something out of the ordinary — like customized sneakers, or a funky sandwich subscription — can be a memorable way to give back.
Splashy, Sophisticated Selects
Your closest friends deserve the world. If you’ve got the budget to get them something more refined, by all means. Remember, intentionality still counts here. An elegant dress watch or top-shelf whiskey will integrate seamlessly into their post-wedding life while still reminding them that you appreciate all they’ve done.
Meet your guide
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