Groomsmen gift ideas (KObelch, plz skip)

Submitted by will on

Guys -

looking for unique groomsmen gift ideas. Most of the guys dont drink much, and varied interests (some golf, some play tennis, some OSU fans, some UM, steelers, brown , some Tennessee, etc)

Already considering or considered -

1. personalized knives/watches/cufflinks/flasks/money clips/pens
2. Playboy mansion style bathrobes
3. Beer steins
4. Personalized Mag-lite * - this is my top choice so far
5. ipod shuffle (most already have some form)
6. leatherman / multi tool
7. leather billfold

More useful but less "cool" would be just paying for their tuxedos...

Mgoscottie

November 28th, 2009 at 5:00 PM ^

don't know if it'd be possible for most, but I teach chemistry so I did chemistry themed gifts. Gave out 2-Liters of diet coke and mentos, flash cotton and match-stick style lighters, then I got steins with names on them and coated the inside layer with silver by using silver nitrate, dextrose and some other chemicals.
Then for my ring bearer, I just bought some science kits that were more age appropriate for a 6 year old and got him a 20oz. and mentos.

TomVH

November 28th, 2009 at 5:11 PM ^

I can't remember who gave me this idea, but someone suggested buying gift cards to TicketMaster. They can decide what concert or sporting event to go to.

LJ

November 28th, 2009 at 5:13 PM ^

All but 1 were M grads, so I got a jersey for each, and an MSU jersey for the one Sparty in the bunch. I know, blasphemy, but there's a few things for which we can turn our differences aside, and a wedding is one of them.

Tim Waymen

November 28th, 2009 at 5:34 PM ^

Just buy them all lap dances and call it a day.

But seriously, I really like the cuff links idea. It's really classic. I like the Swiss Army knife idea, but I think it makes more sense if you're all the outdoorsy types or if it's a running joke. Plus you can't get them through airport security. I want to say bottle opener or shot glass, but that might be too fratboy. What about wine glasses?

Mazel tov!

Geaux_Blue

November 28th, 2009 at 5:37 PM ^

i bought mini coolers for each of them and loaded them up with personalized stuff, i.e. person specific dvds and variations of what they would like within a set idea. my guys liked it because it was outside the box and nobody ever buys themselves a nice cooler, etc. i would shy away from flasks and knives. i do like the jersey idea above.

Yostal

November 28th, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^

I had three groomsmen, best man was my college roommate, a friend from college, and my brother. First two, huge Michigan fans, natch, my brother, no so much. But I made it work. The Michigan guys got the Michigan hockey jersey of their choice (Best man chose the current Michigan home in #9) and the other Michigan groomsman already had a home white, so he went for a yellow #11 (nod to Kevin Porter). My brother wanted a Chelios Wings jersey, so that was easily done and done.

As an added touch, I got all of my Michigan alums in my groom's party Michigan lapel pins, which looked really good in the photos.

Steve Levy Sucks

November 30th, 2009 at 6:28 PM ^

more than not. I have a brother, but he's a lot younger than me. A best man is usually your best friend, which was my case. My brother was in the wedding party, but just because you have brother doesn't mean he needs to be your best man. Samen with brides, I doubt very few of them actually have their sisters as the maid of honor

MMBhorn

November 28th, 2009 at 5:59 PM ^

Custom zippos would be a cool idea. Even if they don't smoke or anything, a lighter is often convenient to have. Plus, zippos always look cool and come with lifetime guarantees, so no worries down the road.

wahlmc

November 28th, 2009 at 7:06 PM ^

When I take the plunge someday (hopefully still a few years off on that), I plan on giving my groomsmen personalized Louisville Slugger bats.

You can get them with the person's name engraved, and also have the option of engraving either their favorite MLB or college.

I think these are pretty badass, and would make for a nice decoration piece in an office or den.

david from wyoming

November 28th, 2009 at 7:10 PM ^

I would love the personalized knives, but then again, I cook a lot. If most of the group doesn't enjoy cooking maybe it's not the best choice.

jtmc33

November 28th, 2009 at 7:16 PM ^

Your Fiance'. Oh, Will, I'm just kidding that was horrible.

They've all already had her anyway.... oh Jesus, Will, that was low. Just kidding... feel bad now.

Anyway, she's too fat for them!

Ok, now I feel real bad... I don't even know you.

But I know your Fiance'!!!! Ok, that was it, gotta go now. Beers running low!

All joking aside... get them a flask. I'm using mine right now!

Sgt. Wolverine

November 28th, 2009 at 7:48 PM ^

Pay for the tuxes. One of my brothers made that his gift for his wedding, and I appreciated it much more than anything else he might have given me. The tux rental fee is such an astonishing waste of money, and it's one of the things I hate most about being in weddings. I guess it's supposed to be an honor to be asked to stand up in a wedding, but I don't think groomsmen should have to pay for that honor unless they're actually buying the tuxes.

mgoblue7

November 28th, 2009 at 7:57 PM ^

I gave my guys flasks with their initials on them. We made good use of them the day of the wedding, we all were sipping on a good scotch prior to the ceremony.

HelloHeisman91

November 30th, 2009 at 12:14 AM ^

Hookers. Can't go wrong with a personalized flask but I think I read they don't drink. I have a flask from a great friends wedding and years later it still comes in handy on game day.

Another great gift I have seen is monogrammed shirts to wear with the tux. If they have white collar jobs that require a suit occasionally you can't miss. I used to work with a couple guys, a groom and a groomsman, and they would have their shirts on all the time. Really a great idea.

Beavis

November 29th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^

I know you said they don't drink, but the best gift I ever got for being a groomsman was a nice bottle of single malt.

Either way, make sure to get them all the same thing, or to spend approx. the same on all the gifts.

Koyote

November 30th, 2009 at 11:10 AM ^

Just as a heads up. Some cultures believe that you should never give knives as a gift. Something about it "cuts" the friendship. So if you have any superstitious groomsmen you may want to not give those.

buckley

November 30th, 2009 at 4:51 PM ^

Are pretty cool, and they can be personalized for each groomsman. Last wedding I got old-English "D" links, another guy got Steelers, another Cubs, etc.

Happyshooter

November 30th, 2009 at 6:39 PM ^

The gifts that seem to get used the most, that most guys don't already have, are leatherman type tools and good quality LED flashlights.

A friend gave out Gerber tools to their groomsmen two months ago, and several of the guys use them all the time.

kgh10

November 30th, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^

If you are thinking about going the Johnny Walker Blue route, you can actually engrave those as well. I personally don't think you can go wrong with a nice bottle of whiskey. Even if the guys don't drink often, JW Blue is often only brought out for special occasions (unless of course you are a baller and can afford it all of the time).

http://us.johnniewalker.com/BlueLabel/blue.htm?positive=111&section=eng…

saveferris

December 1st, 2009 at 9:57 AM ^

I gave my best man a humidor and some cigars to start him off. Of course, I only had one guy stand up with me at my wedding, so this is probably too expensive an option if you have a large wedding party. Still, he loved it, and it benefits me too whenever I stop by his place and there's a fresh stogie waiting.

NYWolverine

December 1st, 2009 at 7:22 PM ^

My buddy had personalized bobbleheads made for his groomsmen. The ones that are done really well are just plain scary. A laugh riot, and a very unique gift. They're about $100 each to make.

Zonereadstretch

December 2nd, 2009 at 12:18 PM ^

I tried to steer away from the traditional gifts as much as possible or at least find a unique twist on them. Nothing against engraved flasks or steins, but I just felt the guys in my wedding party already had plenty of them from weddings prior. We had my bachelor party in Lexington KY, this past April @ Keeneland. Being that we were in Bourbon country and that the Makers Mile was run that weekend, I got each of my Groomsmen a ½ pint of Makers to have on them during the day of the wedding and then a set of personalized cigars engraved with their names on the case from the maker’s website.

http://www.makersmarkgiftshop.com/MM018.htm

I also picked them up a jigger that I found to be pretty unique for everyone’s barware collection,

http://www.unicahome.com/catalog/item.asp?id=36039&PartnerID=SLI

and even though I liked the jersey idea’s mentioned above I’m an alum of Miami (OH) so to finish things off I grabbed a traditional Miami T-shirt for each of the guys as my wife grabbed one for each of her bridesmaids so we could toss them on after the wedding for one last photo op.