Among the different people involved in making the arrangements for the wedding, the groomsmen and bridesmaids chosen by the bride and the groom themselves, have a very special and important role to play. At the same time, it is the responsibility of the bride and groom, to acknowledge their efforts and thank them for the same. One of the best ways to appreciate the groomsmen and bridesmaids for their efforts and thank them is to gift them something, which they will treasure for a lifetime.

While the brides are very keen in selecting the best and most suitable gifts for the bridesmaids, the grooms most of the time are confused, as they are not aware what would delight the groomsmen. If you too have been looking for gift ideas for your groomsmen, this article will provide you with some ideal gift ideas.

While shopping for the groomsmen gift, you always need to remember that it is not a ritual, but a way to show your gratitude towards them for all the effort that they have put in to make your wedding day a success. Therefore the gifts that you pick up must be such that these are cherished by your friends for the next many years to come. At the same time you need to remember that your groomsmen might not have a common taste. Therefore, you need to choose the gifts according to their personality and likes and dislikes.

Before visiting the stores looking for the most suitable gifts for your groomsmen, it will always be wise to estimate your budget and then look for gifts within your budget. This way, you can make your friends happy, without making a hole in your pocket. Also, you should remember that the worth of the gift that you give them will not be estimated from the price you pay for it, but from the feelings attached to it. Therefore, to gift something that will be cherished, doesn’t mean that you need to overspend.

When you visit the stores you will find that, right from decorative items to useful products, there are numerous things that you can buy for your groomsmen. Some of the most popular items that make groomsmen gifts include cufflinks, sports bags, pocket watches, money clips, travel bags, perfumes, shaving kits, cigar accessories, and lots more. The best thing is that you can also get these personalized.

Therefore, choose the perfect gift for your groomsmen within your budget, and tell them how much you appreciate all that they have done for you.

This article has been written by an expert associated with WeddingMuseum.com, a company providing wedding gifts for today’s weddings.

The maid of honor’s role is to assist the bride on her wedding day — to lend her support, be reassuring, alleviate some stress and to even be a shoulder to cry on. She’s usually the bride’s sister or her best friend. The maid of honor will usually host the bridal shower and organize the bachelorette party. She can also assist the bride during the wedding planning process by accompanying her to various appointments (dress, cake, venue, etc). She’s also in charge of coordinating all the bridesmaids on the day of the wedding — making sure everyone is on time.

Another one of her duty can be to help the bride get dressed for the wedding as well as helping the bride manage her train, veil and bouquet during the entire day. She will hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony. The maid of honor can act as a legal witness for the bride by signing the marriage license after the wedding ceremony. She can also make a toast to the happy couple at the reception — usually following the best man‘s toast.

Best Man

The best man is usually the groom’s brother or his best friend. His duties are similar to the maid of honor’s duties. He will lend his moral support to the groom during what is sure to be a nerve-wracking day, but he can also help out with some of the wedding planning tasks, such as organizing the bachelor party or decorating the newlyweds‘ car. He’s also in charge of coordinating all the groomsmen for the day.

During the ceremony, the best man can be in charge of carrying the rings for safekeeping in his pocket. The best man can also act as a legal witness for the groom by signing the marriage license after the wedding ceremony. At the reception, the best man usually is the first one to make a speech and toast the happy couple.

Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids’ role is to assist the bride on her wedding day and in the months prior to the big day. The bridesmaids can help the bride, or the maid of honor, keep track of wedding gifts or RSVP responses. They can also help the maid of honor organize the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. They can help keep an eye out for the ring bearer and flower girl before the ceremony.

Groomsmen

Groomsmen are usually close friends or family members that hold a special place in the groom‘s life. On the wedding day, they will escort the bridesmaids down the aisle, and they can also act as ushers before the ceremony starts. They will also help the best man plan the bachelor party or decorate the newlyweds‘ car.

Flower Girl

The role of the flower girl is to walk down the aisle carrying a small basket full of petals and look cute as a button in the process. If your ceremony venue doesn’t let you drop fresh flower petals down the aisle, the flower girl could also carry a small bouquet or pomander down the aisle. Another idea would be for the flower girl to carry a flowered wand with ribbons.

Ring Bearer

The role of the ring bearer is to carry the rings down the aisle. Usually the rings are securely attached to a nicely decorated pillow. The ring bearer and the flower girl can also walk down the aisle together. If you’re not comfortable with having the real rings on the pillow, you can use fake rings for the ring bearer to carry, and give the real thing to the best man for safekeeping.

Ushers

The role of the ushers is to help seat your guests, answer general questions, hand out ceremony programs or wedding booklets, and help with the aisle runner. Ushers can be family members (brothers, cousins or brother-in-laws) or friends of the couple. They usually wear the same attire — tuxedos or suits — as the groomsmen

Pages

The role of the pages is to help the bride walk down the aisle by carrying her cathedral or royal length train for her. Pages are usually a little older than the ring bearers.

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

Bridesmaids get showered with fun little gifts to thank them for their participation, so why not the guys? Your groomsmen are your right hand men during all of the festivities, and it’s only fair to give them a little something thanking them for their help as well!

The gifts for your groomsmen need to be a little more durable though – and useful to boot. There’s nothing frilly here, monogramming is certainly not necessary, and gift wrapping is an afterthought. The best way to thank your best man and groomsmen? Give them something they’ll use time and time again; fortunately, there are groomsmen gift ideas that make everyone happy. The only challenge is the purchase. If the issue is budget, there are groomsmen gift ideas that won’t break the bank. If the issue is creativity, simply use this list to decide on the best gifts for your groomsmen!

Top Gifts for Groomsmen

Here are the top groomsmen gift ideas and picks for 2010:

1. Cooler chairs: What’s better than sitting down to enjoy a nice, cold beverage? Perhaps having that cold beverage within arm’s length of your chair! This chair/cooler combo is perfect for tailgating and other sports events as well as fishing, hunting, and outings that your best man and groomsmen might attend.
2. Silver flasks: A man’s ideal companion to a night on the town, a flask is one of the best gifts for groomsmen who are hard to buy for. Sterling silver prevents discoloration and rusting, plus it’s discreet enough to be tucked away in a jacket or pants pocket for later use. Monogramming is optional; just make sure to pre-fill them with the liquor of choice.
3. Tankards, Mugs, & Beer steins: Whether you want thick metal or hand-fired ceramic, tankards, mugs, and beer steins are great groomsmen gift ideas. Personalized or not, a beer stein can hold up to 22 ounces (or more) of cold, refreshing liquid. And whether or not your best man or groomsmen choose to use them, they make great catch-alls on top of bureaus, desks, and tables.
4. Cufflinks: A classy approach to groomsmen gift ideas, cufflinks can be customized or simply chosen with a fun design already engraved. Silver is the traditional choice, though they are available in flashier options, such as gold, pewter, and bronze. Give the cufflinks before the ceremony and your groomsmen can wear them during the big event.
5. Keg-A-Que: The ultimate in outdoor grilling, the keg-a-que, one of the most popular groomsmen gift ideas available, is just what it sounds like. A mini grill made from a keg! It’s small and portable enough to be taken on tailgating events or on camping trips, and is ideal for a quick steak dinner. The opportunities are limitless with the durable, completely metal, and fun Keg-A-Que at your groomsmen’s disposal.
6. Cigar tools: From a humidor to cigar cutter or even silver Zippo lighter, the cigar smoker in your life will thank you. In terms of humidors, the options are limitless: choose from classic cherry wood or mahogany, or even a pocket-sized cigar holder/flask combo. Now your groomsmen and best man can enjoy a cigar after the ceremony.
7. Golf accessories: Ideal gifts for groomsmen, golf accessories remain a popular choice. After all, an afternoon on the golf course may be just what your friends love to do to unwind. So, give them something they’ll appreciate: mini-golf divot tools, a golf bag with their initials, or even a pewter golf ball marker set. Now, they can hit the links in style.
8. Poker pieces: A great way to celebrate a guys’ night out! On Poker Night, there’s nothing but good food and good friends. Highlight these memories with unique gifts for your groomsmen, such as top-of-the-line Vegas-style poker chips and professional cards or a fully-equipped poker set in a durable wooden case! The poker aficionado will love being able to host his own Poker Night.

Purchasing Gifts for Groomsmen

Oftentimes, you can find the best deals online or in specialty wedding catalogues. Another option is to hit your local sporting goods store when there’s a sale running. Deciding on groomsmen gift ideas may be the farthest thing from your mind, but they’re important purchases. Surprise your friends and show them that you appreciate their help with the wedding events – from grill accessories to Poker Night festivities, your best friends will get a kick out of their gifts! Groomsmen now have a reason to celebrate too!

About the Author

Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Wedding Favors, the premier site for unique anniversary, baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, and wedding favors. Her wedding ideas have also benefited readers of many websites, including Women Of, Wedding Lenox, and The Wedding Guide. Before establishing Creative Wedding Favors in 2006, she worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing all the special moments of the nuptials and ceremony. Search for fun, festive favors by visiting www.CreativeWeddingFavors.com.

Despite some possible financial constraint, the role of groomsman is a worthy honor given out to only a few individuals at most weddings. Groomsmen come from all walks of life and reflect the many stages of the groom’s life: childhood, college, and more.

The role of groomsman is much more involved than simply renting a tux and making a toast at the rehearsal dinner. You’ll be much like the groom’s fixer and troubleshooter from the night of the bachelor party to the wedding reception. You’ll get a cool gift as an honorarium, too.

Here’s a timeline to get you prepared for all your groomsman duties:

Six months before the wedding

• Start browsing tuxedos catalogs and retailers, keeping the groom’s specifications in mind.
• Begin an exercise routine if necessary, to get yourself in shape for the tuxedo.
  

Five months before

• Have a tailor measure you for the tuxedo. Make final reservations to keep the tux for the whole of the wedding festivities.
• Begin browsing hotel and airfare bargains if you’re traveling out of town.

Four months before

• Finalize travel plans.
• Request time off work, if necessary.  The ideal trip is four days one day to fly in, two days for rehearsal and ceremony & reception, and then to fly out on the fourth day.

Three months before

• Make arrangements for care of pets, housestitters, et cetera for the time you’ll be away.
• Begin browsing for a wedding gift.

Two months before

• Purchase the wedding gift. If you’re traveling via air, don’t select a gift with heavy metal or lead crystal content. You’ll likely get jammed up at the security checkpoints.

One month before

• Double check travel arrangements.
• Enjoy the bachelor party.
• Draft the toast you’ll give during the rehearsal party.
• Arrange for transportation to and from your hometown airport; finalize transportation details in the destination city.
  

The week before the ceremony

• Pack everything you’ll need for the trip (Don’t forget to bring a suit for the rehearsal dinner.)
• Call the groom and check for any last-minute details.

Day of arrival

• Check into hotel and join in on the wedding festivities.
• Coordinate details and tasks with the best man and/or wedding planner.

Upon returning home

• Return tuxedo to rental store.
• Send thank you note for the groomsman gift.

Author:  Michael Kabel is the senior writer for My Wedding Favors.  My Wedding Favors proudly features a complete selection of groomsman gifts and bridesmaids gifts, as well as unique wedding favors, elegant and personalized wedding favors, and wedding favors to fit many styles and themes. Visit us online at www.myweddingfavors.com.