Weddings are expensive, so when couples want to cut costs they don’t always know where to start. In the latest Ask Emmaline advice question, a couple wants to nix one cost from their checklist: gifts for their groomsmen. But they want to know… are groomsmen gifts required? Why or why not?
Are Groomsmen Gifts Required?
Thanks to Emmaline Bride reader, Adam, for writing and inspiring this blog post.
He asks,
“Hey Emmaline, My fiancee and I read your blog and we want to know, do we really need to give groomsmen gifts? We’re on a budget, but we want to cover the things that are important. We don’t want to look cheap by skipping them. Do groomsmen expect gifts? Or is it just an optional thing some couples do? Thank you!”
Great question, Adam! As a rule of thumb, it is considered customary to give gifts to groomsmen for being a part of your wedding.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to call it mandatory, because then it sounds more like a hassle, you should give gifts of some kind regardless of your budget.
Why?
Groomsmen are given gifts as a way to say thank you for being a part of your wedding. Also, they’re offering many costs of their own, including renting a tuxedo or suit, polishing up their dress shoes, grooming, traveling, and most likely giving you a wedding gift.
And while a gift shouldn’t be thought of as paying them back, it’s a nice way to offer a token of your appreciation to thank them and say thank you for their support on your wedding day.
So, in fewer words, yes, gifts for groomsmen and bridesmaids are necessary costs you’ll incur on your wedding day.
But that doesn’t mean they have to cost a lot of money.
It’s not about how much you spend, but rather the thought that counts. And it is far more appreciated to give groomsmen gifts that are useful than giving stuff for the sole purpose of crossing it off of the list.
While we’re on the topic of cheap gift ideas, here are some suggestions that won’t set you back too much yet will make a perfect wedding-day gift item. Best of all, many places offer quantity discounts, so when you’re buying in bulk for groomsmen you’ll get a better price than buying them individually.
• Can Coolers, $5.99+/each
• Custom Drinking Glass, $17.43+
• Engraved Pocket Knife, $9.78+
• Toiletry Kits, $11/each
• Dopp Kit, $12+
• Funny Caricature Drink Flasks, $19.95+
• Cufflinks with Personalized Box, $9.52+
• Backpack Cooler, $21.40+
• Leather Holder, $13+
• Sunglasses with Case, $9.99+
As you can see with these examples, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to give good groomsmen gifts. And now that you know they’re a good idea, I hope this helps you find some suitable gift ideas on a budget.
► Browse through these groomsmen gifts under $20 for additional suggestions.
Thank you to Adam for writing! I hope it helps.
