Mr. H Needs Your Help!
July 1st, 2008 @ 5:30 pm by Mrs. Hydrangea
Last night while Mr. H and I were eating dinner, the topic of groomsmen’s gifts came up. I’d been bugging Mr. H for months to try and come up with some ideas, so that we aren’t stuck buying everything last minute. With less than 100 days left until the wedding, it’s looking like it will be last minute after all. Here are a few ideas I came up with, all shot down by Mr. H:
1) Cuff links - While a very popular choice, if we bought them sterling silver cuff links with their initials engraved in them, it would be something they could keep forever, which I think is important.
(Image from JC Penney Jewelry)
2) Personalized Coolers - This is one of my personal favorites - how fun would it be to have a nice cooler emblazoned with their initials, filled with their favorite beer and ready to go?
(Image from Bud Shop)
(Image from The Pink Monogram)
3) iPods - While I think these are a great gift, some of the groomsmen in our wedding are technologically behind and don’t even have a computer, which is pretty necessary with one of these.
(Image from here)
I have to admit, none of my ideas are super original. I guess that while I’ve been thinking about the entire wedding and cute gifts for my girls, I’ve kinda let the poor boys get pushed to the back of my mind. When Mr. H and I were talking and I couldn’t think of anything, he asked me to use my best resources - the girls of the hive - to come up with some ideas.
What are your fiances planning on giving their groomsmen (or what did your husbands give)? While we are trying to keep the pricing at a reasonable amount, I’d love to hear all ideas from every end of the spectrum!
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55 Responses to “Mr. H Needs Your Help!”
Mr. CP loved the ipod idea, but our problem is the exact opposite of yours–all of our GM already have them! We ended up getting them each a tie for the wedding and an old fashioned razor (Mr. CP recently started using one and loves it!).
My FI is giving ipod shuffles as gm gifts too…i think they’re awesome. We use ours for working out and such all the time (even though we already have regular-size ipods). If they don’t have computers, that is a tough one…but they can be personalized/engraved for free from apples website, so FI is picking very appropriate personal quotes for each and i think our guys will love them!
We struggled and finally found a hip flask for the BM at a local vintage shop. Not original, but certainly has a certain cool factor, though hopefully won’t get him into too much trouble!
My fiance’ is picking out his own gifts and he has chosen to give them a pocket-knife type gadget. While this probably won’t fit everyone’s groomsmen, it is truly a gift that can be used a lifetime. The guppie is extremely handy to keep in your car, to use while camping, hiking, biking, etc. Check it out: http://www.crkt.com/guppie.html
Hope this helps somewhat.
I would do some sort of cuff links…. I saw these cute ones with a skull and crossbones- sort of funny- maybe not. But definitely cuff links, engraved are great.
I vote for the cooler. Who doesn’t love a personalized cooler! It’s fun and it’s something guys can use again and again. P.S. I like the top one best.
This will make me sound like a hic but we are having a Montana wedding so we are giving the groomsmen belt buckles that the local brewery makes that have their beer logo and double as bottle openers.
Just to add that already having an ipod shouldn’t be a reason to not give the shuffle–we also have regular ipods and shuffles b/c the shuffle is easier for running or on-the-go, whereas the regular is better for carrides, parties, etc.
I know a bride who gave shuffles fully loaded with their favorite songs (groom was in charge of that).
I am screen printing a design I created for the boys onto Frisbees…my new last name.
My fiance’s decided to go with a nice leather wallet– sort of borders between a keepsake and a practical gift.
We did pocket knives as well, but picked ones to suit each guy’s life. For example, our techy GM got one with a detachable thumb-drive, and our overseas teacher/constant traveler GM got one that has all the little gadgets, but no knives so he could take it on the plane.
I love the cooler idea, I think I’ll steal it!
We opted for ties and matching pocket squares to eliminate having to buy flowers for the guys, socks, PB engraved Mugs, Craftsmen tool bottle opener and a case of their favorite beer. Practical and useful. I’m really excited that he came up with this all on his own!
My husband researched quite a bit to find really nice leather front pocket wallets and had them monogramed. I wasn’t sure how the 6 GMs would react, but they loved them. They started using them at the rehearsal lunch!
p.s. looooove the coolers!
we paid for half their suits and we’re getting all them a caricature of themselves. i think its fun. 
I think the cuff links are very practical because not a lot of men have them, but essential for a tux. Although, I really, really like the personalized cooler!
I think we are going to give each of the guys a wallet so they have something they can keep and then put a gift cardfor gas inside. Not very exciting but these days I think it is something they will all appreciate.
I think the cooler is a great idea!
Other suggestions include flasks (and a favorite bottle of booze) or a money clip.
My FI is giving his guys engraved business card holders.
As for my gift to FH, it will be an engraved flask filled with his favorite booze-tequila!
At the last wedding I went to, the groom gave each guy a different gift. Crystal highball glasses to the scotch drinker, a money-clip to the gambler, cufflinks to the guy without cufflinks (the youngest of the guys and the only one without cufflinks), and hard to find cigars for the guy who has everything. They may not seem like exciting gifts, but all the guys really loved them.
I like the cooler idea!
We went with Omaha Steaks for our groomsmen. Everyone (including wives and girlfriends) loved the gift! All of our groomsmen had to travel to be in our wedding, so it was also a plus that the gifts went straight to their door. Good luck!
My husband gave his groomsmen RayBan aviator sunglasses. It was awesome because they got to take pics before the wedding with them - and then they ended up all getting them out while on the dancefloor and it was so fun! He bought them at Sunglass hut and gave everyone gift receipts so they can always return them and get something more their style if they want.
I like the cooler idea! that is pretty original.
My husband gave his GMs personalized travel putting sets. They were pretty affordable and the groomsmen loved them. I was surprised at how beautiful and professional they looked. They didn’t look cheap. Here’s the link:
http://www.groomstand.com/index.cfm?action=cat.prodInfo&productID=697
We only had one guy who wasn’t a big golf person, but I think he still liked it.
I’m a guy, and I think groomsmen gifts are absolutely unnecessary. My guy friends were all somewhat befuddled as to why I was buying them gifts for something they were honored to do…
This may sound silly, but my fiance is giving each of his groomsmen a pillow. Not the normal pillows, but the nice ones. He bought them at Select Comfort (Side Sleeper) when they had a buy one, get one free deal. He (I) am also going to get them a pillowcase and have their names embroidered on the sides. Who doesn’t love a nice pillow?
My husband gave flasks engraved with each GM’s nickname. It wasn’t the most original idea, but going with the nicknames was our way of putting a personal, fun and kinda embarrassing(!!) twist on it.
We are getting the guys their ties, manly pedicures, and their sandals. To get to the beach at our location, you have to walk out a long dock that is full of splinters, so sandals are needed. But these aren’t just any sandals they have bottle openers and flasks built in!! =)
Other things that my FI has gotten from weddings he’s been in: engraved beer stein, engraved flask, and personalized pocket knife.
FI bought each of the guys their suits (we got an amazing deal) and we’re getting them ties. I love the cooler idea though!
Our groomsmen are getting monogrammed duffel bags from LLBean, the kind you can take for a weekend trip and are the right size for carry-on luggage. We know none of the guys has a good carry-on bag so they’re sure to be used, and we picked a rugged, outdoor-guy friendly style so they’re all sure to like it.
Picking something for the guys is SO much harder than the girls, I totally feel you! Good luck!
oooh the LOADED ipod idea is a good one (someone said it above)! that gets around the no-computer problem. Do you know their favorite bands/songs?
I have seen personalized bottles of Crown Royal (with the name, date, a short message from the groom). My FI LOVED that gift that he received once… we still have the bottle.
He is going with getting the guys fancy socks. Whatever that means. Guys are so weird about dress socks.
My fiance and I came up with the idea of giving the groomsmen personalized poker chip sets that come in a really neat metal case. He found a website that let’s you customize them every which way you like. We’re going to get metal plates engraved with their monograms to put on the cases.
I like that Mr. Bee started his comment with “I’m a guy” 
… but in that vein–and I’m not a guy, but I’ve seen groomsmen receive gifts–I would tend towards something more casual for the groomsmen. Keepsakes seem to be kinda beyond a lot of guys. All depends on the guys of course, but the cooler idea sounds awesome!
I like the cooler idea. Frankly, most of our GMs would get little to no use out of cufflinks (including my FH).
Currently we are channeling Dwight Shrute from the office, and thinking about custom bobbleheads. It’s just a matter of whether or not we can gather enough photos of the guys.
My FI received a really nice glass beer stein with his initials engraved on it. It is huge and super sturdy and he uses it all the time. I think it was pretty reasonably priced too! I’m sure they will appreciate anything you get them!
I like the different pocket knife ideas too!
I personally love the cooler idea! Especially since you live where it is so stinking hot in the summer — they would use them a lot!
My issue with cufflinks is their lack of use. Let’s face it, how many guys really own french cuff shirts? I know my husband has… one shirt? One. And he wears it… never. He owns three pairs of cufflinks that fit in a shirt he never wears. That’s not a practical situation. (And what did I get him for a wedding gift? Yeah, cufflinks. To wear for the wedding. But that was for HIM. I FORBID him from getting the groomsmen cufflinks, because of this exact situation).
Go for the cooler! How fun!
I think Mrs. Bee’s idea is great. I’m a huge fan of gifts that can be used up and don’t make more clutter like coffee/wine/cigar of the month subscriptions or gift certificates for services like old fashion shave, a paint ball game, a great restaurant, etc. Good luck!
Can you tell me where you guys got the poker sets from?
my husband wasn’t sure why he needed to get them presents (we paid for their tux rentals) but decided on getting them outdoorsy pocket knives (from outdoor world). his groomsmen didn’t know what they were getting gifts, but enjoyed it. (he also has received pocket knives when he was a best man..so it was a natural progression.
We did steak brands (google ‘em) w/each groomsman’s initials on them. Super cool, not overly expensive, and NOBODY had one already!
Their ties for the wedding (big hit) and engraved flasks and engraved beer mugs for the guys who don’t drink liquor. They were engraved with their nicknames and they LOVED them
Honestly, what guy wouldn’t love the cooler idea? It is definitely something they would use. Cuff links? Nice gift, but usually get stuck in a drawer. And if your groomsmen aren’t really “techy” or have iPods already, why consider it?
My fiance is getting personalized Converse sneakers to wear for the wedding and decided to get them for the groomsmen too. Practical, a nice touch of personality for the groomsmen’s outfits and will make for a cool photo
You can design your own sneakers on the Converse website, pick the side, tongue, rubber, and lace colors and even have the wedding date on the back heel where it usually says All Star.
Although I love the idea of a cooler, or bottle of wine, etc.. Just be careful about if your guys are traveling! With the joys of airline travel, liquids are a no-no!!
We got everyone in the wedding party a hotel room for the night & had a driver that took everyone back to the hotel from the reception so no body had to worry about driving that night. My husband also got the guys an engraved flask and a bottle of their favorite liquor. I had mentioned getting them cufflinks buy he was against that idea since he felt most guys really wouldn’t use those again & since we all go camping alot he thought the flasks would get more used more & they have. I do really like the cooler idea though, i just showed my husband and he loved them too.
Wow this sounds like a similar conversation. I too had stressed my FI to come up with something with a few months to go, and now we’re ONE WEEK out and finally, their gifts arrived a day ago. Therefore, don’t stress TOO MUCH about the timing. The Internet and Amazon.com are a wonderful thing.
We’re giving our three groomsmen Leathermen Utility tools. It’s a knife, scissors, and all kinds of other things all built into one. What male doesn’t enjoy sharp, shiny, pointy objects?
My guy and most of his friends wear cufflinks every day. Isn’t that how most guys shirts close?
I have no idea what he’ll get his guys. They will all be flying in, so coolers, knives and liquids are out. They aren’t sports fans, and only one of them likes outdoorsy stuff.
we’re giving all our groomsmen Gerber multitools. I got one as a gift years ago and it’s one of the most frequently used thing i own!
I like the iPod idea. Cuff links are a wasted gift unless they will really use them. My husband has a tux set from his grandfather that he uses for sentimental reasons, but that’s about it. Unless your guys wear French cuff shirts or tuxes A LOT, I would do something else.
Kelly~Most men don’t wear French cuff shirts IME. My husband wears dress shirts that button on the cuffs. That’s great that they wear them, but I wouldn’t say that’s the norm.
We did personalized coolers (LL Bean) and personalized pub signs. The boys loved them!
On the subject of “of the month” clubs, there are also many beer-of-the-month clubs out there that send both domestic and international microbrews. Most clubs seem to have a 3, 6, or 12 month “subscription” option, and you also wouldn’t have to worry about traveling GM’s as the selections would get delivered to them at home.
We did cufflinks, but personalized them to their interests (sports teams). See cufflinks.com
the steak brand idea is great, especially if they are real manly guys, i think they would love it. I think my finance and I are going with a personalized gift for each groomsmen so we can get something for each that they would really enjoy. We are making sure to spend the same on each, maybe gift cards for the same amount to different places each guy may enjoy.
Mrs. Hydrangea, Dallas
Age and Occupation: 26, Administrative Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Network Analyst
Engagement Date: June 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: January 14, 2008
Venue: Catholic Church and Reception at The W Hotel
About Me: Mr. H and I come from very different cultures and backgrounds so I'm excited to plan our wedding with a balance of both traditions. My mom has always been a DIY queen, and I'm just now starting to get into it with a new house and a wedding to plan!
Definitely the ipod!! My FI got an ipod shuffle as a groomsmen gift and it’s the only gm gift he’s used. He’s an avid runner so it’s perfect for him. I think the shuffles are about $50, if you wanted to spend a little more you could also include an itunes gift card. I think anybody–groomsmen or bridesmaid–would love that gift!!