What to put into a "Groom's Survival Kit"?

November 7, 2007 4:48 AM

What should I put into a "survive the wedding planning" basket for the groom?

My brother is getting married in May, and I'm looking for a good Christmas gift for him. My concept is a "Groom's Survival Kit" for the wedding planning process. I've found a book on Amazon, but I can't imagine that he hasn't received it already. Yes, there's going to be a flask.

Any suggestions to put into the basket? I'm trying to stay away from putting a bottle of alcohol or something else traditional and am trying to think of something that no one would have thought of. Please help me, MeFi!

posted by Pinwiz to shopping (17 comments total)

I am assuming an iPod would be a little spendy for the basket...but maybe an itunes gift card so he has music to listen to during free moments between flower shopping, cake selecting, reception stuff, etc, etc.

Some comfy gel insoles for all the standing around and walking that is sure to ensue.
posted by ian1977 at 4:55 AM on November 7, 2007

A gift certificate for a massage or a spa (if he'd go), for when it all gets to be too much?
posted by lassie at 4:58 AM on November 7, 2007

Whatever else imaginative you add, always throw in a bottle opener. Every groom's party I've been in has needed to find one. Maybe I didn't know enough Boy Scouts.
posted by yerfatma at 5:11 AM on November 7, 2007

By way of apology for my spectacular misreading of the question . . . it's not a gift in the traditional sense, but provide him with a link to TheKnot.com. While not much direct use to him, the women on there, especially in the regional or special wedding groups, have a ton of resources and reviews which saved me from the endless dragging around looking at stuff.
posted by yerfatma at 5:32 AM on November 7, 2007

In the line of what ian1977 suggested, maybe a good pair of earphones? The kind that block out outside noises (and babbling)?
Or ear plugs, at least as a joke.

What's his favorite food or snack? Some little treats, even junk food, could be fun.

A bottle of painkillers for the inevitable headaches.
posted by bassjump at 5:51 AM on November 7, 2007

What about a slick pilsner glass and membership into a beer-of-the-month club from December until the month of his wedding? There seem to be a few of these types of clubs - the first one Google turned up was this one.
posted by tastybrains at 5:52 AM on November 7, 2007

What should I put into a "survive the wedding planning" basket for the groom?

Whiskey. Lots and lots of whiskey.
posted by rokusan at 5:52 AM on November 7, 2007

There are a few books out there like What the Hell is a Groom and What is He Supposed to Do? that can be nice to toss into a gift basket. They usually have checklists of things so the groom can keep track of everything and help out when needed.

Booze never hurts. If you can find a nice bottle of wine that will be at its peak deliciousness soon before the wedding, then by all means include it (call it the "Last Sip of Freedom" or something). You can balance that out with another wine that ages well to be opened upon the birth of your first niece/nephew.

Depending on your family, joke gifts are okay. My survival kit included an inflatable sheep (with two penetration holes!) and a stack of porn. YMMV

Also consider spa/gift/nights out for the bride to be included in the kit. After all, if you're giving this kit to your brother for Christmas, theoretically your sister-in-law-to-be will be there too. It never hurts to get in on your new family's good side! (Plus if you're sneaky, such a gift can get the stressed out bride out of your brother's hair for a bit).
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:01 AM on November 7, 2007

Rokusan said exactly what I was going to say. So include a nice, unobtrusive hip flask along with the whiskey.
posted by schroedinger at 6:04 AM on November 7, 2007

...one of those pre-written, cookie cutter divorce forms.

You know... just in case.
posted by toomuchpete at 6:12 AM on November 7, 2007

Definitely depends on your relationship and who will be there when the gift is opened, so please disregard any of these you find offensive:

Really funny might be a quick reference guide of translations for the terms his fiancée is going to be using frequently that are like a foreign language -- ex. tulle, bridal luncheon, Bridal Extravaganza, at-home cards, table numbers, fondant, trousseau, junior bridesmaid, morning coat, thermography, and so on.

I agree that as a gag gift, earplugs would be great.

Sunglasses, both for the morning after the bachelor party, and for the possibly-tropical honeymoon?

Maybe a nice copy of the Serenity Prayer, which I think would be cute even if he's not especially religious ('God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference') -- these are easy to find on bookmarks, plaques, and such.

Definitely Advil, Zantac.

Band-Aids for the blisters from the formal dress shoes?

Blistex, in case his lips get chapped from kissing in-laws' asses? (again, this would have to be the right time and place)

Breath mints to get him through all the pre-wedding parties.

Maybe a video on how to tie a bow tie?

A homemade certificate guaranteeing one bailout for the groom if needed after the bachelor party?

Maybe one of these cheesy Groom t-shirts. (The "I Heart [Bride]" tee would win you points if the fiancée will be there when it's opened.)

A really nice handkerchief, maybe embroidered with the wedding date, would make a lovely keepsake for him, but is still manly enough for a guy to give his brother.
posted by pineapple at 6:46 AM on November 7, 2007

Seriously, whiskey.
posted by jmevius at 7:18 AM on November 7, 2007

My parents did something similar for me last year, so I got an apron filled with cleaning supplies. It's jokey, but amusing.
posted by chrisamiller at 7:47 AM on November 7, 2007

An activity - maybe a certificate for the driving range or something like that for him to get out and relax.
posted by doorsfan at 8:06 AM on November 7, 2007

An outing to a paintball place or firing range or something like that - some thing to channel the aggression he might feel toward his suffocating MIL?

Also, with the costs of wedding what they are, a "Get Out of Debt" book...
posted by po822000 at 8:13 AM on November 7, 2007

Earplugs?

Links to indiebride, AskMe threads with good commonsense wedding advice, and any other encouragement to not let wedding planning become a miserable chore.
posted by theora55 at 9:12 AM on November 7, 2007

I'd make a set of reminder cards. Print out cards that say things as:
"It's Only One Day"
"It's Not Worth Arguing About"
"These Are The Hoops We Jump Through for a Lifetime of Bliss"
"The Most Upsetting Thing Will Be the Best Story 10 Years from Now"

(It'll get you in much less trouble than a stack of flash cards that say, "Yes Dear." "If That's What You Think is Best, I'm All For It" and "I Trust Your Judgment" -- that's more of a bachelor party thing)

Comfy shoes/socks.
Something to clear the palate for cake tasting/wine tasting/food tasting (crackers, subtle mints, etc).
A digital camera for taking pictures of things - tuxes, rings, locations, etc.
A book he'd like to read with a "Men Are Venus/Mars" dust jacket or similar. Or a hollowed out "sensitive new age guy" type book with space for an iPod shuffle or a DS.
posted by Gucky at 11:15 AM on November 7, 2007