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

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

Pinwiz — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:48:52 -0800

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!

By: ian1977

ian1977 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:55:29 -0800

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.

By: lassie

lassie — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:58:45 -0800

A gift certificate for a massage or a spa (if he'd go), for when it all gets to be too much?

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:11:26 -0800

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.

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:32:25 -0800

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.

By: bassjump

bassjump — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:51:49 -0800

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.

By: tastybrains

tastybrains — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:52:24 -0800

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.

By: rokusan

rokusan — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:52:35 -0800

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

Whiskey. Lots and lots of whiskey.

By: robocop is bleeding

robocop is bleeding — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:01:44 -0800

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).

By: schroedinger

schroedinger — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:04:04 -0800

Rokusan said exactly what I was going to say. So include a nice, unobtrusive hip flask along with the whiskey.

By: toomuchpete

toomuchpete — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:12:52 -0800

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

You know... just in case.

By: pineapple

pineapple — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:46:19 -0800

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.

By: jmevius

jmevius — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:18:15 -0800

Seriously, whiskey.

By: chrisamiller

chrisamiller — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:47:45 -0800

My parents did something similar for me last year, so I got an apron filled with cleaning supplies. It's jokey, but amusing.

By: doorsfan

doorsfan — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:06:46 -0800

An activity - maybe a certificate for the driving range or something like that for him to get out and relax.

By: po822000

po822000 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:13:49 -0800

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...

By: theora55

theora55 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:12:30 -0800

Earplugs?

Links to indiebride, AskMe threads with good commonsense wedding advice, and any other encouragement to not let wedding planning become a miserable chore.

By: Gucky

Gucky — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 11:15:00 -0800

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.