What is the best groomsman gift you ever received or heard of?

August 3, 2005 6:32 AM

What is the best groomsman gift you ever received or heard of?
posted by jonah to Shopping (31 answers total)

I gave my groomsmen nice pens engraved with their names. I didn't just pick a nice-looking pen, mind you, but found one that both looked nice and felt good to use. I figured everyone can use a nice pen.

Apart from that, maybe give each of them a nice bottle of wine, assuming that's appropriate (they're all over 21 and like wine, that is).
posted by cerebus19 at 7:43 AM on August 3, 2005

Leathermans
posted by abingham at 7:48 AM on August 3, 2005

My husband was a groomsman in a wedding where all the groomsmen were from different states. The groom got each one a jersey for his respective baseball team with the wedding date embroidered on the sleeve. Maybe not the best ever but definitely original.
posted by undertone at 8:01 AM on August 3, 2005

I gave a nice set of cufflinks. They are the sort of thing that every guy should have, but few of us go out and get. You gotta be sure that you know their tastes in such things though, otherwise they will never get used.
posted by TheFeatheredMullet at 8:07 AM on August 3, 2005

The best that I've received was a silver Zippo lighter engraved with the word "friendship" written in elvish. (Yes we do play D&D, and we read Lord of the Rings before the movies came out, so?) That was really nice. I have never smoked a cigarette in my life but five years later I still have that lighter.

I gave out gift certificates to Best Buy. At the time I thought I was being very thoughtful by letting them get whatever they wanted. Now I regret not getting them something that let them know that they truly are my best friends.

Whatever you get make sure it shows them that you appreciate their friendship and the time that they took to participate in your wedding. Get it engraved and make it something that they could (at least in theory) use just about forever. Trust me they will appreciate the gesture a great deal.
posted by oddman at 8:10 AM on August 3, 2005

I went with a nice bottle of wine or spirits individually targeted to each groomsmen's tastes. It got rave reviews. Oh and before I gave them that, I gave them all bottles of cheap stuff like MD 20/20 and Thunderbird as a gag gift. Its great being able to outfit your whole party with gag gifts for under $20 and it still ends up being a somewhat practical gift. They all tell me that they put it to great use in the after-reception party.
posted by mmascolino at 8:15 AM on August 3, 2005

I recently received a valet as a groomsman gift. Not incredibly original, but I use it every day. It's a great place to keep everything I keep in my pockets on a day to day basis. It holds my wallet, money clip, space pen, spare change, etc. in a stylish way.
posted by LouMac at 8:19 AM on August 3, 2005

I gave my guys engraved Swiss Army knives. They seemed to go over well, and were the type of thing they could, y'know, actually use down the line.

When a buddy of mine got married in Alberta we all got big ol'silver belt buckles with the first letter of our names on them - I still think mine is the shit.
posted by theinsectsarewaiting at 8:21 AM on August 3, 2005

DofG, I think it is more traditional to receive that gift from one of the bridesmaids, not the bride.

I second the cufflinks idea. Most stuff never gets used, but these will, even if only infrequently.
posted by caddis at 8:26 AM on August 3, 2005

I gave all of my groomsmen Swiss Army CyberTools knives. Four years later, I hear that everyone uses them on a regular basis.

Whatever you do, give something that will last and be useful.
posted by cherryghost at 8:59 AM on August 3, 2005

Paul Kariya rookie card. I'm biased though, as I was the giver.
posted by dbarefoot at 9:02 AM on August 3, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions, I have considered the Letherman route. I also got a nice little money clip/card holder that was personalized that I used for a long time before it wore out.
posted by jonah at 9:21 AM on August 3, 2005

My husband gave his friends lifetime memberships in the Memorial Union, a much-loved lakeside destination for music/beer/ice cream/socialization in Madison, Wis. Of course, it helped that they were all recent grads and memberships could be purchased for $50.

It probably doesn't apply exactly in your situation, but it's something that will serve them for years and they all love to spend time there. Your gift doesn't necessarily need to be an object or a consumable...
posted by handful of rain at 9:29 AM on August 3, 2005

I gave each of my groomsmen a knife; a switch/utility, a chef's knife, a santoku knife, and a Swiss Army knife with USB drive. So far, only one groomsman has required stiches due to knife-related woes.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:38 AM on August 3, 2005

A flask filled with really good Scotch, engraved with "How Much For That Gun?" (upside down, so it faces the drinker as he swigs).

A nice, nihilistic gift for a Maakies lover.

It was a nice rather in-joke, something he could use on the day of the wedding and something he could use often and think of the guy who gave it to him.
posted by Gucky at 10:20 AM on August 3, 2005

I haven't been in a lot of weddings, but my favorite gift was a nice shot glass with my initials engraved on it.
posted by hootch at 10:32 AM on August 3, 2005

I vote for knives but I also like Gucky's flask suggestion.
posted by Carbolic at 11:16 AM on August 3, 2005

I once got a Zippo lighter. I don't smoke. The cool thing about it, though was that the four Zippos (the groom and the 3 groomsmen) fit together to make a picture. Hmm. Maybe that's not so much as sentimental. By the way, all four of us have not been together since the wedding. It really is the thought that counts, I guess.
posted by clearlynuts at 11:31 AM on August 3, 2005

John Deere suspenders. The groom and his boys wore them for the entire reception, too. Needless to say, this was a farming area, but it was a big hit.
posted by MrZero at 11:34 AM on August 3, 2005

I always enjoyed getting cufflinks; I gave them to my own. They seem to never get trite or boring, since even the well-dressed man often has a small collection. And since they're worn during formal occasions, they regularly recall the original event, which is a nice touch. (I'm wearing groomsman cufflinks right now.)
posted by werty at 12:07 PM on August 3, 2005

A whiskey flask engraved with my initials and a little compartment where a cigar can go. Slick!
posted by ao4047 at 12:26 PM on August 3, 2005

Previous AskMe
posted by obloquy at 12:51 PM on August 3, 2005

I received an engraved swiss army knife - a nice gift, but it's starting to catch on. I don't know what I'll do with another one.

My cousin just recently got each of his groomsmen a nice keychain and wallet from Coach, with the promise that either or both could be returned for something else. The keychain has taken up permanent residence in my pocket, but I've been planning to swap the wallet for something I'll actually use (I'm to fond of my current billfold to switch).
posted by aladfar at 1:22 PM on August 3, 2005

I got swiss army knives (regular and key-ring sized) once, very useful.

For our wedding we gave everyone involved tools that fit their own taste, for example, my sister-in-law makes jewelry so she got a jewelry making tool.
posted by Pollomacho at 2:03 PM on August 3, 2005

A giant broadsword. It was completely unexpected, but very, very cool.
posted by gd779 at 2:47 PM on August 3, 2005

Agree with the flask, though I think probably the groomsman's initials would probably be a better engraving. The good scotch, though, is an absolute must.
posted by absalom at 3:20 PM on August 3, 2005

black ebony walking sticks with a nickel plated head. Not that anyone uses a walking stick, but it makes the umbrellas in the stand look cool and, what the heck you never know when you might want to swagger.
posted by 3rings at 3:26 PM on August 3, 2005

gd779 beat me to it; if I ever was to get married with the pomp and the ceremony and the headaches, I'd want to give my groomsmen swords (maybe epees or rapiers) - and make them wear it at the ceremony/reception.

/also figuring that if I ever get someone to say "yes" I'll probably need groomsmen protection from *something*
posted by PurplePorpoise at 3:26 PM on August 3, 2005

I recently received a great groomsman gift--a plush terry bathrobe from L. L. Bean, in navy, with my initials embroidered on the left chest. It's a great gift, I'll use it every day this winter.
posted by josh at 5:36 PM on August 3, 2005

Only groomsman gift I ever got was a digital watch that has temperature and barometer on it. Pretty cool.
posted by gottabefunky at 7:15 PM on August 3, 2005

When my brother got married we got Billy Bob Teeth (the photo op of us in our tuxes with the teeth definitely set the mood) (get some extras for the bridal party) and a Zero Blaster (My brother checked with the airline ahead of time to make sure that he could bring 4 of these and the brick of batteries that they require).

If I was doing it now I'd seriously consider engraved ipods or maybe red staplers.
posted by deanj at 11:40 AM on November 9, 2005