Cherished friends, brothers from another mother (or the same mother!), lackeys for the weekend; chances are your best man and groomsmen have been helpful in the lead up to your wedding. Maybe they’ve planned your stag, helped with last-minute logistics, or at the very least, turned up to some suit fittings.
And if you’re looking for a way to say thank you to the gents in your wedding party, we’ve rounded up 17 great best man and groomsmen gift ideas that your lads will love – whatever their style, and whatever your budget.
Groomsmen Gift Ideas
1. Weekender Bag
This is a lovely one to gift just before the wedding so that the groomsmen can use it for the big day. Choose a classic colour like tan or black leather so it’ll last a lifetime.
2. Record Player
Even if your groomsman has his own sweet set up at home, you can’t beat a portable record player for weekends away and parties. Extra gifting bonus points if you include a record of a band you both love.
3. Mongrammed Journal
For the groomsman who likes to journal, a leather bound notebook with his initials would be perfect. These classic styles from Papier come in 10 different colours, so choose one that matches your wedding palette.
4. Everyday Watch
Most guys don’t wear their good watch for everyday use, so why not gift your groomsmen something cool and contemporary that won’t cost too much, which they will also get lots of wear.
5. Tweed Flat Cap
Have you got groomsmen coming from overseas? A quality tweed cap from a heritage brand like Magee is a lovely way to add traditonal Irish style to your gifting. Plus it’ll look great in photos!
6. Skin Treat
The gals aren’t the only ones who might enjoy pampering prep for the wedding day. Gift your groomsmen a face and body skincare kit to make sure they’re looking their freshest. Brands local to where you’re going to wed are a nice way to give a nod to the area too!
7. Cufflinks
It might seem like one of the obvious groomsmen gift ideas, but don’t assume every groomsman will have good quality cufflinks for the wedding. Get them engraved with their initials – it’s a wonderful way to personalise something they’ll have forever.
8. Current Clock
Does anyone even use clocks anymore we hear you ask… Well this one is a bit special as it will show you exactly how high the tide is at anytime of the day and they come with images of famous Irish and UK swimming spots too. Perfect for the sea swimmers in your wedding party!
9. Sock Subcription
If your groomsmen are the type that rely on their mothers to buy them socks at Christmas, then up their game with a monthly sock subscription. We love The Irish Sock Society as it has so many options, both stylish and novelty. Choose from a three (€28), six (€47) or 12 month (€95) sock subscription with either a chosen or random selection.
10. Smart Wallet
Cool, compact but with great storage for cards and notes, these smart wallets allow cards to pop up, are made to last and are almost undetectable in a trouser pocket. Pop in a gift token if you want too!
11. Personalised Hot Sauce
If you’re groomsman fancies himself a bit of a foodie and likes a super hot sauce mix, then that guy needs his very own bottle!
12. Hip Flask
A slick hip flask for sneaky snifters is another timelessly classic gift. Get one with a leather sleeve that can be personalised with a message or their initials.
13. Special Whiskey
Speaking of sneaky snifters… maybe you want to give your groomsmen something special to fill their hip flask with too. Choose a rare or old blend they’ll be excited about or even better, a personalised bottle.
14. Handmade Scarf
Keep your crew cosy with a handwoven scarf. Ideal if your wedding is in winter or early spring, and a keepsake to cherish if you can get a scarf that’s locally made.
15. Stylish Shades
Ensure your wedding party look their most stylish with cool sunglasses to complete their look. Remember, shades look good all year round in photos.
16. Signature Scent
Scent is one of the most powerful ways to evoke a memory and ensure your groomsmen remember your day every time they spritz by gifting them a signature scent from a unique perfume house. We have a whole post on alternatives fragrances for men here.
17. Vintage Band Poster
Every guy has a band or artist that he’s obsessed with, and Etsy has tonnes of high quality vintage style reprints of gig posters from the greats. A seriously budget-friendly option. You could even choose a band that you both love.
Tips for Buying Groomsmen Gifts
- There is a temptation to buy the same thing for all your guys, but if they have very different styles or personalities, consider getting each of them an individual gift instead. It might be more work, but it’s better than something generic that covers all bases but doesn’t spark joy.
- This is a good gifting rule in general, but give a groomsmen gift that your friends wouldn’t buy themselves. Whether that’s a fancy pocket square, a good bottle of whiskey, or something nice for their home.
- Avoid buying something that will get tossed in a drawer and forgotten about – even if it’s as simple as a bottle opener or a book, something with real use is so much more thoughtful and less wasteful.
- To make a gift really personalised, look to sites like Etsy and Not on the High Street for custom engraving or monogrammed gifts, likewise, some whiskey distilleries offer custom bottles.
- Buy your wedding party gifts in advance if you can – this job often gets left until the week of the wedding and couples end up throwing money at it, rather than getting something more affordable and considered.
- Set a gift budget and stick to it – especially if you have a large wedding party. If you have just a best man, it’s nice to treat him if you can, but if you’re multiplying the gifts by four, your friends will appreciate any thank you gesture, however big or small. If you have lots of groomsmen and you’re buying several of one gift, ask about a discount – all they can say is no!
- Some couples choose to forgo gifts and instead gift the groomsmen their suits!
We have plenty more groomsmen articles. Check out:
