Your groomsmen are your best buddies — guys who have been there for you through thick and thin. And on the most important day of your life, they’ll be there for you once again, standing by your side as you take the plunge. In return for their longtime friendship and for coming to support you in getting hitched, it’s tradition to bestow upon each of them a groomsmen gift.

A groomsmen gift should be something that fits into the classically masculine category — style, vices, hobbies (like golfing or letter writing), etc. It should also ideally be something your buddies will actually use; no guy needs another knickknack sitting in his desk drawers.

For this reason, while giving gifts that are personalized/engraved is a popular choice, as a general rule of thumb, it’s best not to get the item inscribed with “Groomsman” and/or your wedding date; it’s an important day for you, but let’s be honest here, nobody wants to use a money clip or Zippo lighter with your anniversary emblazoned on it. When personalizing your gift, go with just your groomsmen’s initials or names instead.

If you’ve been stumped as to what gifts to get for your groomsmen, below we highlight both classic and unique options, from a wide range of price options, that are sure to be winners.

Groomsmen Gift Etiquette

Go for quality but focus on practicality. As fun as it is to buy off-the-wall groomsmen gifts, these types of groomsmen gifts aren’t likely to be used again. When thinking of groomsmen wedding gift ideas, it’s best to give your crew high-quality, meaningful gifts while also focusing on how practical the items are. Will your groomsmen only be able to use their gift once? Or will they be able to continuously use the gift and be reminded of how much fun they had on your wedding day?
Always set a budget. Budgets are always a hot topic when it comes to wedding planning. Many couples don’t take into consideration the cost of bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts, which can potentially have a large impact on the budget. Have a discussion with your spouse-to-be to agree on a set budget for wedding party gifts in advance. (Don’t forget to budget for smaller attendants too, like the ring bearer and flower girl.)
Make it personal. It’s may be easier to find personalized groomsmen gifts that match if your groomsmen are the same group of friends since high school and all have similar interests. For a blended group of groomsmen, which may even include fathers or cousins, consider looking for some creative groomsmen gift ideas that suit each groomsman’s interests and needs. The key is in finding the best groomsmen gift that symbolizes a lasting token of your friendship.

Other ideas from Etsy

If you’re wondering what makes a creative groomsmen gift, this is it. Instead of buying an individual gift get a set of gifts for your groomsmen. Combining personalized things such as a engraved glass and card with his name on it along with other fun accessories such as mini liquor bottles, morning after aspirin, maybe a bowtie or something else for the night of friends and fun that will be your wedding. This custom groomsmen set comes personalized in an engraved box and has all of the gifts ready for you to make it easy, or your can make your own DIY groomsmen set if you prefer.