Personalized Groomsmen Gifts are Cool Keepsakes

Your brother, your best friend, a classmate from elementary school, a college roommate, a fraternity buddy, and even your dad are traditional choices for best man, groomsmen and ushers for your wedding. These selfless friends and family will jump through whatever wedding related hoop you come up with just to prove their loyalty, friendship and love for you. These guys are awesome and they deserve a little appreciation. And not just a handshake and a verbal thank you. We're talking tangible and thoughtful here.

Before the bachelor party or during the rehearsal dinner is the time to distribute gift wrapped or goody bags of groomsmen gifts. Not just any gifts, mind you. These gifts for the best man, each groomsman and the ushers should be extra special. In order to achieve coveted "keepsake status" a gift must fulfill certain requirements:

1. Personalized gifts. A gift that is personalized, customized, embroidered, printed, engraved or marked in some fashion with the name, initials or monogram of your groomsman is special. For example, a rock is just a rock. A rock with someone's name on it is cool and meaningful. Whether you give flasks, beer mugs, pocket watches, Leatherman multitools, coasters, pub signs, baseball bats, cufflinks or money clips, be sure to customize these gifts any way that you can to elevate good gifts to great gifts.

2. Thoughtful gifts. To qualify as a thoughtful gift, all you need to do is put some thought into it. I know this sounds obvious but many people don't put thought into gifts. They rush through this task as if it is just one more thing on your "to do" list that you want to get over with as quickly as possible. We all have busy lives. When you're in the middle of planning a wedding, you really are uber busy and have a daunting "to do" list. Think about stuff that your guys are into. Cufflinks might be traditional groomsmen gifts, but if you don't think your guys will ever wear them again after your wedding, give something else. If your friends like to camp, they'll probably appreciate a Buck knife or a Leatherman multitool much more. Don't give stuff that will get forgotten and end up in the back of a desk drawer or in the corner of a closet. It is so much more satisfying to give (and receive) a useful gift.

3. Timely gifts. Wedding party gifts are supposed to be given out before, not after, the wedding. This doesn't quite make sense, but that's how it works. You have to go on the assumption that your groomsmen will all pull through for you. You give them their groomsman gifts before the bachelor party or at the rehearsal dinner. These are really the last times that all your guys will be together in a group. Take advantage of this opportunity and hand out their gifts. You might even speak a few lines about each guy and how they have been part of your life, how you met, how much you've been through, why you're friends, etc. A few kind words as you give out each present will be really appreciated and add more to the occasion.

So be sure to thank your tireless companions, siblings and special people in your life. Hey, they were special enough for you to want at your side at your wedding. Give them some proper kudos with groomsmen gifts that will be used and loved for years.

Lisa Gunther is a groomsmen gifts, bridesmaid gifts and wedding favors expert. Engraved gifts are more special. Shop for engraved gifts, imprinted shot glasses and affordable groomsmen gifts today at http://www.GuntherGifts.com. A recent groomsman gift favorite is a Buck knife for your sporty, outdoorsy guys.