Not Everyone Has a Wedding Registry

As a bride, you can be sure to receive only gifts you love by registering.

But what about the gifts you have to give to those near and dear to you - bridesmaids, flowergirls, mothers, a friend who went above and beyond to get your husband a citizenship card (when he had failed to tell you that he didn't have one or a passport) two weeks before your wedding so he could fly overseas to actually be able to go on a honeymoon (my heart to my BFF's and her mother because yes, that was my husband who failed to tell me he didn't have a passport or citizenship card two weeks before the wedding) ... not so sure anymore, huh?

Buying the perfect "thank you" gift is quite hard. If your bridal party is made up of a group of girls from all different walks of your life, they probably have different style, tastes, and personalities. While you would probably love to get something unique and individual for each, it can be easier to find one gift that speaks to each of them.  Plus - you can avoid any "she must like you more" comparisons. LOL.

Now, I've seen it all when it comes to such gifts.  I had one bride buy her bridal party lunch sacs and fill it with nutritional snacks and munchies.  I've seen another give the most beautiful Tiffany necklaces. Here are a couple of items I think you could give to your bridal party that will have them feeling like its their big day!

A set of beautifully pressed notecards: My BFF and I are suckers for stationary.  We've been known to take trips to Buffalo just to pick up some pretty notecards and pens and decorative post-its. So I think a nice set of notecards is always a chic, sophisticated, touch - bring back the art of the handwritten letter.  Check out snap+tumble for some beautifully letterpressed pieces. I like her "xoxo and hello" cards or her scribble postcards.  Better yet, take one of her Letterpress Curiosity workshops.  Learn the craft and make a few sets for your bridal party.

A cashmere scarf: Okay, I know.  That sounds ridiculous.  But honestly, find ten friends and probably only one of them will say "I don't like scarves". That means 90% of your friends will always wear or make use for a cashmere scarf.  They open up into a big shawl and are great for airplanes; if you are Torontonian - hello, we wear them fall, winter and spring ... maybe even summer if there is a bit of wind; women wear them just as an accessory - we take off the coat, never the cashmere scarf. Anyway, pick up a cashmere scarf in your bridal colour and gift it.  It will be useful on the day of your wedding and after. I say cashmere because its luxe and soft AND many retailers have a cashmere scarf that isn't to pricey. Club Monaco always has something cashmere and scarf like!

Beauty kits: This is a beauty blog and I am opening a beauty boutique at the end of the week - so naturally, I think Beauty Kits are always a winner.  A set of coveted bath products, a mix of fun eyeshadows and matching liners; a pedicure set - wait - did I just say pedicure set?  Well, The Blush Boutique has one of those! Principessa's Perfectto Pedicure set has everything your BFF needs to prettify her feet on the go - it even comes with a sock so she can do that "load up on the moisturizer and then put on a sock for an instant foot sauna" trick! Ha!  But really whether its something from The Blush Boutique (launching Jan 31, 2010 shameless plug, shameless plug), a makeup bag with a few goodies is always a treat.

-bp-