Gifts for Groomsmen That Won’t End Up in a Junk Drawer
By the Gift DeskUpdated 17 hand-picked ideas
The ideas at a glance
Somewhere in the back of a lot of kitchen drawers sits a flask engraved with someone else’s wedding date. It was a kind thought, and it has never once been filled. That’s the risk with groomsmen gifts: they’re often bought in a hurry, all the same, and stamped with details that matter far more to the couple than to the friend receiving them.
This page takes the opposite approach. It’s about thank-you gifts your groomsmen will actually use in the years after the wedding, chosen for the kind of person each of them is. We start with a short word on what tends to go wrong and how much to spend, then group ideas by the life they fit into: the friend with a home bar, the things a guy carries every day, the outdoors and game-night crowd, and a few inexpensive extras.
For things to use on the day itself, such as cufflinks, socks, flasks for the getting-ready room and rehearsal dinner gifts, see wedding gifts for groomsmen. If you’re thanking the other half of the wedding party too, there’s a matching guide to gifts for bridesmaids.
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Choosing well for your groomsmen
Set one budget, then choose for each person. A whiskey drinker and a runner shouldn’t get the same gift.
Use initials, not the wedding date. It keeps the gift about him rather than your big day.
Ask a partner or roommate if you’re unsure. They’ll know if he already owns three pocket knives.
Write a short note to each groomsman. It’s the cheapest and most remembered part of the gift.
Still stuck on one of them? Describe him to our gift finder and you’ll get a shortlist with reasons.
Groomsmen gift FAQs
How much should you spend on groomsmen gifts?
Around $50 to $100 per person is typical, with a little more for the best man. If your groomsmen have spent a lot on travel and suit rental, lean toward the higher end, or add a personal note and a round of drinks.
What is a good gift for a best man?
A step up from the other groomsmen, chosen for him: a decanter set, a quality watch, a leather weekender, or an experience you’ll share, like a round at a good golf course or tickets to a game.
Do all groomsmen need the same gift?
No. Matching gifts can be fun, but giving each person something suited to them, at the same budget, is often more appreciated. If you prefer matching, pick something with broad appeal like a wallet or watch.
When should you give groomsmen their gifts?
Most couples hand them out at the rehearsal dinner or on the morning of the wedding. Keepsakes can also be given after the honeymoon, which gives you time to write a proper note.
Your groomsmen agreed to rent a suit, give up a weekend and stand next to you while you tried not to cry. The right thank-you doesn’t need to be extravagant. It needs to fit the person, and it needs a few words from you that say why you asked him (or her) to stand there in the first place. Get those two things right and the gift will outlast the reception by a long way.
