How much to spend on a groomsman gift?

[hornsup84]

Apologies. Didn't mean to confuse everyone. That's a good reason re-read what I've written before posting.

I am getting married. I have my best man coming in to town to stand up for me. That will be it for the wedding party. I did offer to pay for his suit, but he has politely declined. I need to figure out what to a) get him as a gift and b) what price range that might be in and c) whatever else I'm missing out.

[MENTION=4677]Shade[/MENTION] That's actually not a bad idea...

Thanks again.

Got it, no worries just want to make sure we're giving input on what you're actually after. It sounds like a gift that's personal and tailored to him might make sense, regardless of the price, since he declined cash for the suit. Maybe y'all can get an old fashioned shave together on the day-off or something, plus a smaller personal gift, more as part of the experience than anything.

[DocDave]

Your language is starting to be confusing. If it's your big day, then I'd assume you're the groom and he's your best man (or one of your groomsmen, if you have multiples). That or you're both grooms, in which I think we'd be talking about a wedding gift, not a groomsman gift?

Apologies. Didn't mean to confuse everyone. That's a good reason re-read what I've written before posting.

I am getting married. I have my best man coming in to town to stand up for me. That will be it for the wedding party. I did offer to pay for his suit, but he has politely declined. I need to figure out what to a) get him as a gift and b) what price range that might be in and c) whatever else I'm missing out.

[MENTION=4677]Shade[/MENTION] That's actually not a bad idea...

Thanks again.

[hornsup84]

My groom is coming from out of town, although they will be staying with us. And my groom DID end up buying a suit for the wedding (man you teachers have the life) so he did shell out some cake for my big day.

Your language is starting to be confusing. If it's your big day, then I'd assume you're the groom and he's your best man (or one of your groomsmen, if you have multiples). That or you're both grooms, in which I think we'd be talking about a wedding gift, not a groomsman gift?

[Shade]

Buy him a subscription to Omaha Steaks. Nothing says gratitude like slabs of beef in the mail every month!

[JBarwick]

I got my 1 groomsman a Burberry tie and he had to fly internationally for my wedding. I guess I am a cheap bastard.

[hockeysc23]

For me it factored on roughly how much the groomsmen spent on my bachelor party and day of events, similar to what others said. I didn't want individuals spending huge sums of money on my behalf without some recognition.

I think I did roughly 150? I gave the groomsmen a rough dress code and provided them their shirts, vests (MIL made them), ties, socks, flask, and then got them all something in the 40-50 range. My brother the best man got a nicer gift.

I tried to do a different gift for every guy to say thank you. I did the following type of items:
- Personalized swiss army knife
- Whisky decanter
- Books that the person would've liked
- Booze
- Sports team related items
- Alma mater items since some of them went to the same school with me

My brother got all his men a nice buck knife with our initials engraved on it.

[Hierophant]

My groom is coming from out of town, although they will be staying with us. And my groom DID end up buying a suit for the wedding (man you teachers have the life) so he did shell out some cake for my big day.

He isn't a big drinker for a flask wouldn't get a lot of use. Is it appropriate to buy something that will get used and eventually wear out? Or is more appropriate to buy something that will last?

I'm still in the dark on what to purchase for a gift BTW. Just trying to figure out what price point to work with first. Then I guess I'll narrow it down from there.

You could offer to cover some/all of the cost of his suit. Nothing says "I recognize your expense" by picking up the tab.

[DocDave]

My groom is coming from out of town, although they will be staying with us. And my groom DID end up buying a suit for the wedding (man you teachers have the life) so he did shell out some cake for my big day.

He isn't a big drinker for a flask wouldn't get a lot of use. Is it appropriate to buy something that will get used and eventually wear out? Or is more appropriate to buy something that will last?

I'm still in the dark on what to purchase for a gift BTW. Just trying to figure out what price point to work with first. Then I guess I'll narrow it down from there.

[Hierophant]

I think he IS the groom...hence asking about going rate for gifts for his groomsmen. I was wrong once before though, in 1997, so I could be again.

That said, when I got married I was an E-4, in 2005. You can look up pay tables if you really wanna know (public record and all) but let's just suffice it to say my salary wasn't exactly something about which to boast.

I did flasks at around $75 each. Have seen gifts range anywhere from about $25 all the way up to over 5 bills. Completely up to the groom. Something nice that will remind them of the fun day and evokes a feeling of gratitude for being part of it. All that's needed.

Gosh I think you're right -- I COMPLETELY misunderstood the directionality of the question.

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I think groomsmen gifts are declasse in a similar (but smaller) way as requiring groomsmen to buy a specific outfit is declasse: socially mandated purchases suck in direct proportion to how expensive they are.

As the groom, you're probably already spending thousands or tens of thousands of dollars on the wedding. As a classy groom, the only thing you're requiring your groomsmen to do is (1) show up (2) in a vaguely defined outfit (3) and not act like a jackass. Total obligated cost to the groomsman is travel plus hotel plus wedding gift -- the same as any guest. In exchange they get a pretty good party and whatever other trimmings you throw in, plus you showing up to their wedding/hand-fasting ceremony/bail hearing.

If you absolutely have to buy gifts for your groomsmen -- for example if they're doing a bunch of set-up and tear-down -- you shouldn't think about it in terms of "how much should I spend?" As with any gift, make it personal and thoughtful. Stay away from extravagant. The last thing weddings need is more commercialism.

[armedferret]

You could also always ask the groom.

I think he IS the groom...hence asking about going rate for gifts for his groomsmen. I was wrong once before though, in 1997, so I could be again.

That said, when I got married I was an E-4, in 2005. You can look up pay tables if you really wanna know (public record and all) but let's just suffice it to say my salary wasn't exactly something about which to boast.

I did flasks at around $75 each. Have seen gifts range anywhere from about $25 all the way up to over 5 bills. Completely up to the groom. Something nice that will remind them of the fun day and evokes a feeling of gratitude for being part of it. All that's needed.

[Hierophant]

No real set price. Feel out the vibe and tack into it. You can't go wrong with a nice bottle of whiskey or brandy.

You could also always ask the groom.

[hornsup84]

Just jumping in to follow along. From being on the recipient end, I've seen from the $40-50 range (some Art of Shaving gift set), up to what I'd guess was around $150 (a really nice shoe horn made of real horn). However, I think it would depend on a lot of things--how old you all are, how much you're asking of them in terms of travel/commitment (wedding and bach party), if they're having to purchase suits or rentals, etc.

EDIT: Realized I also meant to include in factors, how many groomsmen you have as well... easier to go up in price for something nicer if it's 3 guys vs. 10.

[DocDave]

Title says it all. What is the going rate for a gift for a groomsman? $100 bones? $400 bones? More? Less?

Thank you.