Great Groomsmen Gifts

Planning a wedding? Gifts for groomsmen are never an easy task, however, on our site you will find fantastic ideas for gifts, courtesy of an 18-time groomsman who generously serves as our consultant....that's right, he has been in 18 weddings as an usher, best man or groomsman...not sure if there was any ring-bearer duty in that total but oh well.

GWW, also known as Captain, has received a wide variety of gifts and boiled down his favorites to three areas of consideration....gifts involving golf, drinking and traveling. We have taken his recommendations to heart and you can see the selection here . Here's a quick look at some of our favorites!

Gifts for golfing... For your athletically inclined groomsmen, gifts involving golf are sure to be a hole in one (please excuse the pun). One gift the Captain has received, which we think is genius, is a round of golf. It's such a useful gift, and for any golf enthusiast, much appreciated. If you feel like you need to give your groomsmen something tangible along with a round of golf, how about a bottle of his favorite liquor? I don't know a soul on earth who's golf game doesn't improve with a little Jack Daniels in their system. This key chain on the left is also a great addition to a round of golf, it's not only a handy divot tool, but also has a monogrammed ball marker on the opposite side.

Gifts for drinking... We love the idea of giving the boys something personalized (since I mean, like they'll ever buy it for themselves.) This monogrammed decanter on the right is such a practical and handsome gift. At $72 it's also completely reasonable for a personalized gift. You can check out this decanter and some others here. We also highly recommend a monogrammed flask or a fabulous personalized martini shaker. You can check out all of our drinking accessories, more affectionately called barware, here.

Gifts for traveling... For the globe trotting fellows in your wedding party, the options are pretty much endless. Most of our personal favorites are items from Jon Hart Design, passport covers, leather dop kits, and leather luggage tags. The shaving kit on the left is one item that is a huge hit with the gentleman we know. It's a great size for someone who is constantly on short trips for business, big enough for all the essentials, but won't take up too much space in his carry-on.

If you're still having trouble figuring out what to get the boys, the Captain himself also recommends a personalized gift bag. Gift bags can include a couple of smaller items; a money clip, cuff links, booze (naturally), or snacks... think hospitality bag but nicer. Throw it all in a monogrammed tote, and you're good to go!

Things We Love...

... Week of October 7, 2008...

PUSHING DAISIES... in a random act of Netflixing (yes I just turned netflix into a verb), I came across this little gem of a television show. In a sea of television shows full of melodramatic love affairs (yea I'm talkin' to you Meredith Grey), general smut (has anyone seen the new 90210, it almost makes you miss Brenda Walsh...), and over acting (anything on FOX), Pushing Daisies is charming, light hearted, and honestly funny. The second season just started, and due to that lovely writer's strike of 2008, the first season is only 9 epsiodes so you can netflix and catch up in a snap. I mean if nothing else, that Lee Pace is kinda hot.


COSMETIC BAGS... These amazing silk cosmetic bags by Jan Sevadjian are not only a steal at $32.95, they are really attractive too. If you are older than 14 it's time to trade in your "gift with purchase" Clinque makeup bag and treat yourself to a big girl cosmetic bag. I use mine in my gigantic purse (see previous Things We Love posts about that), to keep all the essentials: advil, pens, hair accessories, random jewelry, lipgloss, etc. ... pretty much all the things that generally find their way to the bottom of my purse. They come in a variety of different plaids, check them out at The Monogram Merchant!


TAILGATING... This may sound like a no brainer, I mean who doesn't love a legitimate excuse to drink during daylight hours, but as someone who graduated from school a year or so ago, it's one of those things you don't realize you love till you aren't doing it EVERY Saturday. There is something to be said for getting up at 8 am and spending the day drinking and hanging out with 100,000 other people, who are all there for the same reason you are. And as someone who went to a school whose football team disappointed us on more than one occasion (how about them Clemson Tigers huh?)... who even cares if you make it to the game, tailgating is way more than half the battle anyway.

Things We Love...

...Week of October 1st Edition...

BIG KEY FOBS These key chains are the BEST for someone who either A) loses their keys all the time B) seems to always carry a big bag or C) both of the above (like me). For some reason I always feel the need to carry a huge purse, you know just in case the world collapses, I'll have everything I need. However, on a day to day basis my huge purse tends to just swallow my keys rather than save the world. These key fobs make it SO easy to find your keys, plus they are tres adorable. I love these navy and pink elephants but they come in all sorts of cute animals and motifs here.


PLASTIC AVIATOR SUNGLASSES I love that aviators are back in style, but to me, the metal rimmed aviators just scream summer. Everyone updates their wardrobe for the change in seasons, but sometimes accessories never make the transition. I have the Kate Spade pair on the right in navy blue and adore them. I think plastic aviator sunglasses are the perfect way to keep wearing the aviator trend through the fall without looking like you're under the impression it's still beach season.

OCTOBER It's only the 2nd of October and the weather is already changing here in Orlando. October pretty much has it all; it's the height of tailgating season, Major League Baseball postseason, time to pull out sweaters and jackets (well maybe not here in Orlando just yet), humidity takes a vacation, and of course Halloween (who doesn't love a good costume party and an unbeatable excuse to eat candy?!) While we could still pretend it was summer in September, October is undoubtedly the fall, and I for one, am happy it's here!