Gifts for the guys...

[robbie3982]

I have 4 of my closest friends standing up with me as huppah holders and I''m at a slight loss as for what to get them as gifts. None are big drinkers so flasks are out and I don''t really see them ever wearing cufflinks (by the way, when do guys actually wear these???), so those are out too.

I found these really adorable pocket watches that open like a locket and have a space for a picture and was thinking that I''d have their initials engraved on them and put a picture of me with each of the guys on the inside. I told FI and he said that that''s weird. That you should only have a pic of you and your girlfriend/fiance/wife in a locket or pocket watch.

Do you guys think this is weird? If so, any suggestions on what I can get them???

 

[akw94]

I think I agree w/your FI on that one. Seems a bit odd. First of all, are they the sorts of guys who''d carry around pocket watches and second, would they carry around one w/their friends wife in it? Just not so sure about that.

As for other gifts, good question! I haven''t picked gifts yet either.
Maybe an engraved pocket knife, money clip, business card case ... Here''s a site I just found:
http://www.gunthergifts.com/groomgifid.html?gclid=CKz_6oWhnowCFRlmWAodVAGk7A

There''s some neat ones on here: http://www.mygroomsmengifts.com/?gclid=CNvO97ihnowCFQkjWAodBlpA6A
I like the Embroidered Cooler Chair.

These seem a bit more expensive: http://www.groomstand.com/

I really like this site for gifts: http://www.findgift.com/Categories/Bridal-Party/Groomsmen/

Hope that helps!

 

[surfgirl]

I have to agree...the photo already in it might be a bit odd? And although a pocket watch sounds really nice, if they''re not "pocket watch guys" they might not ever use them...Do you know if they''re into that type of watch?

What about a pocket knife with their initials engraved on it?
http://www.gunthergifts.com/groomlocgifk.html

I never met a guy that didn''t need another pocket knife!

 

[ladyciel]

Yeah, have to agree on the photo being a bit odd. If they are the types of guys to use them, then the watches w/ initials, w/o photos, would be good. I think money clips fall into that same category of some guys use them, some don''t. Everybody can use a pocket knife. Trying to think of things not already listed.... tie clips/pins, possibly engraved.... something gadgety (like from Brookstone)...

Sorry, I''m not much for ideas it seems...

 

[door knob solitaire]

Ok...another vote for no on the photo thing. Sorry. Promise to support your opinion next time you and FI disagree.

Another thought I had was a catch all. I would find a modern sleek silver manly tray, bowl, thing that can be used to catch car keys, pocket change, or wallets. Engrave their initials on the top side...below, underneath engrave something like...

Glad you were with us...MR and Mrs Robbie

Thanks for being there....The Robbies

You were a pillar of strength...The Robbies

For your support...The Robbies

Or book ends...Thanks for your support.

Think of something that carries the theme of the act they did for you. A holder of some sort.

DKS

 

[fabcrab]

I agree... the picture idea seem a little bit odd too! I really like the pocket knife idea. Hmm.. what about a nice pen with their initials engraved?

 

[labbielove]

Robbie, I agree with the others re. your fi''s opinion on the picture,
as well as the practicality of a pocket watch,


I really like the idea of a nice "catch all" - FI uses one all the time on the top of his dresser for all his "stuff"- cell phone, change,etc.

A nice swiss army type knife that goes on your keychain is always a hit as well-

 

[robbie3982]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Glad I asked cause it would''ve sucked if they opened up their presents and were like "oh, gee, thanks..." Just to clarify though, these guys are my best friends from college, not FI''s.

I don''t know if any of them would really be that into pocket knives.

I think I''ll have to look into these engraved "catch alls" more.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I think it totally depends on the type of guys your friends are. Paul's friends are absolutely NOT sentimental, to any degree. So every "trinket" type of thing we came across, he vetoed.

We ended up getting each of them a giftcard to their favorite place. Some got Blockbuster (for the love of XBOX), some got Longhorn, some got Chili's.

In the end, they liked them a lot and every time they used them, we'd get a call of thanks. It was fun, because we know they liked what they got, and for the restraunts, we also got calls of thanks from their wives! Nothing like helping to support a date night, huh?

 

[FireGoddess]

I think it''s nice. But I got our groomsmen keychains that were engraved with their initials and had a clock on it.

 

[door knob solitaire]

You know that gift giving to a guy is a toughee. You get too personal...and if there is ever a girl...as in girlfriend it won''t matter to her that you were on of his hommies. Your stuff is outta there. The daily useage stuff is a great idea...but usually a guy old enough to go to college is already set in his ways...wallet, or clip, razor or shaver.

My family exchanges names for Christmas gifts. But we usually call the Woman of the pair to learn specifics. Two years ago I learned I needed to get a distressed leather Fossil brand wallet. OK! no problem. Oh, but wait, it HAS to be trifold, with the id window flop out in the LARGER version. Egads! The hardest on my list. I got it...and got it right and I still see that troublemaker wallet everytime I see him.

So I think we can over think gift ideas...but usually the more thought behind it...odds are you are going to hit paydirt! You said you all were buddies. Were you all as one group? Or were each individual friends? Is there any underlying theme to your friendship or college time together that you can use to have a unique gift?

Oh back to that catch all thing is also know as a valet tray. I got my nephew one as he could never remember where he put his keys. A few days in his routine it became a habit and now...viola in the tray. I like this idea as it is not a sweetheart gift...I mean sweetheart gifts are something the guy touchy feelys often...as in anything in his pocket. When the sweetheart appears, she is going to want HER (fill in the blank) gift to replace yours.

Give us a idea on these 4 guys...who are they....what are they...what do they love?

DKS

 

[robbie3982]

Door knob solitaire, I guess I see how a future gf could be a problem, but it would only be a problem with one. Of the 4 guys, 3 were my best friends in college. 2 were my roommates (we had a 4 bedroom apartment) senior year. The other of the 3 was our next door neighbor. Next door neighbor best friend is married and his wife is one of my bridesmaids. We also went to hs together, but weren't friends until the first day of freshman year in college. Roommate best friend #1 is engaged to my best friend from high school (thanks to me inviting her on spring break one year

). We actually went to hs together too, but didn't become friends until the first week of freshman year of college. Roommate best friend #3 was next door neighbor best friend's roommate freshman year and I've known him since the first day of college as well. He is currently single and I don't think he'll even be bringing anyone to the wedding. He's not very open about his friendships or relationships or anything so I could definitely see how a future gf could misinterpret the gift someday.

Neighbor best friend majored in history and has since moved accross the country with his wife and is working at a building supply company which he hates. It's kind of a joke between us because my first job out of college was also at a building supply company (one of his competitors) and I hated it too. In addition to history he also LOVES music. If he could, he'd spend all his money on cds, records and concert tickets.

The best friend who's engaged to my best friend from hs is currently in med school. He's one of the funniest and smartest people I know. He was always well informed and reading something that I felt was way over my head. There's definitely no way that anything I gave him would be misinterpreted by his fiance since she and I have been best friends since we were 15 (almost 10 years!).

The single best friend is currently going to grad school for architecture. He is very into politics and loves stuff like the daily show. He's an all around goofy guy and out of the 3 he's the most likely to really appreciate something sentimental.

The 4th huppah holder is my cousin so I don't see how anything could possibly be misinterpreted by his fiance. He's always been like a big brother to me. Ever since we were little we've been promising eachother that we'd have eachother in our weddings (though back in the day I told him he'd be my maid of honor. lol)

ETA: none are into drinking or smoking except perhaps my cousin (drinking not smoking) so cigars and or flasks probably wouldn't work.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Wow...great play by play. Wow those sound like an incredible diverse and impressive group-of men.

Would you consider individual gifts? You see, this Huppah thing is their being involved in the beginning of the next stage in your life. They are doing so with respect to you, and honor for the signifigance of the event. So you could consider individual gifts, that also honor them individually.

Was there something you all enjoy while in each others company? Was there a sport, activity, or a pastime that was shared?

Forgive me, this thread was the first I knew of a Huppah. I assume they are all of your same faith? Is there something that significant to the faith that you can gift to them?

DKS

 

[surfgirl]

How about t-shirts that say "I was the Huppah Holder and all I got was this lousy T-shirt! Heh...I just like saying "huppah holder"...I am easily amused.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Date: 5/22/2007 1:16:28 AM
Author: surfgirl
How about t-shirts that say ''I was the Huppah Holder and all I got was this lousy T-shirt! Heh...I just like saying ''huppah holder''...I am easily amused.

Ha ha ha...that is really good...she should do that anyway. I like saying it too. Good one Surfgirl!

DKS

 

[robbie3982]

Date: 5/22/2007 1:16:28 AM
Author: surfgirl
How about t-shirts that say 'I was the Huppah Holder and all I got was this lousy T-shirt! Heh...I just like saying 'huppah holder'...I am easily amused.

Haha! That's great! I should do that and get them something real also. I think they'd get a kick out of that.

They're actually not all Jewish. Only my cousin and single best friend are. The other 2 are Christian.

I think I might have to do individual gifts. There really wasn't any one thing we were all into other than hanging out and goofing off.

 

[NYCsparkle]

we got our guys a really nice beer mug...glass and pewter logos......of their favorite sports teams and we put gift certificates inside them. our guys weren''t the pocketwatch flask guys either. they loved them...one guy said it was great that he''d use the gift instead of some engraved thing staying in his drawer.

 

[Pandora II]

I''m thinking of getting FI''s best men (5 of them

) sterling silver collar straighteners with their names engraved on them. They go in the points of formal shirt collars.

I bought a set for FI one year for Valentines and he wears them nearly everyday - it also means my house isn''t covered in all the broken plastic ones he used to get through like mad.

All our friends seem to do a lot of cufflink wearing as well - maybe it''s more popular in the uk? They will probably all get a tie from me for the wedding as well - I''m not getting matching ones, so will try to match each to their personality.

 

[E B]

Robbie,

I''d get ''em all something different, since they all seem to have different interests. I think it''s nice to personalize the gifts rather than handing them all the same thing.