Everyone has seen wedding favors given at the end of a wedding reception. Those little gifts for guests can be delightful, useful, beautiful, or all three!
While wedding favors are gifts from the couple to their guests as a small thank-you for attending and celebrating this momentous day in their lives…
What about the guests who are extra special – bridesmaids, groomsmen, your parents, or any children in attendance? What should you give them? Should you give them anything at all?
Well if you want to, you should! One way to show appreciation for those guests who play a special role in your big day is to give them gift baskets!
Below, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on wedding gift baskets – who to get them for, when to give them, where to get them, and tips for filling them.
Read on for our tips on creating the perfect wedding gift basket for just about anyone!
Who Do I Give a Wedding Gift Basket To?
Bridesmaids
We’re sure you’ve seen the bridesmaid proposal boxes that have become popular in the past few years. They’re the gift boxes typically filled with little gifts that are presented to friends and family to ask them to be a part of your wedding.
However, you can also give wedding gift baskets on or around your wedding day as a thank-you to your bridesmaids!
Groomsmen
Like bridesmaids, groomsmen also deserve a thank-you for their role in your wedding.
Groomsmen are usually family or friends who have supported and loved the groom for a long time, so they should be shown appreciation, too!
A few of the ideas we’ll present below will be excellent for those men you and your fiancé love.
Your Parents
Parents of the bride and/or groom often get forgotten in weddings. However, these family members are essential on a wedding day, whether they’re paying for it or not. After all, without them, you and your fiancé wouldn’t be here!
A gift basket is an excellent way to begin to thank them for all they’ve done for you.
Your Fiancé
Perhaps your fiancé’s love language is gifts, or they’re chronically underprepared.
Putting together a wedding gift basket can help both you and them in their wedding day prep. Show your fiancé not only that you care, but also that you’re thinking of them by having a member of the wedding party present them with a gift basket you’ve curated just for them at the wedding venue before your ceremony.
Children
Weddings can be difficult events for children, whether they’re part of the wedding party or not. These life events tend to take all day, and there are a lot of emotions expressed before, during, and after them.
Kids are usually in a place they don’t know and are often surrounded by people they don’t know. That’s a lot for a small human to go through!
Providing gift baskets for any children attending your wedding is an ideal way to keep them happy and occupied.
Fill baskets with kid-friendly snacks and activities galore, like coloring pages, books, or little toys.
Where Do I Get Wedding Gift Baskets and Contents?
Etsy
Etsy is our personal favorite place to buy gifts to fill a wedding gift basket. Plus, purchasing from sellers on Etsy is an easy way to support small or micro-businesses.
In addition to this, Etsy sellers often accommodate customization in a way larger sellers cannot or will not.
They also typically set prices that are affordable and/or fair, with the added benefit of tracking shipments through the site and/or the Etsy app.
Thrift Stores
Another place to find unique gifts to fill a gift basket is a thrift store.
This option is better for someone with more time on their hands, as shopping at thrift stores often means a lot of sifting through items.
However, the payoff can be great. Thrift stores are full of vintage and one-of-a-kind items. They’re a great place to find unique basket fillers. And, thrift stores’ prices are typically incredibly affordable!
What Do I Put In a Wedding Gift Basket?
We suggest sticking to a theme, it not only makes filling the basket easier, but it keeps things cohesive and allows you to focus on what a specific person would really appreciate.
Wedding Basket Theme Ideas
For the One Who Needs Self-care
Perhaps one of the people you’re making a gift basket for is in need of some self-care time. They might be a harried parent, a business owner, or a volunteer. No matter what, we all need to care for ourselves!
Some gift ideas include:
Soap
Lotion
A luxurious, hydrating, creamy, lotion made with fresh goat milk, from our own herd of pampered Nigerian Dwarves!
Water Bottle
The double wall insulation makes the Iron Flask sweat-free! It keeps your drink COLD for up to 24 hours, and HOT for up to 12 hours.
The human body is made up of roughly 80% water. Encourage your loved one to drink more of it by giving them a beautiful and goal-setting water bottle they’ll only have to refill once per day!
Tea
Our Taylors Tea Variety Box is perfect for gifting, businesses, home, office, or to simply try and find your favorite tea flavor.
Journal
Personalized rich and dramatic colors lend the Journal Notebook a sense of enduring beauty and regal grandeur.
Candle
Sleep Mask
For the Outdoor Lover
Some people are really into outdoor activities, like camping, biking, or hiking. Luckily, there we have a couple of fun wedding gift basket ideas meant for someone who loves to be outside!
These include:
Foldable Waterproof Blanket
We've designed the best pocket blanket on the market, with the largest size blanket available, that folds into one of the smallest pouches.
Fire Starting Kit
Flashlight
Rechargeable LED Mini Flashlight, Just plug it into your computer to recharge it. Bright light, compact size and cool looking.
Biodegradable Picnic Set
Our Earth's Natural Alternative wheat straw fiber, bagasse (sugarcane fiber) tree free is a grab and go eco picnic pack.
Compass
This compass keychain is a perfect gift for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, travel, and much more! It is small enough to fit in a pocket and large enough to read.
For the Unofficial Bartender
If you’ve got a friend who swears by their bartending abilities and always takes it upon themselves to mix drinks at parties, we’ve got a few ideas for their gift basket contents as well.
Besides the obvious, like the requisite bottle of wine, or mixers and liquor, you can also find a local brewery or winery and purchase a tour and/or tasting for them.
A few other gift basket ideas for the unofficial bartender in your life include:
Shot Glass(es)
Cocktail Shaker
Begin your career as a hobby mixologist with this cocktail shaker: Works like a charm and doesn't leak, this cocktail shaker set includes: shaker cup (24 oz/750ml), airtight lid, built-in strainer, two-sided measuring jigger (1.0 oz & 0.5 oz) and an elegant bar spoon.
Cocktail Recipe Book
The collection of elixirs is separated by spirit category, featuring whiskey, gin, brandy, tequila, rum, vodka, cordials and speciality liqueurs.
Bottle Opener and Corkscrew
This personalized wood handle, bottle opener is quality constructed for years of reliable use.
For the Sweet Tooth
A lot of people have a voracious sweet tooth. If you have a chocolate lover on your wedding gift basket list, then we have a few ideas on how to fill it, besides baked goods.
Chocolate Bombs
Gourmet Belgian chocolate with mini marshmallows - forget the powder, packets, spoons and k cups.
Candy
Bulk variety pack includes Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Milky Way bars, Snickers candy bars, Peanut M&Ms, Twix candy bars, KitKat bars, Almond Joy bars, York peppermint patties, and 100 Grand bars.
Baking Mix
Recipe Book
The recipe notebook has enough space for all of those delicious recipes and more.
For the Traveler
Weddings are a time of traveling for many people, however, some people make travel a habit in their lives because they simply love the experience!
If you’ve got a loved one who has a major case of wanderlust, here are a few ideas of things to use to fill their gift basket:
Travel Journal
Lamare travelers journal allows you to thoroughly plan for your trip.
Passport Holder
The protective card holder is the perfect way to keep all of your personal identification cards accessible whenever and where ever you go.
Charger Bank
This personalized Phone bank is the perfect gift for those on the go! Comes on a Carabiner Key chain or can fit in your pocket.
Travel Jewelry Case
Made from high quality deluxe synthetic PU leather exterior, and high quality flannel interior
Luggage Tag
A luggage ID tag is a must-have travel accessory - especially when it comes in such gorgeous colors.
Travel Pillow
Arrive at your destination well rested with The Travel Club’s all natural mulberry silk airplane neck pillow and sleep mask set that provides much-needed relaxation and stress relief whether you’re traveling across the country or across the world.
For the Animal Lover
Do you know someone who considers themselves a “pet parent,” works with animals, or simply loves all animals? We have a few adorable ideas for their wedding gift basket, too!
Stuffed Animal
These stuff animals are the perfect gift! They are approximately 7” tall and so very soft.
Animal Book
This book has 32 pages, with 15 different animal illustrations alongside accompanying facts.
Animal Pen
Custom Pet Portrait
The products sold in our shop are completely hand-drawn linear digital portraits that can be customized individually, without the use of any photographic effects.
Pet Treats
Training treats are available in 2 oz. and 4 oz. bags (see separate listing for 2 oz bags).
For the Bookworm
Is your little brother or best friend always seen with their nose in a book? They might be a bookworm!
Of course, a bookworm will never turn down a good book – but we have a few other wedding gifts basket ideas for this type of person, too.
Blind Date with a Book
Bookmark
These bookmarks are printed on durable cardstock that is super easy to write on with pen, pencil, or marker.
Journal
A stylish A5 reading journal to record your thoughts on your recent reads. A perfect gift for book lovers and avid readers.
Pens
ink.
Book light
This listing is for a Pre-Order that will be getting shipped out in approximately 2 weeks after the order is placed.
For the Movie Lover
Everyone knows a movie-lover. They seem to know endless quotes from famous movies and are a treasure trove of trivia answers.
Besides movie passes, there are other giftable items to fill their basket with.
Show your appreciation and customize this person’s wedding gift basket by leaning into their favorite pastime – movie-watching!
Popcorn Popper
Our silicone Popco popcorn popper bowls come with a lid and convenient, built-in handles.
Candy
These mouthwatering candy gems make fun and tasty Valentine's day gifts, treats, and party decorations, and are the perfect candy to hand out at bachelorette parties, engagement parties, and weddings!
Scratch-off Poster
This is the official list of 100 greatest movies ranked by millions of IMDb users, and a delightful gift for movie buffs.
Blanket
Get cozy with this soft and slim lightweight chenille throw blanket, great for snuggling up on the couch, bed, chilly movie theater, park or perfect personal gift for any occasion.
For the Plant Parent
Perhaps your best friend has a green thumb, or your dad is getting into growing his own herbs for cooking.
Luckily, there are so many things you can get a gardener, whether they primarily grow houseplants, herbs, or flowers…
Plant Clippings
Seeds
Gloves
Kneeler
A Multi-functional Kneeler: It is not only a kneeler but also a seat, you can use it as a kneeler when weeding and also can use it as a seat when fishing.
Hat
Planter
These planters are made with a unique honeycomb bottom that allows for superior drainage.
For the Musician
The love of music is one of those near-universal loves that almost every human shares.
Whether they’re a musician, composer, or simply a music-lover, there are a plethora of ideas for things you can use to fill their wedding gift basket.
Some obvious things are streaming credit for their favorite streaming service, concert tickets, and sheet music, but we’ve got a few more in mind, too:
Harmonica
Guitar Pick
Each pick is handcrafted using lumber from a broken skateboard.
Earpods Case
Chic & Unique 3D cartoon Cookie Bag design AirPods case, compatible with Apple Airpods 1&2 perfectly.
Trivia Game
In contrast to traditional trivia formats, you don't receive points for answering questions correctly. Instead, points are subtracted for every incorrect answer!
For the Athlete
Maybe your mom loves to run, or there’s a groomsman who lives at the gym.
Your best friend who plays softball or your brother who always puts together touch football at Thanksgiving might appreciate the gifts we’ve listed below:
Socks
Water Bottle
Inspirational quotes and time markers on it to keep you moving toward your water drinking goals, reminding you to stay hydrated and drink enough water throughout the day.
Favorite Team Art
This is the perfect gift for any baseball fan, perfect for any game room or living room or whatever room you wish to display your passion and fandom for the Washington Nationals and Nationals Park.
Basket Filling Tips
Personalize Gifts
One easy way to show the person or people you’re curating a wedding gift basket for that you care about them is to personalize the gifts you put in their basket.
Including personalized gifts shows that you’re thinking of that specific person and what they need or like in particular.
It shows that they matter to you because you didn’t simply get everyone interchangeable gifts!
Fill the Basket with Useful Things
If creating a themed basket is proving tricky, then think about filling it with useful things for the wedding day itself.
“Useful things” can mean sets like first aid kits, sewing kits for suits or wedding dresses, disposable cameras, or even miniatures of items like deodorant or mouthwash.
People have lots to remember, so they’re likely to forget something. Show them that not only are you thinking of them but also that you care about them and their comfort by providing these small necessities fit for the occasion. We’re sure they’ll thank you for it!
