232 Articles
Gifts For A Safari Wedding
So you're holding your wedding in an off-the-wall (or maybe off-the-map) location - who isn't, this year? With destination weddings growing increasingly outlandish, it's anyone's guess where people will start getting married next. If you've found yourself planning a wedding underwater, on a mountaintop, or even in the wilds of Africa, you're probably asking yourself one question: what do I get for groomsmen gifts? And how many inoculations do I need to get? Okay, that's two questions. We'll address the groomsmen gifts question here. If you're giving your groomsmen gifts out before the journey commences, make sure your guys have room enough for all their travel necessities with groomsmen gifts of the Personalized Logan Deluxe Duffle Bag. It's water-resistant, leather-trimmed, and made to last, so it's certainly tough enough to handle all the travel surrounding a safari. And let's face it: wheeled luggage just doesn't travel as well over hard-packed dirt. A safari wedding is a bit different from your standard destination wedding, and in fact it's one of the only destination weddings for which groomsmen gifts of a Dalvey Explorer Compass are really, truly appropriate. You don't want your guys getting lost, do you? When the jackals are roaming, one wrong turn at the Sickle-Leaved Yellowwood tree means your groomsmen could be a tasty alternative to slow and sickly antelope. Actually, better double up on groomsmen gifts this time around - they probably won't say no if you offer up the Pocket Knife with flashlight, just in case. If your groomsmen would rather stay in under the mosquito netting than roam the Serengeti looking for lions, keep them occupied with the Premiere Leather Professional Poker Set. It's compact enough to carry around, so they'll have it handy if they'd rather skip out on elephant-watching and engage in more vice-related pursuits. A world traveler like yourself might have groomsmen who are similarly experienced, so they already have the basics. Don't give up hope - the perfect groomsmen gifts do exist for them. In fact, we'd say that this is about the only occasion in which a flyswatter is a welcome present, especially when it's the aptly-named No. 1 Flyswatter. This baby is hand-crafted out of American oak and Italian bridle leather, and it'll keep the bugs in their rightful place: squished. But squished with class.
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Gifts for Groomsmen: The New Alternatives to Cufflinks
If your groomsmen are the sharp-dressed type, chances are they already have a pair or two of cufflinks lying around on the dresser. In fact, if they've been in weddings before, they may even have engraved cufflinks they've received as groomsmen gifts! Although it's a nice idea to have coordinated groomsmen gifts like that, there are different gifts you can get your guys without making them match or giving them another pair of cufflinks to toss onto the dresser. For the guy who's already stocked up on cufflinks and other suit accessories, try 24 Karat Gold-Plated Brass Collar Stays. Even if he already has collar stays, he probably doesn't have any as nice as this. You can even get them engraved with his initials! For the well-dressed man, these are essential groomsmen gifts, and ones he'll use for years to keep his look business or black tie ready. If he's already too stocked up on accessories and losing track of little things, go for groomsmen gifts of the Frazier Leather Valet Tray, a far superior alternative to hunting through stores for the manliest jewelry box you can find. You can get it personalized too, so there's no doubt who the keys, cufflinks, loose change and more belongs to. Forgetful types can set your Save the Date there so they have a reminder whenever they go to their dresser to hunt through the sock drawer for a matching pair. If you don't want to give them anything to add to their suit or their dresser, give them groomsmen gifts to make sure they look good before they even put the suit on. If your groomsmen are scruffy types, send a subtle hint about tidying up with The Art of Shaving Groomsmen Kit. If they look confused, tell them you're concerned that they might be mistaken for a hobo who's stolen a tuxedo if they don't do something about the five o'clock shadow - it's your call whether or not you confess that really, your fiance just made you promise to get your groomsmen presentable for the big day. If things are really dire, grooming-wise, upgrade to the Eleven Piece Manicure/Shave Set. If your groomsmen work with their hands, they probably don't have the nicest looking set of nails, which you probably didn't notice until your fiance mentioned it. Since the guys' night out trip to the nail salon trend has yet to catch on, giving these sets as groomsmen gifts is an easy way to guarantee that your friends look picture-perfect on the wedding day. Even if you like them the way they are, your fiance will definitely appreciate the immaculate pictures she gets out of it.
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Groomsmen Gifts for Spring Weddings: Think Basketball
While wedding season is soon upon us, the NBA season is in full swing. The second round of the NBA Playoffs begins this week. LeBron James was just named the MVP of the league. James is the youngest player ever to win the award. He'll be awarded the most valuable player trophy today. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers has an incredible team that appears destined to go to the NBA finals and face off against the streaking Cavaliers. We know how difficult it can to be to decide on the perfect groomsmen gifts. Simplify the process with basketball-related best man gifts, groomsmen gifts or great father of the bride gifts. If the guys in your wedding appreciate the NBA, basketball-themed gifts are the ideal complement to your summer wedding. This year's finals match-up is sure to a spectacular one, so translate all that playoff drama into your groomsmen gifts for a thank you that the men in your wedding will cherish for years to come. Engraved NBA Cufflinks Keep your groomsman gifts classy and sporty at the same time with these attractive cufflinks. These NBA Cufflinks can be personalized with your friend's favorite basketball team. It's the best man gift that will put your stylish friend back in the game - even if he's not going gray quite yet. Personalized Vintage Basketball Tavern Signs Is your wedding coming up and you still have no clue what to get for groomsmen gifts? Look no further than this appealing Personalized Vintage Basketball Tavern Sign. It's the perfect groomsmen gift for your bachelor groomsmen whose billiards or poker rooms are in desperate need of adequate decoration. Personalized Party Tub Cooler Make sure your groomsmen stay chill with this Party Tub Cooler. It makes a great gift for those guys attending your wedding who are too lazy to get up and grab a cold one from the fridge. Now, when you're watching the playoffs with your friends, you'll never be the one to grab the beers because this cooler will be right by your groomsmen or best man's side! Personalized Sedona Bonded Leather Professional Poker Set The NBA isn't for every guy. If your best man is the lone man out when it comes to the excitement and intrigue of basketball, give Sedona Bonded Leather Pro Poker Set. He'll marvel at the beautiful leather case, the 150 deluxe 11.5 gram poker chips, and the five casino quality dice. It will giving you valuable time to watch those big playoff game moments, and keeps any complaints to change the channel to a minimum. Shop GroomStand for some more great groomsmen gifts!
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Gifts from Groomzilla
It's hard to buy groomsmen gifts for people in the WPWPP (Wedding Party Witness Protection Program). Indeed, we've all heard of that bug-eyed nuptial dictator whose wedding party cowers at the shrill incessant ring of their cell phone, trembles at the thought of having groomsmen gifts hurled at them, or jumps at their heavy foot storming into the dressing room. Yes, we are talking not about Bridezilla, but about her alter-ego Groomzilla. From going off on the five-minutes-late limo driver to screaming at the innocently clumsy waitress, anyone who has digital cable knows that Groomzillas are real and terrifying. And much like she of Bridezilla fame, the people who are going to feel the real 'zilla brunt are the members of the wedding party. Which begs the question, what groomsmen gifts do you buy for the guys who put up with everything? Depending on the actual amount of duress you've put them under, our guess is your groomsmen gifts are going to have to be pretty nice. Here's a rough chart of common Groomzilla sins and their groomsmen gifts equivalent: Groomzilla Sin #1: Sweet-talked your groomsman's girl into stripping at the bachelor party so you could save money on hiring dancers. Groomsmen Gifts Path to Forgiveness: A trip to Vegas, with lap dances o'plenty. Groomzilla Sin #2: Enrolled the guys in boxing lessons against their will so the "chub-buckets" would shape up for the Big Day. Groomsmen Gifts Path to Forgiveness: One-on-one boxing matches in which you allow each groomsman to pummel you mercilessly until he feels vindicated. Groomzilla Sin #3: Made them serenade the bride to her favorite song "Fill me up, Buttercup" outside her window for a week after you two had a falling-out. Groomsmen Gifts Path to Forgiveness: An elaborate pre-bachelor party ballet dance to prove to them you are even more in touch with your feminine side than they are. Groomzilla Sin #4: Refused to book your friend's younger brother's band in favor of a professional Bossa Nova group to play at the reception. Groomsmen Gifts Path to Forgiveness: Let the little fellas play at the rehearsal dinner, and write them a letter of recommendation. Groomzilla Sin #5: Humiliated your groomsmen by making a scene in the restaurant because the waitress accidentally spilled champagne on your faux-leather shoes. Groomsmen Gifts Path to Forgiveness: Invite them back out to dinner at the same place, apologize publicly to the waitress and leave a generous tip, along with your most single groomsman's phone number.
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Gifts by His Favorite TV Show
Deciding what to get your guys as groomsmen gifts can be tough. Whereas bridesmaids squeal over magazine ads and jump up and down in front of store windows, guys break out in hives at the mere sight of a store and rarely do more than mumble, "Yeah, that looks alright." But, there is a foolproof way to pick out groomsmen gifts your guys will love! Just match the gift to his favorite television show, and your groomsmen gifts will be Emmy-golden. LOST: You know the one. Your buddy who works in a cubicle all day and has never been out of his small town except for one Canadian hockey game in 1977. But his routine life betrays one adventurous streak- he is a die-hard LOST fan who knows every piece of DHARMA lore by heart and is addicted to Lostpedia. By figuring out his favorite show, you can also figure out what his favorite kind of groomsmen gifts might be. Something escapist, something adventurous, something to help him create his own little hatch right at home. These compasses make neat adventurous groomsmen gifts, while this Woody's Tiki sign is a perfect nod to the one thing that the LOST island is sorely missing-a tiki bar! The Office: If, on the other hand, your friend is a total Steve Carell junkie, more office-themed groomsmen gifts might be appropriate. These handy harmonicas make good groomsmen gifts to encourage those hilarious Office sing-a-longs, while giving these cell phone holsters as groomsmen gifts ensure your pal's phone never ends up in the ceiling rafters. And if your friend just loves the show because he craves Carrel's executive power, traditional office groomsmen gifts like desk caddies and mouse pads are the way to go. Sopranos: For the gangster-loving groomsmen addicted to this critically acclaimed family drama, only high-rolling groomsmen gifts will do. Perfect groomsmen gifts include these Jamison pub signs. Between the poker motif and the proud family name, these groomsmen gifts are just right for the guy seeking a high-paced casino feel for his home or office. Also, you can bribe him with groomsmen gifts never to gripe about the show's controversial ending again! Heroes: For your comic-loving friend, fantasy-themed groomsmen gifts are best. We're not talking D&D, but something like this bowling-themed pub sign. This colorful, quirky sign looks just like something Hiro could jump into by using his magical concentration powers to treat himself and friend Ando to a day of bowling instead of another boring day of corporate websurfing. By giving these comical signs as groomsmen gifts, your buddy can spend many happy days fantasizing about fun pastimes like bowling while in his boring cubicle-and if he does achieve Hiro's superpower, you know you're the pal he'll bring along on his wild adventures. Sweet!
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Gifts For Gentlemen Golfers
It's pretty simple for you and the guys, even if your fiancee never quite understands - it's all about the game. Well, the game and the relaxation. And maybe the friendly competitive spirit. And also the little cart. Whatever it is, it's golf: it's how you bond with your buddies, it's tradition, and now that you're bringing them into another tradition by asking them to be your groomsmen, why not bring your favorite hobby into it with golf-related groomsmen gifts? We're not saying hold the ceremony on the fairway, but if the future wife can have wedding planning sessions over three-mimosa brunches, then you and the boys can figure out the bachelor party, etc. over burgers at the club after nine holes. After all, where would your friendship be if not for your days of catching up at the links? Show your thanks for them standing up with you and make sure they know your golf games won't disappear once you're hitched by giving them groomsmen gifts like these. Sure, they probably already have the basics like golf balls and tees, but do they have them personalized? Are your groomsmen still carrying their tees in plastic bags so they don't get lost in a mess of clubs? If that sounds familiar, solve their problems with personalized groomsmen gifts of the Premier Golf Accessories Set. With space for three golf balls, tees, and a marker, it's an easy way to keep from losing what they need for a good day on course (even if they'd be better off with a box of talent). Since the box comes personalized, they won't have to worry about their stuff getting stolen. Hey, a guy's gotta watch out for golfers these days! If you're going basic (or going broke), try groomsmen gifts of Personalized Golf Balls. You can get them inscribed with up to three lines of text, so you can justify the expense to the future wife when she asks - hey, they're commemorative of your wedding! Doesn't she want your best guy friends to remember exactly when the two of you tied the knot? The better to get you both anniversary gifts, or at least avoid scheduling a big day out on your first anniversary. Do you and your boys like to combine the best of both worlds with golf and good Scotch? Make it easier to enjoy both with groomsmen gifts of this Leather Golf Bag Accessory Caddy. Sure most caddies have space for tees and markers, but do they come with a flask like this one does? We don't think so! You can even cement your best buddy status by pouring in a shot of good liquor before gifting, and get the party started immediately. Some guys don't have the weekend to devote to the club, so if your groomsmen tend to schedule their golf games during long lunches or late afternoons, make sure they can easily carry a putter for practice with groomsmen gifts of this Executive Putter Set. If he's really living the life of executive leisure, he probably has clubs of his own - still, he'll love this set with its wooden practice cup for refining his technique in the office when conference calls go on just a little too long.
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A Guide to Spotting Wedding Crashers
On the Big Day, a groom's gotta protect his groomsmen gifts, his Grey Goose fountain and his girl from the predatory hands of wedding crashers. Unfortunately, now that a sequel is being made to the summer movie that started all this crashing brouhaha, it's going to be harder than ever to weed out wedding interlopers. Luckily, Groomstand's got your guide to doing just that! Read this clever primer and you won't have to worry about strapping your groomsmen gifts to your hip (unless of course, it's a nifty flask like this one.) Step 1: Look for unnaturally attractive wedding guests. Fact is, you and your crew have always been suspicious of pretty boys. While your own friends aren't ugly per se, they certainly aren't the type to request body waxing and man-icures as groomsmen gifts. Ipso facto, the first thing you can do to weed out wedding crashers is to scan the crowd for inordinately good-looking men and have them removed from the premises. Hey, clearly they're wedding crashers or "old friends" of the bride-either way, ejection is in order. Step 2: Give out tasers as groomsmen gifts. Not only are tasers awesome, these little stun-buttons will make it easy for your groomsmen to double as bouncers, even if they are built more like bean bags. If you see a guest engaging in questionable behavior: chatting up bridesmaids, balloon-animal construction, dancing with Granny, your groomsmen can quickly zap the perpetrator using their new-found groomsmen gifts and haul the suspect into a reception hall room for questioning. Step 3: Sniff out suspicious family associations. You can bet your weight in groomsmen gifts that if there are wedding crashers in your midst, they came fully prepared with some cock-and-bull story about being childhood paper boys or third cousins thirty-times removed. There is a simple way to handle this: Instead of a simple guest book, opt for a guest video. Under the guise of creating a nostalgic keepsake, you'll earn yourself a handy interrogation camera that you and your groomsmen can take turns scanning for shady stories throughout the night. As added incentive, let the groomsman who catches something fishy keep the video camera and spare tapes as groomsmen gifts. Step 4: Watch for ladies man versus guy's guy syndrome. Have your guys fully talk up their groomsmen gifts: golf clubs, baseball bats, poker sets. If a man in the group doesn't join in the dugout war stories or slips off to the single lady guests, there's a good chance you've got a wedding crasher on your hands. A man who doesn't appreciate the worth of on-the-green groomsmen gifts is clearly just there to pick up girls, and such behavior smacks of wedding crasher status! By following this guide carefully you should be able to guard your groomsmen gifts, protect your girl's bridesmaids, and keep the reception dance party invite-only! Well done, groom.
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Gifts for the Veteran Groomsman
Has he both been there and done there (multiple times)? You're bound to have groomsmen overlap in any group of good buddies, but if you've noticed that one guy in particular keeps ending up at the altar without coming back with a Mrs., you may have a case of a serial groomsman on your hands. And hey, he's your friend and it's not like he hasn't had the practice, right? You can't just leave out one of your good buddies, even if his collection of groomsmen gifts rivals the collection of phone numbers you have - er, had - in your Little Black Book. If one guy in your wedding party has seen more altar action than your local minister, you're going to have to get especially creative with your groomsmen gifts. We're talking about a guy who has all the basics already, after all. His dresser is scattered with cufflinks, he has more golf accessories than Tiger Woods, and you're pretty sure at least two thirds of his possessions are monogrammed with his initials. So how do you make your groomsmen gifts stand out from the crowd? One good thing about getting picture frames as groomsmen gifts is that even if he's gotten a nice frame or two before, you can at least guarantee you'll give him one with a different picture. This is the time to skip out on group shots of you and your buddies - slip in a nice nostalgic picture of the two of you in college or whenever it was you first met and you'll remind him of the good times, and why it's worth it for him to go through the groomsman game again. If he already has a lot of things related to what he's interested in (of course your other married baseball fan buddies got him an engraved bat already), offer up something to expand his horizons and/or totally blow his mind. Just make sure he's going to get some use out of it - for example, any man, no matter how un-handy, could probably get some use out of a 13 Function Army Knife, but you probably won't get too thrilled of a response if you offer up groomsmen gifts of a Personalized Leather Wine Accessory Valet to a guy who can name fifteen different foreign beers with no trouble but still isn't quite sure why the world needs both red and white wines. If you're absolutely in doubt of your ability to find groomsmen gifts he doesn't already have, just point your cursor at https://branddepot.com/ and keep an eye on the New Groomsmen Gifts selection right on the front page. We bet your groomsman doesn't have a Personalized Wine Bottle Stopper yet!
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A Boozy Guide to Groomsmen Gifts
What if we told you a good wedding is like a good pub? And that intimate knowledge of an alehouse is the key to perfect groomsmen gifts? Skeptical? Hear us out as we explore the historical rise of pubs, and why this history is good news for groomsmen... For starters, it is a well-known fact that for centuries, the pub as an institution has been a hub of community in villages, towns and cities. Over the years, the pub has become much more than just a bar. It's a meeting place where people mingle with old and new friends, colleagues unwind, strangers shoot the breeze, and business is discussed. The pub is a place of leisure, celebration, game playing and conversation. Hmmm, leisure, celebration, game playing and conversation - sounds like the elements of a great wedding to us! Lessons learned from pubs so far: a good wedding should take place in a convenient location, a pleasant locale where coworkers, old friends and new friends can all mingle in kind. A good wedding, like a good pub, should include a diverse enough range of activities and personalities present that everyone feels comfortable and entertained. But, we digress. Moving forward, we will explore how the progression of the pub actually mirrors modern wedding trends. Due to changes in English law, the pub has increased its historical hospitality even further recently by allowing entire families to come and partake in pub life. Pubs now serve fuller menus of typically greasy comfort food known as "pub fare." Many pubs still provide affordable accommodation, particularly in rural areas. In such locations, a pub may be a pub by night and a church or post office by day. Need we say more? Much like the new kid-friendly pubs, even the most head-in-the-sports-page groom knows that modern wedding trends include increasing family-friendly trends, like a babysitter and a kid menu, and that comfort foods like potatoes and mini hamburgers (read: pub fare) are replacing the fancy reception food of days past. Also (like the hospitable pub which accommodates its guests overnight) instead of jetting off to their honeymoon right away, couples are now encouraging everyone-including themselves-to drink and bond all night (pub style) then shack up and go to an after- wedding brunch. Unconventional locations, such as train stations and farmhouses, are also doing double reception and ceremony duty, just the way pubs and post offices used to. Needless to say, your wedding could take a cue or two from the local pub, cozy bastion of bantering, bartering and brawling, where everyone is equally welcome and one can never be bored. Pretty uncanny isn't it? By now you're probably wondering why we are telling you all this. The simple fact is that we have come up with some truly inspired ideas for groomsmen gifts, and we are methodically using historical data to convince you of its genius. So now you see the way good weddings mimic pubs. But how do you know these new ideas for groomsmen gifts aren't just some girly wedding favor? Enter part two of the history lesson: the manly connotations of the alehouse. As written in pub.com's A History of Alehouses, "Over the next few centuries, the social landscape evolved as invaders came and went. One thing every regime and conqueror seemed to have in common was a thirst for ale." Needless to say, a groom's life is full of challenges, and he and his groomsmen need liquid courage to stay strong. And, clearly, history shows ale is the beverage of conquerors. Therefore ale-related groomsmen gifts aren't just a nice gesture; they're a nod to your pals' masculine prowess. The same document reports, "As it turned out, some were better at brewing ale than others. All were particularly fond of ale, which was brewed using malted barley, wheat, and yeast. The primitive ale is sweet and often powerful, but soured quickly and didn't keep." Bottom line, ale brewing is a past time that requires finesse, skill, and instinct. It's basically a sport. Support your ale-brewing brothers by buying you and your buddies groomsmen gifts that applaud their brewing accomplishments. And the reasons for ale-inspired groomsmen gifts don't stop there. The history continues, "Three centuries later, King Edgar of Kent regulated the size of the ale drinking vessel. The cup was passed around and each person was supposed to drink to a measure marked by a peg, though few generally adhered to this rule." Obviously ale drinking has every element needed for a guy's good time. Like all good groomsmen gifts, it's ceremonial, communal, and consists of rituals that were made to broken. But that's not all: "The spread of Christianity did nothing to lessen the English thirst for ale. Many pagan drinking rituals and games were adopted by the Christian church. Ales were sometimes brewed especially for church festivals or to raise money," states pub.com's History. Needless to say, like your friendship with your groomsmen, like your wedding itself, ale drinking is pretty much a spiritual pastime. It's only right that your groomsmen gifts accommodate this divine element. Bottoms up! Still not convinced? Keep reading: "In the Middle Ages, increased populations and the rise of industry caused questionable water conditions. Ale became the only safe drink. Because of the increasing need for ale, alehouses became established fixtures instead of part-time gigs," reads pub's account. As history shows, ale is obviously safer to drink than water, and ale-related groomsmen gifts demonstrate utmost concern for their health and well being. Buy these safe groomsmen gifts, because water just can't be trusted! And here's the historical kicker: Apparently, there is leading evidence that ale could lead to permanent drunkenness. According to pub.com, the English Civil War, which began in 1642, led to the rise of the Puritans. The Puritans were basically a group of historical haters who forbade the excess of drink as part of their general fun-free lifestyle. They complained that the English were permanently drunk, and alehouses too numerous to count. Clearly, there is a direct correlation between frequent ale-drinking and permanent drinking. Buy our new groomsmen gifts to test this intriguing theory for yourselves. And last but not least, pub names were often used to commemorate historic events. According to pub.com, "In Uxbridge, an inn was used as a venue for unsuccessful peace talks in 1645, and was renamed the Crown & Treaty. The Royal Oak, refers to the story of Charles II avoiding capture, following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in the hollow trunk of an oak tree." A pretty cool story, and one worth commemorating. Our guess is your wedding will be a pretty good story too, soooo... And here you have it, fellas. After the big historical build-up, here it is: our fresh new trio of pub-related groomsmen gifts: And here you have it, fellas. After the big historical build-up, here it is: our fresh new trio of pub-related groomsmen gifts: The first is a personalized alehouse stein! What better groomsmen gift than a personalized alehouse stein, designed in a style that suits your groomsmen's' individual tastes. Choose from racing, golf, poker, hunting, or "classic pub." Each of these hearty ceramic mugs hold 22 ounces of lager, malt, ale, or light beer. As you can see, life's already full of hard choices; choosing this awesome groomsman gift won't be one of them! For your buddy with the home bar, a personalized pub plaques may make the perfect groomsmen gift. Choose from a variety of traditional manly pastimes when personalizing this plaque for your pal. Each spiffy laminate design is printed directly onto the wood base for lasting quality. Last but not least, for the party king, personalized pub coasters make the best groomsmen gift. Your pal will be so amazed by his newfound fame; he might start to BYOC when he hits his favorite pubs. These boldly designed, waterproof coasters even come in a caddy for storage! Needless to say, it is a proven fact that pub and ale-inspired accessories are the perfect groomsmen gifts for endless nights of partying! And in regards to the lessons we've learned today, all we can say is, may history repeat itself! Bottoms up boys!
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Gifts For The Retrosexual
Oh, you know the retrosexual - whether he cops to it or not, there's always the one guy in every gang who wore a zoot suit to prom, stashes Louis Armstrong in his CD collection, and secretly wishes he were Clark Gable or James Bond (version Connery). It's not just the desire for an icy blonde on his arm; this guy is serious. If you can't identify this character by his pompadour, think back to your experiences with your groomsmen. Who always orders a martini when everyone else is doing shots? Which of your groomsmen actually already owns a suit? Bingo, you've found your retrosexual. Now, outfit him with appropriate groomsmen gifts. If your boy is a committed retrosexual, he probably already has a few pairs of cufflinks of his own. But if you're thinking now that it'd be nice for all your groomsmen to look as classy as this guy does, why not get cufflinks as groomsmen gifts for all? These Engraved Silver Square Cufflinks are that ultimate combo of flashy and classy, so your retrosexual buddy will be happy to pair them with his best suit and your other groomsmen will find them cool and interesting enough to wear out. Maybe he hasn't completely sold you on martinis yet, but let him keep trying - at least those suckers are potent. Drink up his gin or vodka when he has you and the guys over to put your groomsmen gifts of this Set of Four Personalized Martini Glasses to good use. Just make sure he stocks up on olives and keeps the dirty martinis coming, and don't let the guy make you try anything involving fruit juice - that just leads to Cosmopolitans, and no one wants that awkward situation. Speaking of the glory of living in the post-Prohibition era, help him celebrate the demise of rum runners and speakeasies with groomsmen gifts of an Engraved Textured Medallion Flask for him and the boys. Even if most of your boys favor nineties style over the vintage throwback bowling shirts your retrosexual buddy tries to pass off as a style quirk, when you give groomsmen gifts that involve alcohol or the transportation of alcohol, no one will complain. Want to make these groomsmen gifts extra special? Fill them up with everyone's favorite liquor and get ready for a great night out. Stubble just doesn't suit your average retrosexual, but he probably doesn't have much appreciation for electric razors, either. Get him the classy shaving set he deserves with groomsmen gifts of this Silver-Plated Matte Black Shaving Set with Mach3 Razor. Complete with a razor, badger brush, and shaving bowl, this set will let him pretend he's Cary Grant on his way to romance the ladies as he rids himself of that five o'clock shadow. Make sure your other groomsmen look just as dashing by giving these sets as groomsmen gifts to all your boys - after all, you can't have one guy outclassing the rest, no matter how much he wants to.
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Gifts Spotlight: Flasks, Flasks, Flasks
Who knew picking a flask meant so many different options? You felt pretty accomplished, having figured out the groomsmen gifts for your boys, but now you have to pick the perfect flask from all your different options. If picking the first search result on the page isn't enough for you, consult this handy guide for more information on the types of flasks you have to choose from. You can't go wrong with a personalized stainless steel flask. The textured steel offers that classic sleek look so your groomsman will always be proud to pull it out of a finely-cut suit pocket. With up to ten letters of personalization, you can easily fit most names there, or go simple with initials. If you're a man with a true appreciation for class, offer the Dalvey Classic Flask, an elegant round flask, accented with a gold badge in the front. Groomsmen gifts this stylish will never be unwelcome. Want a variation on a classic? A leather flask is just as fine for the more outdoorsy type of guy. If your groomsmen would rather climb a mountain than make executive decisions, offer them up leather flasks as groomsmen gifts. For an extra kick, offer them this personalized flask with removable shot glass and cover all their portable liquor-related needs. Want to give something a little bigger? Depending on your groomsmen's proclivities, you can find the set that meets their needs. For the cigar aficionado, there's the Leather Flask Cigar Case Combo. Perfect for a long night out, it has room for up to 4 oz. of their chosen beverage, and room for 2 cigars, making these sets ideal as groomsmen gifts for guys who appreciate a good night out at the club. For the guy on the go, try the Stainless Steel Cigar Case/Flask Combo, which has room for one cigar and 1.5 oz. of their drink of choice. Do your boys like to have a little stress relief on hand at all times? The seven-piece mini to-go bar means that they'll always have what they need on hand, whether it's Jim Beam or Benjamin Franklin. For something slightly more subtle than a flask, try a Personalized Telescopic Cup Keychain. An unobtrusive round silver keychain at first sight, this cleverest of groomsmen gifts expands to become a shot glass! Your boys will never be caught unprepared for impromptu parties. Swigging from the bottle went out once you graduated college, so give your groomsmen a step up and a reminder of the good times with this keychain cup!
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Bachelor Party
by Brad Patterson Today's topic in Getting Married 101 is the bachelor party. I am certainly not the expert on bachelor parties, having had only participated in one myself as the groom-to-be, and I am not planning any others. Larry King is truly the world's foremost authority on bachelor parties, having been the guest of honor maybe a dozen times, but he was unable to write this article. Something came up, like another interview with that annoying Susan Carpenter-McMillian woman or something like that. So, here I am again, offering some (allegedly) sage advice for grooms-to-be and/or bachelor party planners. Please follow along in your manual. Hopefully I can keep you out of the kind of trouble that no amount of groomsmen gifts, bridesmaids, your bride and her parents can fix. BE CAREFUL! This is the first, most important and really the only advice you need to make your bachelor party - or the one you are throwing for your friend - a success. Success is a subjective definition. Success to a police officer is going home alive at the end of a shift; success in life to some guys means owning a boat; success to a writer is getting published. Success in terms of a bachelor party is that everyone survives and the husband-to-be did not do anything that will have long-term consequences, i.e. future paternity suits, positive HIV tests, embarrassing pictures ending up in the National Enquirer, etc. If you're lucky you might walk away with decent groomsmen gifts and a not-too-terrible hangover. Bachelor parties are what I refer to as a "forced good time." Similar to New Year's Eve, one's 21st birthday, and other occasions like that, a Bachelor Party pressures those involved to feel as though they must have an all-time experience or they are in violation of some guy rule. You do not have to get completely wild and crazy if you do not want to. It is not mandated by the "Guy Handbook." BE PREPARED! Now that you know you do not have to have an all-time blowout at your bachelor party, preparation is vital. If location, location and location are the three most important aspects of selling a house, preparation, preparation, preparation are the three keys to having a great bachelor party. For example, are you going to be at a lake or a river, or near a swimming pool? If so, please check with the groom to see if he can swim prior to the party. It is fairly popular for one's friends to throw the man of the hour into a body of water during the closing hours of a bachelor party, and having to give him mouth-to-mouth will probably not win you any points or better groomsmen gifts. It might be wise to check to see if any of the other members attending the party are unable to swim as well. Have a designated driver. I do not want to appear to be an old crank about this stuff, but knowing ahead of time who will be driving the groom home or back to the hotel aids in the enjoyment of the party. Renting a limo for the evening is not a bad idea, or at least a taxi. The cost of a limo for one evening is considerably less than a DUI. Plus, there is a much greater chance that the groom gets back safely. So, know ahead of time where you are going, how you are getting back and make one of the members of the party sort of responsible for the groom. You know, make sure someone keeps a relatively mature eye on him to avoid major problems. GET YOUR STORIES STRAIGHT A friend of mine was in charge of throwing a bachelor party for a guy. This friend comes from a devoutly religious household--his father was an Elder in the Christian church. Even though he was in college and out of the house, he was living in his parents' house for the summer and did not want to offend them with any unseemly behavior. He related coming home from his friend's bachelor party - reeking of breath mints - staggering into the house at about 2 a.m. only to see his mother still waiting up for him - as mothers will do for their little boys, even when their little boys are 22 years old. Anyway, the friend is carrying a projector with him into the house. Now, don't get ahead of me here....you and I both know what the projector was for, right? When his mom asked him why he had the projector, my friend mumbled drunkenly, ESPN Sports Bloopers. That answer seemed to satisfy his mom, who smiled and went on to bed. I have used that response in stories since then and everyone marvels at the genius and quick-thinking of that guy. What a great answer! However, don't count on being that quick-witted. If you rehearse your answers ahead of time, it will be easy to tell the right story and stick to that story. Years later, we debated whether or not his Mom believed that line or if she knew what that projector had really been used for that night. The point is, have answers as to where you went and what you did if you are unwilling (or unable) to divulge that information the next day to relatives. It might be a good idea to write them out ahead of time and pass out copies to all those in attendance at the party along with the beer bongs and groomsmen gifts. HAVE THE PARTY EARLY Think in terms of having the bachelor party at least two nights prior to the big event, not the night before. Your wedding day is no time to be worshipping the porcelain god and certainly no time to be suffering from a hangover that would have stopped Bret Favre. There are enough things to worry about that day. MAKE THE PARTY A LEARNING EXPERIENCE At my brother's bachelor party, I was 18 years old and the youngest guy in attendance. I learned to pour beer out of a tap and to smoke cigars that night. Thus, I learned two skills that have been put to good use in the years since then. Because of another bachelor party I attended, I can testify honestly - to the best of my recollection - that the strippers in Nashville, Tennessee are of a higher quality than those in Terre Haute, Indiana. See, a learning experience. Then again, maybe it was because I was wearing wraparound sunglasses at night during that Terre Haute party. I don't remember why I was doing that. However, that night I did learn-- quickly --that you do not ever, ever touch the stage while the strippers are doing their thing. One guy, perhaps even more naive than I even, started to get up on the stage until two beefy guys magically emerged from behind the curtain and told him in no uncertain terms that it would be a good idea if he sat down and did not ever touch the stage again. See, another learning experience. Who says these kinds of events are not educational? Bring home more than groomsmen gifts, this advice is invaluable. "The cost of a limo for one evening is considerably less than a DUI." ENJOY YOURSELF Look, it is a "party," after all. Many times, the bachelor party is more for the other guys there than for the groom. I spent my bachelor party in the company of four good friends, having a few beers in the Holiday Inn in Oak Lawn, Illinois. My friends were all in from other places and I was the only one who knew where we were. A trip to White Castle for hamburgers turned into a Not-So-Excellent Adventure with five of us crammed into my little Plymouth Champ (without air conditioning) with an absolute hellacious thunderstorm going on. The pouring rain made opening a window unthinkable and the steam from five guys in one little car made seeing out of the windshield virtually impossible. So, we headed back to the hotel, and made a nice evening out of handing out the groomsmen gifts, telling old stories and laughing a lot. And we all stayed out of trouble. NO STRIPPERS, PLEASE Okay, if you want to visit an adult entertainment parlor, then do so. Just don't make the groom do anything he might regret later. No pictures of the groom getting a lap dance or anything like that, either - although lap dances as groomsmen gifts are acceptable. And, don't bring a stripper to the hotel where the family is staying. That's tacky. The whole notion of having a stripper is sort of outdated in these politically correct times, but there are preferable ways to conduct the festivities if that is what is planned. THINK TOM HANKS Seeing the movie Bachelor Party should be required viewing for any potential groom or for the person responsible for the party. Things like animals in the hotel room and ex-girlfriends passed out on the bed with the groom are funny in movies - not in real life.
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