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What Actually Makes a Good Groomsmen Gift
The best groomsmen gifts share three essential qualities: they get used daily (not shelved and forgotten), they're built to last (years, not months), and they feel personal (showing you actually know the guy). Also worth considering: whether it's useful for the wedding day itself, easy to transport to the venue, and whether it works as part of a matching set without feeling corny.
Five Types of Groomsmen (And What They'll Actually Appreciate)
1. The Classic Gentleman
Values timeless style and traditional craftsmanship
Slim wallet: A Ridge carbon fiber wallet ($150) delivers modern functionality with sophisticated materials. The slim profile works with tailored suits, and RFID blocking protects cards during post-wedding travel—a gift that elevates everyday carry without trying too hard.
YETI Rambler tumbler: YETI 20oz Rambler ($35) keeps morning coffee hot and evening whiskey cold. Personalize with engraving for a classic touch that transforms a practical item into a keepsake they'll use daily for years.
Leather dopp kit: Mark & Graham leather toiletry bag ($80-120) in rich brown or black provides organization for grooming essentials. Traditional gentlemen appreciate quality leather goods, and a well-crafted dopp kit ages beautifully while surviving countless trips.
Pocket square set: The Tie Bar pocket square collection ($15-40 each) or Kent Wang silk pocket squares ($35-50 each) add polish to any suit. Choose wedding colors or classic patterns—they're useful for the big day and every formal occasion after.
Premium cufflinks: The Tie Bar cufflinks ($30-80) or Brooks Brothers classic cufflinks ($50-150) that work with dress shirts beyond the wedding. Classic gentlemen actually wear French cuffs, so quality cufflinks get regular use at formal events.
2. The Outdoor Enthusiast
Weekends are for hiking, camping, and adventure
Multi-tool or pocket knife: Benchmade pocket knives or Leatherman multi-tools ($80-150) deliver reliable functionality. Outdoor guys use quality tools constantly, and a well-chosen multi-tool becomes an essential part of their everyday carry.
Ridge Key Organizer: Compact keycase ($60-85) consolidates car keys, carabiners, and gear clips into one silent unit. Outdoor enthusiasts carry lots of keys and tools—this eliminates the jangling mess while surviving rugged use through trailheads and campsites.
Packable rain jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell ($149-179) or similar technical outerwear protects during unexpected weather. Adventure-focused groomsmen value functional gear that performs when conditions deteriorate.
Headlamp or flashlight: Black Diamond headlamps ($40-70) or premium flashlight enables camping and emergency situations. Practical tools that live in truck glove boxes get used repeatedly.
Durable water bottle: Nalgene wide-mouth bottle ($15-20) or CamelBak Chute Mag ($25-35) for hydration on trails. These survive being dropped on rocks and tossed in packs—the workhorse bottles that outdoorsmen actually trust.
3. The Tech-Forward Professional
Lives for the latest gadgets and productivity tools
Wireless charging pad: Apple MagSafe Charger or Anker charging station ($40-70) eliminates cable clutter. Tech professionals juggle multiple devices, and consolidated charging solves a daily frustration.
Ridge Magnetic Power Bank: 5-in-1 power bank ($79) with built-in cables means never hunting for charging cords. The magnetic MagSafe attachment works seamlessly with modern phones, and integrated cables eliminate the need to carry extras—perfect for the guy who's always connected.
Noise-canceling earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5 ($250-300) or Apple AirPods Pro ($249) deliver professional audio for calls and focus. Tech enthusiasts appreciate premium sound quality and understand the value of effective noise cancellation.
Laptop sleeve or case: Bellroy Laptop Sleeve ($79-99) or minimalist protection keeps devices safe. Professionals carry expensive laptops daily—sleek protection that fits in bags prevents costly damage.
Smart home device: Amazon Echo Dot ($50) or Google Nest Mini ($50) for voice control and smart home integration. Tech-forward guys enjoy building out their connected homes, and this gets them started or expands existing setups.
4. The Entertainer & Home Chef
Loves hosting friends and perfecting his cocktail game
Cocktail smoker kit: Crafthouse by Fortessa Smoking Box ($60) or Aged & Ore cocktail smoker kit ($70-90) elevates home bar skills. Entertainers enjoy learning new techniques, and smoked cocktails become signature drinks that impress guests.
Cast iron skillet: Lodge cast iron skillet ($40-80) or Le Creuset enameled cast iron ($100-200) becomes a kitchen workhorse. Home chefs who entertain regularly appreciate durable cookware that performs across decades.
Ridge Passport Wallet: Leather passport holder ($95) for the guy who entertains internationally or travels for food experiences. It consolidates travel documents and cards in one organized package, perfect for the entertainer who's always planning the next culinary adventure.
Engraved cutting board: Etsy personalized walnut boards ($50-80) or Williams Sonoma end-grain cutting board ($80-120) with engraving service combines function with display. It's practical for prep work and handsome enough to serve charcuterie when friends visit.
Meat thermometer: ThermoWorks Thermapen ($99) ensures perfectly cooked steaks and roasts. Home chefs who take grilling seriously need precision tools—this delivers restaurant-quality results.
5. The Minimalist Professional
Values quality over quantity, function over flash
Ridge Wallet: Premium slim wallet ($75-150 depending on material) eliminates bulk while maintaining functionality. Minimalists appreciate the intentional design—it holds essentials without excess, and the lifetime warranty aligns with buy-it-for-life philosophy.
Quality pen: Tactile Turn pens or Kaweco fountain pens ($40-80) make daily writing more intentional. Professionals who value tools appreciate a pen that feels substantial and writes smoothly.
Slim laptop stand: Roost Laptop Stand ($75-90) improves ergonomics without desktop clutter. Minimalists work from various locations and appreciate gear that packs flat but performs well.
Single-origin coffee subscription: Trade Coffee subscription or Blue Bottle coffee ($16-20/bag) delivers quality beans monthly. Minimalists would rather have excellent coffee than cabinet clutter—consumable gifts align with their less-is-more philosophy.
Quality sunglasses: Warby Parker sunglasses ($95-145) or Maui Jim polarized sunglasses ($199-329) in classic frames. Minimalists invest in fewer, better accessories that work across occasions—timeless sunglasses fit this perfectly.
The Safe Bet (When You're Not Sure)
When you don't know everyone's specific tastes, go with items that solve everyday problems through exceptional quality. A premium wallet or key organizer works for almost anyone because we all deal with the same daily carry frustrations. The Ridge wallet, in particular, works across different personalities—it's polished enough for traditionalists, functional enough for minimalists, tough enough for outdoorsmen, and smart enough for tech guys. Pair it with something personalized but universally useful (like an engraved bottle opener or quality barware), and you've hit the sweet spot.
Skip overly specific gifts unless you're absolutely certain about interests (golf accessories for someone who doesn't golf), and avoid generic throwaways that scream "I forgot until last week" (cheap flasks, promotional-looking items). The goal is showing you've actually thought about what would make their everyday life better.
FAQs
What should I actually spend per person?
$75-150 per groomsman is the standard range for close friends. Best men often get something a bit nicer ($150-250). That said, quality beats price—one excellent item is better than three mediocre ones.
Should everyone get the same thing?
Matching gifts (same item, personalized for each person) simplify things and create a nice sense of cohesion. Different gifts tailored to each guy's interests show you put in extra thought—choose your approach based on how well you know everyone and how much time you have.
When do I actually give out the gifts?
Most grooms hand them out at the rehearsal dinner, though some do it during the getting-ready time on wedding day. If it's something they'll use for the wedding itself (tie case, pocket square), wedding day makes sense. Everything else works better at the rehearsal dinner.
Is personalization actually worth the extra cost?
Yes, when it's done well. Tasteful initials, dates, or a short meaningful phrase turn a regular gift into something memorable. Skip anything too wordy or forced—"Groomsmen Squad 2026" territory gets cheesy fast.
What if my groomsmen all like completely different things?
Stick with high-quality everyday essentials that work regardless of specific hobbies—wallets, key organizers, tumblers, and tech accessories have universal appeal. Save the highly specific stuff (fishing gear, golf accessories) for when you're 100% certain about someone's interests.
Should the gift be something they can use at the wedding?
It's a nice touch but not required. Practical wedding-day items (tie cases, collar stays, emergency grooming kit) show thoughtfulness, but don't make that the only gift—it should add to, not replace, something they'll keep using long after.
How do I make a practical gift feel special?
Quality materials, nice packaging, and personalization go a long way. A handwritten note explaining why you picked that particular gift adds a layer of meaning that elevates even the most utilitarian item.
Can I just make these the wedding favors?
No—groomsmen gifts acknowledge specific people who've spent time and money to be in your wedding. Wedding favors are small tokens for all guests. Combining them cheapens the gesture of thanking your wedding party for their actual commitment.