Happy Friday: Frugal Gifts for the Bridesmaids

Hip2Save may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

Sent from reader, Katie:

Wedding season is coming up and this is something that I did for my bridesmaids that everyone loved! I “hosted” a Thirty-One party and I bought everyone a Thirty-One lunch box with a print that fit their personality. The lunch boxes were on sale but I also spent enough money that I was able to receive hostess credit and was able to get other gifts that I gave to the hostesses of my bridal shower for free!

Inside of the bag, I included a survival kit. Between free samples and couponed items I was able to score great deals and only spent about $3 per survival kit. For the items such as bobby pins, Band-Aids, Chapstick, Tums, alcohol, nail files, and chocolate, I bought one pack and then split them up between the girls. I typed up this poem (that I personalized to go with the goodies in the kit) and put it inside of a card where I wrote them a personal message.

This Survival Kit was made just to say, I’m thrilled you’re beside me on my wedding day!
There’s chocolate to give you that sugar high and a packet of tissues in case you should cry.
Lip gloss to help you care for your smile. If a nail should break, I’ve included a file.
There is Shout if you should spill on your dress and lifesavers to keep your breath minty fresh.
There’s Aleve and Tums if it’s ill that you feel, and Band-Aids to help you tackle high heels.
I’ve put everything in this handy pack, so you’ll know that this bride has got your back!
This kit was created so that you can see, how much you mean to the bride-to-be!

I also included their jewelry that I made. Total I spent around $23 per bridesmaid. It did add up with five girls but it was a wonderful gift that they actually were able to enjoy and use! Happy Friday! 

HAPPY FRIDAY! 😀


Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Join The Discussion

Comments 29

  1. Cyndee

    Since I am a Thirty-One consultant, I especially love this post!

  2. Catherine

    I was thinking the same thing 🙂 I love selling Thirty-One because people really appreciate it! It’s practical but stylish too!

  3. Michelle

    Same here!!

  4. Catherine

    Good idea, guess I should include my link 🙂

  5. katie

    I got my bags from kohls for under $5 with matching coffee mugs and umbrellas and oink watches. Each item was $3.80 and it was Vera and timex! Plus I got kohls cash back. Include free nivea chapsticks, meds, makeup, and lotion and my bags were awsome and under $25 each! This is such an awesome idean I don’t know why more brides don’t do this!

  6. Lindsay

    I’m liking that Smirnoff bottle 😉

    • falloutmommy

      I was going to say the same thing. Gotta have the liquor!

  7. Tia

    Great idea! Very thoughtful and special.

  8. M

    I love the poem you wrote! What a great way to put a very personal touch on your gifts!

  9. Ihearthip

    Does anyone know if Thirty One does a “basket party” where you take catalogs to your friends & order, but not have an actual party?

    • Desi

      They do online parties where you go online to the catalog and order. My sister just had one and it was great because I was able to order what I wanted from my house, in my pj’s while watching How I Met Your Mother

    • Catherine

      Yes, you can definitely have a catalog/ online/ facebook “party”. Click my link for more info 🙂 There are lots of great hostess benefits and good special this month too.

  10. Cheryl S.

    Super cute idea!

  11. MacKenzie

    I did something similar for my bridesmaids. I used the free makeup bags from target and then included some goodies that I got for next to nothing. I spent less than $10 for each girl plus the jewelry that I had bought for them

  12. Carmen

    I really like this! Very creative, sweet, and thoughtful!

  13. Gax

    I love how alcohol is part of the survival basket.

  14. brandice

    Awesome idea I would have loved to have been one of your bridesmaids!!!

  15. RJ

    I’m a Thirty One consultant as well and love seeing how the products make others happy. 🙂

    • Catherine

      Yeah and this month’s special (Keep-It Caddy) would be perfect for this type of thing too! 🙂

  16. ketsy

    I love the poem 😀

  17. Lindsey

    Cute, I love that tote! My son has it (in the now discontinued elephant print) and we use it for daycare every day!

  18. tiffany

    That is awesome!!!!! IMO people love practical, useful and thought felt gifts a lot more than an expensive trinket that will hardly be used. I’m sure you’re girls loved it all!!

  19. Gina

    Super cute gift idea! Thanks for sharing!

  20. Monica

    Love this! So thoughtful!

  21. Jenny

    Super cute! The poem definitely ‘makes’ the whole thing

  22. Jess

    You also could do personalized bags from artscow.com that Colin posts about. They normally run a sale for $9 for three different pages. Cute poem!!

  23. Em

    This is cute.
    The best bridesmaid gift I have ever gotten though was a letter opener from the brides silver set. It’s freaking awesome. I use it all the time! Best part: it’s my silver set too! Woot! Repousse for the win.

    • Lori G

      I am feeling rather out of the loop… I have no idea what “31” is 🙁

      • Catherine

        Hi Lori – No worries, I understand! Click my name and it will take you to their website. They have purses and totes and other items for home organization or travel, etc. It’s a “party” type company, like Mary Kay, and the hostess can earn rewards – even for doing an online catalog party. Send me a message if you want to learn more 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It's not your Grandma's coupon site!

Sign up for a Hip2Save account (it's free) to access all of the awesome features!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a Hip2Save Insider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?