Unique Groomsmen Gifts That Don't Suck
Most groomsmen gifts end up in a drawer. The engraved flask, the monogrammed shot glass, the novelty socks: they photograph well on the wedding day and are never touched again. The groomsmen gifts that don't suck are the ones he keeps using months later, because they're useful, well made and something he wouldn't have bought for himself.
This guide lists 16 unique groomsmen gifts that pass that test, from under $25 to best-man worthy. It also covers how much to spend and what to put in a groomsmen proposal box.
Short Answer: What Are the Best Unique Groomsmen Gifts?
The best unique groomsmen gifts are practical things of noticeably higher quality than he'd buy himself. Good examples are a solid multitool, a wireless meat thermometer, a real whisky glass set, a travel toiletry kit or a complete skincare routine in a gift box. Skip anything whose main feature is his name printed on it.
Our quick picks:
- Best overall: Wild Roman Face Routine Gift Set ($179)
- Best tool: Leatherman Wave+ multitool ($129.95)
- Best for the guy who grills: MEATER Plus wireless thermometer ($79.99)
- Best under $30: Opinel No. 08 folding knife ($23)
- Best for the best man: Wild Roman Complete Routine Gift Box ($265)
What Makes a Groomsmen Gift Not Suck
Before the list, here are the four rules we used to pick every item on it.
- He'll use it after the wedding. If it only makes sense on the day itself, it's a party favor, not a gift.
- Quality beats personalization. An engraving can't rescue a cheap product. A great product doesn't need one.
- One good thing beats five okay things. A single $80 gift he'll use for years is better than a box of $15 novelties.
- It works for different guys. Your college roommate and your future brother-in-law probably don't share hobbies. Everyday-use gifts, like drinkware, tools and grooming, work for almost anyone.
16 Unique Groomsmen Gifts They'll Actually Use
Wild Roman Face Routine Gift Set
Best for: every groomsman, including the one who "doesn't do skincare"
Most men will use a face wash and moisturizer if someone hands them a good one, and almost none will go buy it themselves. That's what makes skincare a strong groomsmen gift: it's used every day, and it's an upgrade he wouldn't make on his own.
The Face Routine Gift Set includes our Castile face wash, bakuchiol face serum and grass-fed beef tallow face moisturizer, scented with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrance. It arrives in a matte black gift box with a printed how-to guide and a $25 gift card, and it can ship straight to each groomsman.
The how-to guide turns three bottles into a routine he can follow and the gift card lets him continue the routine long after the wedding day. If he shaves the morning of the wedding, point him to our tips on avoiding razor bumps, too.
Leatherman Wave+ Multitool
Best for: the guy everyone calls when something breaks
The Wave+ is the multitool people keep for decades. It packs 18 tools, including pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers and a 2.9-inch blade, into an 8.5-ounce body, and it's made in Portland, Oregon, with a 25-year limited warranty. It's a classic groomsmen gift for a reason, and one of the few classics that still gets used.
MEATER Plus Wireless Meat Thermometer
Best for: the backyard grill guy
A wireless probe that sits in the meat and reports internal and ambient temperatures to his phone. The MEATER Plus has a Bluetooth range of up to 165 feet and runs for more than 24 hours on a charge, so he can leave the grill without guessing. It's a useful gadget that works for everyday chicken as well as for a brisket weekend.
YETI Rambler 10 oz Stackable Lowball
Best for: a whiskey-and-porch guy, or a group gift with a bottle
A double-wall stainless steel lowball that keeps a drink cold (or coffee hot) without sweating, with a ceramic-lined interior and a MagSlider lid. It's dishwasher safe and has a 5-year warranty. On its own it's a small gift, but pair one with a bottle of each guy's preferred pour and it becomes a very good one.
Glencairn Whisky Glass Gift Set
Best for: the guy who's really into bourbon or scotch
The Glencairn is the tasting glass used by many whisky distilleries, shaped to concentrate aroma. The presentation set includes two 200 ml lead-free crystal glasses in a black gift box, so it's ready to hand over. It's an upgrade from the logo pint glass most of your groomsmen are drinking from right now.
Opinel No. 08 Folding Knife
Best for: a budget that has to stretch across a big wedding party
Opinel has made its wooden-handled folding knives in France for over a century, and the No. 08 is the classic size. It has a 3.3-inch carbon steel blade, a twist-lock safety ring, and weighs 1.6 ounces. Carbon steel develops a patina with use, which is part of the charm. It's an easy gift to give ten times without it feeling cheap.
Timex Weekender 38mm Watch
Best for: the guy who doesn't own a watch yet
A simple, good-looking analog watch with a brass case, an INDIGLO backlight and a fabric strap that's easy to swap. It won't compete with anyone's heirloom, and it isn't trying to. It's the watch he'll wear on weekends and trips, and wearing matching ones on the wedding day is a nice touch.
Bellroy Toiletry Kit Plus
Best for: the frequent traveler still using a plastic grocery bag
A compact, water-resistant dopp kit with a magnetic toothbrush shelf, made with recycled materials. It holds a full grooming setup without taking over a carry-on. For a complete gift, fill it with a bar of soap and a moisturizer (see the proposal box section below).
Wild Roman Bar Soap
Best for: a gift-box filler or an add-on to a bigger gift
A dense, exfoliating bar made with kaolin clay, activated charcoal and walnut shell powder in a coconut and olive oil base. It lasts, it looks good on a bathroom shelf, and it's the easiest way to upgrade a dopp kit or proposal box.
Apple AirTag
Best for: a destination wedding, or the friend who loses everything
An AirTag in his suitcase means he can track his luggage on the way to your wedding, and on every trip after it. The second-generation AirTag has a louder speaker, longer Precision Finding range and a replaceable battery that lasts over a year. It only works with an iPhone, so check before you buy for the whole group.
Anker Nano Power Bank
Best for: the guy whose phone is always at 4%
A 10,000mAh power bank with a built-in USB-C cable and two extra ports, so there's no cable to forget. It fits in a jacket pocket, which is where it'll be during a long wedding day of photos, videos and ride-share calls.
Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle
Best for: the early riser, hunter, or job-site guy
The green Stanley bottle is as close to a lifetime product as drinkware gets. The 1.1-quart version keeps drinks hot or cold for 24 hours, and the lid doubles as a cup. It's a gift that'll outlast most of the other items on this list.
Pendleton National Park Wool Throw
Best for: the best man, or a groomsman who just bought a house
A 100% virgin wool throw blanket woven in the Pacific Northwest, in the stripes of a national park of your choosing. Part of each sale goes to the National Park Foundation. It's the kind of gift that ends up on a couch or in a truck for the next 20 years.
Carhartt A18 Knit Cuffed Beanie
Best for: fall and winter weddings, and proposal boxes
The Carhartt watch cap is a cheap classic that nearly every guy will wear. It comes in 14 colors, so you can match your wedding colors or just pick each guy's style. On its own it's modest, but it's a great anchor for a proposal box.
An Experience Instead of an Object
Best for: a tight group of friends who'd rather do something together
Some of the best groomsmen gifts aren't things at all. A round of golf, tickets to a game, a guided fishing trip or a whiskey tasting on the bachelor weekend gives the group a shared memory instead of more stuff. Pay for it as your gift, and pair it with something small to open on the wedding day.
Wild Roman Complete Routine Gift Box
Best for: the best man
For the best man, go one step up. The Complete Routine Gift Box includes everything in the Face Routine set, plus our Body Wash, Body Moisturizer and Bar Soap: a full face-and-body routine made with grass-fed beef tallow and plant oils.
It comes in the same matte black gift box as the Face Routine with a how-to guide and a $25 gift card.
Groomsmen Gifts by Budget
| Budget | Gift ideas from this guide |
|---|---|
| Under $30 | Opinel No. 08 knife ($23), Wild Roman Bar Soap ($22), YETI Lowball ($25), Apple AirTag ($29), Carhartt beanie ($19.99) |
| $30–$80 | Glencairn set ($34), Stanley bottle ($36), Anker power bank ($49.99), Bellroy Toiletry Kit Plus (about $69), Timex Weekender ($77), MEATER Plus ($79.99) |
| $80–$150 | Leatherman Wave+ ($129.95) |
| Best man (over $150) | Wild Roman Face Routine Gift Set ($179), Pendleton throw ($199), Wild Roman Complete Routine Gift Box ($265) |
Buying for the whole wedding party? Our groomsmen gift sets ship straight to each guy in a gift box, and there's a discount when you order three or more.
Shopping for your dad or future father-in-law too? Our guide to the best wellness gifts for men has more ideas.
Groomsmen Proposal Box Ideas (and What to Put in One)
A groomsmen proposal box is a small gift you give when you ask a friend to be in your wedding party. It's separate from the thank-you gift you give on or near the wedding day, and it's usually smaller. The Knot recommends giving it when you ask, ideally before save-the-dates go out or at least six months before the wedding.
What to put in a groomsmen proposal box
A good proposal box has four parts:
- The ask. A card with the question on it. This is the one piece you shouldn't skip.
- One useful anchor item. Something he'll keep, such as a knife, a beanie, a lowball or a toiletry kit.
- One consumable. A good bar of soap, a bag of local coffee, a nice cigar, or a mini bottle of his usual pour.
- Something for the day itself. Socks in your wedding colors, a tie, or a pocket square, which also doubles as a hint about the dress code.
Skip filler like shredded paper confetti, joke items and anything he'll throw out before the box is empty.
Three proposal box builds
The under-$75 box: Carhartt beanie + Opinel No. 08 knife + Wild Roman Bar Soap + a handwritten card. Useful, hard to mess up, and it works at every age.
The whiskey box: Glencairn glass set + a mini bottle of something he hasn't tried + the card. Best for a group that already bonds over a pour.
The grooming box: Bellroy Toiletry Kit Plus with a Wild Roman Bar Soap and Body Moisturizer inside. It's a travel kit he'll pack for the bachelor party, the wedding and every trip after that.
Want to skip the DIY?
If you don't want to source and pack a box for every guy, the Face Routine Gift Set already arrives in a matte black gift box with a printed guide. Add your card inside, ship it to each groomsman's address, and it does the job of a proposal box with no assembly. You can shop groomsmen gifts for the whole group in one order.
What to write on the card
Keep it short and personal. A few lines that work:
Editor's Top Picks
🥇 Best overall groomsmen gift
The Wild Roman Face Routine Gift Set is our top pick. It's used every day, it's an upgrade most men won't buy for themselves, and it arrives gift-boxed and ready to ship.
🥈 Best budget groomsmen gift
The Opinel No. 08 is under $25, made in France and built to last. It's easy to buy for a big wedding party without it feeling cheap.
🥉 Best gift for the best man
The Wild Roman Complete Routine Gift Box is our pick for the best man: a full face and body routine in one box. If he's more outdoorsy, the Pendleton wool throw is a close second.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good groomsmen gifts they'll actually use?
Good groomsmen gifts they'll actually use are everyday items that are a step up from what they already own. Think a quality multitool, a stainless lowball or water bottle, a wireless meat thermometer, a travel toiletry kit or a daily skincare routine. Gifts built around the wedding itself, like engraved flasks or shot glasses, tend to get used once and stored.
How much should you spend on groomsmen gifts?
Most grooms spend about $50 to $150 per groomsman on the wedding gift, and often more for the best man. Proposal boxes are usually smaller gifts, and $25 to $75 covers most good options. A good rule is to spend enough that the gift outlasts the wedding weekend, and to spend the same amount on each groomsman so nobody compares.
When should you give groomsmen their gifts?
Groomsmen gifts are usually given at the rehearsal dinner or on the morning of the wedding, while everyone is getting ready. Giving them earlier works too, especially if the gift is something to wear on the day, like a watch or socks. A proposal box is a separate, smaller gift, given when you first ask each friend to stand up with you.
What to put in groomsmen proposal boxes?
A groomsmen proposal box works best with four things: a card asking the question, one useful item he'll keep, one consumable, and something for the wedding day. Good examples are a folding knife or beanie, a quality bar of soap or local coffee, and socks in the wedding colors. Skip joke items and filler that goes straight in the trash.
What is a good gift for a groomsman proposal?
A good groomsman proposal gift is small, useful and personal, usually in the $25 to $75 range. A folding knife, a quality beanie, a whisky glass set or a toiletry kit with a good bar of soap all work well. The card matters more than the gift, so write a few honest lines about why you're asking him.
What are some good luxury groomsmen gifts?
Good luxury groomsmen gifts are high-quality versions of things he uses every day, not flashy one-offs. A Leatherman Wave+ multitool, a Pendleton wool blanket or a complete face and body skincare set in a gift box all feel premium and still get used. For a luxury gift, choose craftsmanship and long-term use over engraving or logos.
Should the best man get a different gift than the groomsmen?
The best man usually gets a slightly bigger or more personal gift than the groomsmen, because he takes on more of the work. A common approach is to give him the same core gift as everyone else, plus an upgrade or extra item. Examples are a larger gift set, a wool blanket, or a handwritten letter.
Give Them Something They'll Keep Using
The best groomsmen gift is the one he's still using a year after the wedding. Skip the engraved flask and pick something useful and well made that fits the guy, whether that's a multitool, a whisky glass set or a daily skincare routine. Spend about the same on each groomsman, go a step up for the best man, and put a few real words in the card.
If you want one gift that works for every guy in the lineup, our groomsmen gift sets arrive in a matte black gift box with a printed how-to guide, and they ship straight to each groomsman's door. There's nothing to wrap, pack or mail yourself.
