Bridesmaid Gift Ideas That'll Get a Laugh (and Actually Be Used)

There's a very specific kind of pressure that comes with buying bridesmaid gifts. You want them to feel appreciated. You want the gift to reflect your friendship. You ideally want everyone to laugh, squeal, or do both at once when they open it.

And yet somehow, the internet keeps suggesting matching white robes and personalised tote bags.

We're not saying those are bad. We're saying your girls deserve better. Here's a proper list of bridesmaid gifts that are actually funny, actually beautiful, and — crucially — won't end up at a car boot sale six months later.

1. A Handcrafted Leather Boob Purse (The Crowd Favourite)

If you've never come across these before, prepare yourself. Alkemest — an independent British accessories brand based in Frome — makes handcrafted leather coin purses shaped like a very cheeky pair of breasts. And they are brilliant.

Available in an absurd range of colours and finishes — hot pink, gold, rose gold, nude, rainbow metallic, burgundy with nipple tassels, rhinestone-studded — each one is small enough to fit in a pocket but big enough to hold cards, coins, folded notes, and earbuds. They come in both real leather and sustainable vegan pineapple leather for the eco-conscious member of your squad.

What makes them such a perfect bridesmaid gift isn't just the humour (though the humour is excellent). It's that they're genuinely useful, genuinely beautiful, and made with genuine craft. Every purse is handmade by hand in their English studio, arrives in gorgeous eco-friendly packaging, and has the kind of quality that means it won't fall apart after three uses.

They have a small but loyal Instagram fan account (@boobpurseadventures) dedicated to one particular gold boob purse and its travels. That's the level of attachment people form.

Best for: bridesmaids who love a laugh, hen party gift bags, or the bride's getting-ready morning.

Shop at alkemest.com →

2. Matching (But Not Matching) Jewellery

The idea: choose a jewellery style — a dainty chain necklace, a chunky resin ring, a set of ear cuffs — and buy each bridesmaid a different colour or stone. Same vibe, individual pieces. It signals thoughtfulness without forcing everyone into identical outfits, and they'll actually wear it again after the wedding.

3. A Personalised Leather Keyring

Simple, affordable, and genuinely lovely when done well. Brands like Oboe Leather or various Etsy makers will stamp or engrave a name, a date, or a meaningful word onto a beautiful piece of vegetable-tanned leather. Not flashy, but deeply personal.

4. A Spa or Wellbeing Experience Voucher

Hear us out: this is only on the list if it's genuinely local and considered. A voucher for a spa near where your bridesmaid actually lives, or a hypnobirthing class for the one who's expecting, or a reflexology session for the one who's been carrying the most stress. Personalised experiences beat generic ones every time.

5. A Beautiful Silk Scrunchie Set

Sounds silly. Costs almost nothing. Goes with everything. The kind of thing you buy without thinking and then use every single day. Slip or Kitsch do brilliant sets in rich jewel tones — you could even match the colours to your wedding palette.

6. A Custom Illustration of Your Friend Group

Commission an illustrator to draw your squad — bridesmaids, bride, possibly the dog. Platforms like Etsy have hundreds of artists who specialise in these, and turnaround times have got remarkably fast. Frame it and give it on the morning of the wedding. Have tissues ready.

7. A Favourite Book, But Make It Gorgeous

Everyone has that one friend who's obsessed with a particular novel. Find a beautiful edition — Penguin Clothbound Classics, Folio Society, or a special illustrated version — and write an inscription on the inside. It's a gift that costs almost no thought once you know her taste, but feels incredibly considered.

8. A Proper Candle from an Artisan Maker

Not the ones from the supermarket checkout. A real one, with unusual scents and a hand-poured finish, from a small UK maker. Something with a story behind it. Check out makers on Etsy, your local independent shops, or brands like Ediburgh Candle Company or Natural Wax Company. Add a matchbox and a note.

9. A Fancy Face Mask Set for the Getting-Ready Morning

Sheet masks, eye patches, the works. Buy a set of genuinely good ones — Medik8, 111SKIN, or even a Korean beauty haul — and create a little spa moment the morning of the wedding. This is also a practical gift: it means everyone looks radiant in the photos. Purely selfless, obviously.

10. A Funny Card That Says What You Actually Feel

Genuinely — don't underestimate this one. A card that makes someone laugh-cry, with an actual heartfelt message inside, sometimes lands harder than anything you could wrap up. Brands like Thortful, Scribbler, and UK Greetings have some properly funny options. Sometimes the words are the gift.

A Note on Bridesmaid Gift Budgets

There's no rule about how much to spend. What matters is that the gift feels like you thought about the person who's receiving it — not just about ticking a box. A £23 boob purse can land harder than a £100 robe set if it's exactly right for her personality.

The best bridesmaids gifts are the ones that say: I know you. I love you. And I thought about this specifically for you.

A cheeky leather boob purse from Alkemest? It says all three. Loudly. With nipple tassels.

Alkemest handcrafted leather accessories are made in England and ship worldwide. Browse the full boob purse collection at alkemest.com.