15 Great Bridal Shower Gifts

Brides have jewelry to keep track of: engagement rings, day-of adornments, and honeymoon bling. The diminutive Quinn Leather Travel Case is a handy place to tuck away one’s treasures. It’s made with soft, pebbled leather and has a rose-gold–plated zipper (it can be sticky at first). It comes in two sizes: petite (about the size of a fist, shown above) and small (which, at 7 by 2 inches square, is too big for most carry-ons). The small version has four compartments, including ring troughs and an attached drawstring bag. The boxes come in seven subdued colors, and for an additional fee, you can personalize one with drop-shadow printed monogramming.

The hand-mixed Senteurs d’Orient Fleurs d’Oasis The Oil has a devoted following for a reason—or, rather, for a few reasons. First, it smells amazing. It’s scented with 14 essential oils (cypress, basil, lavender, and red thyme among them), and the result is flowery but not cloying, musky but not overpowering. Second: It’s made for the body, but our tester found it was light enough for hydrating the hair, face, and cuticles, too. A combination of eight oils—including macadamia, olive, and apricot kernel—this elixir is light and thin. And it absorbs quickly, with zero greasiness, leaving skin with a sexy, subtle sheen. It’s not moisturizing enough for super-dry skin, so to remedy that, I like to combine it with a thicker body lotion. This oil is a lovely and luxe addition to the post-bathing ritual.

We have long recommended Eberjey PJs because the fabric—a blend of Tencel modal and spandex—is lighter, softer, and smoother than the fabric of any other PJs we tested. The Malou Modal Shortie Short PJ Set offers all of that plus romantic, soft lace detailing at the sleeves and hem. The shorts are cut quite short, with flared legs, and they fit like tap pants. This ivory set is a dream for the wedding night and beyond.

Lush’s vegan Massage Oil Bars are made from cocoa and shea butters, which dissolve into a silky oil upon contact with warm skin. All of these bars are scented with delicious essential oils. Yet for brides to be—who will be in need of a massage or two after planning a wedding—we’re partial to Sex Bomb. It’s scented with jasmine (which some aromatherapy adherents say reduces stress and anxiety) and ylang-ylang (which is purported to boost libido). Whatever else this bar does, its main job is to inspire the new spouse to give frequent rubdowns. Consider adding a reusable oval tin (for another $5), to keep the bar intact when it’s not in use.

An embosser is an elegant upgrade for correspondence, especially for all of the invitations and thank-you cards in the couple’s future. The Trodat Ideal Seal Embosser, made of chrome and recycled plastic, uses gentle pressure to leave behind a relief impression. Initials are rendered in refined serif letters, in your choice of 1.6- or 2-inch round inserts, with or without a decorative surround. When ordering the Seal Embosser Insert, consider the direction that makes sense (from bottom, top, right or left) because they cannot be rotated. To request an insert with your own design (something that includes a return address, perhaps), simply message the vendor your black-and-white file.

Wedding ephemera—cards, snapshots, petals, matchboxes, those fancy embossed napkins—can pile up, and brides with a sentimental streak (that’s nearly all of them) need a handy shortcut to future trips down memory lane. The Modern Album Designs Wedding Memory Box is a sleek walnut keepsake collector with a sliding lid, which can be engraved on one or both sides. It comes in seven square or rectangular sizes—we think the 10-by-10-inch size is best for most brides—and it can be personalized in nine different fonts and six different designs. The wood is marble-smooth, beautifully grained, and worthy of life’s most important mementos.

The Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVAs—in white—are great for running around and taking care of pre-nuptial business. They also can be stashed in the bride’s luggage for the honeymoon. These sandals have the same deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and raised toe bar as traditional Birkenstocks, but they’re much lighter, softer, and easier to break in (according to most). And because they’re waterproof and easy to clean, they can replace flip-flops. So consider tucking them into a bridal bag for when your favorite bride kicks off her heels to do some late-night wedding dancing.

The Boxfox Care Package, our pick for the best care package, has nearly 500 excellent gifts to choose from. Set her up for a night of pampering with bath bombs, a dry brush, and a lip mask. Or go full bridal with an insulated Champagne flute, a sheet mask, and pretty pens (for writing all those thank-you notes). If you feel stuck while trying to put together the perfect box, make it easy on yourself and choose one of the ready-to-ship boxes: The For the Bride box should do the trick.

It’s hard to think of a situation in which the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is not a welcome helper. And that includes weddings, where it can be used to tote all manner of special-day necessities, from favors to disposable cameras to the bride’s accessories. This iconic structured bag is ridiculously sturdy and offers tons of customizability, from handle length and color to size to monograms and zipper options. It stands upright and has a huge, wide opening for easy rummaging, and it will last for decades beyond the wedding day. We especially like the idea of a natural-colored version emblazoned with MRS., the bride’s new monogram, or the OG one (if she’s not changing her name).

Sure, part of the appeal of the Hanky Panky Thong Rose Bouquets is the packaging (you can give them in colorful bouquets or as a single). But once unraveled, the thongs are also great undergarments. Made of a durable sheer nylon with opaque detailing, these undies have a 100% cotton crotch, no seams, and are surprisingly comfortable. The one-size Original Rise thong is super stretchy and comes in one versatile size. The thong’s sensible older sister, the Hanky Panky Signature Lace Boyshort, is a top pick in our underwear guide. For a cheeky group gift, coordinate with other shower guests for an all-white or multi-hued bouquet, or choose one that matches the wedding colors.

Not all brides want to spend their special day in heels or pinching dress shoes. Luckily, there are other options, including one of our picks for the best white sneakers. The classic Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low-tops are iconic, and they’re also wonderfully customizable. The easy-to-use site takes you through 18 pages, with options for colors and prints for the shoe’s inside and outside body, the tongue, the eyelets, the thread, the laces, the rubber, and every other part. You might choose green zebra stripes with rainbow laces, or maybe you’ll pick a pair with the bride’s name or initials running up the back. There’s even a wedding version, with options like lace, glitter, ribbon laces, and wedding-inspired words. And since these sneakers are unisex, the bride and groom could march into their happily-ever-after wearing matching sneaks. Be aware that custom orders can take up to a month to arrive.

No newlyweds think they’re ever going to need any help between the sheets, but the truth is, everyone will want some inspiration from time to time. The Sex Deck, a set of 50 descriptive, illustrated cards outlining novel sexual positions, is not just a silly gag gift: The diagrams are sensual but not raunchy, and the accompanying text offers helpful pointers based on a couple’s anatomy, flexibility, and preferences. (The deck was co-authored by a British National Health Service doctor.) At its best, this is a box of ideas as well as a reminder of all the fun that’s yet to be had.

Don’t forget the honeymoon. The Stylest AquaLace Quick-Dry Floral Pareo is a quick-drying, lacy wrap that’s subtly bridal, for when she’s still amped up on wedding fumes. Yet it can become a go-to beach cover-up for swim days far beyond the honeymoon. This wrap, made from 100% polyester, falls right above below the knees, covers the bum, and is cute enough to wear to lunch (especially if lunch is on the beach). Senior editor Catherine Kast swears by the similar yet solid DreamSculpt Swim Sarong. Made in France, this one-size length of UPF 50 polyamide and elastane quick-dry fabric ties around the hips and falls to mid-thigh. Because it’s slightly stretchy, it offers subtle control.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See our gift guide here.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.