When the bride has selected her bridesmaids, very often she will make it official by sending each bridesmaid a package filled with cute and personalized items as well as a card or gift inscribed with, "Will you be my bridesmaid?" The bride puts a lot of thought and effort into these gifts, as they represent a big moment within each relationship.

"When you're someone's bridesmaid, you become an eternal part of their story," says bridesmaid Kacy Evers. "You become something more than a friend or sister. You're in the bride's heart in a special way, and she in yours." That kind of soul-level importance is what drives some brides to in shop specialty stores or on Etsy to find the perfect gift. Some will pay extra to have their wedding coordinator take on stylish packaging and concierge work, adding a celebrity VIP style and effect to the gift.

We used to see styled gifts in award show swag bags, and now the bridal industry has embraced the trend with goodie boxes and designer items. "It not just about the gifts themselves," says Evers. "It's about the unboxing. Since we all live on our social media platforms, brides know that there's something very special about giving their girls super-pretty, gift-filled packages. We unbox our gifts, those earth-friendly beverage bottles, designer coin purses, a buzzy lip balm that's been touted by a celebrity. Cute socks, even. We post the video of us oohing and ahhhing, and we look like the luckiest girl in the world to be in a friendship this great. And beneath it all is the non-promotional truth that you have the best friend ever. Layers of happiness and joy!"

Here are a few bridal party gift trends:

1. Personalize it with pretty lettered handwriting fonts. The bridesmaid's name artistically graces each powder compact, phone case, wine glass, bracelet or other gifts. The beautiful handwriting is a gift in itself, and the look is a must-get for 2021.

2. Beauty product innovations. Bridesmaid gift-giving now features beauty tools like upscale bamboo makeup brushes, spa-style loofah pads and beauty tools that can be used when the wedding day arrives. Consider a functional gift such as robe to wear when getting ready or a Vanity Hood. The hood acts as a guard to protect the bridesmaid's hair and makeup when putting on their dresses. "I understand the struggle of getting dressed after applying my makeup and accidentally ruining a dress. Your bridesmaids (can use) the VanityHood so they can easily try on bridesmaids' dresses without ruining their makeup or hair," says Mona Lisa Crossway, Founder of VanityTools.

3. Hydration. Personalized water bottles, ecofriendly and chemical-free, plus accessories such as metal straws (a big hit with their carrying cases!), give bridesmaids the useful gift with staying power that they've always wanted.

4. Boards. Charcuterie boards, cheese boards and other entertaining boards allow bridesmaids to entertain in style. Add in a charcuterie board cookbook as part of the gift collection with some stylish toothpicks and personalized cocktail napkins, and they are ready to host.

A note on smart spending and shopping for a group:

Trae Bodge, Smart Shopping Expert at TrueTrae.com, says: "If you have several bridesmaids to buy for, look on sites that offer quantity discounts. PersonalizationMall.com, Amazon, and even Etsy.com offer better pricing if you are purchasing in quantity. These sites even offer personalization on certain items!

"Before checking out, use the GoogleShopping tool to compare prices to make sure you are getting the best price. Make sure to factor in any associated shipping charges."

The trick is to select gifts that bridesmaids will love, on a budget that allows you to make choices look and feel indulgent, and then add personalization and heart in the packaging and wrapping. This is a time to let your loved ones know just how much they mean to you.