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Whether they’re friends, brothers, or friends who seem like brothers, those standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you on your big day have seen you through a lot (insert montage of Little League snafus, road trips, and questionable double dates here). And while no gift can encompass a lifetime of memories, your own nuptials are an excellent time to offer your gratitude. Before or after the event, give something that’s practical and unique, a gift that considers their individuality—who they are, what they like, and their relationship to you.

We consulted etiquette expert Elaine Swann, author and self-described professional bridesmaid Jen Glantz, and wedding planner Jove Meyer for their best gift ideas. Though the cost is up to you, Glantz suggests that you and your partner consider it ahead of time and factor wedding-party gifts into your overall budget. And resist the urge to stay on theme (for example, emblazoning your wedding hashtag on every gift). Swann said the ideal offering should be useful “beyond the wedding day itself.” Read on to see our favorite items for your favorite friends, with not a single whiskey stone in sight.

Crane Personalized Notes and Cards (from $2 per card at the time of publication)

It’s not often that dudes (or anyone, for that matter) put pen to page to express a sincere appreciation of friendship. And yet, above anything material, a thoughtful thank-you note is sure to be welcomed and treasured. The monogrammed sets from heritage paper maker Crane come highly recommended by Wirecutter senior editor Courtney Schley, and they have a particularly sharp look, with options for colored borders and plaid envelope liners. If you really want to customize the perfect card for each person, though, search Etsy or Society6 using specific key terms, such as their favorite snack food or an inside joke. Whatever route you take, be sure to gather your thoughts prior to the big day—words of gratitude land better when they aren’t jotted 10 minutes before walking down the aisle.

Shutterfly Photo Gallery Magnets (about $8 for four magnets at the time of publication)

Your groomsmen may have empty fridges, but personalized magnets from Shutterfly can at least help populate the exterior. Upload four dapper shots from the big day or choice moments from past gatherings, and in less than a week, Shutterfly will mail out sturdy, 2-by-2-inch magnets. Since this gift is small and flat, you can get creative with your delivery. If you’re giving these before the wedding, consider wrapping them in the pocket square or bowtie your groomsmen will be wearing, or you could tuck them in the pages of a meaningful book.

Kent Wang Aviator Sunglasses ($55 at the time of publication)

Whether you’re hosting a beach wedding or a mountainside one—or you simply anticipate your groomsmen feeling a skosh photosensitive the morning after—a stylish pair of shades will keep them smiling through all conditions. We’ve tested many styles of shades, and these sunglasses from Kent Wang were the most impressive among the aviators (a classically cool, universally flattering shape). Not only do they come with a generous two-year warranty, but your groomsmen will have 60 days to return them, no questions asked (except one, from us: “How dare you?”). They look good on a variety of faces, even those with lower nose bridges, and you can select among three different frame colors: gold, gunmetal, and silver. Extra points if you can snap a shot of everyone wearing them when you’re all dressed up.

Paddywax Tobacco Flower Form Candle (about $35 at the time of publication)

A candle makes a great one-size-fits-all gift for everyone from the groomsman you’ve known your whole life to your spouse’s brother (whom you just met), according to Swann. We found several great options while testing for our scented candles guide. But for an earthy scent that won’t overpower, we love the Paddywax Tobacco Flower Form Candle. With notes of orange, cinnamon, patchouli, clove, and sandalwood, it smells sweet but not cloying. And its double wicks help it burn more evenly (for about 26 hours total, according to our calculations). Even after the candle is spent, resourceful dudes can reuse the sturdy ceramic vessel to hold keys or succulents.

Coppertist Brass Beetle Bottle Opener ($50 at the time of publication)

Whether your groomsmen love the vast natural world or just a crisp Natty Ice, this beetle bottle opener is both a whimsical and a useful tool. In the animal kingdom, male stag beetles use their powerful jaws to fight off competitors, and this little bug is equally valiant against stubborn bottle caps. If you give this gift prior to the wedding, a six-pack of an excellent microbrew or ginger beer would make a great accompaniment.

Hydro Flask Standard Mouth (21 ounces) (about $35 at the time of publication)

A truly great water bottle will encourage your groomsmen to stay hydrated through an epic wedding weekend—and it will remain useful when the confetti settles. At Wirecutter, we’ve tested plenty, but the one with the best marriage (ha!) of form and function is the simple, insulated steel Hydro Flask. It won’t dent like an aluminum bottle, crack like a glass one, or deteriorate like a plastic bottle. And should any of those issues somehow arise anyway, the Hydro Flask comes with a lifetime warranty. This bottle’s wide mouth is easy to sip from, and since it’s available in over a dozen colors—with the option to customize—finding one that’s just right for each of your pals should be a cinch.

L.L.Bean Men’s Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs ($45 at the time of publication)

After posing for photos, Cupid shuffling in Oxfords, and closing down the local pub, your groomsmen will likely want to “Electric Slide” into something more comfortable. The L.L.Bean Men’s Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs will prove a cozy godsend on the night of the wedding and many lazy Sundays to come. Unlike our other L.L.Bean slipper recommendation, this pair is made from polyester fleece rather than sheepskin shearling. It’s not quite as good at wicking sweat, but we think this pair makes a great group choice—for half the price.

Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack ($85 at the time of publication)

Swann told us travel-related gifts are good bets for wedding-party members because they will eventually find themselves on the road for work, pleasure, and … more weddings. Upgrade those journeys with one of our new favorite laptop backpacks from Everlane. With its sleek silhouette and subdued color options, the bag packs a lot of functionality into an upscale design, including a satisfying magnetic top flap and front laptop sleeve. And here’s a fun gift idea: Leave it in your groomsmen’s hotel rooms brimming with snacks, jerky, Advil, and drinks. If you’re all traveling to a destination, send it to them beforehand—this bag is the ideal size for a carry-on and has a pass-through strap to attach to a rolling suitcase.

Zendure SuperMini Portable Power Bank ($60 at the time of publication)

Smartphones have the annoying tendency of dying just when you need them most—like when you’re running late to your best friend’s wedding and need an Uber five minutes ago. Spare your favorite dudes the drama by giving them our top-pick USB battery pack. The Zendure SuperMini charger is the size of a deck of cards, but it holds enough power to charge a phone three times before you have to rejuice it. And if you all end up traveling together, you’re in luck, too: The device can charge two phones at once. It comes in several colors, is compatible with dozens of devices, and cables are included.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 ($380 at the time of publication) 

Whether your groomsmen will be hopping on a plane for your wedding or just catching the crosstown bus, traveling can be hard. But blocking out the sound of whirring engines, gossipy seat neighbors, and incessant intercom announcements will take some of the edge off. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are the best noise-cancelling pair we’ve ever tested. The cushy earcups and lightweight chassis make these headphones comfortable to wear for hours, and they fold flat for easy storage. Your groomsmen can also adjust their noise-cancellation level, in case they need to let in a little reality. These headphones are one of our pricier recommendations, so they may be more suitable if you’re having just a best man or a couple of groomsmen.

Ember Mug² ($150 at the time of publication) Trade coffee subscription ($60 for three bags at the time of publication)

Treating your groomsmen to a double Americano the morning after the wedding is a nice gesture, but even better is the gift of hot coffee for months to come. The Ember Mug², Wirecutter’s top-pick mug warmer, has a battery-powered heat source built into the base, so the recipient can carry it from desk to couch and back again. And they can adjust the temperature through an app on their smartphone. Make this gift even more luxe by pairing it with the most high-end coffee subscription we’ve tried, from Trade. When you buy a gift subscription, the company sends the recipient a digital quiz about their coffee experience level, brew method, and flavor preferences, so they get the perfect beans in every shipment.

DivvyUp Custom Face Socks (about $25 a pair at the time of publication)

Equal parts ridiculous and useful, socks that feature a favorite face are sure to make your groomsmen laugh or cringe. And happily, DivvyUp’s polyester, nylon, and spandex blend is surprisingly durable. The design process is easy: Upload an image (a choice shot of you, perhaps, or even the face of the recipient), and then choose background color, print, and size. If your guys can pull it together to wear them to your wedding, give your photographer a heads-up to add a sock shot to the list.

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company available via Goldbelly (about $35 for 10 hand-rolled bagels at the time of publication)

Inimitable Big Apple bagels (like those from Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company), the cheesesteaks that fueled exams week in college, the best key lime pie from that memorable spring break—nothing pays homage to excellent memories quite like food. And no service delivers a wider range of excellent gustatory experiences than Goldbelly, a website that expertly ships hundreds of local delicacies to any location in the country. Search by city or state to see the restaurants or bakeries available in places meaningful to you and your friends. Or just pick something awesome, like deep-dish pies from Pequod’s, a favorite Chicago indulgence, or the famous Brown Butter Lobster Rolls from Eventide in Portland, Maine.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.

Dorie Chevlen is a staff writer from Youngstown, Ohio, now living in Los Angeles. She has worked as a copy editor, fact checker, and sandwich maker, but this is probably her favorite gig. Her writing has also been published in Science, Slate, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. She has been called—both flatteringly and not—“a lot.”

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