Your mate's getting married, the stag do is fast approaching, and you're pumped. But one thing has been on your mind - do you take a gift for the stag?
You'd bring a gift to most other celebrations, so it makes sense to bring one to a stag do, right?
The short answer is no, not necessarily. You're not going to be that person if you turn up empty-handed, but there are occasions when it might be appropriate.
Here, we dig into when you might want to bring a gift for the groom-to-be and offer some fun (or functional) ideas that could just give you legendary status at the stag party.
Is a stag gift expected or just a "nice to have"?
In this video, our stag experts - Robyn, Harry, Neave, and Courtney - sit down to settle the debate once and for all: do you actually need to bring a gift for the groom
Are you expected to bring a gift to a stag do?
Traditionally, you're not expected to bring the stag a gift. You'll already be forking out for accommodation, activities, food, and drink over the course of the stag weekend, so your presence, participation and contributions to awesome shared memories are considered gift enough.
A wedding gift, however, is expected, so it might be best to save money and splash out on something thoughtful for the bride and groom instead.
While a gift for the groom-to-be isn't necessary, ensure you have some extra cash set aside to buy the stag drinks. In some cases, the guests are also expected to split the total cost of all of the stag's expenses between them. That will usually be sorted out either before or after the stag party, but it's worth keeping in mind so you're not caught short.
Paying for the Groom
Often, the stag party guests will pay for all the groom-to-be's expenses, including drinks, meals, club entry, etc. Sometimes that will extend to accommodation too.
Communication is key here to ensure everyone's on board and to avoid the awkward scenario where the best man ends up being the only one paying for the stag. This is where our payment system is hugely helpful, meaning each guest pays their share directly, relieving the pressure on the best man.
Why Would Someone Bring a Gift?
While bringing a gift to a stag party isn't usually expected, it will never go unappreciated. There are a few reasons a guest might decide to bring a gift for the stag:
To be memorable. How to stand out at a stag party? Be the one to bring a funny or useful gift that will get the party started with a bang! This works especially well at themed parties.
To mark the occasion. A gift to help the groom remember his stag weekend can be a really thoughtful idea. It could be an item reflecting the theme of the event, a keepsake from the weekend, or even a post-event gift such as a photo book.
You're particularly close to the groom. As a close friend or family member, you might want to bring a gift to honour that close relationship before the stag starts life as a married man.
Stag Party Gift Ideas
A great stag gift should elicit one of three things: a laugh, a tear or a glass raised in your direction.
Basically, the best presents fall into one of two main categories - something fun that will make the groom-to-be laugh, or something premium or meaningful that will show how much thought you've put into the gift. Either way, the stag will feel appreciated, and you'll be remembered as the guest who went that little bit further!
Practical/Personalised: Personalised gifts are always appreciated. An engraved hip flask, a monogrammed travel bag, sports equipment in his team's colours or something else related to his passions will be very well received. Bonus points if he can use/wear it on the stag do.
Fun/Novelty: Stag party t-shirts for the whole group, a fancy dress costume just for the groom, or hangover kits are good for a bit of stag weekend fun.
Top Shelf/Premium: Blow the budget on premium gifts that the stag will really appreciate and is unlikely to buy for himself. Think high-end spirits, luxury cigars, or tasting sets - just don't let the stag party get hold of any of them at the end of a crazy night out!
Nostalgia/Sentimental: Framed photos or photo books, scrapbooks, or an item that will bring back memories of a special time or event - anything that celebrates important moments in your friendship.
Legendary Stag Do with Chillisauce
This is just one of many questions that come with organising a stag or hen party, and we know it can feel overwhelming. It can be a lot of pressure: the huge amount of choice of location and activities, chasing up payments, and the stress of organising a fun, memorable weekend for the stag, whose expectations will be high.
That's where we come in. We pair you with a Stag Do Guru who will help to build your stag do weekend based on your group's size, budget and preferences. You can then organise everything through our system - send out invites, track payments from each guest, access itineraries and communicate with the stag group.
Legendary weekend, minimal effort. Leave planning the stag do to the pros and contact us now!
Follow up questions
If you bring a gift to a stag party, do you still bring one to the wedding?
A wedding gift is customary and a nice gesture, even if you have given a gift to the stag. Wedding presents commemorate the start of the bride and groom's married life together and are typically homeware or a contribution to the honeymoon.
How much should a stag gift cost?
If you decide to buy the stag a gift, the amount you spend is entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable spending. It will generally depend on how expensive the stag party itself is, how close you are to the stag, and if all guests are pooling money to buy one bigger gift.
Choose based on your overall budget of what you can afford alongside the cost of the stag weekend, and focus on gifting something meaningful, funny or memorable rather than how much you paid for it. Remember, a fun experience is a gift in itself.
