Most groomsmen gifts fall into two camps: the same engraved item for everyone, or something nobody uses after the wedding. A sports fan groomsman is easier to shop for than that. Give each guy his team's real game from the day he was born, and every gift is different while the set still matches. The guy who roots for a rival gets his own team and his own score, which tends to start the right kind of argument at the rehearsal dinner.
Here are groomsmen gifts at several price points, all personalized with each person's name, birth date and birthday final score.
Born on Game Day Rocks Glass, the classic
The Born on Game Day Rocks Glass is a 10.5 oz glass with his name, birth date and the final score of his team's game that day. It is the most common pick for a reason: it gets used long after the wedding, and lined up on the bar at the rehearsal dinner, the set looks good. From $28 each.
Born on Game Day Wallet, for a gift with some polish
For a dressier gift, the Born on Game Day Bi-Fold Wallet has a flip-up ID window and is quietly printed in brass: BORN ON GAME DAY, his name and birth date on the front, the final score on the back. It is subtle enough to carry every day. From $64 each.
Born on Game Day Playing Cards, for the card-night crew
If the group plays poker on weekends or during the bachelor trip, Born on Game Day Playing Cards are a full 54-card poker deck with his own card back: his name and birth date in a brass ring on deep green. Everyone brings his own deck to the next game. From $35 each.
Born on Game Day Golf Balls, for the golfers
For a wedding party that will tee off the morning of the rehearsal, the Born on Game Day Golf Balls are a set of six printed with his name, birth date and the final score of the game on the day he was born. They are easy to tell apart on the course, too. From $52 a set.
Born on Game Day Hockey Puck, for the hockey guys
The Born on Game Day Hockey Puck is a real regulation rubber puck printed with his name, birth date and his team's final score from his birthday. It suits a group of guys from the same rec league or a groom who played growing up. From $42 each.
Born on Game Day Can Cooler, the add-on
The Born on Game Day Can Cooler is a neoprene sleeve with his name and final score on the front and the story of his birthday game on the back. At $15, it is a good pairing with any gift above, or a small extra for ushers and the wider wedding party.
Road Trip Recap, if the bachelor party was a ballpark trip
If the guys went on a ballpark or stadium trip for the bachelor party, Road Trip Recap turns it into a print: the route on a map, every stop in order with the date, and the real final score of the game you saw at each one. Order one for each guy, or one for the groom from the group. From $45.
Budget at a glance
Here is what a set of five groomsmen costs at each level: can coolers at $15 come to $75; rocks glasses at $28 come to $140; card decks at $35 come to $175; hockey pucks at $42 come to $210; golf ball sets at $52 come to $260; wallets at $64 come to $320. A glass plus a can cooler for each of five is $215. Many grooms pick one item for the groomsmen and a step up, like the wallet, for the best man.
Collecting birth dates without spoiling it
The hardest part is getting each guy's birth date and team without tipping him off. A few ways that work: ask the partners or spouses; check a group chat where birthdays come up; ask parents if you know them; or send a casual message asking everyone for their birthday "for the seating cards." Write down the team each man actually follows, not the one you assume. Brothers and college roommates do not always share one.
When to give them
The rehearsal dinner is the usual moment, since everyone is together and the gifts can be opened at the table. Golf balls work best handed out before a morning round. For a bachelor party gift, give it on the trip's first night.
Shop this guide
Born on Game Day Rocks GlassFrom $28
Born on Game Day Bi-Fold WalletFrom $64
Born on Game Day Playing CardsFrom $35
Born on Game Day Golf Balls, Set of SixFrom $52
Born on Game Day Hockey PuckFrom $42
Born on Game Day Can CoolerFrom $15
Road Trip RecapFrom $45
Ordering
- Personalize each one: enter every groomsman's name, birth date and team on the product page, one at a time.
- Checked by hand: each order is checked by a person before it is made, which matters when you are ordering a set.
- Shipping: free in the US.
- Timing: allow about two weeks, and order a month ahead of the wedding to be safe. For a December wedding or a Christmas gift, order by early December at the latest.
See more wedding party gifts in the Weddings and Groomsmen collection.