December 26th, 2005 Posted in Wedding Planning and Ideas
When putting together your wedding registry, you’ve basically got carte blanche to put whatever your little heart desires on the list, but don’t get blinded by the sparkly and shiny; there are some items that all new couples can use, and that make easy gifts at a wedding.
These are just suggestions, but many more gift ideas can be found online at major retailers, many of whom have online gift registries available to make the giving and receiving less confusing. LInks to some popular registry sites are included at the bottom of this article.
- Towels - while it may not sound like a vastly exciting gift, towels are often left off the registry by omission, and couples then must go out and buy their own. Picking out a set of bath, hair and hand towels ensures that you get the ones that you want, and this makes a great present for budget-conscious guests.
- Dishes - a staple on the registry list for many couples, dish requests tend to come in one of three varieties. First you have the casual dish sets, or "everyday dishes", that will see heavy, repeated use. Secondly there are the dining dishes, the fine china or other more expensive place settings for special occasions. Lastly is the crockery, or cooking dishes like casserole dishes, mixing bowls and bake ware. Any and all are perfect list builders.
- Cookware - pots, pans, skillets and woks. All needed to produce top notch food, and a good set of cookware can last a couple for many years. With non-stick varieties popular and readily available, buying, cooking and cleaning will be a snap.
- Utensils - once you have the dishes, you’ll obviously need something to eat all that deliciously prepared food with. Again there are two tiers in utensils to parallel the casual/fine categories in dishes. Beautiful silverware for paring with the fine china will impress even the most discriminating of guests, but don’t forget to also include flatware on your list. You don’t want to be using your best silverware to eat macaroni and cheese.
- Wine Glasses - hether you’re a wine lover yourself, or just plan to do a lot of entertaining, a nice set of wine glasses can enhance the experience. Crystal goblets are at the high end of the price range and offer their classical beauty, but very nice glass version are also available for toasting of all kinds.
- Toaster Oven - one of the most versatile small appliances on the market, the toaster oven can do it all. From traditional toast to a full cooked meal, these little powerhouses are sure to be a hit.
- Blender - second in versatility only to the toaster oven, blenders are a traditional gift whose popularity is being revitalized by a renewed interest in cooking and entertaining. Blenders aren’t just for making smoothies (though they get that job done with ease), but can also be bought with any number of settings, from ice crushing for those strawberry daquiris, to puree for your favourite homemade vegetable soups.
- Home Decor - it’s the little things that make a house a home, like lamps, cloth napkins, vases and candles. All of these can be hand-selected by you and placed on the registry, or if you’re uncertain about what you may and may not need, don’t be afraid to ask for gift certificates to the decorating outlet of your choice.
- Honeymoon Getaway - if you have plans to jet off to Aruba after your ceremony for some fun in the sun, many guests will be more than happy to contribute towards your honeymoon as their gift. Large resorts often have information about how to add them to your gift registry on their webpage, so be sure to look for that when you choose where to book.
- Charities - no, this isn’t a typo. Many couples are choosing to share their good fortune with those in need by placing charities of their choice on their registry and requesting that guests donate whatever money they would have put towards gifts. This is a great option for those who may already have the aforementioned items, and the perfect way to share the joy of your big day.
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