How to Register for What You Really Need

 

 

Congratulations on getting engaged! I’ll admit it was a great time when my fiance and I grabbed the “gun” from the store and started our registry for our wedding, but I wish I had researched the idea a little more first. Here are a few things I wish someone had told me before I went trigger happy building our list of wants for our new home.

 

1. Take an inventory of what the two of you already have. If you’re young adults just moving out of your parent’s home or the dorm, you may not have much OR what you have should really be replaced. However, if you have lived on your own for a few years now, you may already have a nice toaster or a set of sheets and towels. Once you have an idea of what you have and what you need/want for your new life together, take that with you when you visit the store.

2. Speaking of the store, these days, most people register with at least two stores if not more! It’s not that you’re greedy, but not every chain is in every city around the country (or world in that case)! Keep in mind where your guests live so that no one has to guess at a gift for you two because your favorite store hasn’t come to their town yet.

3. Register together. This way your bathroom isn’t overwhelmed with pink and purples when your husband is a more neutral color fan. Or so you don’t end up with his favorite NFL team on your comforter. Seriously though, you should know each other well enough to be able to make decisions in the store on most items from towels to sheets to appliances. When in doubt, go for a neutral color. It can always be returned/exchanged for another color once you see the whole picture.

4. Think about the activities the two of you enjoy together as a couple. Don’t register for a margarita machine if you won’t really use it. But do register for new camping equipment if that’s what you two enjoy doing! Sure, there are ideas that our grandparents had about what goes on a registry, and a lot of them are still true, but it really does depend on the couple as to what you end up asking for from your guests.

5. Keep in mind how much space you’ll need for the items you’re requesting. It’s true you probably won’t receive everything you’re asking for, but you’ll also get things you didn’t ask for. It will all need to be put out to be used or stored until you’re ready to use it. And if you’re moving into an apartment, well, space is at a premium.

6. Make sure that at least one of your registries is available online. In today’s world, more and more people are buying gifts online, regardless if they have them shipped directly to you or they bring them to the wedding personally.

7. Lastly, register for items at several price points. While we all hope that our brand new TV or $200 a plate service is purchased, it’s more realistic to have something available at points like under $50, under $100, etc. Several people will purchase more than one gift at the lower prices while others will buy a single big ticket item.

Whether you register at the big box stores, the mall department stores, or online, you’ll have a lot of fun picking out what you need for your new life together. Be sure to send thank-yous as well and enjoy watching your home come together as you settle in after the wedding.