Registering and Gifts
eegonosenseidesu
Japan
member
Don't Have/Want a Registry, but Aunt Insists?



My out-of-town Aunt is throwing me a shower last minute. I was under the impression it was a relabeled family Christmas party (as we were already doing that), but now she's asking about gifts. I have no registry, nor do I want one. I tried to tell her that if anyone wants to give us something cash is preferred, but she's insisting. Do I go ahead and make a small registry or tell her it's not happening? Halp

"I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request.... It means no." -Alistair, Dragon Age Origins
Re: Don't Have/Want a Registry, but Aunt Insists?
So... I'd either decline the shower, or make a small registry so people understand your taste.
But regardless of whether you have one or not, the only acceptable gifts for showers are physical gifts, not cash. If you don't want to receive physical gifts, then you need to decline the shower. I would tell your aunt, "Aunt, I gave it a lot of thought, but as I really don't want physical gifts, I'd really rather not register for things I don't really want or have a shower. I'm sorry."
Something to bear in mind is that people can and probably will give you gifts whether or not you have a shower or a registry, and even if your aunt's party is not a shower. As long as each gift is promptly acknowledged with a gracious thank-you note to the giver, it then becomes yours to keep or discreetly dispose of as you see fit.