-Simple Human split top storage bench with dividers for shoes

-Simple Human stainless steel butterfly open garbage can

-Shark Navigator

-Hoover Floormate (a very nice upgrade from the Swiffer)

-Kitchen Aid mixer

-Bunn coffee maker

-Food processor

-Chantal tilt tea kettle from Target—very pretty

-George Forman grill with removable plates

-Anchor Hocking bake N take

-Trifle bowl

-Air bake cookie sheets

-Dishes drying mat

-Misto oil mister

-Egg tainer

-Kitchen towels

-Drawer dividers for ease in organization

-Over the door pantry rack

-Umbra rings napkin holder (holds small and large napkins at the same time!)

-NFL team 6 pack holder/carrier

-8x10 picture frame

-Cork board message center

-Engagement/wedding ring holder

-New bathroom in the new house = new color scheme and a reason to get new stuff: rugs, over the door hooks, towel ring, soap dispenser, Fieldcrest Luxury hand towels and bath sheets in two coordinating colors from Target.  Just like Despicable Me they are so fluffy I think I’m going to die.  I hope they wash and hold up well because in the store we loved them.

-Upgrade from queen to king bed = new bedding: sheets, blanket, comforter

There were a few things we registered for but were too boring for anyone to buy at the shower so we will get them ourselves at registry completion:

-Suncast recycle bin set of 3 from Target (I really want these, they look like a great recycling solution)

-Air mattress for guests/travel

-Window blinds

BBB we did most of the registry online and were happy with how easy it was to use.  We had no issues with duplicates and the registry seemed to get updated promptly even registering one “off registry” item as “0 requested 1 purchased” which was helpful.  We went in yesterday to exchange the off registry item for an on registry item and it seemed to go smoothly.  The item we exchanged for was out of stock in the store so it is supposed to ship directly to me.  We were able to keep the item on the registry showing as purchased so no one will be able to tell that we returned it.  We also got a trash can that we noticed was dented so we took it in to exchange it without a gift receipt.  FI’s parents bought it for us and had mentioned that they didn’t have a coupon available when they bought it so we took a 20% off coupon in with us and were able to get a store credit for the 20% during the exchange.  It is on a receipt like piece of paper but the store associate said that if we lose it, they can look it up in our records and reprint it for us.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

We started the Target registry online and it was easy to do.  We then went into the store to add items and the associate explained the process to us, gave us the registry welcome packet, and let us go on our way with the scanner.  The registry welcome packet has a couple of coupons and some cute thank you cards that are actually coming in handy right now for a couple of early wedding presents (we haven’t bought wedding thank you’s yet).  The other day I got an email that two things were going to be discontinued; the advance notice on that was helpful. 

At my shower I got duplicates….all from the Target registry.  I can understand one person forgetting to do the registry but I don’t think it happened to all three so there seems to be some fault here for Target.  I had the registry showing 3 of 4 gray bath sheets purchased but at the shower I got 7 gray bath sheets.  I also got two bath towels that were not on the registry (we went with the larger sheets not the towels) and these did not show up on the registry as extra items purchased.  Last night I went in to exchange one item for a different color, return 4 on registry items and 4 off registry items.  I only had gift receipts for 2 of the on registry items.  I got it all done quickly and easily with no problems and walked out with a store credit.  When I got home I noticed every item that was on the registry that was returned was now showing as not purchased (when in reality it was purchased because it was a duplicate) but I was able to adjust them back online to show them as purchased.

Overall rating BBB = A+.  Good selection, some great prices with the coupons, registry stayed up to date with no duplicates and easy returns/exchanges.

Overall rating Target = B-.  Good selection and good prices on towels.  Too many duplicates and registry tracking had issues but returns and exchanges were easy. 

Overall registry/gift/shower comments:

-About half the people shopped at each store (registries were about equal in number of items). 

-There were more group buys than individual buys like my aunt and her two daughters (my cousins) going in on the Shark Navigator together.

-Kitchen Aid mixer at BBB list price $350 was purchased.  My aunt used a 20% coupon and there was also a rebate so that in the end the purchase price nets out to about $250---this seems like a pretty good mixer deal to me.

-Kitchen items went quickly and then sheets and towels once the kitchen items ran out.  The few boring practical items I put on the list did not get purchased…for example two window blinds at Target for $17 each and dish scrubber refill at BBB for $4.  This doesn’t surprise me because I really don’t think anyone wants to show up to a shower with window blinds but at least with them on the registry we can use our store credit to get them at registry completion time.

-No one bought either of the two on-line only items we had selected.

-Most people purchased off the registry.

-Of course you shouldn't use things before the wedding but you should open them to check for defects (like the dented trash can) sooner rather than later.

-24 invited and 16 attended but all 24 had their names signed on cards for presents (cousins that had to work were on the card with my aunt, etc.).  So with about 48 gifts received that equals 2 gifts per person which means the rule of thumb to register for 2-3 gifts per person is a good one especially if you are hitting all the price points!

-Only a few things remain on the registries which is fine because if they choose to give a gift at the wedding our families will likely give cash.

-With 16 people in attendance I was able to spend time talking with everyone and I really enjoyed the intimate feel to the shower.

And like many people on this board we were in the position of not needing much because we are combining two established households.  I'll do a separate post of things we registered for in case it is helpful to anyone.

Regardless, I'm getting them a gift.     

What do you love to do with your Stand Mixer, that you couldn't do with a hand held?  Thanks!

We were looking at just putting a small selection of basic stuff on the registry.  Knowing my Aunts well enough I know what areas they would be looking to buy in.  The girls (4 of them) in the registry department at BBB had other ideas.  They were very insistent we had to pick out dishware right there (we didn't like anything they had in stock), and pushed us to choose cookware right on the spot even though I said numerous times I wanted to research it more.  Our sales lady took it upon herself to add the dishes and cookware we said might work after we said we would do that at a later date.  She added the quantities I said I needed +2, stating I would need a few more for breakage (my count already had a few extras), plus all the extra serving ware that was hideous.  We really wanted to just get a scanner and some things we knew we needed.  Instead, the sales lady held the scanner most the time following us around trying to upsell each department wasting a good two hours we didn't need to.  She finally had to take a call.  FI took the scanner and refused to give it back telling her, thanks we think we've got it.  When I cleaned out the registry yesterday I think I removed more items than those that were left on the registry.  Is this normal for them to really push high priced uneeded items on the registry.  I worked Baby Registry for years through High School and College and we never did this to customers.  I don't think it's appropriate to put crazy high priced items on a registry just because it's a wedding and people will buy it.  (They were seriously trying to rationalize a $500 scooba to mop the floors while we are at work)