Our wedding is a little over 2 months away. STD's have gone out, but not invites. But... gifts have started to arrive. We've received like 5 so far.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit how exciting this is. I got home yesterday and there was our full luggage set and Cuisinart food processor. Not since I was a child and believed in Santa have I been so excited to see gifts arrive. Just a big old pile of boxes outside our front door after a tough day of work.
I realize this is childish, and it makes me feel greedy and materialistic. But I can't help it. The whole reason I registered for these things was that I wanted them! And now they are arriving! Is it ok to just bask in this a bit? FI and I are barely back on our feet after some rough times during the recession. Most of our stuff is second-hand and beat up. Our couch is an abomination (no, we didn't register for a new couch). I never thought I'd care so much about new stuff, but it turns out, it sure makes me feel loved. I am not just happy for the things, I am incredibly grateful to the people who sent them, for caring enough to do so and hopefully coming to the wedding. If anything, it's more motivation to show them all a hell of a good time. I truly hope that as time goes by, when I use this serving bowl or that appliance, I'll remember who sent it and appreciate them.
Also I am excited to give away some of our old stuff (not the really crappy stuff, maybe just the miss-matched and college-era stuff) to my co-workers who are just starting out and in their first apartments. That's pretty much how I acquired all of my starting-out household stuff. I'd have been super excited if someone gave me 5 wine glasses or a decent suitcase.