Registry frustration

aerinpegadrak

So, my SSIL's bridal shower is today.  We're trying to figure out a gift (the shower was planned in about a week, we only found out they were engaged about two weeks ago.  Woo-hoo shotgun wedding!) and we're kind of stuck.  Because, well...

Their registry sucks.  Hardcore.

It's all towels, picture frames, and inferior cookware.  There are, like, three nice things on there, and they've already been purchased.  They registered for freaking tile cleaner, but not even anything that doesn't make me feel totally boring to give.  I'm guessing they're gunning for cash, but I don't like giving cash, especially at a shower.  I really hope that her FI already has things like dishes and kitchen gadgets and stuff, because otherwise registering for a CARD TABLE makes no sense.

So I guess here's a tip for brides still working on their registries: put more stuff on there that won't make your guests feel like a boring eighty-year-old on Social Security to give you.

Guess I'm off to buy some hand towels.  Sigh.

cschuma2

I'm sure the registered for what they needed and wanted.  As long as they have a variety of price points for you to choose from, I don't see a problem with anything here.

karmellah

i casnt wait to put a card table on my registry

megk8oz

Aerin, I totes registered for tile cleaner. And laundry detergent.

But I also registered for a jet pack and a pony. Don't judge me.

Simply Fated

My friend's registry is super boring, too. But at least i know they registered for what they really need. So now, not matter what I get her for her bridal shower, she'll appreciate it.

skythe

FI and I have a card table on our registery, too. But that's because last time we tried to play board games with friends, we needed more table space. 

At least you don't have the opposite problem. The bride and groom at the wedding I'm going to next week only registered for really nice, really expensive things. Like a $200 fitted sheet. I guess they're getting a gift card from me!

bbyckes

I hate bad registries.  It is completely frustrating.

SarahPLiz

My friend's registries at Target and BBB combined had enough cookware and bakeware to outfit a large commercial kitchen. I was really wondering if she and her new H were going to start a restaurant. It was hard to choose what they really needed from all that stuff. I can't imagine they had room for it all.

Aerin, because of this post I added some cookbooks, board games, and a popcorn popper to our otherwise boring registry. Is that better? Thanks!

aerinpegadrak

There weren't really a variety of price points, just a bunch of stuff under $20 and a couple of things that were right around $80 (already purchased).  It was mainly frustrating because I'm totally fine with buying a bunch of smaller gifts to comprise what I'm willing to spend (I recently did this for another friend, bought like four different baking pans), but they registered for the really cheap stuff instead of the nicer brands.  I don't really want to buy a wedding gift only to have it thrown out in a year or two, you know?

We ended up buying them wooden salad bowls and one of those scrubbers that you put the soap in.  I guess she really did want those, but I felt kind of dumb giving them, because it's not the sort of gift I would have given under any other circumstances.  (It's more "Oh, I was shopping and thought you could use this, so I picked it up," than "Here's something to commemorate a special, once-in-a-lifetime occasion.")

Apparently the first registry was so skimpy because the groom (second marriage for him, first for the bride) felt uncomfortable and didn't want to register for too much, even though they really do need more stuff than that.  I learned today that they're also registered at Target with much better options.  It looks like we're going to provide them a champagne toast as part of our wedding gift, but if there's money left over from that (and there probably will be), we'll be able to find something that we'll be as happy to give as they will be to receive.