Registry etiquette-- registering for gift cards?

LittleBrownBird

Hello, ladies!

I just started working on our registry for our Dec. 2010 wedding. Note that I'm clueless about this whole registry business-- I haven't been involved in a wedding since I was four!

A friend suggested that, as a courtesy to my side of the family, we register at both Target and Walmart, the latter being way more accessible to them. I like the idea, but Walmart's selection and quality seems, in my experience, to not be as good. My future mother-in-law suggested that rather than fretting over this problem, we just register for gift cards at Walmart and use anything we get for groceries once we're married. 

I liked this idea, but my fiance is leery of it, and now I'm doubting it as well. Is it rude to register for gift cards, especially if that's the only opinion we express for the store that's close to my side of the family? Is there anything else we can do?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences-- whether you're doing anything similar yourself or have come across this as a guest, and how you felt about it.

Thanks, all!

BeeBee22

Very tacky to register for gift cards. Better to just not register and hope people give you cash.

SInce the registries are (presumably) online, why does it matter where the store is? If you register for specific items, they just order an item from your list and have it shipped....

heyimbren

I've never heard of someone registering for gift-cards. I know some people receive gift cards, but I never thought you specifically registered for them.

When my friend registered at The Bay, they automatically included a "gift card" on the registry list as a "The Bay suggestion".

I don't really see the point in registering for gift cards. You'll either get gifts or money otherwise, right?

sucrets4

BB&B try to get us to register for gift cards.

It's tacky, but it makes NO sense.  If someone wants to give you a gift card, they will.  You don't need them on your registry.

mica178

I think it would look funny if the only things on your WalMart registry were gift cards.  Asking for GCs is sort of like asking for cash.  If you don't like the durable goods at WalMart, don't register there.

OuachitaTrixie

very interesting...

Our Wal-marts have tons of stuff that our Target doesn't carry, but then again we are in the birthplace of Wal-mart.  If you haven't been in Wal-mart lately they are beginning to catch up with Target, aesthetically.  Better Homes & Gardens has a HUGE line at Wal-mart. 

I'm not sure about selections in Pittsburg but Wal-mart does have a huge selection online.

I'm cool with giftcards but maybe throw in a few items that are less important to you.  Maybe upgrade your trashcans to the ones with wheels on bottom?  haha! jk, jk

Goldlie11

In Response to Re: Registry etiquette-- registering for gift cards?:
[QUOTE]I've never heard of someone registering for gift-cards. I know some people receive gift cards, but I never thought you specifically registered for them. When my friend registered at The Bay, they automatically included a "gift card" on the registry list as a "The Bay suggestion". I don't really see the point in registering for gift cards. You'll either get gifts or money otherwise, right?
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]
I have seen it recently.  A couple only registered for gift cards, no tangible gifts.  I was thinking to myself, "what's the point in that?"  I think it's rude and pretty similar to asking for cash.  

LDYGTR13

We didn't ask to register for giftcards - they were just added at the bottom of our registry...

LittleBrownBird

 A lot of my older relatives don't use the internet, but there's a chance they could get registry info from more tech-savy relations. Ah well, suppose you're all right.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I have a registry at Crate and Barrel, and we did check that gift cards are fine (if people are so inclined - some like it better than giving cash and then we could use them to buy things that didn't get purchased off the registry). However, that's our main registry and it also has about 65 items on it.

But I would for sure not ONLY register for gift cards. That seems tacky.

The thing about Wal-Mart being more accesible - do they live in a really rural area without a Target? Or is Wal-Mart just closer? I'd go with one or the other, then a different store. (And please read reviews or ask about Target registries over on the registry board, many people are disatisfied with them.) Fi was convinced his extended family wouldn't have access to a C&B so we also registered at BB&B.

FWIW my parents didn't have a Target near them until 4-5 years ago. But they had a mall with a few department stores. Go figure.

Goldlie11

I know that many places give an option for gift cards.  That's different that registering for only gift cards and nothing else.  

[Deleted User]

I have never heard of someone registering for gift cards. Regardless of whether you can do it or not, it is rude and tacky. I would at least register at one store so that way people have the option of buying you a gift from the registry. Also, if you have a bridal shower (unless you already had one) people may buy from your registry.

I know in our case, we registered at Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy's. We pretty much only got gifts off of the registry for my shower. We mostly received money for wedding presents. And a few Visa and AMEX giftcards.

BeeBee22

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_registry-etiquette-registering-gift-cards?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:48e52f41-1ecc-4af4-9967-9bc9b126eef9Post:c0345064-93f1-4acd-bd4f-483e1e6fa435">Re: Registry etiquette-- registering for gift cards?</a>:
[QUOTE] A lot of my older relatives don't use the internet, but there's a chance they could get registry info from more tech-savy relations. Ah well, suppose you're all right.
Posted by LittleBrownBird[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Hmm, I see. Maybe your more computer-savvy relatives can have the others over for a registry search when you get it set up? They might enjoy discovering how well the website lets them see things clearly from a chair.... It might even open up a new window for them. 

</div>

TTiger03

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_registry-etiquette-registering-gift-cards?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:48e52f41-1ecc-4af4-9967-9bc9b126eef9Post:c0345064-93f1-4acd-bd4f-483e1e6fa435">Re: Registry etiquette-- registering for gift cards?</a>:
[QUOTE] A lot of my older relatives don't use the internet, but there's a chance they could get registry info from more tech-savy relations. Ah well, suppose you're all right.
Posted by LittleBrownBird[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>If they aren't that tech savy would they find the registry at Walmart anyway?  I'm thinking that the registries at Walmart and Target are usual self-serve on computers.  I might be wrong, but most people I know that don't use the internet don't really understand computers anyway and would prefer to just send a card and check.</div><div>
</div><div>I would pick a few items to put on the Walmart registry anyway. As mentioned, there are some good choices there too.  It doesn't have to be a lot, but if Aunt Muriel wants to walk into the store and pick up a towel to send you, it's probably a good idea to give her a direction.</div><div>The biggest issue for me, though, is that you are basically setting up a list for each family (yours and his).  I would just try to keep them fairly even in the price points even if you register for 50 items at Target and 25 at Walmart (or whatever numbers you pick).</div>

nebbiolo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_registry-etiquette-registering-gift-cards?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:48e52f41-1ecc-4af4-9967-9bc9b126eef9Post:7f126ec6-9274-44e4-b631-480be755d89b">Registry etiquette-- registering for gift cards?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hello, ladies! I just started working on our registry for our Dec. 2010 wedding. Note that I'm clueless about this whole registry business-- I haven't been involved in a wedding since I was four! A friend suggested that, as a courtesy to my side of the family, we register at both Target and Walmart, the latter being way more accessible to them. I like the idea, but Walmart's selection and quality seems, in my experience, to not be as good. My future mother-in-law suggested that rather than fretting over this problem, we just register for gift cards at Walmart and use anything we get for groceries once we're married.  I liked this idea, but my fiance is leery of it, and now I'm doubting it as well. Is it rude to register for gift cards, especially if that's the only opinion we express for the store that's close to my side of the family? Is there anything else we can do? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences-- whether you're doing anything similar yourself or have come across this as a guest, and how you felt about it. Thanks, all!
Posted by LittleBrownBird[/QUOTE]

Well if you really want to get your groceries at Walmart then register there for items that are easily exchanged -- with a plan to return them for credit for your groceries.

DrPB2b13

FWIW, Walmart will accept literally anything for a return, with or without a receipt.  If you really feel it would be best to register at Walmart for the sake of your family, due to availability or affordability of the gifts, it wouldn't be hard to return or exchange the gifts to later purchase other items, e.g. food.  Keep in mind, however, that registering for gifts you are planning to return may not be in the best of taste.  I would definitely take into consideration how sensitive your relatives are to having their carefully chosen gifts exchanged for food.