register without a registry

TTiger03

This weekend FI and I went to register at BB&B and found some nice things but were very overwhelmed.  We didn't even look at cook/bake ware or bedding.
We didn't really find any dishes we wanted but were told to check online and see what they have to select there.
Today we went to Ikea for the first time ever and I happend to find two sets of dishes I fell in love with.  The problem is that Ikea doesn't have a registry.  I tried to find similar sets on BB&B.  I found a set that is similar to one of them, but the price difference is HUGE.  I don't really want anyone to spend 3-5x more per dish when I really do prefer the less expensive set.

Can you ladies think of any appropriate way to "register" for items that you can't register for?  I know my aunt's go to gift is dishes, but I certainly don't want to call her and say "This is what i want you to get for me".  I know that's sort of what a registry is, but the guests are still able to pick what they want to get from the list and not be asked for a specific gift.
One friend suggested we spread the word that we would like gift cards to ikea to get the dishes ourselves, but I dislike (and know many here will agree) asking for gift cards to specific stores as it's just a small step from asking for cash.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

nhelene

Let your parents know which specific dish set you really like.  When someone has a registry question, they're likely to ask the parents. 

You can be a little sneaky by telling people: "I registered at _______.  I wanted to register at IKEA but they don't have a registry system."   and you might get a few cards out of it.

Or just wait until after the wedding and go buy them yourself with some of your wedding cash.

cac847

Is there a "wish list" feature on Ikea's website? If you have a wedding website, you could put a link to your wish list in the registry section. Since there's no way of tracking what's purchased though, you may get duplicates and need to return some things.

rbtrumpet

I'm not sure about IKEA specifically, but we registered at Amazon, and were able to register for a lot of things we *actually* wanted for a fraction of the cost of BB&B.  It may be something worth checking out.

quotequeen

If you register with Amazon you can add items from any store with the universal registry feature.  There are other sites that have similar options as well.  This allows you to put a link on your registry to the exact dishes you want at Ikea.

Norms Angel Forever

there is a site called 'upon our star' http://www.uponourstar.com it's a registry for whatever it is you'd like, you can put anything, any denomination or if it's expensive item you've been saving up for make it an option with mulitple smaller price points. it's kinda like a honeymoon registry but a lil different. its basically like the registry for couples that already have the typical registry stuff!
check it out, it's what we're using!
so you could put 'for IKEA dishes' and then one for 'a couples massage'

TTiger03

Thanks ladies.  I didn't realize you could do universal registry with Amazon.  I had done a search for the items and didn't find the dishes on the site.  

Had anyone had a problem using Amazon as it's solely web based?  Most of my family is not very computer literate and will not know how to find a wish list on Amazon.  

tenofcups4me

If your mom is the one who "manages" family interactions, I'd just tell her and assume it will get done. I'd let your mom know that in addition to the reigstry, there are some dishes at Ikea that you really want.

I don't know how it works in your family, but in my family, this is what would happen. Aunt: Where's ten registered and what does she really want? Mom: She's registered at BBB, but she also found some dishes at Ikea that she loves -- what would you think about getting her the dishes? If aunt says yes, mom wouldn't even tell anyone else about the dishes so there wouldn't be any possibly duplication. If aunt isn't interested, mom would wait till someone else asks her what I "really" want and steer them to the dishes.