Registry alternatives - Help!!!

HelloGoodFriend · May 2012

Sooo FI and I have no idea what to do for a registry. We have l iived together for almost 2 years now and pretty much have everything we need (minus a few things here and there, but if we need it then we will just buy it ourselves). I have heard of a few alternatives, but not much in detail. What are you girls doing, and if you aren't doing the traditional registry then what is your alternative?

johnsontar · May 2012

I am doing a tradional registry, but my cousin is not. She is having guest donate money to american cancer society or MS. I thought it was really neat! Good luck!

HelloGoodFriend · May 2012

Thank you!

My Grandpa died of alzheimers and I thought about doing donations to the Alzheimer's Association, but we haven't quite decided.

mspurr · May 2012

Any chance that you'd like to get nicer stuff? FI and I both own our own homes and have lots of kitchen stuff, but some of it is hand me downs. We are registering for new, nicer stuff. We also registered at Menards for some tools, patio stuff, coolers, turkey fryer, etc. Some may consider that alternative.

turnupyourlove · May 2012

We registered, but I've heard of tons of alternatives... Asking for charity donations is one, as was mentioned above. Are you going on a honeymoon? There are sites where you can allow people to pay for activities that you and your man want to do while on your honeymoon! Pretty cool. Examples I saw were like "surf lessons, so and so paid for" so then you get to thank them and maybe have like pictures from during your experience, etc. Definitely a cool idea from what I've seen.

SCogs18 · May 2012

You really should do your research before starting a honeymoon registry! Most of those sites don't even purchase the event for you! You register for "$100 surf lessons," so a guest buys them through the website. The company takes 7% and then cuts you a check for $93 and then you have to go buy the surf lessons...IF they are still available.

We are doing a traditional registry. If you don't want much, do a small registry and people will take the hint and give you cash. You can then keep it, donate it, or do whatever you want!

BMcLeodTeam · May 2012

I agree, definitely do your research before doing anything like a honeymoon registry. Many people have big issues with them because Aunt Sally thinks she's buying you a chance to swim with the dolphins... what happens instead is the company you're registered with keeps a portion of Aunt Sally's money and the rest is given to you... not the excursion, just the money. So that's rather deceptive to the guests.

If you just do a small registry people usually get the point and will give you cash instead. Are there things you'd like to upgrade in your home, you could do a small registry of those!

Callmefia · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_registry-alternatives-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:1a7d32fc-25ef-4a45-9d42-ad21dc40a82cPost:27bbb5e9-b676-4aef-974c-634886b785b8">Re: Registry alternatives - Help!!!</a>:
[QUOTE]If you just do a small registry people usually get the point and will give you cash instead. Are there things you'd like to upgrade in your home, you could do a small registry of those!
Posted by BMcLeodTeam[/QUOTE]
This is the best advice! Register for some towels and sheets since its nice to stash them for use after the ones you have wear out. People will take the hint and usually give you cash.

I've lived on my own for 6 or 7 years, FI and I have lived together for 3 of those. We have stuff but most of it is pretty inexpensive and/or hand me downs, so I registered for a lot of things like some nice pots and pans, new bed linens, new towels, china, additional serving wear and pyrex, new bakewear. I also added some entertaining pieces like a nice chip and dip server, salad server and bowls etc... Nice glasswear and matching wine glasses (since I have a mix of different cheap walmart styles now) We registered for higher quality stuff to replace my old low budget things.

I didn't register for things that definitely didn't need replaced. I have great everyday dinnerware and silverware already so I kept that off the list.

jjswin · May 2012

I have lived with my FI for four year so I am in the same boat as you with not needing a whole lot. I have a very small registry for a few odds and ends. But we really want cash for a down payment on a home. So we informed are parents that if anyone asks thats what we really want, also I have a note on my wedding web site in case anyone take a look at that.

smartlypretty · May 2012

Hey, everyone can use new sheets and Al Clad pots and pans. Make a small registry of things that need replacing/upgrading around the house.

Then, spread the word by mouth that you are saving up for X. People will get the point that you would like cash. I DON"T like charity registries. They just rub me the wrong way. Why wouldn't you just take any cash you are given and donate that?

I'm not into honeymoon registries becaues like PP said, they are deceptive to your guests. You don't really receive that activity and the company keeps a portion of your funds.

dawnie204 · May 2012

I'm going to hop on the do a small registry train. There are bound to be some things that you can upgrade. People will understand and give cash if they so choose.

FI and I have been living together for two years also. We have a complete house and even had to get rid of a bunch of stuff when we moved in together. We decided to do a small registry for a few upgrades. When we got to the store and started adding stuff, we kind of got really excited with all the new and shiny things around. So, it ended up being large than we thought it would be.

sparent2010 · May 2012

I hate going into my anti HMR so I am not going to. Also with the charitable donations. Sometimes people do not agree with whatever charity you are giving the money to, so this is also a bad idea.

I get wanting to donate, but do it on your own and in private.

Do a small registry. You need to upgrade items and let people know WOM that you are saving up for a house, car whatever and they will get the hint to give cash. People know that cash is a completely acceptable and preferable gift.

HelloGoodFriend · May 2012

Thank you ladies!! I'm really starting to like the small registry idea! We talked about asking for cash (saving up for a down payment on a house), but wasn't too sure how to ask in a subtle way! Thanks again!

turnupyourlove · May 2012

Ooooh that's good to know about the honeymoon registry thing.

I'm sure we would have found out exactly what goes on once we did research on it if it's something we had chosen but of course that's no good to use. I know a couple people who did but not sure how it turned out for them. I like the small registry idea

Some great advice!

Registry alternatives - Help!!!

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