registering just for "stuff?"--need advice

Re: registering just for "stuff?"--need advice

• Wiscisbliss

  

  January 2012

  Register for the items you want and need.  Nothing more nothing less. 
  
  It's nice to have things in several price points (it sounds like you did this with some towels, etc), but if your guests see a small registry many will likely give cash anyway. 

  

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• Simply Fated member

  

  January 2012

  You should only register for things you'll actually use. Registering for items you intend to return is a sucky thing to do. The associate at BBB is just trying to do their job by getting you to register for stuff. It's not THEIR family and friend's, so what do they care? You should try to hit a few different price points. Check out their website and browse around. They have random stuff that you might want, but never considered before, like a cherry pitter, corn holders, chip clips, a new laundry basket, hangers, an alarm clock... stuff like that. I just think its a bad idea to register for stuff you intend to return.

  
  

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• meganb1977 member

  

  January 2012

  I think as a guest if I saw that you had a small-ish registry or items were over my budget I would give you cash or a gift card that you could put towards one of the items you really wanted.  There was a post a while back about registering for more expensive items and that it's okay as long as you understand that it will be above some guests' price points.  People might also go in together to get you a bigger item.  The stores do weird things to try to make money and I wouldn't register for smaller items that you're just going to return...keep your registry smallish with the items you really want.

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• artbyallie mod

  

  January 2012 edited January 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registering-just-stuff-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:f8ea9485-1f99-4288-a384-2cbf7c5bbdd1Post:09ff1aaa-1c09-4cb3-829e-657f3aa81560">Re: registering just for "stuff?"--need advice</a>:
  [QUOTE]You should only register for things you'll actually use. Registering for items you intend to return is a sucky thing to do. The associate at BBB is just trying to do their job by getting you to register for stuff. It's not THEIR family and friend's, so what do they care? You should try to hit a few different price points. Check out their website and browse around.<strong> They have random stuff that you might want, but never considered before, like a cherry pitter, corn holders, chip clips, a new laundry basket, hangers, an alarm clock... stuff like th</strong>at. I just think its a bad idea to register for stuff you intend to return.
  Posted by Simply Fated[/QUOTE]
  
  <div>I agree. What about picture frames? Vases? Coasters, placemats, tablecloth, etc. But if there's really nothing else, just stop there. You'll probably get gift cards as well (no need to ask for those!) and you can put those and cash you receive toward your larger items.</div>

  

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• rlavach member

  

  January 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registering-just-stuff-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:f8ea9485-1f99-4288-a384-2cbf7c5bbdd1Post:8fdb69a8-7530-4845-83f9-e2ce98b397f7">registering just for "stuff?"--need advice</a>:
  [QUOTE]My man and I have lived together for almost 4 years. By now, if there was something we needed, we have already bought it, and we have bought high quality stuff (so we don't need an 'upgrade').  Yesterday we went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to register. Almost everything we scanned is high-end, expensive items we haven't been able to buy for ourselfs (such as the food processor, hand vaccum, etc.). We did add a few towels, potholders, etc., just because we can always use those, but our consultant suggested that we add more smaller price point items, even if we don't need them, to create a variety of price options for people. She said we can just return all the smaller items and use the credit to get a larger item we need.  While this makes sense, it seems very silly and just a waste of everyones time to register for "stuff" and then return it. I also think its rediculous to register for cheap plastic spoon and spatula when at home I have exceptionally high quality (and expensive) ones that I've already splurged on.  Of course, I am not expecting people to give us a gift, but if they wanted to, what's your opinion? As a guest, if you couldn't afford a registry item, would you just give cash (which is really the only thing we ACTUALLY need)? Should I go add more cheap "stuff" on the registry just so people can buy something? I also don't want people to look at our list and think <strong>"wow, this girl is pretencious" </strong>or something, because everything is so costly.  thanks! -M
  Posted by meliB229[/QUOTE]
  I'm not going to lie, I have thought this. If I see a registry that only has expensive items left, then I feel bad I procrastinated so much. But if that's all that's on there, then I side-eye it. I'd feel forced to give a gift card or cash that is higher in order to get closer to the least expensive item on your list.<div>
  </div><div>Like PP said, if there's really nothing else you could use, then don't put it there for the sake of returning it. But take another look, maybe there's more you don't NEED, but could use.</div>

  

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• SCogs18 member

  

  January 2012 edited January 2012

  If I can't afford a gift on the registry, I either gift a gift card in the amount I can afford to the store, go in on a gift, on go "off registry" (which can be dangerous if you aren't close with the couple and really know their taste).  I never give cash--it just seems too impersonal, plus I hate it when people take their sweet time cashing the check.

  

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• TiffannieF member

  

  January 2012

  So many people told us we had too many "expensive" items on our list but when I reviewed it I found only 1 thing per page that was over $50 so I didn't really understand what they were talking about.
  
  If people don't want to get you something expensive they will just get you cash.  Register for what you need and will use nothing else.  People will probably get you things that you don't need or didn't register for but you can't stop people from getting you a gift.  People will judge whether you registered for expensive items or not so I think you will be fine.
  

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• Bonzo2011 member

  

  January 2012

  If you were a close friend, and I couldn't afford what was on your registry, I would probably shop off registry. Maybe take a hint from one of the pricey kitchen items and get a related cookbook. If you wanted an ice cream maker, I'd get you an ice cream cookbook, and maybe some cute sprinkles. Of course, I'm assuming we're good friends, and I can gauge your taste.

  
  

  If you were a cousin, I'd probably go in on one of the expensive items with my parents and sister.

  
  

  I wouldn't side-eye your registry if I knew your situation. Yes, it's nice if you have items at all the different price points. But if I know you well enough to be coming to your wedding, presumably I know that you've already bought all the necessities.

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• Ali092011 member

  

  January 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registering-just-stuff-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:f8ea9485-1f99-4288-a384-2cbf7c5bbdd1Post:89f77ca8-c9a2-4316-ad3d-b39016ec402b">Re: registering just for "stuff?"--need advice</a>:
  [QUOTE]I wouldn't side-eye your registry if I knew your situation. Yes, it's nice if you have items at all the different price points. But if I know you well enough to be coming to your wedding, presumably I know that you've already bought all the necessities.
  Posted by Bonzo2011[/QUOTE]
  
  That's a good point. Many of your guests will know that you own nice things and don't need plastic spoons and such.
  
  However, have you thought about accessories and little things than can go with your nice appliances? If you already have a Kitchenaid mixer, what about some new attachments? If you have a sweet Crockpot, maybe a book of recipes? FI and I registered for a high-end espresso machine, and the espresso and cappuccino mugs that go with it are only $9.99 each but are really elegant and beautiful.

  

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• CrayCrayWedCorp

  

  January 2012

  I'm in a similar position, and just posted something about this yesterday! Ditto what most people here have said. Only register for what you need. I can say from first hand experience that if you register for items only to have to return them later, it'll be a huge headache for you. The last thing you need a month before your wedding is a home filled with stuff that y ou need to return.

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• hoffse member

  

  January 2012

  Yeah don't register for things you'll never use or that would return, but it is good to hit multiple price points.  I have definitely thought that brides were pretentious who only asked for expensive things, but this becomes less true if the couple is older, has had a job for a period of time, and I assume has had the chance to buy nice things on their own.  I really hate it when just-graduated-from-college couples register for all-clad and $500/place setting china.

  
  

  I agree that you should go back and think outside the box.  My cherry pitter is completely awesome.  My quesadilla maker rocks my life.  Look for some off-the-wall things like that, but keep your ENTIRE list small.  I also like the idea of registering for some cookbooks, table linens (can you ever really have enough placemats in different fabrics and colors?) napkin rings, maybe kitchen storage (like getting those oxo pop boxes for dry ingredients so everything matches and stacks nicely)... some things like that.  You don't have to ask for plates and spoons.  

  To answer your other question, I will not give cash even if the registry is full or out of my price range.  I will go off-registry and buy you a vase or a platter.  I will make it something that I think is nice, but you may not like it.  I would of course give you a gift receipt.  The only time I've ever given a gift card was to a friend of mine who eloped - there were like 4 people at her wedding.  She didn't register, she didn't have a reception, gifts were obviously completely unexpected.  So I sent her a gift card to Macy's because I knew it was something that wasn't even on her radar and would be a nice surprise.

  

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• meliB229 member

  

  January 2012

  [QUOTE]Y I really hate it when just-graduated-from-college couples register for all-clad and $500/place setting china. 
  Posted by hoffse[/QUOTE]<div>
  </div><div>HA, I TOTALLY agree! I think that everyone knows that I love to cook, so my expensive knives and gagets won't seem too off the wall! </div><div>
  </div><div>I think I'll also use MyRegistry to register for cookbooks and some other things we want (like fishing poles!!!) that aren't at BB&B. </div><div>
  </div><div>I appreciate everyone's feedback! 
  
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