Today’s question is from Ann Marie:
My wedding is in January and we are beginning to make a list of items for our registry. While traditional items like china and vases would be nice, I am more interested in registering for items that will help us save money and make running a household easier. For example, a chest freezer, but that is pretty much the extent of my brainstorming. To those who have so much more experience than I do, what household items would you recommend for a registry aimed at reducing future household costs?
Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.
This sounds really weird but I really appreciated getting a haircutting/buzzer kit for my wedding. It came with a DVD that showed me how to do some simple cuts so I learned a thing or two and we haven’t paid to cut my husband’s hair in our entire 7 years of marriage!
Another shower gift I did was laundry themed. They asked for a hamper, and I filled it with clothes pins, bleach, detergent, dryer sheets, free samples like fabric softener, and one of those mesh bags.
I really liked the spagetti dinner idea that was posted above too!
I agree that asking for $ is taboo. While it can be helpful, people like getting you something and seeing you open it. It also can be like taking the easy way out. Recently, I went in with others on a gift. We all went to school together so we did an inside joke, and by combining our $, we were able to get two items on the registry, and a few gift cards. For wedding and baby showers, a good thought is date night. We got a sears gift card for things missed on the registry, and a restaurant so they could either go out or order in one night.
It seems you’ve alreay gotten a ton of responses but I was excited when I saw your question because I had the same problem when we got married last year. We had almost doubles of everything when we moved into our small house and I dreaded the thought of a 3rd toaster, microwave etc (we had over 2 dozen wooden spoons). I think it is going to become more and more common as couples are getting married after they’ve been living on their own for a while and not just starting out.
I’d suggest things that store easily and will wear out. Sheets, towels, dish towels, blankets, cloth napkins, food storage containers and also things to store all this stuff in-totes, label maker, space bags (my favorite invention ever), shelving units etc.
Home depot registry was a nightmare but Sears was very helpful. We registered for some new tools, a lawn mower, weedeater, gardening supplies, painting supplies, a ladder etc. These are the things we needed for maintaining a house when we both had apartments before.
Also, I just went ahead and registered for the practical stuff. I know it isn’t classy and some people wanted to get something nice that would remind us of our wedding day for years to come, but there were plenty of close friends that knew how much a block of TP would mean to our frugal hearts. I registered for detergents, paper products, ziplock bags, cleaners, etc. Anything other than food that had shown up on our grocery list in the past 6 months went on the registry. Storing it all has been a little ridiculous but it has saved me so much time and money. I love it.
However my favorite gift was from the parents. We told them a chest freezer. One set bought the freezer and the other bought a butchered cow and half a pig to go in it. I’m tearing up now thinking about how thoughtful and generous that gift was. They got us exactly what we needed.
In summary, register for what you want. That is the point in registering. There will be people who still buy you vases or a 4th set of dishes but if they’re looking at the registry, they’re asking what you want so you might as well tell them.
KitchenAid mixer
good knives, at least a large chef’s knife, a paring knife & a bread knife (so you’ll never have to replace them)
a good set of pots & pans (not teflon)
In addition to all the really great suggestions given, I would add:
*a Bosch mixer/food processor – my mother-in-law uses this and thinks it is the best out there. It would be similar to a KitchenAid mixer but bigger and with all the similar attachments available. I believe a KitchenAid only does a couple loaves of bread at a time.
*a food mill or grinder – if you’re really interested in baking a lot, especially making your own bread. I have a lot of friends who have one and use it a lot.
*plenty of cloth towels, dish towels, wash clothes, dish clothes, rags, napkins; also good quality plastic or glass storage containers. You go through paper products so fast and the cost and trash adds up! You can never have too many towels or storage containers!
*don’t hesitate to get the large size cooking things (pots & pans, roasting pan, 2-3 of each size baking dish), especially if you think you might have a large family or have people over very often. At the very least it will allow you to cook and bake in bulk or occasionally freeze something in its baking dish.
*try to get the highest quality possible of the things you do get. We tried to save our guests money by registering for kitchen gadgets at Wal-mart and those things have not lasted very long.
*maybe just a few pretty things to make your family feel special, brighten up your day, or use for a special guest or holiday. For me these were things people just bought me I didn’t necessarily ask for and I’ve appreciated them. But it seems the “pretty” things are always the first to be bought off of a registry list!
Congratulations and Best Wishes!!!
I have really saved money by eliminating things that require constant purchasing, such as:
– paper towels (cloth napkins and microfiber cleaning cloths will clean up anything you would use a paper towel for)
-swiffer cloths (invest in a mop with a microfiber cloth that can be washed)
-household cleaners (we use Shaklee Basic H)
-body soap, hair soap, hand soap and dish soap (we use a gal. size Dr. Bronners and dillute as needed for all kinds of things)
-plastic food containers (they wear out over time and should not be microwaved, so we invested in glass containers with bpa free lids)
-if you will be buying pantry staples in bulk you may want to invest in bpa free OXO pop containers or Lock & Lock containers to organize your food
-a crockpot has been invaluable for saving time!!!!
Hope that helps! So wise to think ahead like that! Happy registering 🙂
If you are new to cooking a basic cookbook like Better Homes And Gardens New Cookbook is invaluable! It has everything from how to fry an egg and bake a potato to how to make a souffle. The charts of what herbs go well with what foods, how to roast/broil various meats, and the sections on freezing fruits and veggies are still staple go-to’s for me 11 years later! I’m not sure if I can include links in comments here, but I’ll try. Here is the link to the book on Amazon so you can get a visual of it. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=better+homes+and+gardens+cookbook&x=0&y=0&sprefix=better+homes+and+gardens
I’m sometimes forget what these are called… power savers maybe? Anyways you plug them into a wall then plug your big appliances (washer, dryer, etc) into them. They block the energy that goes into the socket when the appliance is not in use. They reduce the monthly power bills alot!
I would say to make sure to register for quality products that will last you a long time. Also, think about what YOU will use, rather than just what people say you will need. For example, I know the kitchenaid mixer is the most popular registry item but I don’t bake so I have no idea what I would use it for! On the other hand, I stir fry evvverything and chicken stir fry is our favorite meal, so we registered for a nice wok and let me tell you, I use it at least twice a week (usually more!).
Another piece of advice is to really do your research, read reviews, and find the product that suits you best no matter where it’s from. I ended up registering with five different stores but I used http://www.MyRegistry.com to combine them all in one place. This made it easy for me to keep my list organized and it was a lot easier to tell guests one place to look instead of five!
I haven’t read the other suggestions, but here are mine. We got married two years ago and these are my favorite registry items:
Dyson DC25 ball vacuum – super easy to use, excellent suction, saves time, and you never have to buy those bags, plus the filters are washable (no one bought it for us, but Macy’s has a 10% registry completion discount, and I waited until I had one of those 10% coupons for home items and the nice cashier let us stack the discounts. I saved all the Macy’s gift cards I received, put returned some other items that we did receive but didn’t want, and they all paid for the vacuum).
Crockpot/Slow Cooker with a timer – I put one on the registry, but received one without a timer. Doesn’t work when you work outside the home all day. So, I’m now saving for one with a timer. Saves a lot of time (and money, since you’re less likely to eat out when you’re tired at the end of the day).
Blender for smoothies (if you tend to go to Jamba Juice a lot) or coffee/espresso maker (if you spend a lot of time at Starbucks)
Quality sheets and towels that you won’t have to replace in a couple of years
A good flatware set that you LOVE and won’t need/want to replace. I bought mine at Crate & Barrel probably 10 years ago and I still love it.
A good knife set that you can sharpen yourself (and knife sharpeners)
A quality set of pots & pans
Tools
Shark steam mop (love mine!) – you just keep washing the cover, super easy
Cloth napkins, microfiber towels (I use them on spills and also in place of disposable Swiffer cloths)
When I got married, my sister in law bought me 5 different types of cookbooks, and it was one of the best gifts I received. I use them weekly and some of the older ones I have are a great reference when freezing or canning food. I would recommend registering for a variety of cookbooks, like The Joy of Cooking or Better Homes and Gardens and then specialty ones, like one for a crockpot or for desserts.
Also, I would recommend to register for LARGE canisters or containers to hold flour, sugar, pasta, corn meal, instant milk & baking mixes (like bisquick, but you make yourself) – to make pancakes. Then small canisters or containers to hold salt, baking soda, baking powder etc. I know that Bed Bath and Beyond has some that are air tight that keep out bugs etc. But I am sure where ever you register will have some options. These canisters help so much when buying in bulk. I just bought some more from the Family Dollar store, they are not air tight containers, but they work really well so far.
We are in a similar situation because we have all of the small household items but need a new refrigerator, espresso maker, dining room table, kitchen island, etc.
We found this really cool wedding registry site that allowed us to register for these items and split the cost of each item up into more manageable gift amounts. The site is http://www.simpleregistry.com/wedding
We’ve had a great experience with it so far!
A clothesline!
Some great things for a wedding registry:
High quality cookware (not teflon coated except for frying pan. . .it wears off eventually) like stainless steel. I use mine nearly every day.
High quality bakeware (glass pans; heavy-duty cookie sheets. . .I buy them at a hotel supply to give as gifts with parchment paper, hot pad, etc)
Kitchen-aid mixer
Tupperware bowls that nest (saves space!); also water/juice pitchers that seal tightly
Fiestaware or Corelle (plain white round). . .you can replace if broken unlike a boxed set of a non-descript type dishes
Towels (I still have new ones from my wedding over 20 years ago. . .I sent some to college with my daughter)
Sheets (neutral color)
Tablecloths/Placemats
Serving dishes (I still remember a lady who gave me a small relish dish that I still use; also a cake stand which has multiple uses including decorating)
Immersion blender (I use mine frequently. . .less dishes; takes less space)
Stay away from:
Cleaning supplies
Toilet paper
Junk appliances: egg poacher or things that just do one thing or you’ll use infrequently. It will end up at your next garage sale because you don’t want to store it. Think ahead!
Nearly 20 years later, I like to think of the person who gave me the gift for our wedding. So think of that when purchasing something.
we love our registry at depositagift.com it’s a cash gift registry, so 100% practical. we only wanted to register for what we really needed/wanted and since we live together we have most of the regular home stuff. most of what we wanted you couldn’t register for at the store, like bedroom furniture, a flatscreen, a grill and honeymoon activities. it’s been one of the best finds of the wedding and i highly recommend their customer service.
Oh. This may sound silly, but I ended up without salt shakers! Not expensive to buy on my own, but I wd hv registered for them if I had thought of it.
Admittedly, I didn’t read all the pp, so I am sry if this is repetitive. My suggestions: blender for smoothies and (eventually) baby food and shelving units or storage boxes for ur couponing stockpile.
Tools for working on cars and house. Even if neither one of you are handy/skilled in this area, a good basic set will come in handy at some point. GOOD set of pots/pans, and I’d go with glass or stainless steel for baking (or stoneware). I have been known to do up a BIG basket of pantry items such as ketchup, mayo, salt, pepper, etc. that were always well received (I think a couple were more excited about that gift than anything else). Forgo the fancy smancy stuff unless you are really into that. They will take up precious space and just sit there.
Basically I’d go for good quality stuff that’s going to last and what you will actually use..from sheets, towels, dishes and small appliances.
In addition to registering at the normal stores, I also had my husband register at Sears for tools. He got lots of great things at a couple’s shower my maid of honor hosted, and it was great getting so many practical gifts.
Register for things you will use, not things you won’t because they are traditional registry items. But it’s also helpful to register now for things you may not use everyday but will use for special occasions in the future, like serving platters, turkey roasters, etc. Also, you can add furniture and other things to your registry on Ikea, Crate and Barrel, and Target.
And since your post reminded me of this, there is a wonderful blog about called A Practical Wedding http://www.apracticalwedding.com which I think you may like.
I use this DAILY – leftover containers!! And go for clear or glass ones so you can see what you’ve got sitting in there! The majority of mine are freezer safe, so I can have serving sizes of leftovers, toss them in the freezer, and grab it and head out the door to work! But seriously, go with something you can see thru!!
If you are looking for gifts that will help you save money, I recommend a water filter. Either the type that goes on your kitchen faucet or the pitcher type. Also, a food saver vacuum system. That way you can buy/cook in bulk and put it in that new chest freezer! Other suggestions are the same as previous posts: kitchen aide mixer, crock pot, baking stone.
Congrats!
– A Rubber Hose for watering your yard’s grassy lawn or garden or for washing your car (that is, if you will be living in a house. An apartment might be a different story where you may not need one). 🙂
Digital timers (I prefer them over the egg timers that you turn b/c I have found that those twisting/turning egg timer kind RARELY ever work! I have burned SOO many things b/c they did not go off, but the digital ones did resulting in many saved dishes)! 🙂 Whew! [You wouldn’t all that work to go to waste now, would you)? 🙂 LOL
OOOOH! I just thought of some more essentials (this is getting fun thinking of all these)! 🙂 Here they are:
-Filing Cabinet outfitted w/ hanging files, tabs, file folders to go inside, etc. ( A MUST for filing/keeping track of: bank records, tax records, medical records, utility bills, etc.).
-a Shredder (to prevent identity theft–the last thing you need to deal w/ as newlyweds).
– Crown Financial Ministries books (Christian/godly/wise/seasoned counsel on dealing w/ finances from a Biblical perspective that can spare you a lot of pain and heartache later on). 🙂
These 3 financial ideas are very important in cutting down on the financial stress that can occur in a marriage. A lot of marriages are strained from financial arguments, stress and mismanagement. Hopefully, these can be helpful in preventing these misfortunes from happening. 🙂
I agree w/ all of the ladies above w/ their recommendations, so…instead of repeating them, I will mention some ones not mentioned that I think are just as valid/crucial:
– Mattress encasings
– Boxspring encasings
– pillow encasings, etc.
[These encasings prevent dustmite allergies and are EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to pay for on your own].
-Air (room) filters [ASTRONOMICALLY EXPENSIVE to pay for on your own if you are starting out, so better to have a bunch of people pitching in as a gift to help you out to prevent allergies/indoor pollutants such as: dustmites, pollen, animal dander, molds, mildews, etc..
– Under-the- counter cabinet organizers for under your bathroom sink and under your kitchen sink. These were LIFESAVERS for me in keeping things more organized (cleaners, hairbrushes, hairdryers, shampoos,etc.), helped them be more accessible (pull-out drawers instead of them being crammed way in the back behind a bunch of crud that you had to pull all out to get to! [Pain in the butt!]), and it helped me to utilize more of the space (by using the vertical space by the shelving, etc.). They even have some that can fit around a sink pipe if that is your obstacle! How cool is that?! {One of the best inventions ever made…}. 🙂
Drawer Organizers (can prevent your drawer from becoming a huge pile of mixed of socks and underwear all tangled together =a pile of chaos). This can maybe spare your husband and you some stress or arguments. It can neatly separate each pair of socks nicely and neatly. 🙂 =Harmony/bliss/peace. 🙂
Some Organization/Decluttering/Cleaning books/tools/websites/CD’s,etc. from:
-Sandra Felton (the Organizer Lady) or www. messies.com
-the fly lady or www. flylady.net
-Emily Barnes (Christian lady who teaches about tea parties and house organizing,etc.).
[These can all help aide in a newly-wed bride in the practical ways of becoming a Proverbs 31 woman in keeping a lovely home to bless her Lord, husband and children (and herself)]! 🙂
[After all, it’s better to PREpare than to REpair, right? I wish I had known these tips and skills when I was younger]! Darn. LOL Better late than never though…
I also do NOT recommend the larger spice jars (ESPECIALLY not a large garlic powder one) b/c w/ the garlic powder, it doesn’t take long before it starts to cake on you and then you can’t get it out of the jar (wasted money and total frustration/irritation/stress)! >:( With the other spices, it’s still not a good idea in my opinion to ask for the larger jars b/c they don’t stay fresh very long and then you are stuck for YEARS w/ expired, stale, bland, nonscented, nontasting spices (waste of money, your food tastes awful then making you look like a bad cook when you really might be a great one, and the larger jars take up WAY TOO MUCH ROOM/SPACE cluttering up your kitchen! :O I recommend the smaller containers. That’s my 2 cents’ worth (scratch that)–er–my 2 dollars’ worth (inflation and all…). LOL 😉 🙂
My mother told me once that she thought it was weird that her grandmother gave her a hammer for her wedding/bridal gift (?), but that it was one of the most useful and wisest gifts she ever got! She said she never would have thought of a hammer for a gift but that she used that darn thing for EVERYTHING–all those pictures and shelves, etc. that she had to hang up, etc. So…as strange as it sounds…I’d say a hammer! 🙂 😉 LOL
This is not a registry item, but one fun idea for a wedding shower is to have a pounding. This is an old tradition where guests give you a “pound” of something. The idea is to give nonperishable food and cleaning items so the newlyweds don’t have to go broke stocking up their first place.
For the registry, I would think of all the things you don’t want to have to pay someone else to do for you: sewing machine, haircutting set (clippers), lawn mower, leaf blower and edger, carpet steam cleaner, shop vac. I also would think of a portable clothesline if you’re interested in that, fans for summertime and space heaters for winter, humidifier/dehumidifier if applicable where you live.
I’ve been looking at the Ooma Telo Free Home Phone system. It’s worth checking out.
Everyone’s pretty much covered what I would say. Just ask yourself what do you really need. I needed everyday dishes and silverware and that’s what I asked for and that’s what I got. Even though I asked for everyday dishes my grandmother still bought me really nice expensive ones. Also if you don’t need anything ask yourself “what do I really want?” and that can really help.
I guess asking for money or gift cards is considered foux pas XD
Here are a few more practical ideas: down comforter, electric toothbrush-like a Sonicare, a bicycle (or two), camping gear (I had friends register at REI).
I would ask for cloth napkins, rubber maid or other type reusable containers to avoid buying napkins and plastic bags. These containers can be used for left overs and lunch containers. Bath towels and kitchen towels are great especially if you get more than you currently need, save these for future as you will need them after years 2 or 3.
If you are going to get a chest freezer, register for plenty of airtight containers to save money. I’d recommend at least 30 or more. Don’t rely on ziplocs or other disposables because you will have to subtract the cost of those items from any money you saved from buying in bulk! Not to mention doubling the amount of dirty dishes if you plan to just microwave the food.
Also pay attention to how many containers actually come in the box. A 24-piece set is probably 12 containers and 12 lids.
Sheets and towels.
Put away as set so you can have nice new ones to pull out when yours get all shabby.
Gardening tools, household tools, a garden hose….ask your fiancee what you’ll need to maintain your home..
I do think it’s nice to have a nice set of dishes-not china necessarily, but some you’ll enjoy eating off of.
Good knives, cereal bowls….
Keep in mind a lot of people won’t shop from the registry (you’re inviting them for their company, not presents 🙂 ), and some people don’t like to get practical things-so register for some things that are useful but pretty and include lots of price ranges.
If you really want that chest freezer, you might consider opening a registry at Lowe’s or Home Depot. I’m not sure if there’s a way people could make individual small contributions toward the freezer, but if they knew what you were saving for they might get you gift cards that you could use toward the appliance of your choice.
Best Buy has this:
https://www-ssl.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcat17226&type=page
It’s a gift card that people can contribute to, for appliances and the like.
Congratulations! This was a fun post to read through.
Loved my Bed Bath and Beyond registry; hated the Target registry. I agree with the comments about reading product reviews. Amazon was great. In fact, I wish I had registered with them.
I have been married six years and this is what I find most necessary:
Bread maker
Quality dish towels, and lots of them
Quality bake ware (cookie sheets, muffin tin, etc.)
Quality silicone spatulas
You can never have too many ice cream scoops, wash cloths, and dish towels
Large SQUARE glass food storage: fit better in your fridge
Small glass food storage containers from Crate & Barrel. They come in a set of twelve for $20 and have plastic lids. AWESOME!!
Vacuum
Use my $1 plastic cutting boards all the time.
Didn’t register for fine china or silver and I don’t regret it.
I have a low cost silverware set. It’s no sweat off my back to toss the spoons in the trash every time one gets dented in the disposal.
High quality can opener
A beautiful footed bowl by Mikasa. It was a splurge item & I love it.
Comforter that you and fiance both love
Folding step stool
drill + drill bits
tools
Small ceramic dipping bowls that I didn’t register for. I use them everyday!
Oversized glass cutting board. In our apartment, I did all my food prep on it. Now the receiver for the sound system sits on top of it in the entertainment center so it doesn’t overheat! <3
What I don't recommend and hardly ever use:
Iron & ironing board
I regret registering for a cheap blender/food processor. It's a two-in-one, which is why I liked it, but that thing is LOUD!! And if you want to have kids, you can't use a loud appliance during nap time, the only time you can get things done.
I registered for heavy red dinner ware. Waechsterbach or something like that. Food looks gorgeous on them & they're great for the holidays, but the finish has chipped on a lot of them and they are so freakin' heavy to get out of a cabinet! I like thin, lightweight plates better.
George Foreman grill
food scale
placemats
ceramic butter dish: takes up too much fridge space
table runner
cake stand… it takes up a lot of room, I don't bake round cakes that often, it wasn't even the one I wanted, wish I had just returned it.
fancy tea set that I didn't register for
fancy wine bottle opening set. You're marrying a man, right? So let him use his muscles with the cheap corkscrew opener.
A collapsible colander would fit in my cabinets much better than the hard plastic kind.
I would say go around your home and look for things that could make your life easier…having trouble organizing get organization stuff, cooking appliances looking shabby then invest in some new ones, etc. Also make sure to pick a few items that you want just for fun for weddings are supposed to be fun too. 🙂
I’m not sure if this has already been mentioned, but rechargable batteries in a variety of sizes and a charger. Batteries can be really expensive, and our house takes more than we would have ever imagined, especially now that we have a child and so many toys take batteries!
Register for white dishes..ours are from Crate & Barrell – but just any standard white dish. Then you can use these for any occasion and change the look through decorations, placements, etc. No need for china…mine just sits in our cupboard!
You can take advice from a thousand people and still not end up with what you need. I think what you need to do is figure out how you want to run your household and go from there. Do you want to coupon and stockpile items when you get the best deal? Then register for metal shelving units. The chest freezer is a great idea. (Wish I had one) What types of things will you be making for your freeze ahead meals? Maybe you’ll need a biscuit cutter to make/freeze breakfast sandwiches for those crazy mornings. (Use the biscuit cutter to cook the eggs in a circle shape even if you use canned biscuits) How about a system to catch rain water so you aren’t paying to water your vegetable garden? I never thought of any of these things before I registered because I didn’t really think about how I would run my house. I just registered for the stuff people told me they used all the time. And sad to say, some of those things sat in a drawer unused for years before I finally sold them off in a garage sale or gave them to good will.
Register for a vacuum sealer and rolls of extra sealing bags (which can be quite expensive) – you will be able to take advantage of sales and bulk pricing on meats, as well as freezing in-season veggies and fruits. The price difference when you’re buying bulk and in season can be considerable, and a vacuum sealer – unlike some of the smaller crock pots and appliances you use when you’re cooking for 2 – is one gift that can grow with your family.
Are you adding up how many times Crock Pot is listed? 😉 I have 3 different sizes I use and I tend to use my Crock Pot at least once a week. Its a time & money saver.
Food Saver.. I wouldnt bother with the cheap knock offs, I’d go for the best. I have saved more money with this one device than any other. A pair of trout I Food Savered were still good after being in my freezer for 4 years. That is near miraculous.
An immersion blender. I had a cheaper one first but it started leaking oil into my food (EWWW) so I bought a Cuisinart Immersion blender and I love it. It wasnt too terribly expensive & its so handy.
I bought my daughter a Magic Bullet set when she had her first baby, and she said it was a lifesaver to her.
I also have several different size Cuisinart food processors. I have a coffee grinder, an herb grinder, and 2 size processors for different type/quantity jobs.
Another good kitchen tool that really helps is a good quality mandolin.
It slices food uniformly and quickly. I wish I had gotten one years ago when I was newly married.
A turkey fryer is awesome! We steam mussels in it, we fry turkeys & fish & anything else that needs fried, I water bath can in it and we use ours a lot.
If you plan to preserve food, canning jar sets.
If you’d like to save money on fruit & herbs, I suggest a food dehydrator.
You can dehydrate all sorts of foods and make jerky and fruit leather too. A really good one is the Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator.
If you’re a yogurt eater, a yogurt maker is awesome too. Tribest Yolife Yogurt Maker – YL-210 is the one I have and its awesome!
A really nice set of steak knives, I agree with the rest..
A good vacuum cleaner, such as a Dyson. I have one too & love it.
I also have Kitchen Aid stand mixer and I love it to pieces. If you watch on Amazon during the winter & check all the color codes, you can often find GREAT deals on them there.
A few other things in the kitchen I wouldnt do without are
1. A GOOD set of Stainless Steel pots & pans. Again, Cuisinart has excellent sets. I would Stay far far away from aluminum and teflon/non-stick
2. a nesting set of stainless steal and also a set of nesting glass mixing/salad bowls.
3. Pyrex mixing/measuring bowls & Corning casserole/bake ware
4. A set (or two) of Corelle Dinner ware. It lasts forever & has a great grantee. Its inexpensive but tough enough to last thru 5 kids mostly unscathed.
I’ve heard people refer to some of these items as “Status Brands” but know that its not the status about these brands that make them worthwhile.. Its that they are all EXCELLENT QUALITY brands and they stand up to the test of time.. Most will last a lifetime and you wont need to buy them ever again unless you’re just looking for an updated version.
I moved out of my parents home 32 years ago and these are the things I’ve found I wish I knew about when I was much younger.
Wishing you a lifetime filled with good quality items and people!
Godspeed! 😀
register for pantry and staple food items, someone if not more than one person will run with it as a gift basket idea, same goes with cleaning. We also registered for camping equipment. Since you registered for a chest freezer, I’d recommend a food saver.
I do not think that anyone has mentioned curtians a few neutral colored ones. depending on if you have a home already or if your looking you could pick colored ones to match. You could put on a couple sheer curtains to go anywhere. I ended up buying shower curtain and a TV with the money we recieved. Neither one of us had a TV when we got married and my hubby was in the army. we arrived to our house on base before all our stuff did. He went to work and I stayed home. all day with nothing to do. they clean the houses b4 u arrive. so TV was a must. 🙂
Definitely quality cookware. You will end up spending more later replacing cheap stuff. Also a good chef’s knife. These items will make it easier and more enjoyable for you to cook at home.
PLEASE request a Shark Steam Mop, this saves you so much money, cleans thoroughly, and does not use any harsh contaminants. If someone or a group can splurge and buy you the model with attachments for carpet and deep tile cleaning, all the better! Enjoy and may you and hubby have many blessed & happy years 🙂
Thanks Saskia, I saw several people suggest a steam mom so I am adding the Shark model to my list!
We got surgical stainless steel cookware and it was the best stuff we registered for. You don’t have to worry about being careful when you clean it.
A local furniture store also allowed us to register and people could just go in and put money down. This got us our beautiful kitchen table where we spend most of our time. If you live in a small town, you may be able to find a place that does something similar.
I wish when I registered, I would have realized how fast time would fly and that I would be cooking for a family rather than just a two-some. Some of the stuff I use the most I figured I’d only use once a year or so around the holiday. Little mouths eat a lot.
Quality, quality, quality as most people are saying. Don’t feel indulgent to register for good stuff rather than cheap stuff. You want your wedding gifts to last a lifetime (or at least to you 20th anniversary).
Well, I am queen of practical. So…luggage???, the cushy things for the bottom of furniture so you don’t scratch your floors, night lights, bulbs, an emergency kit/light, and the stupid things we use rarely but need: folding chairs, warm large bed blanket(really good snuggly one) for winter months, the things you’d like to have but rather not spend your own money on buying.
A coupon binder, haha.
Congratulations.
I just got married 2 and 1/2 years ago at age 40. So we both had a lot of stuff. One of the best things we got was a Food Saver. We can buy meat on sale, seal it up and freeze it. It’s great for other things, too, like sealing up boxes of matches for our hurricane box.
All-clad cookware. It is the best. Goes from stove top to oven. Easy to clean and cook in. It’s expensive but well worth it. I sometimes find sales on this cookware. Crockpot, shop vac, chest freezer,food savor, kitchenaid mixer, toaster, waffle maker, ice cream maker, food processorrs (large and small, and medium) good luck on your wedding.
A few things I haven’t seen on this list:
A Black & Decker laser level stud finder (for easy picture and shelf hanging)
A basic tool box and home repair manual (will save you sooooo much money, even if you only use it for maintenance on appliances you own)
A canning set (for making jams, salsa, etc. for you and gifts) and Ball Blue book
Register at a place with a easy return policy such as Bed Bath & Beyond and for good quality kitchen items.
Bread machine, QUALITY bake ware, QUALITY towels, slow cooker…
Also, if you are planning on stockpiling, register for nice “Rubbermaid style” containers and/or shelving! These things will make your life sooo much easier.
Some of the best things we registered for/wished we registered for and bought ourselves later:):
*a Dyson vacuum (totally worth the price–and if you watch sales like we did, you can get one for a deal)
*a Kitchenaid hand mixer (these are better quality than less expensive models, and if you do a lot of baking or cake decorating, you don’t have to worry about burning up the motor)
*a Kitchenaid stand mixer (I’m still saving up for one of these–I’m going to get a model that is big enough and powerful enough to double as a bread dough machine, since I bake most of our breads, etc. myself. My bread machine is great, but I like things that can pull double duty or more.)
*a classic, quality dish set (ours is white with a simple, tasteful embellishment around the edge–very versatile)
*classic, quality flatware
*cloth napkins/placemats in your preferred color scheme–I recommend 1 1/2 to 2 dozen napkins. We are a family of 4 now, but this number seems to be enough. Just get enough placemats to fit the size of your table at its largest.
*a high quality knife set, preferably in a block with a sharpener
*a blender
*a toaster oven, NOT just a toaster. The toaster oven makes toast just fine, but it can also be used for other things. We have found that you can reheat leftover pizza, quesadillas, chicken strips, etc in a toaster oven and they won’t be chewy or soggy when they come out (as is the case when using a microwave)
*quality pots and pans–in terms of number, I recommend 2 small non-stick pans, a medium pan, 2 dutch ovens, a large non-stick skillet and a small-med non-stick skillet. I do a lot of cooking, and we enjoy having people into our home, and this seems to be the right number for small meals or feasts.:)
*a med and a large crockpot–because for two, the medium will be what you need the most, but the large will be necessary for large groups/potlucks
*Pyrex bakeware
*a cake server/carrier and a cupcake server/carrier. I have a carrier that fits a 13×9 cake and also includes a tray that can turn it into a vegetable tray/carrier. The cupcake carrier is great for muffins or cupcakes (think brunches or potlucks). And now that I have two small kiddos, it has worked beautifully for birthday shindigs. Mine will hold a full 2 dozen (the number you get from 1 cake mix), so I never have to stick the last few in another container.
*a round glass cake server with dome glass lid for your countertop. Yes, I know that it can clutter, but I always have something in mine since I bake so much, and it makes my kitchen look so inviting to walk in and see a few jumbo homemade blueberry muffins in it, or most of a layered cake, or a pie, or scones, or several cupcakes, or cut-and-attractively-stacked brownies…you get the idea.
*quality cooking utensils–we have had the Farberware brand that you can buy at Walmart for 6 years now and they all still look great.
*waffle iron
*large, high quality electric griddle–I can whip up pancakes or French toast in large quantities so easily and quickly with this. I can easily fit 6 pieces of French toast on it at a time. It’s also easy to clean, so I don’t mind getting it out just for grilled cheese sandwiches at lunch, either. Much better than using a skillet!
*good Tupperware–I am a fan of the Rubbermaid brand.
*several sets of inexpensive measuring spoons/cups–if you do a lot of cooking. Cuz it gets old to have to wipe of your 1 teaspoon measuring spoon 5 times in the course of a baking session or making dinner
*Pyrex liquid measuring cups in the 4 oz, 1 cup, 2 cup, and 4 cup sizes–I use all of these so often when cooking. I know it may seem excessive, but they’re great!
*Pyrex mixing bowls with lids–great when you’re making something that needs to chill or sit overnight (marinades, etc)
*quality sheets and towels–enough towels that they won’t have to be washed more than an average of once per month will help them last. (We use our towels for a week, then wash. Times two of us equals 8 towels for our bathroom. Same for washcloths/handtowels.)
I’m not even sure if all of the comment will fit in one post, so I’ll quit now.:)
I’m going to quit now before I win the awa
If you are considering a vacuum I would recommend any Dyson machine. They are amazing! Kind of pricey up front but you will save money on repairs and replacements in the long run. Besides the fact that they work amazingly well. We got one just before our baby was born and don’t think twice about her being on the floor. She’s now almost three and it still works like the day it came out of the box.
I got married a few years ago. Here are some things that may seem like no brainers, but will really help you save money:
A good coffee maker that will last a long time. One with a carafe that will keep the coffee hot is great.
A hand mixer or stick blender.
Sturdy flatware- stainless steel.
A nice set of dishes- service for 6-8. Great for dinner parties, and that way if you break couple plates (it happens), you will still be ok.
A good vacuum. We opted for a Dyson, it’s amazing.
A sturdy set of pots and pans.
Good Towel sets, and good sheet sets.
If you aren’t sure, register for gift cards. You can hold onto them until you decide!
Many have mentioned a Kitchen aid stand mixer. I have one and enjoy it, but at times it seems like a pain. My FAVORITE thing in my kitchen is my kitchen aid hand mixer. It is the best hand mixer ever, and it comes with great attachments as well. It is also less than $50 so it is a great thing to have on the registry.
You can save money on pots and pans and other items that are guaranteed up to alife time or 3 to 5 years with the pampered chef so think about doing a registry with me and you even get 10% off for a year on all of your next porducts that you by. When someone books a show from your registry up to six months you get to buy the host product at that show for 60% off. You are in a win win suituation. You can go to my web site to see all of our products.pamperedchef.biz/judyspamperedkitchen
After our wedding in 2005, I literally had HUNDREDS of pictures taken by friends and family (not talking the professional pictures), that they all either emailed and/or saved to CD/DVD for me. Also, we had tons of pictures from our European honeymoon. Pictures on the computer are nice, but I wanted some prints- for my desk at work, for my hubby’s, for the walls around the new house, for a picture album and scrapbook. So, my suggestion would be some sort of gift card to somewhere like Snapfish so that you could get prints made without having to spend a lot of money getting prints made.
Ditto everyone else on the crock pot!
Others have also mentioned Tupperware, and I think it is important to get Tupperware brand. I got some really nice Rubbermaid “life-time” guarantee storage for my wedding – really nice until 2 years later when they were cracking and warping. Found out the “life-time” guarantee requires not only a receipt but the UPC code from the box – who keeps that kind of thing?! So I had to purchase more – not a cost savings at all. But we have some ancient Tupperware my husband inherited and the lids weren’t fitting right. I mentioned this to an acquaintance who sells Tupperware and she got free replacement lids for me. No receipt, didn’t matter that they are decades old. Awesome! I am a convert. 🙂
I also recommend registering at BB&B since their return policy is so great – we ended up returning a cart full of stuff and got a stack of cash.
Everyone has lots of great ideas for you but just wanted to share… when we got married, we registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond for all the kitchen/household type things and also at REI– people really enjoyed buying from there (because it was different) and we got all kinds of wonderful things for the garage, yard work, and camping (which we love to do). Just a thought! 🙂
we registered for games and a tent (fun stuff we wanted!), I also agree to register for basic color things you know you will like yrs down the road… also can register for fun extra things to go along (ie… solid color plates, pretty napkins).
Most places you register at will give you a ‘checklist’ very helpful!!
Okay so I haven’t read all the comments and have no idea if this was said yet or not, however from my personal experience:
I did not register for china for the same reason as you didn’t. I thought it wasn’t ‘practical’ and I’m all about the practical things in life. Then, as my family grew and we have since purchased a home, I’ve changed my mind (a bit too late I might add!). Yes, I am ever the practical one, but there is also something very special about being able to pull out the china for special guests, a special family dinner, or even an at-home date night w/ my husband (bc the going out thing doesn’t happen often w/ 2 toddlers!). This is advice I would go back and give myself if I could: you will want the china one day, AND see the practicality of it then too! As a home maker, to me that would be such a nice touch in making my home beautiful for those I love. It doesn’t matter if the kids are too young to use it, bc I could still pull it out once in a while just for fun. Oh well….now that I’m an avid garage saler, I’ll just have to keep my eyes open I guess!
So I know this is not what you are asking, but I would strongly suggest you reconsider before not registering for china, bc in my mind, the most practical way to obtain it would have been some one else paying for it to begin with (esp. when they want to!). : )
I agree with this. I made this mistake, too 16 years ago. I did receive some china, but it’s not really my preference and certainly not enough for what we need. And I made the mistake of not registering for good silver. As my immediate family and extended family has expanded, I entertain way more at holidays than I ever did. But all my dishes and silverware are a hodge podge of unmatched stuff (from garage sales and thrift stores) and I don’t have enough of what I do have.
Sigh! I wish blogs were around back when I got married 16 years ago. These recommendations would have been so helpful.
If you like to eat waffles or think you’re going to have kids, get a LARGE waffle iron. You’ll save tons by making your own waffles instead of buying them. Plus they taste better homemade. They freeze so easily and are great on busy mornings. Get the large waffler. It may seem excessive when you’re just the two of you, but you’ll thank me when you have kids! The sooner the waffles are baked, the sooner mommy gets to eat!!!
I have 3 waflle irons! When I make waffles, I make a bunch, going back and forth between all three irons. I can bake waffles with 8 cups of buttermilk in 30 minutes. Same amount of clean-up as for making waffles several different times. When all seven of my children were home, it made having waffles fun without taking all morning. Now, I just put the extras on my cooling racks and then freeze them with waxed paper in between the layers. They heat up well in the toaster.
We did not have a wedding registry but we got some useful gifts at our wedding anyway: yogurt maker, shop vac, apple corer that mounts on your counter, meat grinder, double boiler, and a magic bullet. Okay, I thought that the magic bullet was useless until we started having babies and it was fantastic for making homemade baby food!
I am on my 2nd Magic Bullet (the first one lasted 4 years of daily use!) and it’s my favorite kitchen gadget. Daily smoothies for the kids (it even shreds the spinach I put in them so finely they don’t notice), blended coffee drinks (hot or cold), baby food (I never bought any), veggies for sauces…so many uses, and I got rid of my big blender!
If you end up being the ones to actually purchase the Magic Bullet, be sure to buy it at Costco. They’ll replace it when it breaks no matter how long you’ve had it.
I would definitely register for:
-crock-pot (even if you get a couple, you can’t have too many for parties)
-towels (I still have new towels from when we got married 7 years ago, I have so many out to use until they get raggy and then pull out new ones)
-all your basic kitchen utinsels (especially the silicone ones for your no stick ware, they’re heat proof)
-anything you think would use alot (stand mixer, ice cream maker, toaster, )
-gift cards for stores you register with/shop at frequently (I was registered at Younkers and they gave a discount for things on your registery that weren’t purchased but that was also 7 years ago and I’m not sure if other stores to the same)
-luggage (if you don’t have any)
-Plain tan or white dishes. They go with everything! I didn’t register for “fancy china” and haven’t needed it for the 5 years I’ve been married.
-Cleaning supplies! I went almost 2 years without having to buy cleaning products and sponges.
-Vacuum Cleaner, no matter where you live, this is the one thing most people forget they need. Doesn’t have to be expensive, my $50 one from walmart has lasted 4 years so far.
-Crock-pot and a good knife set.
-Enough silverware for 18 people….helps on weeks when the kids make it impossible to do the dishes every night!
Those were the things that people got for us that I didn’t ask for but am sooo glad they did!
Register for a Foodsaver or other vacuum food sealer. It will save you more than you can imagine. When hamburger goes on sale, stock up and freeze it in 1 pound packages. Make a big pot of chicken & noodles and freeze some for later in the month when it’s a cold night and you don’t want to cook. Chili freezes well. Freeze fruit and put in smoothies later.
congratulations and good luck (22 years and counting)
I love our food saver and save tons of money by buying meat in bulk, portioning and freezing. Walmart has “universal” type food saver bags that work with most food saver systems at a great price. I would definitely recommend registering for one of those.
I was pretty practicle when it came to our registry. We also plan on living in an apartment for a few years so we wanted to save space to make our place as functional as possible. Its been just over a year since we got married, these are the things I’ve probably used the most that we registered for:
-Foodsaver- Great for freezer cooking, marinating, closing up bread/chip bags, etc…We buy meat when prices drop then freeze them in 2 or 4 packs when we get home-makes cooking easy!
-Stoneware baking pans- (we received the Giada set from Target) I make bread in these each week and use the other sizes for casseroles etc. They are great quality and wont need to be replaced as metal pans do.
-Melamine mixing bowls that nest- saves space, always using these.
-Extra Linens- great to have at least an extra set of sheets per bed so that you can still have a bed prepared even when washing a set, also extra towels are great for when you host guests in your home. We received a ton of towels and just stored some away for when the ones we have wear out.
-Costco/Sam’s Club Membership- this has been the gift that keeps us saving throughout the year. We love Costco!
Don’t be afraid to put a few more expensive items on your registry if you know you will put them to good use. We registered for a Wii at Target, just (so we could purchase it with the discount if we didn’t receive it.) We actually did receive it, which was a wonderful surprise-especially for my husband!
It has been 14 years since our wedding and I am very happy that we put some good quality items on our list as they are still going strong. It pays to be frugal, but it also pays to invest in some items that will last long enough that they are indeed a frugal investment. My top choices are:
Silverware. We still us our Stainless Oneida service for 8 every day and it looks great. (Though now with 3 kids I wish we had service for 12!)
Knife Set. We got a quality knife set that includes the basics for cooking and a set of steak knives. They still look great and are fantastic to use. This is my go to wedding gift (I often go in with a group as they are pricey). I can’t tell you how many compliments I receive on this gift after the couple has been using their’s for years and really appreciate the long term value.
Kitchen-Aid Mixer. We use this mixer for everything. My dh has even said he is impressed with it.
Bread Maker. We use this weekly for everything from rolls, pizza dough, and of course bread.
Spice Set. They are expensive and while we have by now replaced all the original ones, the stand is still in use and we didn’t have to shell out all of that money at once to obtain a variety of spices.
Consider getting some solar gadgets, like a Solio charger for your phone, and beyond. Solar power is free! There are also kits out there where you can hook up a bike/ battery combo to charge with pedaling. Solar ovens, solar lanterns, etc etc. Don’t register for things you don’t like or that aren’t your style. Unfortunately, there will always be some off-registry gifts. But a lot of times people use the registry as a clue to your style and preferences. So if you don’t like crystal at all, don’t put it on there! Also, consider things that will save you convenience as well as money. Yes, you can make a salad spinner with a plastic bag and clean towels. But sometimes having the actual gadget saves enough time to be worth it. (I totally fought with my husband about this, which he saw as a useless contraption. I’m glad I won. So is he.)
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! When my husband and married 20 years ago, our friends had ideas of their own (and we registered for those who didn’t). We received many lovely and heartfelt gifts, some fancy (china) and some practical (bath towels). Allow your loved ones the freedom to chose what they think you will enjoy. You’d be amazed at their thoughtfulness! Some of our friends paid for the band at the reception and our honeymoon getaway! While it wasn’t “practical,” we will cherish their kindness for many, many years to come. 🙂
Love this comment and have thought it many times myself. I got married in 1972 at a young age and needed almost everything. My family and friends were so wonderful about contacting my mom to see what was needed and what others had already bought. I didn’t have a registry but received just about everything I needed to set up a household. Even if an item wasn’t exactly what I would have bought I appreciated having things that reflected the tastes of my loved ones. This idea was really brought home to me recently when I attended a baby shower. When my children were born in the 1970’s I don’t think there were registries for baby gifts. I still remember fondly many items that I was given at a baby shower and who they were from. My aunt gave me a big box of layette items all in white, because she liked to see babies in white. I used and enjoyed the items and to this day cherish her thoughtfulness. Yes it is true that you may get some things you won’t use but the folks who like to shop and feel like they are giving a gift from the heart, not a list, may give you the most cherished gifts. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
I just got married in March so perhaps I can offer some insight. We didn’t register for things like China or Vases because I’m not really a traditional girl or girly girl so yeah. Still, we got a lot of stuff we didn’t register for and spent tons of time in the return lines anyway. Here are some things we’ve gotten that we used a lot so far, in the first 6 months of marriage:
* Bedsheets (extra pillowcases if you like pillows!)
* Tupperware (always can use extra, especially if you’re like Crystal here and do bulk cooking, etc)
* Pots and pans
* Tools (drills, etc)
* Dish towels/clothes (handy and you can throw away if they get too dirty or stained to use)
* Towels and washclothes you will use, but also maybe some nicer ones for guest bathrooms if you have those
* Key/Mail rack
* Kitchen utensils for your pots and pans (we had to buy plastic ones because we received non-stick pans and only had metal utensils!)
And of course gift cards are also nice :). If you register with some stores, they will have special days where newlyweds get additional discounts, or send you a coupon for so much off of everything left on your registry which is a good time to buy.
Hope that helps!
I love my tupperware. I know it is more costly, but it lasts forever! So far some of it has lasted 20 yrs and does not look old/worn out.
Go to Amazon–my kids are registering there. So much to choose from, you should be able to get great ideas!
If you bake at all I would register for a Kitchenaid mixer, very pricy but hands down the best appliance in my kitchen (second is my crockpot!) There is no substitute for the brand and they are fantastic!!! (Especially if you are making food up ahead, baking bread or freezer cooking).
I haven’t read all the comments, so someone else may have already mentioned this. I registered for a rice cooker, only to find out when I started using it, that it doesn’t work well. After the fact, I read the reviews on Amazon, and they almost all described what I was experiencing. So, my advice: read the reviews before registering. Best wishes!
You mentioned a deep freezer. I would register for a Food Saver that vacuum seals food. Then if you freezer cook or buy meats in bulk, your investment will avoid freezer burn.
Also a good vacuum is a needed. We got one with a hard floor setting and a carpet setting. So when we moved from a carpeted home to a hardwood floor home we didn’t need another cleaning device.
a vacuum sealer is something that I wish I had registered for. Since our wedding I have really been concentrating on saving and conserving food through freezing. I also wish I had received a pressure canner–but those can be expensive too.
Since we were older when we married and already had a lot of “stuff”, my friends decided to throw us a “recipe” shower. Everyone brought their favorite recipe as well as all of the non-perishable items needed to fix the meal. Most of them also included some sort of kitchen gadget that would make the job easier. We LOVED this shower because we didn’t get a lot of stuff that we didn’t need and we also had a great collection of recipes and everything we needed to get started in the kitchen.
A card table and four chairs – you will be surprised how often you will use them!
We received this as a wedding gift from my husbands Grandma. We used our set as our dining room table for over a year while we saved up enough cash to purchase a wooden dining set. 22 years later–we still use the card table and chairs when we have company over for dinner, host a party at our home, hold a garage sale, etc. Great suggestion!
A well-made drying rack will allow you to dry clothes inside or out without needing a clothesline 🙂
Ditto on the good stand mixer. Also ask for all of the gadgets that come with it. I got all of the attachments with my kitchenaid mixer and have used it to make everything from baby food to homemade jams and sauces to homemade pasta. There’s not a lot I can’t do with it.
I would recommend:
1. crockpot (lifesaver!)
2. bread machine (for everything dough related!)
3. blender (for smoothies, purees, eventually baby food?)
4. food processor (for chopping stuff quickly)
5. a decent set of knives
6. a few gadget-ey things that I have found to be useful are a vegetable peeler (a paring knife will do, but it is easier), a garlic press (can also chop, but makes life easier), a dough scraper (really helps me clean off the countertop, a box grater, and a lemon reamer (juicer looking thing).
4. some basic cooking equipment, such as wooden spoons, whisk, rubber spatulas, cutting board, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, decent baking sheets, a couple of casserole dishes like Pyrex or Corningware, extra kitchen towels, oven mitts, etc.
Target or Walmart should have EVERYTHING that you need! No need to register at a “fancy” overpriced store. Good luck on starting your new life together, sounds like you’re starting off on the right foot already.
I disagree with the Target/WalMart comment. They do have everything, but some of their stuff is terrible. As a penny-pinching college student, I’ve bought things from there just to get by, but after just a few uses, the gadgets looked awful and some no longer functioned!
In the case of wedding registries, I think that it’s much better to register for fewer, quality things, than to get a lot of stuff that turns to junk.
We did register for china- but not the super expensive/fancy hand-wash only kind. We received it off our registry from Bed Bath Beyond, and it was four settings in one box, 70 bucks total. We use it for Sunday dinner every week, even if we’re having breakfast for dinner, and I am really glad I got it. It’s white with the tiniest pattern on the edge, and totally fits me. China is about quality, not pattern.
Also, we received a set of tools (like a 150 piece set in the black case) that wasn’t on the registry, but was by far my hubbie’s favorite gift. We use them all the time.
In general, BBB will be awesome with all returns, where as Target will not. You can walk into BBB with something that might not even be from them, and they will refund it to you if they carry it. We also found that people gave us gift cards for BBB if items were too expensive, and we took all that money, plus money from returns, and bought a NICE set of Calphalon dishes, (use that 20% coupon!) for NOTHING out of pocket. Smartest thing we did with wedding money.
Yeah – a NICE set of Calphalon cookware will last you for 20+ years, AT LEAST. We did that too, and had $80 leftover.
The way you’re going to save $ is buy getting the more expensive, higher quality items that 1) you WILL use ALL the time, and 2) will LAST. You might have to research brands/products. But, the whole point of a registry is for people to buy you stuff that you might not have the money to buy yourself.
The only thing I didn’t like about BBB is that they don’t sell Fiestaware – which is GOOD quality everyday china. The Misso dishes we bought from BBB chip as soon as you breathe on them. Linens and Things sells fiestaware, but I don’t know how good their return policy is. At least at BBB, you can register for dishes, then return them and use the cash to buy something quality.
we got a nice set a calphalon cookware for our wedding, my grandmother went to sears and talked them into a great price and a free dutch oven. they still look perfect after 4 years except for one non stick pan that one of my little brothers “borrowed”. metal spoon + little brother + non stick saute pan. nuff said.
really good choice for a wedding registry. or if you don’t come from a bargain shopping heritage, you can always ask for gift cards and then stretch them with sales and coupons. good choice too if you’ll be moving or don’t know what you will want/need yet.
When we got married a few years ago we were in the middle of remodeling our new-to-us home that was purchased in a fix-it-up stage of it’s life….
We didn’t need anything for IN the house, (like china & vases) because we didn’t even have cupboards or counters!
We ended up asking for gift cards to Lowe’s and Home Depot and we were so blessed to receive these, and we were able to purchase our washer and dryer with the gift cards we received!
Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
There are lots of great suggestions on here! I made a HUGE registry and ended up exchanging a lot of things because there were items on there that were more of a priority but weren’t purchased. I got a little overzealous, I’ll admit it.
Fortunately, Bed Bath and Beyond was AWESOME for this type of thing, and they will give you CASH back for gifts, so if you find an item cheaper somewhere else, that will help you bargain shop too!
I really like my hand blender (Cuisinart) because I don’t have to haul a giant blender out to puree soups or sauce. A crock pot is a great tool to have. I didn’t register for a bread maker but ended up buying one on my own and I LOVE it!
Think about how much you will entertain and what types of foods you will typically put out at parties. You probably don’t need as much of that stuff as you might think, plus you have to store it all! One solution would be to have nicer-looking everyday items like Corelle French White. They are durable, good hot or cold and look fantastic (IMO).
I told my husband when we hit 5 years that I wish I’d saved some money from our wedding to replace worn out items. I was shocked at how many things needed replacing already! A very expensive set of sheets had ripped; all of our OXO brand kitchen items were falling apart; half of the bowls from our dish set had broken and been thrown out! And none of these were “cheap” items either!
Plus my entire way of cooking had changed in 5 years! So….
My advice: set aside some money from cash gifts for the 5 year mark and then go out and have fun replacing what didn’t work or broke! 🙂
these aren’t necessarily things we registered for, but my mother in law had the great idea to throw us a ‘dollar store’ shower at church. people brought us all kinds of things… toilet paper, dish soap, foil and plastic wrap, a broom and mop, pantry staples like suger and salt and pepper, etc. one woman even put together a ‘at home spagetti dinner’ including a new pot, pasta, sauce, dry basil and oregano, and cooking/serving utensils. it wasn’t glamourous, but we had a great time seeing the things people thought of as ‘necessities.’ and we didn’t have to buy paper towels for a whole year!!
I’m from Europe and these days people do not register much anymore for actual gifts, they open a bank account where everyone can put money in. I love this as you can just buy what you need/want when you need it and you do not have to deal with returning gifts.
Get a steam mop! We have a Shark steam mop and with three young children I use it every single day. Someone spills milk, no problem. Someone misses the potty, no problem. Ours even came with a carpet attachment to steam the carpet (it doesn’t clean the carpet, just steams it to remove smells). It heats up in a few seconds and steams as you push it (only uses water). And if something is stuck on the floor, it steams it right up with no effort on my part. I LOVE IT! When I’m finished I just throw the cloth into the wash with the towels. So easy. I can mop the kitchen, living room, hall, 3 bathrooms, the stairs (LOVE it for the stairs), and the landing at the bottom of the stairs in about 20 min. (if that long). And it dries almost immediately. I can be 5 feet away from a spot I just mopped and it will already be dry….this is wonderful when you have kids!
I love mine!
i love mine too!
Can it be used on hardwoods?
from the camping section a cooler and the fold up chairs that store in a bag. a lot of people have said crock pot-i have the super small one to make appetizer cheese dips, a round one that i usually do meat-and-potatoes in, and a bigger oval one to make chili and dinner for more than 3 or 4 people.
Splurge and register for a Silpat if you do a lot of baking (bread, cookies, etc) nothing will stick to it!.
A snow shovel if you get snow. A DeWalt drill if you like to DIY.
Tupperware canisters for flour/sugar stuff and Pyrex to store leftovers.
Programmable thermostat. Digital camera.
best of luck!
I would focus on things that will make it easy and pleasant for you to cook. I second the suggestions for a good knife or two, a crockpot with a timer (that will go onto warm after the time) and the frugal cookbooks. I’d get Artisan Bread in Five, a book or two that focuses on one-pot meals or crockpot meals, and a book or two that focuses on recipes you can throw together at the last minute. The more versatile your arsenal, the less likely you are to get frustrated and order takeout. And, if it hasn’t been said, a lightweight nonstick skillet and a good thermos.
I like my kitchen aid also! Also, we registered for a set of Mikasa Dishes. They are white and fairly sturdy, but elegant enough for “fancier” meals and good for everyday. I didn’t register for a second set of china. Also, we registered for only white sheets – figuring that we’d get a colored comforter or quilt for the bed. That has been great as we lose or pillowcases have started to wear, it’s easy to find a match at a store. White is white! You may have also realized this, but don’t follow the advice of the “wedding registry” people at the store. I’ve seen people register for 12 placemats! How often will you have 12 people for dinner at a table that will accomodate 12 placemats!!!??
It’s nice to have extras. All my sets of 4 are useless now, as there are 6 of us. Plus, it’s nice to be able to have some in the laundry, as we use placemats every day.
White dinnerware can be dressed up or down, accented with holiday decor, replaced easily if it breaks, and won’t need replacing if your style changes.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/buffet-and-charger-plates/essential-16-piece-dinnerware-set-with-5.75%22-bowl/s335838
We have white dinnerware and I couldn’t agree more that it was a great choice. It goes with anything and always looks nice with holiday linens of any color. You can mix and match any set in white and it is easily replaceable.
We also have white dinnerware and completely agree with the ladies’ comments above! It can be used for regular nightly meals, or dressed up for special occasion meals – it’s very versatile – therefore a great bang for your buck!
We registered for glass dinnerware since we couldn’t agree on a color, and couldn’t be happier. Very versatile, and clear goes with everything!
Ditto the white dinnerware. I grew up with and now have my own Correlle plates (manufactured by Corning which also owns Pyrex). They are a really great option because they are thin and light but very sturdy. The dishes we registered for were white, but more china-y and heavy, so they broke if you dropped one by accident on the floor or in the sink. Correlle can still break of course, but you will NEVER have a problem replacing it, which you can’t say for most china. Also, if your family expands later you can add to it easily. That’s my 2 cents.
Of all our wedding gifts, the one I use the most is a two-step folding step stool. With it we’ve been able to fully utilize cabinets that reach to the ceiling in the 3 kitchens we’ve had in 18 years. That extra 12″ all around is huge for storage! It also gets used regularly for dusting ceiling fans and the top of the refrigerator and changing light bulbs. We didn’t register for it, but I’m sure glad it was give to us!!
I would also recommend Pyrex, a good mixer, crock pot, knives, flatware and good pots and pans. We did not pick all higher quality things and have had to replace stuff. But My Kitchen Aid mixer and the high quality knives are still going strong after 4 years. You get what you pay for.
I would recommend choosing some of the stuff based on where you are planning on living. We had several apartments for the first 3 years and didn’t have space for some of the gifts we got. So they sat in storage or got returned for store credit. One gift that we did get, which we thought was strange at first, was a George Foreman grill. Ended up being a perfect gift since we were in apartments for a while. A full sized grill would be great if your plan is to move into a house.
Congrats!
We were blessed with many wonderful wedding gifts, many which were purchased off our registry. The only thing we’ve had to replace is the non-stick cake and bread pans, which I have received new ones for my birthdays. 🙂 Now we have ceramic bread loaf pans and stainless steel cake pans. They should last a lifetime!
We registered for:
Crockpot
Waffle iron
Toaster Oven
Rice cooker
Cookie sheets/cake pans/cooling racks/muffin tins/bread pans
Pizza stone (actually didn’t register for it, but were given it. We use it all the time, I love it!)
Serving utensils: salad tongs, pie server, etc.
Cooking utensils: ladels, spoons, spatulas (the stainless steel ones will last a very long time. But you’ll need some plastic for non-stick surfaces)
Small kitchen tools: pizza cutter, garlic press, manual can opener, meat tenderizer, peeler, etc. (We like the OXO brand from BB&B. They still look brand new, and certainly aren’t!)
Pots and Pans
Linens: kitchen towls, bathroom towels, bed sheets, a few table cloths (<- for when your table looks less than pretty after you have kids. 🙂 )
Bathroom scale, bathroom supplies: trash can, toilet bowel cleaner, soap dispenser, shower caddy
Plates, bowls, tableware.
A good set of knives (I started buying one knife at a time on ebay when we were dating, so I have a lovely set of Cutco knives that cost less than half price.)
A bread machine! It can cook you a fresh loaf by setting a timer but I use mine the most to do all the mixing for dough! A big trashcan with wheels for curbside pickup or recycling
Congrats on your wedding. I sure wish that I had been as wise as you when registering for my wedding. This is a pricey item, but I really wish that I had registered for Le Creuset cookware as we have been married for many years now and our cookware from our registry is starting to wear out. Le Creuset is forever! I also really love my kitchenaid mixer, food processor, and toaster oven (so I don’t have to heat up the giant oven 🙂 Good luck!
YES! Love Le Creuset – I have a few pieces from Williams Sonoma but have also picked up a few pieces from TJ Maxx. It is great durable cookware – will probably last my lifetime.
While china and vases may be “traditional” that doesn’t mean you have to register for them. It depends upon what YOU want. You also need to keep in where your friends and family would be willing to shop. If your potential gift-givers expect you to register at a “fancy” place such as Dillards or Williams-Sonoma, then register for some quality basics there. Pick knives, dishes, sheets, and towels, etc. If you get nice stuff, they’ll last longer and save you $.
If your friends are more frugal/simple, then skip that type of place and go for places like Target or BedBathandBeyond. Quality basics can be found there, too. Most people I know register at 2 or 3 places, so that gives people options.
Then again, some people don’t like using registries and like to pick something on their own. If someone is giving you a shower, ask if you can include with the invitation a list of things you want and/or a description of the colors/themes of each room in your future home. That will help people who won’t use your registry or who just want to shop for something extra that fits your “style”. Just some ideas! 🙂
I did not read all the comments everyone left! Sorry! But I did think about a canner and everything that goes with it. Canning saves lots of money and is so fun!! Congratulations!
-Good knives
-Kitchenaid mixer
-Quality blender
-Bread maker
-Steam Cleaner
-Vacuum sealer/food saver system
-Rice cooker
-Crock pot
-Le Creuset (or other high quality) cast iron cookware
-Kitchen towels/hot pads
-Magic Bullet
-Corningware or other casserole type dishes
-Cordless drill set
-Plain white dishes (goes with everything)
-Extra bed linens
-Bath and hand towels
My mother-in-law gave us tons of cleaning supplies and, yes, even toilet paper and paper towels. Sounds crazy, but we LOVED it. We used some of those items for years. And presented properly, it can be made to look like a beautiful gift basket. I know places like Target and Walmart now allow you to register for pretty much any item the store carries.
I went through this last year, and with this being my second marriage, and already having a running household – the “normal” registry items weren’t really for me. But – I did take the opportunity to ask for items I thought the household needed but hated the idea of spending budget money on. For instance, we registered for two fire extinquishers :). And yes – everyone always has an opinion on your registry, but who cares! I read a blog about somoene who added a WII to their registry because they thought it would be something fun they could do together, and I thought it was an awesome idea. Also love your chest freezer idea! If you have a good mix of cheap to expensive items, no one should care what the items are. Its your chance to take a look around your home and see what you still need, or want to upgrade on. New dishes? New linens? New vacuum? If china and vases aren’t for you, don’t hesitate to add that freezer 😉 Good luck on your wedding!
There are some great ideas. Also if there is something you wanted but did get you can always return a few smaller items (ie towels, etc) and then you would have the money to buy a grinder or waffle maker or whatever.
Congrats on the wedding. I would agree with a vacuum sealer for meat deals and ask for the bags, too. They can be a bit pricey depending on the brand. I would say a steamer for getting the wrinkles out of clothes and curtains. I hated to iron, but I love my steamer.
Good move! We avoided china, crystal, and fancy silverware because I didn’t want to have to store stuff that would only get used 1-3 times per year. I don’t regret our decision one bit.
A few things that have either been helpful to me, or that now after three years of marriage I really wish I had registered for:
-A powerful stand mixer (I have the basic KitchenAid one, but I need to upgrade to a larger, more powerful one) with at least 1 extra bowl!
-A Le Creuset dutch oven. I don’t have one, I feel like I need one, but I don’t want to pay that hefty price tag myself!
-One of those Pyrex double decker hot/cold food transportation thingies. We’re always taking food over for family and friend get togethers, and it’s a lifesaver.
-Plain commercial-grade aluminum baking/sheet/loaf pans. I love mine so much, and I wish I’d registered for them instead of registering for the non-stick (and more expensive) variety.
-A bunch of extra settings of your flatware. Although I only registered for 12 settings (plain Oneida, nothing super fancy), we received about thirty-something settings by accident. I decided to keep around 20 settings, and stored eight of the settings as back-up in a cabinet. When I’m entertaining family around the holidays, having the extra sets really comes in handy.
-Lots of different large sizes of food storage containers, particularly the ones that don’t come bundled with a bunch of small containers.
-Extra sheets for your bed.
-A nice set of towels, which is especially nice to have for when overnight guests stay.
-A food processor that’s 7 cups at minimum. I’d recommend the die-cast Cuisinart food processor…it is a hoss.
-Tools, or gift cards to your hardware/home improvement warehouse. We received so many gift cards to Home Depot! This was a popular gift from guys attending our wedding, I suppose because they felt a lot more comfortable inside Home Depot than Bed, Bath, Beyond lol!
-All of the kitchen utensils you’ve ever wanted, but felt guilty buying. I stocked up multiples of the nice OXO versions of nylon utensils I frequently used, and donated my flimsy off-brand utensils.
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!
* bread machine
* slow cooker (has the potential to save a ton of money as you can plan ahead and avoid the temptation to spend on take-out after a busy day)
* quality knife set
* quality pots and pans
* bread pans, muffin tins, etc.
* a grain mill if you think you’d use it
I suggest registering at Bed, Bath and Beyond. (Not Target! Target is TERRIBLE about taking returns in the event that you get duplicate gifts.) Bed Bath & Beyond on the other hand is fantastic to work with, and you can return and exchange gifts with no hassle, even without a gift receipt.
Are you planning to have children? If yes, 2 words for you: CARPET CLEANER! We love ours and it gets a lot of use!
Anything that you can use to do things yourself: a canning kit, a good stand mixer for baking for your own breads, cakes, and cookies, etc. Or pick a place with a good return policy so you can return things for cash.
A double oven! 🙂
I just got married two months ago, and I can’t think of much money-saving advice to give that hasn’t already been mentioned. I can, however, strongly recommend that if at all possible, skip a Target registry and put as much as possible on a registry at Bed, Bath, & Beyond. We had registries at both places, and we found out really quickly that the return policy at Target was a total nightmare with wedding gifts. We made 4 return trips to BBB with at least two cart-fulls of stuff each time, and they never even required us to give them a gift receipt. They take back everything – EVERYTHING – with no questions. And, they have great coupons and deals for people who register there – and they keep sending special deals for 2 years after the wedding. We even added a bunch of things to our registry that we knew we wouldn’t want – just because we knew we could return it easily for store credit and save that for later. Target returns = nightmare. Bed, Bath, & Beyond = excellent.
I too registered at Target – what a nightmare! If someone didn’t give me a gift receipt, it was a major pain even if it was on my registry. I had to fight just to be able to exchange (not return) items. I also registered at Crate and Barrel and they were WONDERFUL! They took back wine glasses that were delivered broken and took back items I had registered for but changed my mind about. No questions asked. Also, my friend registered at Bed Bath and Beyond and had a good experience there.
Oh my goodness! I got married three years ago, and Target’s return policy was awful then, too! I was so upset when they wouldn’t let me return duplicates we’d received without a gift receipt that I wrote a letter to corporate. I never heard back, but I had hoped they would have changed their policy by now.
Sorry for your troubles =/ Definitely avoid Target if at all possible.
Congratulations, my brother is getting married in February, so I was thinking practically, what would I suggest to them…
I think of the things I use almost every day:
-Towels (we got so many I even saved a box that I am just now took a couple out now that our family has grown, 10 years later)
-Sheets
If you like to make things from scratch to save money…
-Good knives (like others have mentioned)
-Food processor
-Blender
-Good mixer
Then your basic tools are a good way to save money too, hammers, screwdrivers, cordless drill (to hang all those wedding pictures!)etc.
I registered for a Kitchenaide mixer…so glad I did but I wish I would have registered for a food saver vacuum system…that would be awesome! I also got a power drill which was random but has gotten more use than the china.
Consider your current lifestyle. What do you actually DO now? You probably have grand visions of being the do-it-all wife, but you may want to pare down your registry to get what you REALLY need and will use (like a trash can or shower curtain, haha!) and save the big canning pot for a birthday down the line when you’re ready to tackle a new project. As a newlywed, you don’t want to have to go buy bath towels because you don’t have any and 2) be storing and toting a grain mill, canner and jars, a sewing machine, and piles of food storage stuff in unopened boxes. So practicality is all about fitting YOU. 🙂
Congrats on your upcoming wedding!! Married life is awesome =) I have an unconventional viewpoint: register for maybe 4 place settings of nice china, a couple matching serving dishes and a set of crystal goblets. My reason: these items make candlelight date nights @ home and ‘just us’ holiday dinners so much more special. My hubby & I have used our china and goblets for these occassions more than anything else. Consider it an investment and a small luxury for your marriage when you’ll be cutting costs and saving money in so many other areas … you won’t regret it =)
If you do any amount of baking at all beyond a mix, I agree with everyone else – register for the KitchenAid mixer. I do a ton of my own baking and probably 90% of our meals are “from scratch” and I use my kitchenaid almost daily from September through May. We have since invested in the attachments as well (the applesauce making attachment is awesome if you like to make your own sauces or baby food etc). Look at your lifestyle and the lifestyle you want to have and find the best machines to do some of the work for you so you can focus on more important things 🙂
I would HIGHLY suggest that with whatever you register for DO YOUR RESEARCH first. Don’t register for something just because it is the least expensive. I can’t believe how many small appliances that I had to replace in less than two years as a result of opting for the cheapest one. Get quality and it will last you MUCH longer.
I would suggest a quality bread maker, blender, food processor, and grain mill (if you are interested in making your own bread products). Then get high quality stainless steel cookware, silpat mats (keeps you from having to always buy parchment paper), assorted sized stainless steel mixing bowls (can also double as double boilers and go in the oven in some cases).
My husband and I had both lived on our own for a long time before we met and were married, so we had a few appliances on there (mostly ones that needed to be upgraded from single to dual capacity), but the thing we used the most was a Panini grill. We’re both big sandwich people (and I sell bread at the local farm market), and we used ours so much that it broke right before our 2nd anniversary this year…and my Mom got one for us as an anniversary present (as well as picking up one for herself and my sister).
We also put fun things on our registry for things we knew we would do together as a couple. We spent all of our Wal-Mart gift cards on board games (which came in handy as we had to momentarily care for two small girls for parts of the summer). We didn’t put any fancy china or crystal on ours, since any event we would host involves lots of friends who would just as happily eat on paper plates. 🙂
If you host get-togethers, I would certainly recommend various sizes of crock pots. We have 3 (a small and a medium one for things like cheese dips, and a larger on that is great for wings/bbq/etc), and added things like serving bowls, etc to our registry. The guide the stores give you is really just a guide. Put on what you will actually USE.
When I go to a wedding, I often give things like paper towels, cleaning supplies, and stuff like that – basically universally useful things that I can get for really cheap with coupons. I always feel tacky doing it, but it’s what we can afford, and people have to use it! I’m so glad to see some people on here wishing they could register for stuff like that!
I know when we got married, one of our very favorite gifts was a grocery store gift card!
I love my Kitchenaid mixer, rice cooker, electric skillet (sold the griddle I got as a wedding gift and bought the elec. skillet at a garage sale – so much more versatile!), iron, pressure cooker, and slow cooker. I wish I had registered for a high quality blender like a Vitamix (dream on!) because we’ve been through 4 cheap blenders in 5 years. I wish I had thought of a bread maker too. I am happy that we avoided registering for pretty doodads because about half the gifts we got were useful things from the registry, and half were off-registry gifts, all of which were knick knacks, vases, frames, doodads like that.
My favorite practical gifts were a kitchen kit my mother-in-law gave me and a laundry kit my mom gave me. I married at 19 and had never lived on my own so I was starting from scratch.
Kitchen kit had-potholders, dishtowels, rags, and placemats in my colors, all the basic utensils(serving spoons, spatula, peeler, masher, etc.), dry goods(small containers of flour, sugar, oil, tea, coffee, salt, etc.) and a set of plastic storage containers
Laundry kit had- delicates bags, hangers, stain stick, woolite, spray starch, and I think a steam iron all in a laundry hamper.
You could do this for a bathroom too.
some good, heatsafe kitchen utensils, like:
spatulas/scrapers
garlic press
ladle
etc
i got mine from pamered chef (although i’m sure there are other good brands out there) and they’re still in awesome shape 10 years later. these would be good $10 – $15 items for guests who don’t want to buy a big ticket item. hope your big day is wonderful!
We got 2 sets of custard cups, which we didn’t register for, but have used a ton. I would have registered for a different stand mixer and better bakeware if I had to do it all over again.
My advise is to think about the things you do:
* Do you cook a lot from scractch? (register for good pots and pans)
* Do you like to bake? (register for a nice mixer and bakeware)
* Will you be canning? (register for canning equipment)
* Will you be sewing or crafting? (register for a machine or supplies)
* Do you have company often? (register for serving peieces, nice linens, extra plates, etc.)
* Do you like to camp? (register for camping gear)
* Do you have a handy man/woman in the house? (register for tools)
You can probably continue that list on your own! 😉
We registered for the “standard” and got some nice things that we use regularly and some things that we gave away or returned and some other things that collected dust in our house for years. We’ve been married 13 years and still use our original pots/pans and are just starting to replace our dishes (only because we’ve broken a few and our family has grown).
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Being married to the right person is awesome!
Lea
Don’t register for fancy China. Just go for a nice everyday China set. We did just that and got EVERYTHING because giving a place setting was $40 total and it’s a nice gift. Since we registered for actual China, no dishes have broken and it’s been more than 4 years. China is a quality, not a pattern. That’s my advice!
I registered for extra neutral colored bath and kitchen towels and 7 years later, I still have extras tucked away and haven’t bought a towel in that whole time. I would also recommend a Food Saver with extra bags, and a mid-sized ShopVac. We use both of those items frequently!
Crock Pot, Knives, a good set of pots and pans, kitchen aid mixer, coffee maker, 12 piece set of everyday dishes, waffle maker, mixing bowls with lids…oh my list could go on!
Congrats on your wedding!
I highly recommend doing your registry online where you can read reviews. It took me 3x as long to register for everything, but we’ve hardly had anything break or get ruined after the first year+ of our marriage! Lots of my recently-married friends had to return stuff or buy new things after they broke or were ruined. I learned from their errors!
Something I didn’t see anyone else mention – a floor cleaner. I have a kenmore EVO that does carpets and hard floors, that we got 5-6 years ago for $150 (the EVO works good and has lasted but I think a steam one would be better since it kills stuff.)
It is much cheaper to clean your carpet or floor than to replace it. And regular cleaning can keep the floor looking new a lot longer – I was amazed at how dirty our carpet got and we don’t wear shoes inside and I vacuum daily. And if you find yourself living somewhere with old flooring that you can’t afford to replace, at least it will be clean, which makes a world of difference. 🙂
A good vacuum cleaner is a GREAT idea!
In addition to sharp knives and at least one extra set of sheets (for changing the bed at 2 in the morning) I would also recommend mattress covers and a rolling pin. Both of these items are things you do not think about until you need them…and do not have them :).
How about a sewing machine?
Even if you aren’t that skilled you can still save some money on simple projects like curtains, pillowcases, tablecloths and pajamas.
OOooo yes yes and yes! Good idea.
A sewing machine maybe?
I love my sheets! And use my knives everyday- I should send them another thank-you- 10 years still going strong:)
and crock pot is useful…bread machine, mixers, etc.
Pans?
CLOTH NAPKINS will save you $ in the long run too.
My husband and I registered at Target and registered for camping supplies. Camping is a great frugal vacation and you will use the supplies for YEARS to come. One friend was so excited to buy us an axe, because she knew she’s never have the opportunity to buy someone an axe for a wedding gift ever again ;).
Well maybe if you didn’t like the person your friend was marrying.
If you’re interested in camping, I’d recommend LL Bean or REI for quality gear that comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Everyone’s preferences will be different, so what works for me may not be best for you. Definitely go for kitchen appliances. I’ve found that I prefer my immersion blender to my large traditional blender. It’s great for sticking straight into a pot of soup or making smoothies, and clean-up is easier. I also prefer my Kitchenaid hand mixer to my Kitchenaid stand mixer. Reason? It’s easier to get out and use! I rarely use my stand mixer unless I’m baking bread. (And personally, I find a bread maker unnecessary, but others love them.)
I recommend crockpots in varying sizes. There are times when I have multiple crockpots going at the same time.
Don’t underestimate the importance of china! You’ll love having a beautiful, high-quality, matched set. Trust me on this! And here’s a little tip for you: Wash it in the dishwasher! Seriously. I have 2 sets of fine china, and I wash both sets in the dishwasher. One set has a platinum band and the other has a gold band. No damage at all to any of it from going in the dishwasher. Register for good flatware, too.
High-quality towels and sheets are great. And I do mean high-quality. My towels from a high-end department store are still being used 13 years later. Towels I’ve bought myself from cheaper places like Kohl’s? Garbage. Not holding up at all. Quality matters, especially if you don’t want to be replacing everything every few years.
This is a personal preference, but register for stainless steel bakeware and cookware. Cookie sheets and whatnot with non-stick coatings tend to get scratched and worn and have to be tossed. Stainless steel cleans up beautifully and lasts forever. Some people like that anodized stuff, but I personally dislike it. Up to you, of course.
Oh, I do love cast iron, if you can handle the weight. I ADORE my enameled cast iron dutch oven! And my cast iron skillets are fabulous. If you take care of them, they’ll last forever.
Register for plenty of cookie sheets, muffin tins, loaf pans, baking dishes, etc. Those will serve you well throughout your marriage.
One thing my husband wanted on our registry, which I thought was a little silly at the time, was a popcorn popper. We got it, and let me tell you, it is a well-loved appliance! It makes the BEST popcorn imaginable, and now neither of us likes microwave or movie popcorn. If y’all are big popcorn eaters, this will be a money-saving appliance.
Oh, I also recommend table linens. To match your china, of course. 😉 If you ever host dinners at your home, you will use them. Or it’s nice for just your own little family to make meals more special.
You know, looking at my list, it’s all pretty traditional registry stuff. But the thing is, the traditional stuff IS typically what is practical. Register for high-quality stuff (but that doesn’t necessarily mean uber-expensive!), and it will serve you for YEARS.
And, most importantly, CONGRATS on getting marrried! The adventure is just beginning!
My favorites: stand mixer, good pots and pans, crock pot–small and large size, waffle maker, blender…One of the most useful items I received for my shower was a small step stool ladder–handy! A set of common tools would be helpful as well.
I have had friends that have registered for things they enjoyed and could use for ‘entertainment’ purposes. Board games and things like that or gift cards to an outdoor store so they could purchase a tent, sleeping bags, etc. These are really cool gifts particularly if you all already have some of the basic household items. I love thinking outside the box and these things would help you to stay home and entertain, instead of going out to movies, etc. Plus the social factor in great for games and camping.
Great idea! Outdoor gear is an AMAZING idea. Some friends recently told us that is what they did for their registry and it REALLY worked out well for them since they go camping (the cheapest family vacation there is) 3 times a summer.
A few kitchen things I can think of are:
good knives – pairing, chopping, steak and bread)
knife sharpener
baking dishes (pyrex, square baking pans, cake pans and ramekins)
baking sheets
pizza stone (a good pizza at home will save you LOADS in the long run and I don’t think there is a bigger crowd pleaser)
cake pans
nice sturdy versitle tableware (i suggest all white because it goes perfectly with any season and food looks good on it)
garlic press
hand juicer (a simple teardrop hand-held shape is fine)
kitchen aid stand mixer
a nice big (16-cup) food processor (PERFECT and VERY economical if you are planning on having any babies to feed within 5 years and for large batches of pizza crust)
if you partake, good coffee maker and bean grinder (no more stops at Starbucks if you can get amazing coffee at home for pennies!)
tea kettle
blender
some REALLY reliable cookbooks (Everyday Food, Essentials of Baking published by William Sonoma and (my personal favorite) ANYTHING from Ina Gartin) 🙂
Slow-Cooker
Tupperware
Mixing Bowls
Basic Serving Dishes of various shapes (I recommend white for all seasons) 🙂
Congratulations first, and then I would like to suggest if you have not have had a bridal shower as yet, how about having either a tupperware or a pampered chef party for the ladies. It is so nice when you can pick out the items you would love to have in your pantry, all unified, color coordinated and so forth. Also this takes the headache of your friends not knowing what to buy you. Just book a party with either company, invite the ladies and they can just order what you like, (or if they cannot make it then they can order via catalogue or online) and the bonus is that you receive great hostess gifts as well, double whammy.!!!
Other than everyone’s (excellent) appliance suggestions, I’d say to register for a nice, large tablecloth and set of napkins for 12 (maybe a table runner if you want to spice things up). It doesn’t have to be too fancy–just something pretty that you like. Even mismatched plates come together on a good tablecloth, and someone out there is going to buy you crystal candlesticks (I got three sets) so together you’ll have a nice table setting in case it ever gets to be your turn for Thanksgiving dinner. The other things that I use ALL the time are my set of insulated cookie sheets–they keep the bottoms from burning! I even put them under my cake pans because my oven doesn’t heat evenly and it helps things bake properly. That and a really good set of kitchen utensils (spoons, spatulas, tongs, etc). You don’t think about wanting the good ones until you have them and realize how nice it is to have a wooden spoon that can go from the stove to the table without looking out of place. Congrats and good luck!
Register at the I Do Foundation (their name. org) and a portion of the dollars spent on your registry items goes to the charity of your choice, at NO extra cost to the gift giver!! Also they have a great wedding website for you to use, etc!
A great way to let people give to you and your charity…. it’s awesome!
This list seems pretty exhaustive and this is pretty frivolous but what about board games (they can be expensive to buy but save money on entertainment in the long run). Also, computer paper and ink (for printing out coupons, of course!) Have fun with the registry!!!
The best 3 gifts we received: a nice set of pots and pans, a kitchenaid mixer (love) and a pot rack! The pot rack is awesome if you have room for it b/c it keeps your cabinets from getting full and disorganized. Most importantly, however, is making sure you register with everyone’s budget in mind. Put things from $1 – $500 on your registry with most items being in the mid-range. I almost didn’t put the $250 mixer on my registry b/c it seemed a little extravagant but I read up on the subject and everyone said to put a whole range of prices so I did. Several people at my job ended up going in together and getting it. They were happy b/c only 1 person had to shop and there was only 1 gift to wrap and keep up with. You just never know. That said, I also put several spatulas and small kitchen utensils on my registry and my friend, who was broke and in college at the time, got me several and tied them to a book about herbs. It was a great gift and it didn’t make him feel cheap b/c he was still able to get something from my registry. Oh, and don’t go too crazy w/the china. I don’t know a soul who actually uses it on a regular basis. For us, we didn’t even register for it since we both had sets that were our grandmothers. It sent some people into a tizzy but they got over it!!! IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE ALL OVER – CONSIDER THE UNIVERSAL WISH LIST ON AMAZON! You can register for items on any website and people can buy online and ship to you which makes life very convenient for them. Good luck and congrats!
Most places you register (target, bed bath and beyond, etc..) will send you a coupon for 20% anything you didn’t receive on your registry. I found that having a gift card or money tree shower was beneficial because the money went even further after the wedding. (Also, after the wedding you can add to the registry before you use the 20% off coupon. This came in handy when my daughter was born – we put the essentials (diapers, wipes, lotion….) on the registry before we used the coupon!).
I agree with everyone’s kitchen suggestions, and I do agree that you should think long-term. You think money’s tight and it’s impractical now to register for entertaining items? Almost seven years and three kids later, I am still using second-hand mismatched dishes. One thing to consider is getting more pieces than you normally would. I have eight of each flatware, and I haven’t been able to find the same style to get more since just one year after we married. Now, if I replace, I will either have more mismatches or have to buy twelve or sixteen instead…
Not-so-common practical items that come to my mind are at Target or Walmart. Don’t forget consumables are totally fine to put on there and make fun shopping for the gift-givers: painter’s tape, paint brushes, etc., under-the-bed totes, closet and garage organization supplies (bins, baskets, totes), tools, picture hanging supplies, shop vac, lawnmower/string-trimmer, bookshelves, laundry supplies (baskets, hampers, and even laundry soap, softener, etc.), mirrors, and cleaning supplies (like broom, mop, duster, cleaning products, etc.).
If you do not live on your own (or do but don’t cook) before getting married, you will end up spending an arm and a leg buying pantry essentials! Let someone else do that. 😉 Depending on your situation, you may even suggest to the person throwing your shower that you’d like a “stock-the-house” theme, where guests are assigned a room to stock (kitchen: foil, plastic wrap, spices, etc.; laundry room; closets: cleaning supplies, matching hangers, etc.; baths: cleaning supplies, TP, paper towels, etc.).
Best wishes on your future marriage and wedding. I hope you have all the earthly things you need going into it! Remember, no matter how the wedding turns out, the marriage is the important part no one thinks to prepare you for!
I agree to register for nice quality items. I had a friend who felt guilty putting higher end pots and pans, appliances, knives, linens, etc. on her registry. The cheaper quality items she chose wore out quickly and they had to replace them with their own money. Not fun. I think most people who give wedding gifts want to give something that will last. You are helping establish a new household. My mother and mother in-law regularly use many of the practical wedding gifts they received 30+ years ago. Hope the same bodes true for us as well!
Personally, I would skip the china and expensive flatware. Still have not touched the flatware, and never received china and do not miss it one day!
– plain white dishes
– pots and pans
– baking ware, muffin tins, cookie sheets, etc.
– good quality drinking glasses
– good quality flatware for every day use
– utensils
– towels
– pyrex glassware
– gas grill (people chipped in on this for us)
– white folding tables and some chairs
– iron
– crockpot
– blender
– griddle
– fry pans
– basic tools
on and on and on….just practical things. I personally give cash at weddings, but am happy to see the practical things on registries. My only real splurge on our registry 18 years ago was nice crystal glasses and am glad I have them. They are my one “pretty” item besides a few crystal bowls.
blender, crock pot, food processer, mixer (kitchen aid), good utensels and mixing bowls. I wouldn’t over register for too many kitchen gadgets. Some are less practical than others. Think about what you need to cook a meal, and do your baking. Skillets, Pans, bakeware. You can register at places like Home Depot and Lowes, which can be really practical.
Also, after you get married really look at what you got and think about if these things will enrich your lives or just get in the way. Don’t be afraid to return items (if able) for store credit. I kept every gift I got when I married 8 years ago, even if I’ve never used it, but wish I had thought about this more. It’s kind of hard for young brides, like me to know what they will really use. Most gift givers would not care…they would rather you get something you will enjoy than let their $ go to waste by not using their gift. I worked in an upscale store that does a lot of bridal registries and many couple exchange large amounts of items. It can be a hassle to do that, but it’s worth it to get something you will use. Also, you could take the store credit from several small things and get one expensive thing that you would not be able to afford. I’ve even heard of people who register at stores like macys combine their credits/gift cards to buy furniture
I almost forgot…my kitchen aid mixer is invaluable!
I’m very practical, but I did register for china. It is something I would never buy myself, but really wanted. For some reason, I really love pretty dishes. I want a few nice things to leave to my kids after I leave this earth as well, and my Old Country Roses will go to one of them. I know it seems strange, but hopefully they will think of me when they use it. They make holidays a little more special also, and it is a tradition for us to break them out on those particular occasions.
I agree with the other folks though, register somewhere where you can return things and trade in for things you would prefer after all the gifts come in.
I couldn’t live without my waffle iron with the removable plates. So much easier to clean. A nice set of pots and pans is a good option. A family-size crock pot, coffee maker and good knives are a must at our house as well. You won’t regret asking for a vacuum cleaner either. They are so expensive to buy on your own. A good set of silverware will last you forever, and a toaster oven is always handy to have. A good roaster comes in handy quite often.
My husband and I are 15 years down the road already, and we are still using a lot of our gifts from our wedding. My sister had a Christmas ornament bridal shower for us (wedding near the holiday), and we still use the ornaments we received.
Congratulations and best wishes!
After 7 years of marriage, if I could go back I’d register for:
– Grain mill
– Canning equipment
– Good knives
– Steam mop
– WHITE dishes
Congrats, both on your wedding!
Did anyone say a Microwave?
We were recently at a wedding where the couple had registered at Amazon. They were moving into a new home that needed landscaping. They included a lot of gardening items including fruit trees. That was definitely an investment in future savings at the grocery store.
Thanks Kirstin, I was thinking of registering at Amazon, but then I read Kristy’s comment above where she said she “choose the set of pots and pans I wanted but registered for the individual pieces instead of the set. . . . after three people bought us one pan each I was able to return those and buy the set. I would never have thought of this, but the registry lady at Macy’s gave me the advice.” and now I’m wondering how returns work with an Amazon registry, I’ll have to look into it more.
Rowenta iron, Kitchen-aid blender, slowcooker, and nice, light colored aluminum bread bans and jellyroll pans. Get one or two sharp (I love Wustof santoku) knives and a cuisinart food processor and your kitchen will run smoothly!
My husband and I would go crazy without a decent set of knives (though we got ours at a “swap” rather than for a wedding gift).
Other great suggestions for money-saving gifts: camping equipment (a mat makes sleeping in the ground so much nicer!) and board games. These things make vacationing and entertaining so much cheaper!
My best tip is just don’t over register. My husband and I had a lot of items already before we were married. We had a short registry and ended up getting a lot of cash gifts which we could use however we wanted and save. Plus in six years we’ve lived in three different houses (we’re in the final one now) which I think is fairly common for new couples. We didn’t have the storage space for a lot of items anyways.
We had many folks comment on how nice our registry was because we registered for many practical household items that were not very expensive.
Be practical. Pick out a basic neutral color scheme for items that you can use from house to house. This goes for towels, washcloths, linens, a set of basic dishes, etc. You may actually get tired of brown and blue or whatever is the trendy choice after a while, believe it or not! The only specific color scheme I went with was red and cherries for the kitchen which was popular at Target in 2004 when we got married and I still love it and I chose it because it went with the vintage style I love and knew I wouldn’t “outgrow” anytime soon!
If you are planning on cooking and baking from scratch to save money, then register for basic cooking and baking items. Utensils, baking pans(bread, cake/casserole, muffin…), rolling pin, colanders, etc. Laundry basket, clothesline, drying rack, clothespins, canning supplies…
Register for quality while keeping in mind that the highest price doesn’t always equal the best! A good set of pots and pans will last you years and years. A good set of tools, lawn care items and a maintenance how-to book, if needed, are other things to register for.
As for bridal showers- if you are asked what kind you’d like, don’t be afraid to ask for something practical like a paper goods shower or kitchen shower. If that’s what YOU want. 🙂
Congratulations on your marriage!
A food processor. Casserole dishes. Freezer safe plastic ware. Mixing bowl set. Colanders. Cutting boards. Crockpot. Stand up mixer. Bread machine. Coffee pot. Microwave. Large electric skillet: one surface can accomplish much more than most of your large stovetop skillets so that you are using less energy. Toaster oven: this is smaller than your usual oven and requires less energy than heating up the whole oven when just cooking for two or heating up your little lunch. Lunch box and thermos for hubby’s lunches. A nice set of pots and pans.
Basic kitchen utensils and a few that are your favorites you’ve found in other people’s kitchens too. (Don’t just get the latest gadget you see on the shelf when registering. Think about what you’ve seen people actually using versus what the market wants you to think you can’t function without.)
A pre-filled spice rack will save you a LOT of money in start up costs with the cost of spice these days!
Sewing machine, sewing machine maintenance kit, “Sewing for Dummies” book, and a well stocked sewing kit for making your cloths last longer and for salvaging the good fabric off the items that die young.
A collection of miserly but yummy, money saving recipes from the guests! Ask them for good freezer cooking recipes too!
Silverware: a durable set large enough for your family to grow and still be able to entertain.
Pressure cooker, stock pot, cans, lids, and other canning supplies.
One set of sturdy dishes (Pfaltzgraff, for example) that can be used for everyday but nice enough for company, will not be costly to replace pieces that break because the set is a standard classic, and is a classic style that can be added to over the years without much trouble for finding the style again.
Bakeware that is NOT covered in that stupid teflon non-stick stuff – go with the old fashioned aluminum stuff our grandma’s used to use that will actually last you for longer than 5 to 10 years.
Tools for your hubby’s handy skills . . . or for you to develop some of your own: power drill, hammer, screw driver set, tape measure, paint brushes, paint tray, etc.
Vacuum. Window fans. And of course, the other stuff that everyone registers for anyway: vacuum, towels, sheets, bath rugs, soap dishes, etc. Those little things add up too, so don’t forget to register for them as well.
That’s about all I can think of for now.
The best idea we had was a card table and chairs. We still use them regularly 15 years later. Also things like hammer, screw driver, shelving, lawn chairs, outside items.
A Kitchen-Aid Stand mixer. We use ours every day. I would add the grater attachment to the registry; we use ours to grate cheese, make our own hash browns, grate carrots for carrot cake, etc.
As far as reducing costs, I highly recommend the Pyrex glass storage containers (with lids). You can see through them, you can reheat things in them in the microwave (including spaghetti sauce, because it won’t ruin it like it does in plastic) and oven (and even cook with them in the oven; we roast a whole chicken in the large one). We have had ours since we got married. We registered for a couple of sets at our wedding and we still have them and use them every day. It was one of the presents we most hoped to get, and it wasn’t so much that people felt like they couldn’t get them; in fact, one person bought both sets for us.
Another suggestion–dark colored cloth napkins. Dark colors hide stains (no need for stain remover) and you won’t be buying paper napkins. Get a kind that won’t need to be ironed (poly/cotton broadcloth) . (I have a few that need to be ironed and we don’t like them as much).
A popcorn maker. We buy popcorn in bulk and pop our own. Plus, it’s a great at-home date snack 🙂 We get 50 lbs of popcorn for $17 (much cheaper than microwave popcorn) and the popper was $20 at Target. If you have a party, everyone loves popcorn; you can just put out a large bowl or 2 and it’s an inexpensive party food. Add some games to your registry for at home dates (make sure to pick some good games for just 2 people!) and parties and you’ll have several night of entertainment for many years.
If you’re interested in canning your own foods, you could register for a water bath canner and some canning jars.
Cloth shop towels are great for cleaning; they have them at Target and Walmart. We use those instead of paper towels to clean lots of things.
Get a good set of flatware and plates, and some thick glasses. No one bought us fancy ones off our registry. We ended up using gift cash to get some nice flatware (my husband wanted a spoon that wouldn’t bend in ice cream!) The Wallace brand (18/8, if you’re looking at flatware) doesn’t bend. Sam’s Club sometimes has discontinued sets at Sam’s Club.
We got Libby’s glassses, and in 11 years, we’ve only had a couple of them break (they have even BOUNCED on tile floors!) They are thick (the ones we chose have a thick bottom) and this had made a huge difference in not replacing glasses. You can see them on their site and we recently found them at Kohl’s. Macy’s also carries them (for less than Kohl’s). My parents are always replacing their thin glass glasses. Get thick glasses and they’ll last you for years.
We bought white stoneware plates with a slight design. They’re heavy-duty and fancy enough for guests, yet nice enough for everyday, and they can go in the dishwasher.
Silicone baking sheets are wonderful; they save you cooking spray and parchment paper when baking.
You can always register for a lot of things at Target, and if you decide you don’t need 20 coffee mugs, you can return them for gift cards. My husband and I did this when we got married last year (returned things that were doubles) and used to the gift cards to buy food and toiletry items. It was such a great help in the first few months of marriage!
First on the list is most definitely a high-quality set of kitchen knives. I have a Wolfgang Puck set I’ve used for 4 years and they are still going strong! These are something that you are going to use most every day and it makes cooking so much nicer when you don’t have to fight with poorly-made knives.
Crystal, I keep trying to comment and it won’t put my comment up! Here’s a test one.
I didn’t get to read through all of the comments…but the first thing that comes to mind is a Foodsaver! They work wonderfully 🙂
A Kitchen-Aid Stand mixer. We use ours every day. I would add the grater attachment to the registry; we use ours to grate cheese, make our own hash browns, grate carrots for carrot cake, etc.
As far as reducing costs, I highly recommend the Pyrex glass storage containers (with lids). You can see through them, you can reheat things in them in the microwave (including spaghetti sauce, because it won’t ruin it like it does in plastic) and oven (and even cook with them in the oven; we roast a whole chicken in the large one). We have had ours since we got married. We registered for a couple of sets at our wedding and we still have them and use them every day. It was one of the presents we most hoped to get, and it wasn’t so much that people felt like they couldn’t get them; in fact, one person bought both sets for us.
Another suggestion–dark colored cloth napkins. Dark colors hide stains (no need for stain remover) and you won’t be buying paper napkins. Get a kind that won’t need to be ironed (poly/cotton broadcloth) . (I have a few that need to be ironed and we don’t like them as much).
A popcorn maker. We buy popcorn in bulk and pop our own. Plus, it’s a great at-home date snack 🙂 We get 50 lbs of popcorn for $17 (much cheaper than microwave popcorn) and the popper was $20 at Target. If you have a party, everyone loves popcorn; you can just put out a large bowl or 2 and it’s an inexpensive party food. Add some games to your registry for at home dates (make sure to pick some good games for just 2 people!) and parties and you’ll have several night of entertainment for many years.
If you’re interested in canning your own foods, you could register for a water bath canner and some canning jars.
Cloth shop towels are great for cleaning; they have them at Target and Walmart. We use those instead of paper towels to clean lots of things.
Get a good set of flatware and plates, and some thick glasses. No one bought us fancy ones off our registry. We ended up using gift cash to get some nice flatware (my husband wanted a spoon that wouldn’t bend in ice cream!) The Wallace brand (18/8, if you’re looking at flatware) doesn’t bend. Sam’s Club sometimes has discontinued sets at Sam’s Club.
We got Libby’s glassses, and in 11 years, we’ve only had a couple of them break (they have even BOUNCED on tile floors!) They are thick (the ones we chose have a thick bottom) and this had made a huge difference in not replacing glasses. You can see them on their site and we recently found them at Kohl’s. Macy’s also carries them (for less than Kohl’s). My parents are always replacing their thin glass glasses. Get thick glasses and they’ll last you for years.
We bought white stoneware plates with a slight design. They’re thick, and fancy enough for guests, yet nice enough for everyday, and they can go in the dishwasher.
Silicone baking sheets are wonderful; they save you cooking spray and parchment paper when baking.
My husband and I put everyday items like laundry detergent, fabric softener, and cleaners on our list. We got married while most of our friends were in college, so they appreciated cheaper gift options; and my husband and I loved that we got gifts that we would definitely use! It saved us money for a really long time.
My husband and I had a honeymoon registry–everyone loved the idea and we ended up having about 75% of our honeymoon paid by our relatives and close friends. Some sites charge a small fee but honeyfund.com is free; if guests decide to pay via paypal 3% is charged as a credit-card fee (this is pretty standard). Also, Amazon.com has a registry which makes choices for items basically endless. Good luck!
We registered for a dehydrator (to dehydrate fruits and make jerky and homemade dog treats). We also received a juicer–which is an amazing device! If you want to make organic juices and don’t want to pay a fortune, get a juicer!
Wow! This is a great post, I’m loving all of the responses. It is perfect timing since I am getting married in March and have no idea what I was going to register for. The only thing that came to mind for weddings was China, which we have no space/need for right now. We live in an apartment, both go to school and have an 11 month old. We plan on having more kids after graduating, so keeping nice china around would be pointless now. While I might want some down the road, I really didn’t want to ask people to buy it for me when I probably wouldn’t use it. Now after reading all of these responses, I already have a whole list of what to register for or what’s ‘normal’ to register for. Thanks everyone! I’m sure my fiancee will LOVE the tools idea. 🙂
Food processor – great for batch cooking and freezer cooking; make your own sauces marinades, etc.
Toaster Oven – get this instead of a regular toaster. You will use it much more!
Tupperware – all sizes for freezer cooking and taking meals to friends.
Awesome knives – don’t be afraid to get the expensive ones
Silicone mixing spoons – I use these ALL the time for baking
A mixing bowl with a handle and rubber grip bottom – amazing for baking and making sauces
White dishes – never goes out of style, food looks great on white background
Clear food storage containers for flour, sugar, granola, etc. – You can always see how much you have left
The Rabbit wine opener – so easy to use, worth the money to not deal with broken corks, hard seals, etc.
A cheap grill – we spent $100 at Lowes on one 5 years ago, still going strong, wonderful for mass cooking days
Water filter pitchers or faucet attatchments.
Lots of great ideas here! I completely agree about registering for a set of good quality cooking pans. I would also register for the basics in small kitchen appliances: blender, handheld mixer (i’d do a Kitchen Aid), toaster (i got a 4-slot toaster & LOVE it–super when you start adding kids to a family or are just making a sandwich for both of you on toasted bread!), coffee maker (if you’re a coffee drinker–a programable one is nice), a large stockpot, good quality knives, a crock pot & a quality vacuum cleaner. I’d check with Consumer Reports (or the like) for the best rated brands & models. I also wouldn’t do the most expensive ones, but the “Best Buy” models. A food processor is also nice, but not a necessity. I’d also suggest registering for good quality gadgets like Oxo brand. They work & last way better than the lesser quality gadgets. If you are one that gets cold, a set of flannel sheets or a heated mattress pad is a good idea so you can lower your heat at night.
Register for things you will use on a daily basis. regular dishes and utensils. I love using our corning wear set and roaster.
We also registered for bigger ticketed items such as butcher block knife set and nice pots both of which we didn’t get. If we got stuff we didn’t really want or need we’d return it and use all the return money to get what we really wanted- like our knives and pots and pans. We were registered at Bed Bath and Beyond.
2 of the best things we registered for was a big cooler, and fold up chairs-in-a-bag. We alway joke that those were the 2 things my husband suggested on the registry, so of course he is a hero 🙂 Personally, when I buy a wedding gift, I always go with a gift card! And I didn’t think anything of it when I bought a gift card to Lowe’s (at their request) last month for our friends who recently bought a house! People have good intentions when they buy gifts, but I do remember after our wedding it was a little overwhelming having to return or exchange, getting duplicates, keeping track of receipts, etc. If I had to give advice, don’t register for things you “think” you may use someday. Only register for stuff you know you NEED now! Our china sits in the original sealed boxes in our basement. We are actually thinking of selling it. I also heard awhile back of a couple who wanted to save hundreds of dollars for a new refrigerator. Along with the registry info for Target, they printed the Home Depot logo and asked for gift cards to go toward the purchase of a new refrigerator.
We’re getting married in 23 days, (Yikes!!) and just went through the practical registering ordeal. Some of our favorite gifts included canning stuff, a safe, a lawn sweeper, rakes/sledge hammer and a filing cabinet. Sears was a pain to register at but offered the most practical registering options.
I would say register for what you want, don’t go for the cheaper item because you think it will be easier for someone to buy. They don’t have to buy something if they cant afford it.
And whats worse than getting a gift you have to replace in a few years.
A vacuum is a good choice and the accessories to go with it
Think about items you would like to have on hand when you throw parties as well. And for China make sure you register for enough place settings and for items that you will really use.
Also for you bridal shower you could do a wishing well of small kitchen gadgets, people love buying them and then you will be all set
I didn’t read everyone’s post but we STILL have our grill that we received when we got married…my husband’s favorite gift! We registered for extra towels and then packed them away for when our new ones wear out. I’m so glad we did! Sheets are really not fun to replace either.
Think of things the 2 of you LOVE to do and then ask for gifts accordingly. You could even do a themed shower that way!
Have mercy, I wish I would have had this kind of opportunity when I registered! Congrats on your engagement!
We have been married over nine years and my in-laws graciously replaced my Chicago Cutlery knives with a new set of Wusthof last winter. Good, sharp knives are a MUST, in my opinion! The only appliances I have and use are a nice Cuisinart toaster/convection oven, a Kitchenaid stand mixer, and a NordicPro waffle maker. (I occasionally use our Kitchenaid blender, but I can’t recommend it! Go for a Vita-Mix!) They might be expensive appliances, but they last forever and I use all of them a lot. I also have a tiny no-name food processor from my husband’s college days and I use that to chop and grind anything, but I don’t feel there’s a need for a large food processor – that’s what all those sharp knives are for 🙂 It only takes about ten minutes to slice up 5 cups of potatoes or whatever, and I can’t imagine spending time taking apart and washing individual parts that many kitchen appliances are made out of.
– At least 2 of every kind of measuring cup and measuring spoons
– enough muffin tins to make double or triple batches of muffins (I have individual silicone ones and they are excellent! Very easy to store as well)
– wooden spoons and stainless steel whisks
– stainless steel pots and pan (to avoid Teflon exposure)
– stainless steel mixing bowls with covers that nest into each other, or melamine nesting mixing bowls
– some type of colander. I have a large Swedish pink one (not sure of the brand . . . ) and a small Progressive one that flattens when not in use. They both get tons of use. The small one is nice for rinsing berries and anything that I don’t need a big pasta colander for, and it fits easily in a drawer.
– enough 9×5 or 8×4 pans to make double batches of quick breads (I would highly recommend glass, enamel or stoneware)
– stay away from goofy gadgets or things you really don’t need. For example, do we really need egg slicers, avocado slicer/pitters, etc? Before you put something on your registry, try to visualize it sitting in your kitchen drawer. Ask yourself, “will I really be reaching for the mango splitter every day?”
– an inexpensive digital cooking thermometer
– small prep bowls like pyrex ones
– white enamel baking/casserole dishes and a couple glass 9×13 dishes that have covers.
– “Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day”. Love that book!!
– stay away from pampered chef parties. They have nice things, but so many of their products have individualized uses that more than anything it is just a lot of products that clutter up your drawers. I know victims of PC parties who at the time, thought it was a good idea to have a PC bridal shower, and now they have tons of gadgets that they don’t have much use for. lol
God bless and happy homemaking 🙂
Have to say that I LOVE my egg slicer–I use it frequently–cutting eggs, strawberries, mushrooms…it’s much easier for me than trying to slice smaller items. It doesn’t take up that much room.
We registered for an inflatable matress, like in the camping section. We don’t have alot of room for guests beds, so when we have multiple people stay over, we have room for them. I would also recommend a rug steamer/shampoo machine. That way you save on the costs later.
We didn’t register for China. My Mom’s has sat in her china cabinet and been used once or twice and my Mother-in-law likes to collect patterns. I know eventually I’ll have nice China and then I’ll have to find a place to put it.
As I mentioned earlier, we registered at Lowes and also Bed, Bath & Beyond. I am sure it’s been said, but 1) crockpot, 2) good utensils (forks, spoons, etc), 3) GOOD knives, 4) immersion blender (didn’t have one until recently but I use it often), and 5) good storage containers.
I registered for and received a standing KitchenAid mixer and I’ve used it once in 4.5 years. I’m about to start trying my hand at playing with yeast so maybe I’ll start to use it more, but if not it’s going on Craigslist as it takes up counter space.
Good luck and God bless you and your fiance.
Jen, Idk where you live but I would be interested in buying your mixer if you are going to sell it on craigslist!!
A steam mop!!!!! You won’t have to buy chemcials to clean your floors with. I like the Envirosteamer for hard floors and the Haan Slim and Light cleans hard floors and has a carpet attachment. I have the Haan.
If I were registering today, after 14 years of really knowing who I am in the kitchen, I would register for tons and tons of rectangular Pyrex with lids. I have lots of oval and round Pyrex but the rectangular dishes are my favorite. They stack so well in the freezer and you don’t lose the space that you do between round dishes. We also use them for my husband’s lunches.
One thing I did that I am still thankful for today was to register for an off-white “china”, that was so affordable. It was usually $25 for a place setting or $40 full price. People were so excited that they could get someone a full place setting for only $25 (thanks to a perfectly timed sale at Belk). We got almost the entire set. I still love this china because it goes with anything.
Thanks! I will definitely register for rectangular/square containers separately instead of the sets that include the more circular shapes.
Definitly get the pyrex storage containers with the”no-leak” lids. They seal much better than the older lids that were available when I got married. The smaller ones work great for dividing a large casserole recipe up into two person quantities and then freezing. The even smaller ones also work great for making big batches of broth and then freezing in one cup quauntities for use in recipes.
We’ve been married 10 years, and our good china is still put up. Complete waste of money IMO. We’ve never had a formal get together of any kind, and my kids are 9, 7, and 5…so it’s not coming out for them either. I’ve only recently gotten a Kitchen Aide stand mixer, and boy could I have used it over these past 10 years! I love cooking with my crockpot, and a good griddle. I got tons of Pyrex baking dishes, but don’t forget a bread pan.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!
I agree with many of the previous posters.
Registar for the good stuff. I would registar for the Le Crueset pans and spatulas, the Microplane grater, All Clad pans, Wustoff knives, and a Kitchen Aid mixer. Also the little wire mess thing that replaces a coffee filter has been the greatest thing ever and lasted through two coffeemakers and has literially saved me $4 a month for the last 15 years. Can you tell I have a thing for pans?
I’d pass on the bread maker. A good bread baking book like Kneedlessly Simple will get to farther IMO. I also would pass on the Food Saver. I just think that Ziplocs do just as well and are pretty cheap if you combine a coupon and a good sale. I’m on the fence about a Dyson. I think they have great suction, but are cheaply made.
I did registar for china and I enjoy it, but it was very underused for a long time because I didn’t want my kids to break it
I would go with a Simplicity vacuum or an Oreck. Some of them are still made in the US.
A Kitchen-Aid Stand mixer. We use ours every day. I would add the grater attachment to the registry; we use ours to grate cheese, make our own hash browns, grate carrots for carrot cake, etc.
As far as reducing costs, I highly recommend the Pyrex glass storage containers (with lids). You can see through them, you can reheat things in them in the microwave (including spaghetti sauce, because it won’t ruin it like it does in plastic) and oven (and even cook with them in the oven; we roast a whole chicken in the large one). We have had ours since we got married. We registered for a couple of sets at our wedding and we still have them and use them every day. It was one of the presents we most hoped to get, and it wasn’t so much that people felt like they couldn’t get them; in fact, one person bought both sets for us.
Another suggestion–dark colored cloth napkins. Dark colors hide stains (no need for stain remover) and you won’t be buying paper napkins. Get a kind that won’t need to be ironed (poly/cotton broadcloth) . (I have a few that need to be ironed and we don’t like them as much).
A popcorn maker. We buy popcorn in bulk and pop our own. Plus, it’s a great at-home date snack 🙂 We get 50 lbs of popcorn for $17 (much cheaper than microwave popcorn) and the popper was $20 at Target. If you have a party, everyone loves popcorn; you can just put out a large bowl or 2 and it’s an inexpensive party food. Add some games to your registry for at home dates (make sure to pick some good games for just 2 people!) and parties and you’ll have several night of entertainment for many years.
If you’re interested in canning your own foods, you could register for a water bath canner and some canning jars.
Cloth shop towels are great for cleaning; they have them at Target and Walmart. We use those instead of paper towels to clean lots of things.
Get a good set of flatware and plates, and some thick glasses. No one bought us fancy ones off our registry. We ended up using gift cash to get some nice flatware (my husband wanted a spoon that wouldn’t bend in ice cream!) The Wallace brand (18/8, if you’re looking at flatware) doesn’t bend. Sam’s Club sometimes has discontinued sets at Sam’s Club.
We got Libby’s glassses, and in 11 years, we’ve only had a couple of them break (they have even BOUNCED on tile floors!) They are thick (the ones we chose have a thick bottom) and this had made a huge difference in not replacing glasses. You can see them on their site and we recently found them at Kohl’s. Macy’s also carries them (for less than Kohl’s). My parents are always replacing their thin glass glasses. Get thick glasses and they’ll last you for years.
We bought white stoneware plates with a slight design. They’re thick, and fancy enough for guests, yet nice enough for everyday, and they can go in the dishwasher.
I totally agree with the Pyrex storage containers. DH’s one request for our registry was a popcorn popper!
Also, consider where you will be living after your marriage. If you’re going to be in a super small place, you might not have room for a lot of the things that have been suggested.
Ditto on the napkins. I bought some red ones on clearance at Kohl’s, and it was one of my best purchases. Fiesta brand. We make sure to use them anytime we are eating something tomato-based. Zero (visible!) stains.
Welcome the impractical stuff (you’ll get it anyway). If you’re frugal, chances are you won’t ever buy it for yourself, so those items will be extra special to you. At least register for a decent flatware set – several, so you have enough for company.
Also, as an invitee, it bugs me a little when the bride and groom only register for pricey items! Do a variety – make sure there are plenty of $10 items on there. And from an etiquette standpoint, be careful not to dictate what people can and can’t give you. If they ask what you want, then that’s a different story.
You can register for things that are lovely, yet practical, and will satisfy those guests who don’t like to give practical gifts. Placemats, napkins, tablecloths, towels, dishtowels, sheets, bath rugs, serving bowls, a cake pedestal are all great. (I’m still wanting a cake pedestal 10 years later!)
Other more practical items that I use a lot are: hand mixer, baking sheets, pyrex, corning ware (better than Pyrex because it goes from the stovetop to the oven), crockpot, muffin tins, cake pans, utensils, etc. My favorite thing I registered for was my salad spinner! People thought it was strange back (they weren’t as popular then), but it saves a lot of $ and we eat tastier lettuce. Anything that lets you cook from scratch will save money. Someone gave us an ice cream maker, which we love.
Thanks Heather, maybe I will break up “sets” to give more $10 options to guests. And I appreciate the pyrex corningware tip, I’ll look for it now.
When we registered, I choose the set of pots and pans I wanted but registered for the individual pieces instead of the set. Guests are unlikely to buy a $250 dollar set of pans, but I think after three people bought us one pan each I was able to return those and buy the set. I would never have thought of this, but the registry lady at Macy’s gave me the advice.
Well it depends on what you want to do to save money. You can go very basic and ask for a canning starter kit, pressure canner, dehydrator, freezer etc.. After being married for 17 years I don’t use fancy china or silver but I can not live without my food processor, kitchen aid stand mixer, good quality pots and pans and my mixing bowls. The best thing to do is to look at your life style and get things that you need for it. If you plan on entertaining a lot then you will want large platter and things like that. Look at how you want to live and figure out what you will need to accomplish what you want.
Something that we were given that at first I thought, “Huh, that is an interesting gift,” but it is probably the most used gift we got was two nice metal folding chairs. My husband had a table with four chairs but any time we had family over we needed more seating. Those chairs get used just about everyday for something now that we have kids. We have moved a lot and because they were folding chairs it made them much easier to move and when not in use they fit in a closet. I wish we had a folding card table to go with them. =) Also, consider storage options. First time kitchens are usually small so I asked for a stand alone pantry cupboard that has been a life saver in the many houses that we have lived in and now that I don’t need it in the kitchen I use it in another space to store our homeschool supplies (but it could store just about anything…especially a stock pile). =) When I registered I asked for oodles of sturdy plastic storage boxes. These have also been a huge blessing. Try not to worry about what people think/say. They love you and want to bless you. I had two negative comments about my registery (both from family) but most people had a good laugh and told me how cute it was that I asked for storage boxes instead of fancy stuff.
I registered for a card table and 4 folding chairs–I use them ALL the time!
We registered for Pfaltzgraff instead of china. It’s sturdy enough to last forever and use every day but nice enough for fancy dinner parties. We picked a very plain, timeless color. Not a direct money saver, but a good investment in sturdy household items is always a good idea.
Tools. If doesn’t matter if you and soon-to-be husband may be novices in the DIY department whether it’s inside a house or under the hood of vehicle, good tools (like Craftsman) will last a lifetime. Hammers, saws, levels, screw drivers, wrenches, solid metal tool box etc. can also be very reasonably priced items that allow your friends and family to contribute, even in a small way, to your future.
You’ll also save buckets of $$$$ by having the ability to do your own repairs – from auto to plumbing – and the satisfaction it has been done right.
Mazel Tov!
We decided to not register for China since we would then need a hutch to store it all and we don’t have the room for a hutch. In lieu of storing it in our basement, we chose to put that off on our own. Another tip, many times new couples will get most but not all piece of china. If you don’t want to afford to buy it shortly after you’re married to be sure all pieces are matching, save up for a future purchase.
I suggest registering for a large 12qt stockpot and Ball canning jars. We use them for everything, not just canning! And be sure to ask for the ones you can freeze (the smaller sized ones)! Great for individual servings of soups and smoothies! Bed Bath & Beyond has a wonderful 12qt stainless steel stockpot for around $50 which would only cost your family/friend $40 if they use a 20% coupon.
When thinking of your list, register for top-quality things. Since we didn’t register for China, we didn’t feel bad for wanting other pieces that were slightly more expensive than what we’d normally buy.
I haven’t canned before but started reading about canning for the registry, I am so glad to hear they have jars you can freeze and will add some to the list, thanks!
I would recommend a good vacuum, crock pot (one that you can take the center out of to wash), a nice mixer kitchen aid’s are my favorite either stand or hand held which ever you prefer. Remember the better quality you register for the longer it will last so do research on brands!
Some of it depends on the type of person you are, of course, but if you are the kind that like to do a lot of things yourself a grain mill/wheat grinder and heavy duty mixer like bosch are great tools to make your own whole grain bread. A good waffle iron and bread pans go along with that.
Two words: WHITE DISHES!
– Pick a simple set of white dishes & you won’t have to worry about whether or not the pattern looks dated in a few years.
– If you break some of the pieces & are unable to replace them with exact replicas you will easily be able to find another type that will work with your existing ones.
– You are free to add color or holiday touches through runners, decor, placemats, etc, without having to worry about clashing (and not having to store holiday sets, ugh).
– It’s easy to expand your set by slowly adding white serving dishes rather than being faced with a discontinued pattern.
I agree. I started with a set with flowers but have since replaced with square Corelle dishes. Love. Them. They have not chipped & match really well with just about any occassion!
Great idea! I’ve got white dishes now, and while I love the patterns out there, I doubt I will go back.
I like this idea, and would expand to say that I love Corelle dishes. They are lightweight, thin (so you can stack a lot together in a little space), and pretty durable. Often, even if you drop them, they won’t break (tho if you drop on granite, its gone).
Mine have bounced from the kitchen cabinet to the floor numerous times, and I have yet to even chip one 🙂
Thanks Candice, we will have all white Corelle dishes going forward!
Corelle is great for when you have kids – you can train them to set the table at a very young age without worrying about them dropping and breaking a plate.
AGREE! I did not register for white dishes when I got married 8 years ago and wish I did. I registered for blue and white patterned pfalzgraff dishes for everyday and more formal colored/patterned lenox dishes for entertaining. I think I have used my lenox once in 8 years and I do not really even care for them much anymore. They are so color specific that I feel like I need to decorate my kitchen around the colors whenever we get to re-doing it. There are also a lot of fun table linens out there you can use with white to make it fit any occasion…i don’t think there is anyway I can make my formal dishes look christmasy. Also, think about how much storage space you have. It’s nice to have some nice platters, bowls, etc…by you don’t need much unless you are really into entertaining large crowds and they just end up taking up precious storage space.
I second white dishes! I have a set from crate and barrel and they have been terrific- had them for 14 years now. I have added white serving pieces from target. I originally bought fiesta ware but took it back. The bottoms were rough and scratched all the other plates when stacked. I did register for china a nice but not extravagant set. We enjoy it but haven’t had a heart attack when something broke. The pieces have gotten a lot of use…. Now crystal stemware….I wish I wouldn’t have gotten that at all. Would have done better with a nice set of wine glasses. I know people are telling you to skip this stuff but it is a personal decision. We have friends over a lot and host a lot of holidays- and have used the heck out of both everyday and our china sets. We hardly eat out and it is fun to have this stuff to make beautiful tables at home. Whatever you register for – make sure it is good quality. That will be the best use of the givers money and will save you money by not having to replace it.
Ps- I love all-clad and emeril pots. Also love the calphalon cookie sheets. Good cookware is easier to clean and stays nice much longer. I have learned this the hard way!
We did not do this originally but about 10 years into our marriage I sold the dishes I received for our wedding – after my son broke a $20 butter dish (life is just too precious to have to worry about replacing a $20 butter dish). I only buy dishes that are white (not stark white) and clear. It’s amazing what I can find at Goodwill and other thrift stores.
If I could do my registry over again I would ask for more cloth items like cloth napkins, cloth towels for cleaning up (think paper towels but in cloth form), cleaning rags, stuff like that. If you are looking for something to help you save time ask for different size crock pots so you can fix it and forget it. It doesn’t hurt to ask for office stuff like a dry erase calendar with the markers-huge time saver for me! Congrats on getting married!!
This is your chance to possibly get a Kitchenaid stand mixer and a Cuisinart Food Processor. Don’t pass it up! Both of mine are used several times a week, and they are 13 years old.
I really do recommend getting some high quality practical things – like mixing bowls, utensils, etc. I still have the 2 sets of glass mixing bowls given to us as gifts. I didn’t register for them and couldn’t imagine that i would never need 6 bowls as once, but now I’m so glad I have them. I have lovely china and crystal that are all packed away that are of no use to me. If I had to do it over again, I would want a home/garden shower (batteries, water hose, rake, shovel, extension cord, etc.) and a Pampered Chef kitchen tool party. Their utensils are so wonderful and have a warranty (no I don’t sell it, just love it!)
Hand mixer
good can opener
crock pot
griddle (for pancakes/waffles)
mixing bowls
baking dishes – 1 with a insulated travel bag for it
utensils – slotted spoon, spatula in various sizes, wisk,etc
coffee maker or french press
good pots and pans
food processor
measuring cups and spoons that nest
strainer
canner or big stock pot
I was going to suggest having a Pampered Chef bridal party too…I REALLY wish I had known about Pampered Chef products when I got married 12 years ago. I buy all my friends Stoneware for their showers now.
Here are some things that come to mind that I use daily or almost daily: good set of cookware, quality knives, quality baking dishes, glass food storage containers.
Here are some that I use at least once a week: griddle, waffle iron, vacuum, hand/stand mixer, crock pot, food processor (great for chopping veggies or shredding cheese), bread machine.
Other things that I don’t use quite as often, but would be lost without: rice cooker, water bath canner and jars, blender.
Other items that are helpful: lawn mower, towels/sheets, tools.
Congrats!!
I got married at 19 moving out of my parents’ house. I registered for everything. Everyday dishes, vacuum cleaner, everyday silverware, glasses, garbage cans, bedding, towels, rugs, blender, mixer, lamps, etc. Because our friends were younger, I think people appreciated many of the less expensive items on the list. I also had a Pampered Chef bridal shower which helped to set up the kitchen. Amazingly almost everything on my list was purchased, so we really didn’t have much expense in setting up house besides a few used furniture purchases. Congratulations!
I would also recommend researching the specific brand of item you are registering for and read the online reviews. If you want to save money, make sure (as others have already said) to register for high quality kitchen items that will last. My husband and I registered for a cheapo blender thinking it wouldn’t matter, and it is now in a landfill somewhere because it didn’t last very long.
We lucked out and registered for very nice, high quality silverware, which is holding up great after years of use. Other things we use constantly are casserole dishes, regular size muffin pans, baking sheets, pots and pans, crock pot, bread machine, etc. I think it’s a great idea to get a chest freezer, I wish I had thought of that 4 years ago! Congrats!
A KitchenAid mixer! Skip the bread machine. The mixer is so much more versitile. Freezer containers and/or storage containers like tupperware or rubbermaid.
If you haven’t had a bridal shower yet, ask for a pantry shower. It’s where you ask for items to fill your pantry. Baking supplies, canned goods, cereal, cake mixes, paper products, laundry soap. Most new couples need these items and I received a laundry basket full of household items for a shower gift and it was so appreciated.
Congratulations!
Don’t think anyone’s mentioned a pasta maker yet, but I tried it the first time at a friend’s house this weekend and loved it! Fresh, homemade pasta, which was cheaper than store bought and far tastier to boot.
Too funny! We got a pasta maker for our wedding that ended up collecting dust in the cupboard for 9 years – we finally gave it to my BIL who LOVES to cook and bake!
If you love to make pasta, it’s a great idea. Otherwise, not so much!
Lea
Everything I got 8 years ago for my wedding still worked today except the microwave and crock pot. I suggest a crock pot. Or money to be put towards items that would help you save money.
A really nice thermos or lunch bag set… or two. I bought my husband a nice thermos a couple years ago and he brings his own coffee to work everyday instead of ordering out. He feels good about it because he loves the thermos so much and we save at least $20/week. He also enjoys bringing his lunch much more when he has a nice insulated bag to carry it in… saving us another fortune.
My main regret when I look back is that I did not register for good, quality bakeware and cookware. We thought we were fine because we were both coming into the marriage with our belongings from our apartments, but everything we had were the basics. After a few years, those things all wore out/rusted out etc. so we had to purchase new. That would have been more useful than the $75 candelabra I registered for, received, but never had a place to put :-/ Also, if it seems like you have way too many linens and towels after, just hold on to them. I thought this, but 7 years and 3 kids later, things are definitely wearing out! It’s nice to have some new things in the back of the closet to pull out, especially for guests.
Totally agree!!! Made the same mistake with pots and pans…thought ours would do…5 years later, I am buying odds and ends to replace rusty ones. I hated registering…made me feel greedy, so I didn’t put things on my list that I really wanted, but thought were to expensive. Go ahead and put the Kitchenaid mixer, vacuum, pricey iron, etc…You may not get it all, but some guests will want to splurge or “go in” with others to get you those nicer items that will last you a long time, and you won’t be able to justify purchasing later on frugal budget. I still don’t have a food processor or mixer. 🙁
I was amazed at the generosity of our friends. We were so blessed when people chipped in for our pots and pans, and a nice set of knives, and our fancy dishes. But our friends and family love us just like we love them, and they remember what it was like to be starting out. People will buy what they can afford, so don’t feel badly about putting high quality items on their. If someone can’t afford it, they can get you gift card or a less expensive item. Allow your friends to bless you now- and someday you can do the same for other young couples starting out.
YES!!!! One of things I regret from the start is not having nice kitchen appliances and tools. The money I would have saved over the years would have been enormous. I love my AllClad pans, and I can tell they will last me for a lifetime. They were more expensive, but they just ROCK! I also love my kitchen aid mixer. I was able to get mine on sale during the Christmas season for under $200.00 (professional model) at amazon (same sale every year too!!!).
I love your unfortunate story about the $75 candelabra. 🙂 We were also thinking that we had enough pans individually, but after your wore out/rusted insight, I think I will add a couple of nice pans. Thanks!
I highly recommend stainless steel pots and pans. You won’t regret them! My dad purchased our set for us…2+ years later, they hardly look used. They heat very well, which makes cooking so nice. I use mine everyday.
I also recommend high-quality (think Farberware) bakeware, if you like to bake. Sooo much easier to clean – trust me!
a tobi
I will second other people’s suggestions, and definitely emphasize QUALITY of what you register for. Not the top of the line, Cadillac of everything, but good items, especially for your kitchen knives and pots & pans. Amazing how much easier cooking goes if you can cut things well and nothing sticks to your pots. And they will last for many, many years to come! My husband and I also decided to not register for china, and after four years, we don’t regret it. We still did something fun… We registered for Fiestaware place settings, and we LOVE them still! Makes everyday meals and parties colorful and fun. We got 12 different colors. But if sometime a plate breaks, it’s somewhat replaceable without huge expense. I highly recommend registering at Bed Bath & Beyond if you have one. They are so helpful, and people get 20% coupons for there all the time. Returning is really easy, too!
LOVE Fiestaware! After a couple years into our marriage (and several of our registered-for dishes being broken!) I begged my husband to buy me Fiestaware for Christmas and I haven’t regretted it one bit! Nothing broken as of yet, they seem to be much sturdier than what we had before, and I love having beautiful bright red dishes!
Love my Fiestaware too! Still makes me happy to look at it and I’ve had it 5 years. Wish I would have registered for it as wedding china so I could have gotten some of the bigger neat-looking pieces that are more expensive.
wow! I added a comment and it’s gone….
I 2nd the knives (w/ sharpener preferably) TOWELS!!! if u get multiple sets put some in a storage bin and use them when the others age out. or for when you have guest..
A vitamix would replace the need of food processor and blender saving u counter space. it is pricey so perhaps your siblings or some friends could pitch in to buy it as a group gift. otherwise opt for the food processor and a blender
weather proof/insulated curtains
a good set of pots and pans + cast iron skillet
Kitchenaid stand mixer w/ attachments preferrably
A teapot kettle, maybe a coffee maker and some insulated cups to avoid coffee shops.
carpet steamer / cleaner
Maybes (based on your needs):
a set of dishes, silverware, wine glasses , punch bowl, baking pans, table cloth & protector, crockpot, grill indoor pan
-Programmable Crock-pot
-Tupperware or glass storage containers
-A bunch of cloth rags to use instead of paper towels
-tools
-energy saving curtains / thermal curtains
-games to play together for frugal entertainment
-dvd / bluray / gaming system for frugal entertainment
High quality knives (this will save you money and frustration with dull knives), a good iron, and a high quality stainless steel cooking set.
Our favorite appliances are a crock pot, bread machine, electric griddle, and toaster oven (NOT a pop-up one). Having a toaster oven helps us save on utility bills because we don’t have to heat up the oven as much. I can do things like baked potatoes, garlic bread, cinnamon toast, and anything that fits in a smaller baking dish in the toaster oven, and it doesn’t use as much electricity as the big oven, and it doesn’t heat up the house in the summer like the oven does. If you like to grill, I would also suggest a grill of some sort, plus whatever accessories (grill brush, tongs, etc.) you need. Also, towels, bedding, trash cans, pitchers, pots/pans/skillets, tupperware type stuff, silverware, glasses, mugs, dishes for everyday use, baking dishes, roasting pan, can opener, sharp knives, spice rack (ours came with a bunch of spices, and the rack + spices was cheaper than buying only the spices individually), cookie sheets, muffin tins.
How about a seal-a-meal or foodsaver vacuum sealer? They are the best long term freezer storage for meats, if you find a great sale. They also come with an attachment to seal canning jars so if you buy bulk nuts or whatever, they will stay fresher longer. Just get one that has a storage place on it for the rolls, keeps it neater looking. I have an older one and I wish it had it.
Also forgot, I have a Blentec Blender that is awesome. Yes pricey, but well worth it for green whole fruit and vegetable smoothies, soups, I even make a quick whole wheat bread in it.
Also a stick blender is invaluable for soups etc. Also Love my Kitchen-Aid mixer….
Thanks Cynthia, I am definitely adding a stick blender to the list, we love soup. 🙂
We recently attended a wedding where the couple registered at Amazon.com. They registered for things to plant a garden including fencing plus several fig and cherry trees. They were moving into a newly constructed house where they had saved a bunch of money by agreeing to do all the landscaping themselves. They even registered for grass seed. Remember to consider outside your new home as well as inside!
Here are some things that we registered/or received as gifts that really helped: Crockpot, hand/andor stand mixer, a good set of cookware, an ice chest, iron/ironing board, towels/washcloths. If you’re planning on doing some gardening,and preserving food, a pressure canner and canning jars might be ideas too, as well as plastic storage containers for freezing, etc.
Different sizes of slow cookers. You can cook in bulk and freeze.
I agree w/everyone else here… Some items I second & we found extremely useful: tools, good iron, ironing board, linens, luggage set, a coffee pot that suits your specific needs (everyday or just occas.), food processor (I love this for chopping veggies in bulk for the freezer, making dressings & sauces & baby purees…), a quality blender, GOOD knives, pots, pans, baking dishes, Pyrex, a waffle iron (use almost every Saturday), a griddle, a panini maker, rice cooker (so easy!!!), grill utensils (including a meat thermometer) colander, a quality cutting board and last but not least…a Kitchen Aid Mixer!!!! 🙂 I didn’t register for one, but received one, and I thank the Lord for smart girlfriends every time I use it. Bed, Bath & Beyond is great because of their generous return policy (they take items purchased elsewhere as long as they sell it) & coupons don’t expire. They also carry artwork & lamps, which are pricey items you may like for your new start. Also, rugs, hampers & bathroom goodies…the list goes on! Needless to say, I personally failed to register for fine china, vases, and picture frames and couldn’t be happier! Plus, you’ll have people that will get you those pretty things anyway, even if you don’t ask! 🙂 Congrats and best wishes!
I like registering for things that you wouldn’t otherwise rationalize buying for yourself, but are still useful… so some of the higher-end items that you will walk by and fondle at Target/BBB everytime you are there, but never pick up and put in your cart.
– Vitamix or other fancy blender
– KitchenAid mixer
– Keurig Coffeemaker
– Juicer
– Knives
– Nice vacuum
– Powerwasher
– Nice lawnmower
Chances are, even if the price is more than one person will spend, some of your friends and family would prefer to go in together and get you something nice.
I 2nd a good set of knives (w sharpener not bad idea either since the most dangerous tool in the kitchen is a dull knife) and TOWELS…
food processor, or a vitamix which will replace your need for a blender and a food processor but it is rather pricey, it does save counter space so maybe a couple of friends/ siblings could pitch in for it.
a cuisinart stand mixer w/ attachments preferably
a nice set of silverware/ dishes (one less thing you will have to buy, if
they become mismatched you’ll have extra’s when there’s a bunch of kids over or u host a small group etc)
if you sew a sewing machine would be nice also
some weather proof/insulated curtains
a crock pot – maybe
rice cooker- not a real necessity more of a ice thing to have… I cook rice all the time- used my rice cooker only about a year before it sits on the shelf for 3yrs. it’s just more of a hassle to take it out than it’s worth.
if you plan on hosting a lot or even moderately a punch bowl set and wine glasses wouldn’t hurt- again not a necessity you have to think of your needs
I wish I would have asked for an indoor grill pan so I could put marks on my veggies and bread, but thats just me 🙂
Re-usable water bottles, sink water filter, low-flow shower head, rain barrel, crock pot, blankets for both the bed and to throw on couches (allows you to set the thermostat lower), solar chargers, containers to store already cooked food in the freezer, canning materials (jars, lids, tools, recipe book, pressure cooker, sturdy pot). Those are the things I can come up with off the top of my head. I hope it helps.
Thanks, I am really curious the solar chargers you mentioned, are they for charging reusable batteries or do they have other uses as well?
I forgot to mention rechargable batteries and a charger (not sure if they make solar ones, but that would be great). I have seen solar chargers for handheld electronics, particularly cell phones, iPods, even some cameras. These not only save you money on electricity, but in the case of a power outage, you can still charge your phone if you need it. Today, I came across a back pack that had a solar charging panel on the back so that you could “collect” energy as you walk to class and then use it to charge your small electronics.
I have always found that Target is a great place to create your “practical items” wedding registry because they have everything from your sheets and towels (which can certainly add up by the time you stock your linen closet) to higher dollar items like vacuums, irons, basic power tools (think home repairs!), everyday kitchen items (coffeemakers, dishes, utensils, etc.) and even pricier kitchen needs (depending upon your culinary ambitions) such as stand mixers, bread machines and the like. They have basic furniture (bookcases, TV stands, desks, etc.), lighting and decor items for your walls as well. And there is even an option on the registry to tell your guests whether or not you welcome gift cards. That way several people can contribute gift cards that you can then use towards the pricier choices that might be out of reach for any of your guests to purchase outright. (And if you are thinking of having a family down the line, Target has a great baby registry as well…but that’s a bridge to cross later!) One more thought — with a wedding in January, a lot of Christmas items will be out, so you can even register for Christmas decorations on your registry if you wish.
I love Target as well, but let me warn you that this could turn into a nightmare for you!!! They have a horrible return policy and many of my friends had really bad experiences with them. I took their advice and didn’t register there–even though I liked a lot of their stuff. BB&Beyond has the most amazing return policy, so I would be sure to register there. (You might be surprised at how many multiples you get!)
Ideas:
-register for extra kitchen and bath linens (these really add up!) and don’t use them all at once. Let them get worn out a few at a time and enjoy pulling out new ones a few years later.
-be careful about registering for too many “fun” things (like games, candles). You might end up getting a lot of those and not the things you need the most (like all of your place settings).
-I regret gettting glass cake stands only and not a more practical tupperware one.
-Others may disagree, but I’m also regretting getting so many non-stick items. Most of mine have been ruined when others tried to get something out of them with a knife that ended up cutting through the coating. Once they start chipping you have to throw them out. It’s not that much harder to just grease a regular dish.
-I wish I had registered for more “travel” kitchen things (tupperware cake stand, 9×13 pan with insulated cover, etc.).
-I got an extra set of glasses & dishes since they are bound to break down the road. By the time they break you might not be able to find anymore that match.
-We love our quilt/blanket rack from BB&Beyond.
-Sheets can be really expensive so we were glad we registered for them.
-Our toaster oven has been a favorite for sure!!
-Start looking for things like bread machines, etc. at goodwill and garage sales now so you can register for the things that you wouldn’t want to purchase used (like sheets).
*One last wedding/early marriage tip. Spend more money on the things that you want to last a very long time. But don’t buy the most expensive couch thinking it will last you forever since you are bound to hate the style of it after 10-15 years (or maybe less). Spend an average amount of money on a decent one so you can replace it down the road without guilt. (I hope that makes sense.)
Yes Target has everyting. But they are the absolute worst to try and exchange things there. Even stuff you had registered for and got 2 of. Part of the job for the registry is to help eliminate duplicates. They stink!!!!
I had a terrible experience at Target with my wedding and with my baby. I promised myself I would never register there again. Their return policy is THE WORST! It seems like they have some glitches that keep items from getting marked off your registry so you end up with multiples. Then you are left either with duplicates or forced to ask your friends for the receipt. Tacky. . . Beware of Target in my opinion- I love them for everything but registries!
I third the thought of Target being registry UNfriendly. You can only return things–even from your registry–within a certain number of days before and after your wedding date. You are only allowed a maximum of $75 returned items PER YEAR per person without a receipt–even if it’s on the registry. It was a nightmare. A NIGHTMARE!! Avoid it like the plague.
Have you had your wedding showers yet? My husband’s church gave us a grocery shower when we got married and it was great and so useful since we had both been on our own for a while and had a lot of household items.
We still have new towels that we haven’t used yet and we’ve been married for over six years. Sheets and blankets are good too if you have room to store some of those types of things, they can be really handy for the future.
A good blender, crock pot (various sizes), hand mixer or stand mixer, toaster, coffeepot…any appliance that you use regularly. The cheap ones are cheap and don’t last very long.
Remember that you can always return things off of your registry for in store credit. This is especially handy for duplicate gifts. Congrats on your upcoming marriage!
Definitely a slow cooker. A bread machine maybe – I’m too lazy to make my own bread without one, and the dough cycle is great for things like making your own pizza crust and other money savers. Any other appliance/device that helps you “do it yourself” at home.
vacuum food sealer
kitchen-aid stand mixer
and a LARGE stock pot
I got married 2 years ago, and would definitely recommend registering for quality things… nice kitchen wares (especially a knife set- either packaged together or one you compile at Bed Bath & Beyond), towels, sheets, etc. will all last longer and thus be more useful down the road. Also, for dishes- consider Fiestaware, especially in colors that they have carried a long time. Super easy to get replacements and build your collection over time (if you care about matching dishes). So the set can expand with your family’s needs… For kitchen appliances- I use my Kitchenaid mixer a lot (was a family pass-down), food processor, immersion blender, toaster oven, etc. Again… consider quality for what is important to you! Congratulations!
Well a vacumm sealer, a steam mop (just use water and your not buying chemicals to wash your floor), canning gear (preserving food saves money if you keep an eye on it for reality check) and if you are space conscious you can get a asparagus pot that is perfect for small batch canning – it takes less time to bring the water to boil and you can actually can several pints at a time plus you then have a vegetable steamer and its a tall skinny pot that doesn’t take up much space , personally i would also ask for a kichenaide (even if you don’t start using it immediatly its one point in your life when you can ask for these items and get them… married 11 years and this year i am asking everyone to chip in with gift cards to buy mine), if you think you will actually use it a bread machine is nice… in that if you fix it and forget it and you have home made bread(some say you can even use it for making yogurt)… i make my yogurt in a coleman cooler so you dont really need a yogurt maker taking up space… now i also know friends who swear by their vita-mix for making things like their home made nut butters.. If your getting a pressure cooker I would go for one that is specifically for canning cause you can use it for standard pressure cooking but if it is just for cooking it isnt automatically set up for canning…but ultimately if you aren’t sure if you will be making a whole lot of stuff from scratch immediately then its stuff that will just take up space.. ON the other hand… if you do get the stuff you ask for commit to yourself to research all sorts of different things that you can do with said equipment.
Congratulations!
One thing we did was to register for some higher-quality items than we would typically be able to buy for ourselves. These items last longer!
Here are some items I’d recommend, based on my own experience and things I’ve heard and read:
– Lots of sheets and towels!! The lady who helped us register said you can never have too many, and she was right.
– A crock pot with a timer
– A food processor
– Perhaps a grinder/wheat mill if you want to grind your own flour
– A good set of kitchen knives
– A vacuum!
– Food storage containers, for storing bulk food items
Thanks Lisa, I started reading about grinders/wheat mills the other day, it doesn’t seem as hard as I thought it would be.
Cleaning items, vacuums etc, storage items plastic bin, space saver bags and organizational items these are all things that I have ended up buying. Avoid gadgets you will never use like an apple peeler or mandolin some do use these but I didn’t and I didn’t put them on my registry. I was lucky my grandma as her gift bought me all my china silverware thats her wedding gift to each of us. So I didnt worry about these things so much.
A nice vacuum, assuming you don’t have one already (and you have carpets to vacuum!) Or a steam mop for hardwood floors and tile.
Any “small” kitchen appliances. Bread machine, toaster oven, blender, food processor–anything like that that you feel you’ll actually use!
And I’d certainly register for a *few * traditional things. Something pretty, lol. =)
I recommend registering for some metal (sturdy) and some glass (for the microwave) mixing bowls. Skip the melamine–they’re cute, but there’s never a time you need a plastic bowl, whereas there are times you need metal or glass.
I recommend registering for a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. I have one, and I think it makes a breakmaker not as necessary. Plus, there are many attachments you can get to grind your own meat, make your own ice cream, etc.
A sofa cover might be a good investment to protect your furniture. They’re a little expensive up front, but might be worth it if pets or kids are in your future.
Congrats on your engagement!
I would register at Menard’s. You can buy canning supplies, tools, household items, and more.
I agree I love Menard’s, you would be surprised at the stuff they carry. If the couple owns a house think of luxury upgrades they wouldn’t get for themselves, like a deluxe shower head. More practical ideas like energy saving bulbs or attic insulation may not be as glamorous, but be the gift that keeps giving. For smaller budgets you can get neat little gadgets like a windup led flashlight.
Breadmaker, budget friendly cook books. Register for things that are really good quality/have warranties so you won’t need to replace them anytime soon. Read reviews!
After a little over a year of marriage, my favorite items so far have been a blender/food processor, crock pot, electric mixer, a vast assortment of Tupperware, and muffins pans.
When I registered I put things on (and received) some things I really didn’t need or use. My absolute favorites and the things I still use today, 5 years later, are:
My stand mixer! (love love love it… and I use it almost everyday)
A REALLY good vacuum (We got a dyson and it is still wonderful)
A large food processor (you’d be amazed with how easy this makes cooking)
Good quality pots and pans (we got a set for our engagement, all the siblings-in-law chipped in for this)
Congrats on the wedding and just make sure you register for good quality items. My mother still has some kitchen items from her wedding, 44 years ago!
Ditto on the pots/pans and vacuum!
A food processor is a great idea! We use ours a lot when we’re doing multiple meals for the freezer.
Things I use the most from my registry are the stand mixer (Kitchen Aid), blender and food processor!
Has anyone mentioned a microwave? This I could not live without. I can live without the stand mixer and the bread maker. they just clutter a smalll kitchen. and you can learn to cook rice on the stovetop! That would eliminated that clutter too. Good cast iron is what I love for the stove top…it lasts forever! And you can take it camping.
There is so much to put on your registry, and like you I left off the china. We were very blessed and received everything off our registry, gift cards, and cash. Now that I have been married 9 years, and host many more large family/friends gatherings I wish I would have added the china on my list (after all the major necessities were purchased). It’s not something I splurge on for myself, but would be nice to have.
I agree 100% with this. We have been married almost 10 years and I didn’t register for china thinking I wouldn’t use it. But now? I wish I had a nice set of dishes. A silly thing, but it would be nice. It’s not something you would buy for yourself, which is likely why it shows up on most registries. While I think practical things are great to put on there, add some splurge items that you simply WANT. Things that would just make you smile to see them. 🙂 Sometimes, when times are tough, it feels good to eat a simple meal off of pretty dishes that you love.
I agree!
I agree, too. I know you can make any meal special with flowers or something simple, sometimes I wish I had nice china.
If you are putting everyday dishes on your registry, request more than you think you will use. I was surprised at how frequently we had a lot of guests at one time and I was glad I didn’t need to break out paper plates. Besides, some dishes will get broken, some will be loaned and not returned, some will become serving or food prep dishes.
You do need a lot more plates than you might think – especially if you intend on having kids – since dishes last forever. Or, you could ask for a set of dishes that has been around a while so you could buy more of the same in the future as needed.
I hate to say it, but if you’re like us, you’ll need more just because you won’t want to run the dishwasher if it isn’t full! 🙂 We went out and bought an extra 4 large plates, because our original set of 8 just wasn’t enough. (And I’m a HUGE fan of Corelle, for what that’s worth!) Congrats!
Yes, definitely get plenty of everyday dishes! We actually have a set of 12.
We registered for 8 place settings, and got those from my grandpa. They were from JCPenney, and later, I worked there.
When I was working there, a supervisor found a box of my exact dishes in the storeroom and put them on clearance. I was able to buy them for $7 after my discount! Now, I am sooo glad I have 12 place settings; I usually only run the dishwasher once a week or every 6 days when it’s my husband and me.
When my husband and I registered for our wedding, we found a pretty, durable set of china on Target’s website. We use the dinner plates literally every day, and after three years of marriage only one has gotten a little chipped (and that’s because I dropped it in the sink). So, for those of you registering for weddings, look out for pretty but sturdy china!
I bought a set of vintage china from the Goodwill auction site in my area after I was married. It’s gorgeous, has charm, and cost even less than a set of “regular” plates. China doesn’t have to be out of reach if you’d like a set 🙂
I didn’t put china on my registry 10 years ago, but it’s on my Amazon wishlist now. Every birthday and Christmas I get more pieces, it will take longer, but I’m getting there.
I didn’t register for china either. I’ve been able to pick up whatever I’ve needed for parties at Goodwill. You can find entire sets of matching china and glassware for just a few bucks. Although I would say to register for plain white serving dishes – they can be used to every day as well as to mix in with any of your beautiful thrift store finds. It seems that I throw a brial/baby shower every few months, as well as host book club and girls’ nights and I like that I can change up my table settings for cheap whenever I’m sick of them.
We REALLY REALLY didn’t want to register for china or crystal but had many friends and family members who assured us we would be glad we did. We registered for an inexpensive set and got 12 full place settings and 12 sets of crystal. After 6 years, it was all still in a closet, in the original boxes – we weren’t about to go spend money on a china cabinet! Finally, we sold it all on Ebay. We’ve been married 10 years and never once have thought “It sure would be nice to have nicer dishes.” We love our Pfalztgraff.
Usually when we use our china, it’s when we have company, so register for plenty. The first Thanksgiving we hosted, we had to buy an extra plate (well, didn’t have to, wanted to).
I would highly recommend a vacuum sealer and bags to go with it. It would be the perfect accompaniment for a chest freezer and is a great way to save money on meats and produce year round. Not sure what happened on my previous comment- sorry.
Register for traditional stuff, but do it at a store that sells more than just that stuff. Then after your wedding do a bridal exchange and exchange it for what you really want or need but didn’t feel you could put on your list. Like a vacuum cleaner or a rug. I think Bed Bath and Beyond does registries and they have cleaning supplies and organizational items. Kohl’s has small appliances. I got so many duplicates I was able to return a lot of gifts and get things I really needed for my new home.
This might not be the most popular idea, but I second it!! I registered for traditional registry items at Kohl’s, then ended up returning some of the things that I didn’t think I’d use and got my Dyson! Instead of spending a lot of money to complete a Fiestaware set, return the pieces you get as presents and use the money toward bigger items.
I second money saving appliances: blender, crock pot, toaster, chest freezer, bread maker, good mixer. A GOOD iron is a necessity, a decent vacuum and a steam mop (depending on flooring). Nice cookware and baking dishes as well as tupperware is good and decent silverware!
I second the vacuum as a great, practical gift. The basic vacuum we received as a wedding gift (it was pink!) lasted about 16 years. It had a longer life than my Dyson and other expensive vacuums. Even though it was a practical gift, I still thank the givers, who are friends of my parents.
As a “nice” gift, I agree silverware is wonderful. A good set can be pricey to buy on a newlywed budget, but it is a terrific gift idea. I’m glad people invested in a good set for us. Our wedding set has lasted more than 20 years and is still in great shape.
I agree with Laura on the silverare with an added…serving utensils. A couple of slotted spoons, some with no slots, small serving spatula’s, etc. I don’t have these and sooooo wish I did. They are on my current wish list. Congrats on the wedding!!!
I would think not only about the kinds of items you will need to save money, but also about the chance to get higher quality items than you will be able to afford yourself. That’s why I would also add quality flatware to the list! Cheap flatware will break and bend and have to be replaced. We registered for flatware in lieu of china and we are so grateful that we did. It will last us for a very long time.
I recommend registering for two sets as well. We registered for one large set, but now we are missing half the dinner forks, and we can’t get more. You can save one set now and add to it from your spare set as your family grows (and as your husband leaves forks at work!).
I would highly recommend a vacuum sealer and bags to go with it. It would be the perfect accompaniment fokdasl
We couldn’t do without lots and lots of durable plastic and glass bowls with lids. They’re necessary if you cook ahead and do freezer storage or take leftovers in lunches.
Also, organization and storage items. I love those pretty cloth-covered boxes that you can get a Target or Hobby Lobby. They’re durable and attractive. Do you have a home office that needs to be organized? A cork board? A white board? A dry-erase reusable calendar? If you’re going to stockpile, register for heavy-duty shelving units. Do you have a garage that needs to be organized? Register for the heavy-duty garage organizers. We also love the 3M hooks that can be stuck to any surface. They’re not cheap, but oh-so-practical!
Finally, if you’re going to be canning or preserving, register for canning items. Jars, a canning kit, a pressure canner, etc.
Best wishes for a happy marriage!
great idea on the pressure canner… I just about fell over from sticker shock when I went to buy one.
I wish we had registered for more “big” things and less random littles when we got married.
My husband registered for tools at Home Depot, and we did get a lot of those. It was nice that my husband had his own saws/drills/etc to do little fixes on the house when we moved in. I second the crock pot and food saver as well. I also wish I would have registered for a really nice blender. You can puree soups, smoothies, and in the future, baby food.
My top items that I use weekly are: slow cooker, bread machine, and rice cooker.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
I hadn’t considered a rice cooker but will definitely look into it, thanks!
I got a rice cooker for Christmas and I love it! I only make plain white rice but it helps when I’m cooking something else in the kitchen. Take it from someone who “used” to hate plain white rice. I am now a HUGE fan!
I would definetly get a rice cooker but I would go to the Thrift store for that. They always have them and lots of times brand new! Save your registry for Kitchen Aid or even better a Bosch!! Get a Vita Mix- I use mine everyday. I have two cast iron skillets that I use everyday. You don’t need to spend money on a large set of cookware. Just a few select pieces. Small sauce pan, med sauce pan, dutch oven, pasta pot(with a strainer) and the two cast irons. That is all I use.
My rice cooker can also be used as a steamer, which is great! I used to make all my baby food and used it as a steamer all the time.
its funny how people have different tastes – we got a rice cooker when I got married 7 years ago – I may have used it 15-20 times since then – I hate it since it takes longer and is more of a mess than just cooking rice on the stove top.
Then you must have a bad rice cooker!
Mine takes less than 15 minutes, and is super easy to clean. (I made sure it didn’t have an attached lid, that would make it hard to clean.)
no – its a good one with a non stick interior. Rice on the stove takes 12 minutes – and the pot can run through the dishwasher. The rice cooker spits and has to be hand washed, and only makes rice and steamed veggies (unitasker!) – just not my cup of tea 🙂
I never would’ve thought of a rice cooker either, but was given one as a gift. At first I thought it was an appliace we would be getting rid of, but I decided to give it a try. We LOVE it and use it often. Rice is cheap to buy, especially if you’re buying the slow cooking type which you use in rice cookers. So, having one could save you money if otherwise you may not make rice as often!
Rice cookers are the best. I cannot cook rice to save my life, but my rice cooker does a great job. We lived in Hawaii so we make a lot of ‘local style’ food which includes: sushi and fried rice. We save a lot of money by making these items ourselves.
Rice cookers are also great for steaming veggies while cooking rice. The steam tray got the veggies way more tender than any other method…which is great for making home made baby food (when the time comes;) ).
I just sold our rice cooker in a yard sale. I used it a lot to make baby food, but since those days are now over, I didn’t feel like I needed it anymore. In light of yesterday’s post on clean counters, I don’t miss it 🙂
I love my ricemaker. My husband got it for me for Christmas this past year. It is a 20 cup capacity by Aroma. It does white and brown rice, it also steams veggies and meat, and you can make soup, stew and chili in it. It was a great gift and I am glad he took the hint and got it for me. I really love that it has a warming feature to keep whatever you cook warm after it has finished cooking. It is super easy to clean also because it has a non stick interior.
I recommend registering for kitchen utensils and small appliances you will use, like toasters, coffee makers, food processors, baking pans, storage containers, and mixing bowls. I know many brides want upscale items, but retailers like Walmart and Target make bridal registry easy and gifts affordable for wedding guests. I recommend items like the Better Homes and Gardens baking pans and utensils from Walmart as a good example of a product that is durable, reliable, and affordable. You can also request cash towards a specific item (freezer) with your closer relatives and friends. Most guests want to please the couple and get useful items, so give it a try.
Bed, Bath, and Beyond also has a huge variety of small utensils & pans at great prices!
When we got married I already had most of the household items we needed so we registered for camping equipment. We’re still using most of the gifts we received nearly 20 years later!
That is a fantastic idea!
What about nice glass food storage containers? This makes it easy to store leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day – and you don’t have to use ziplock – type solutions that you would throw away. A vacuum sealer also allows you to store food in the freezer for a longer time – and the bags that go with it might be good gifts for guests with a more limited budget. I would also suggest making sure you consider the personalities of your guests. Some people really want to give you a special item that will remind you of your wedding for years – my MIL always buys china or crystal. This is their choice as they are giving you the gift (something my husband reminded me of many times as I wondered at the impracticality of many of our wedding gifts 😉 Congrats on your upcoming marriage!
Glass food storage containers would be a great idea. These ones are great and have been made exactly the same since my grandmother used them http://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocking-Refrigerator-Storage-Container/dp/B0000DDZMR/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1315418341&sr=8-10.
I agree with the glass food storage containers. These ones are great and are made exactly the same since my grandmother used them http://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocking-Refrigerator-Storage-Container/dp/B0000DDZMR/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1315418341&sr=8-10.
I agree! I have pyrex with plastic fitting lids that I have been using regularly for 7 years. My husband takes them to work, we use them for leftovers, I even use them for serving bowls. They have saved me a ton in gladware!!
Glass food storage containers and a vacuum sealer with bags sound great, I am definitely adding them, thanks!
Yes, definitely go with Pyrex containers over plastic. The containers don’t stain or warp in the microwave, can be used for fridge, freezer, microwave and oven and will last for a long time!
OT – Do you have problems with the pyrex leaking in lunch bags? I’ve been eyeing them lately, but am a little worried that I’ll end up with sticky lunch bags at the end of the day.
For my shower I had gotten some anchor hocking and pyrex glass dishes. the lids on the ah broke, but the pyrex has survived 6 years now. They haven’t leaked for me. I’ve had them tossed in diaper bags, purse, day outing bags, in the car, in the hands of a toddler…none of the pyrex have chipped, brook, leaked. Nothing, they are awesome! Pyrex is a must!!
Amanda,
There are “no leak” pyrex containers at my store. I pack my lunch in them and haven’t had leaks. They are more expensive then the standard pyrex of course…but are worth it!
Nope – no leaking here! We use them every day and they have great air-tight lids. They’ve ended up upside-down in lunch bags before and been just fine.
My hubby takes applesauce to work in them- no leaks EVER!
We haven’t had any leaks with ours.
If you are able to find them, go for square/rectangluar shaped storage containers instead of the round ones – the straight sides make for much more efficient use of space.
If it weren’t for the raised eyebrows, I would have put toilet paper and paper towels on my registry HA!! Seriously though, I think some of the money saving appliances such as a bread maker, food processor, dehydrator, blender, etc. would be great for a registry. People will also ask your parents, brothers, sisters, etc what to get you, and I would suggest asking your family to tell them gift cards would be great. They don’t expire now, so they could be useful for many years to come. Picture frames are also a great idea because I don’t know how many I have bought over the years as my children have grown, but I think I should have bought stock in Hobby Lobby! Towels, linens, etc are also great because they do eventually wear out, and I’m not aware of any do-it-yourself on those. Overall I would say try to think about things that you would put in the needs category as opposed to the wants and go from there.
No Joke!!! We HAD toilet paper, paper towels and laundry soap on our registry – gotta love Amazon. ;0) … We got raised eyebrows but we didn’t care – we didn’t “need” anything as we already had been living together for 3 years and we knew these sorts of things could save us when money was tight…
We also registerd for a tent, and some “fun” things too – which many people appreciated because who really needs another picture frame. 😉
ok… I forget – we don’t have kids so I’m not in need of so many frames yet – but Melissa makes a good point they might be good for future
I would not recommend registering for any picture frames. You will receive tons of those anyways! If people don’t want to shop off your registry, that’s most likely what they’ll get you.
We got so many picture frames and we keep a relatively clutter-free house, so ours sit in a cabinet and will be re-gifted or donated over time (we live in a totally different area now and my husband is a pastor). We have plenty of pictures on our walls, too – most of those given to us as well!
My son and his future wife have registered for tools at Sears as they feel that doing their own automotive and home repairs will save quite a bit. A crockpot and a food saver would be great as well.
My hubby and I registered for tools, too, and those were some of the most useful and money-saving things we received. Plus, my hubby felt more included in the process by getting to register for things he wanted.
My husband created a registry at Lowes when we were getting married. He got a portable generator which we have used OVER and OVER – even if it’s just to put air in our tires.
Congrats on your wedding. I hated registering for my wedding. It seems like everyone had an opinion — either I didn’t add enough or I added too much. That said, here are a few things that come to mind:
-sharp knives and a great vegetable peeler
-bread maker, crock pot and waffle iron
-a good iron which will make it easier to not send everything out to the cleaners
-I love my food dehydrator but that’s not for everyone
That said, people will still give you vases and picture frames and those are great for cheering up a frugal household!
I second the sharp knives! We received a very nice pair of knives as a gift and thought it was kind of a weird gift to give for a wedding, but it is the item we use most! It is so handy have an excellent knife for cutting in the kitchen.
I agree on good knives and good cookware. I worked at Williams-Sonoma, and a high quality set of each can last you a lifetime.
I totally agree with sharp knives!!
A Rowenta iron (Kohl’s) has been a household favorite of mine and will last a long time.
Good knives are a must! I absolutely love my Henckels knives and you can get very good quality ones at Target for less than other stores. A knife sharpener is also a very important item. Another thing that I use a lot is a hand or stick blender. And the fun things are important too. I agree with someone saying that good quality white dishes are good, but also include some fun, really nice serving dishes. Someone else mentioned tools. That is also something that you might want to look into. My husband and I have ended up spending a lot trying to get the tools we need, and it’s a very slow, frustrating process. Last year, when I had a baby registry I registered with myregistry.com, because you can register from any store and have it all in one place. That makes it easier on your guests to find what you want.
A bread machine and Cuisinart come to mind.
Thanks! I have never used a bread machine before, do you have any brand suggestions?
My bread machine is an Oster; it wasn’t terribly expensive and has held up great!
If you’ve never used one before, it might not be the best thing to request!
For items you’ll use heavily, register for decent-to-good quality products. They’re more expensive initially but they will last much longer and are therefore a better investment for most people. We registered for a couple pieces of good cookware, 2 knives, a set of practical dishes, some basic white serving pieces, and a kitchenaid mixer. We just celebrated our 8 year anniversary yesterday and just about everything is still in great shape. On the other hand, the junky items we registered for have long since fallen apart and had to be replaced. You might also stay away from registering for items you can get much cheaper on your own. For example, this isn’t a wedding registry story, but for my baby shower I initially registered for a stroller but took it off when I found I could get the same one gently used for almost $150 less! Instead I saved the registry for things I could not easily get cheaper on my own. I’d also suggest registering at some place like Amazon along with a traditional store. Often Amazon has better prices on things, which your guests will appreciate! Finally, don’t get sucked in by all the stuff you’ll see on the “suggested” registry lists stores give you. In fact I’d recommend just tossing it immediately. Take stock of your lifestyles and what you actually think you might use, not what someone else says you’ll need.
Oh, and I agree with everyone who said you should add a couple “fun” things that aren’t needed but that you like. One of my FAVORITE things I registered for is a Vera Wang vase. I think it cost $100 which is just obscene, but I really loved it and my mom kept telling me I should get at least one piece of crystal I could keep for a lifetime. I use the vase just about every time I have flowers (which is admittedly not as often as I’d like, but still every couple months). It just makes me happy and I’m so glad I have it. On the other hand, I also registered for some fancy salt and pepper shakers and those I’ve only used twice in 8 years. (But I should have listened to my gut–I wasn’t in love with those like I was the vase!) There are always guests who *want* to buy that fun, fancy stuff. If you don’t put it on your registry they will just go pick it out on their own. So you might as well get something you love! It doesn’t have to be a hundred dollar vase, but maybe it’s a $30 picture frame or a pretty candle holder. Just a couple items to help make your house feel like a home.