There was a time when soon-to-be-married couples needed the all the basics to set up their new household. Because of this, their wedding gift registry were filled with items like dishes, pots and pans, bed linens, and towels. Of course they needed everything. It was a time when newlyweds went from living with their parents to sharing a household as a married couple.
These days, with more and more people living on their own, and/or living together, much of their household needs is already established. They don’t need dinnerware or bathroom towels, because these items have already been purchased and have long been in use.
So the types of gifts couples choose to register for has changed. Check out the 7 alternative wedding gift registry ideas you’ll really want.
1) Household Items
Some couples still register for household items, but not so much for the typical dishware and flatware, but more “specialty” type items. Cast iron skillets and waffle makers are quite popular right now.
But what about the other things you do around the house? We do more than just eat and sleep, right? Do you love playing board games? Maybe you two are avid readers or wine enthusiasts.
On Amazon.com, you can register for board games, books, wine accessories (like a wine rack, coasters, wine aerators, and (depending on your service area) Chardonnay, Reisling or whatever your favorite wine is.
Really, any tangible product that you can buy on Amazon can be a wedding gift registry item.
2) Gift Cards
CardAvenue.com is a registry for gift cards. Let’s be real here. You’ve been scrimping and saving so you can pay for your wedding (or a good portion of it). You’re spending so much money on your wedding, and the common splurges like getting a latte and eating out have been pushed out the window. Not buying that $4.25 latte each week adds up, ($4.25 x 52 weeks = $221. $442 for two people). And not eating out is even much a bigger savings, a couple thousand dollars easily.
So why do I think gift cards as a wedding gift registry item is a good idea? Think about it this way. You’ve gone a year or more skipping out on these little splurges (and may still be paying off some of those wedding expenses). Gift cards for a latte, fast food, or a real sit-down restaurant gives you the green light to treat yourselves again. (Don’t we all deserve a treat now and then)?
Gift cards can help with the everyday things like groceries, gas stations, fast food, restaurants, even Home Depot and Lowes if you’re planning on doing some home renovation.
[ctt template=”1″ link=”J5_9h” via=”yes” ]Check out the 7 alternative wedding gift registry ideas you’ll really want. #WeddingGiftRegistry[/ctt]
3) Experiences
At Cloud9Living.com instead of the traditional, tangible types of gifts that are wrapped up in pretty paper, couples can register for the gift of experiences that take place locally (or semi-locally) to where you live.
More people want less “stuff,” and giving the gift of an experience is not just a present, but allows you to enjoy time with each other. There are so many experiences available, such as:
• Adventure Activities (hot air balloon ride, or go for a tandem hang gliding flight)
• Driving Experiences (get behind the wheel of a full sized NASCAR)
• Flying Experiences (ever wanted to pilot a Cessna or a helicopter?)
• Food & Drink (Riverboat Dinner Cruise anyone?)
• Water Activities (Scuba Lesson)
4) Honeymoon Upgrades
Another type of Experience comes in the form of a Honeymoon Upgrades. Make sure you plan the honeymoon you want, then add some “extras” on your wedding gift registry.
At sites like BlueprintRegistry.com you can register for other things like:
• a hotel room upgrade
• snorkeling for two
• a round of golf for two
• a romantic dinner
• a bottle of wine or champagne
• breakfast in bed
• a couples’ massage
5) Wedding Vendors
Did you know that you can even register for your wedding photographer, hair stylist, wedding planner, and other wedding professionals for your big day? At SoKindRegistry.org you can register for your wedding day professionals, as well as non-traditional things like dog walking, babysitting, and movie tickets.
6) Funds For The Future
Sometimes the “things” we want or need aren’t for immediate use or enjoyment. Instead, looking ahead to future needs are foremost on our wish list.
Go to SoKindRegistry.org to register for:
• a new house down payment fund
• a home renovation fund
• contributions to a child’s college fund
• interior design
• landscaping help
7) Charities
In lieu of gifts, you can register for donations to your favorite charities at BlueprintRegistry.com and SoKindRegistry.org. You can register for whatever charity or charities that you are passionate about, including:
• Wounded Warrior Project
• American Red Cross
• UNICEF
• Doctors Without Borders
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• World Wildlife Federation
There are many alternative wedding gift registry sites online. The following are just a sampling of the wide variety of alternative choices you can register for.
• So Kind Registry
• Blueprint Registry
• Card Avenue
• Cloud 9 Living
• My Registry
• Amazon
• Zola
• The Honey Fund
• Simple Registry
What types of items did you (or will you) put on your wedding gift registry?
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Looking for fun ideas, or need help with your wedding plans? Contact me today at [email protected] or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!
