Top 10 Wedding Gifts for Which I Wish I Had Registered

I was cleaning my house this fine spring morning, enjoying the birds’ singing coming through the screen door. My sis and I had a really lovely breakfast on the back patio earlier, sitting comfortably on our new patio furniture I recently got at Lowe’s (too bad, WalMart!!). It just got me thinking, there are so many pretty things I’ve acquired in our house that I could have registered for as a bride. It’s been a few years, and obviously the things being sold today are not what were in style or being sold in the past. But the principle remains. I’d been on my own as a working adult for so long when I got married, I felt like I didn’t need anything; everything I owned was “perfectly good,” as my BigMama would say. Who cares if those towels are a little ratty? Just cut the strings off and keep going!

We tried registering for as little as possible, in hopes that people would just give us congratulatory notes stuffed with checks. Any social etiquette columnist will tell you it’s a big fat no-no to request cash in lieu of gifts for a wedding (darn you, Emily Post!). So we just sort of hoped people would give money. They did not. And not only did they give us stuff, they gave us stuff we didn’t register for, because our list was so pathetic. So without further ado, here is my List of Top 10 Gifts I would register for if given another chance:

Cutco Knives

I was aghast at the thought of registering for these, but my intelligent husband who loves to cook knew Cutco was the only way to go. We registered. And by golly, a very kind friend DID buy us a set of steak knives. Which we use every day. Yes they’re expensive. But they will last a lifetime. You never know who will be inspired to bless you with something this awesome. Register! www.cutco.comVitamix Blender

Another hugely pricey item. We bought my mother-in-law one for her birthday (the entire family chipped in). Of course, my spouse began to covet it immediately, so after a year, I got him one for Christmas. He was thrilled, and guess what. We use it every day. I’ve lost count of how many $25 blenders I’ve tossed because they burn up or the dern things leak. www.amazon.comSelf-Inflating Air Mattress

This might be just a personal preference. My hubby’s family is large, and they have a family reunion every year. Tons of kids. Nowhere to sleep. It’s just nice to pull out the old reliable self-inflating mattress that fits two adults or 3-4 kids comfortable and it’s inflated in about 5 minutes. $100. Target, WalMart, etc. you can find them anywhere.
Nice Blankets

Target had beautiful blankets this past winter. I lusted after them for a few weeks, and as the cold just seemed to be not going away this spring, I finally caved and bought one (on sale!). All our other throw blankets were small (and guess who would complain that his feet and shoulders couldn’t be covered at the same time?). Now we have a nice big one that’s not too hot, not too skimpy to snuggle under on the couch, or on my nice new patio furniture.Candles

My sister showed me the magical capabilities of upgrading an entire room with small, inexpensive items. Like candles. They’re cheap; they’re pretty; they smell good; you can replace them easily if you get tired of “Ocean Breeze” and want to try “Japanese Cucumber” instead. Target and World Market are great places for these.Picture Frames

This is one of the affordable things your friends will happily buy you, and that you likely never buy for yourself because ugh, my old frames “are perfectly good” even though I bought them in high school and you’d rather put that $25 or $14 toward a decent hair cut. Again, Target, World Market, Hobby Lobby. Great places to look.
Throw Pillows

Another huge room upgrade at an affordable cost.

Rugs

I’m not talking room-size area rugs, I mean the cheaper, smaller ones for your kitchen or bathroom or guest room. The ones you find for $100 or less. Great wedding gift!Beautiful Serving Dishes

I so wish I had done this one!! We don’t host parties often, but when we do, boy do I regret the sad, motley crew of platters and bowls I cobble together. I’m friends with a couple who did register for that sort of thing, and I always loved how pretty their food looked in all those matching pristine white dishes. And they were just plain white! But you get my point.Lamps

Another room upgrade. My sister just bought herself a new dresser, and wanted a lamp to sit on it. That $40 object totally changed the feel and atmosphere of the room! It’s cozy! There’s ambiance! You want to hang out in there and share secrets and watch Hulu together on her laptop! Do it.