The Secret to Getting Gifts That Are
Sure to Please
Selecting a bridal registry early in the wedding planning cycle can be easily be
one of your most enjoyable and exciting planning functions.
Bridal registries are a free service available at many of your city’s finer
department
and specialty stores. It affords you the opportunity of pre-planning your new
home furnishings and guarantees that you’ll be receiving truly welcomed gifts
from your friends and relatives. You should select your bridal registry as soon
after you become engaged as possible.
It will function as a helpful guide for selecting gifts for your engagement
parties, showers, and, of course, the wedding. The proper etiquette for
informing your guests about your selected bridal registry is to request your
bridesmaids, mothers and relatives to spread
the word.
It is also proper to include the phrase ‘registered at _________’ on your shower
invitations. It is not proper etiquette to include
bridal registry information on your wedding invitations.
Your bridal registry consultant is more than a salesperson. She can help you
with coordinating all the elements that go into furnishings and accessorizing
your first home. Selecting the items to furnish your new home should be a joint
effort between your and
your fiancé. Your guests may then be confident that their gift will be welcomed
and wanted.
Most importantly, you are allowing your guests to help you and your groom build
the sets of china, sterling, and crystal that will be with your throughout your
lifetime. Today’s registries offer you choices from practically every
department of the store, including
china, crystal, housewares, bath accessories, small appliances, furniture, bar
accessories, luggage, perhaps even tools. Let your needs and wants guide your
choices. Many stores now have computerized registries which make it even easier
to prevent duplication and to inform your guests, especially those shopping in
branch stores, of your preferences.
The bridal shower’s theme will also help dictate the expected gifts. In most
cases the bridal shower invitation will state exactly what type of gift to
bring. For example in a lingerie bridal shower guests are expected to purchase
lingerie for the bride.
With a “24 hour” bridal shower guests bring gifts that the bride can use at
different times of the day. So she could receive a bath robe, coffee maker and
hair dryer for morning use; clothes, jewelry, hobby gifts and home office
equipment for afternoon use;
and movies, music or kitchen appliances for evening use. Even if the
bridal shower doesn’t have a set theme the bridal shower gifts can still follow
a theme. Here are a few suggestions:
Bath and body:
all these gifts are intended for use in the bathroom or part of the bride’s
beauty routine: towels, shower curtain, manicure kit, perfume, fancy soaps,
candles or shower radio.
Entertaining: these gifts are perfect for the bride that loves to play the
hostess: wine
racks, punch bowls, candy dishes, a cappuccino machine, wine glasses, cocktail
glasses,
fine wines or liquors, ice buckets, card tables and extra chairs.
Lawn and garden:
gifts for the couple that are moving into a home with their first backyard:
gardening tools, landscaping, wind
chimes, bird feeders, fountains, whipper snipper, nursery gift certificates,
patio furniture, sundial, plants and flowers.
Sports and hobbies:
These gifts are great for “Jack and Jill” showers: camping gear,
golf clubs and bag, home renovation supplies, power tools, sports equipment,
painting supplies (paints, brushes, easel), music supplies (sheet music, music
stand, CDs of their favorite musician) and collectibles.
China and silverware:
These gifts are great for the couple just starting out or for those that like
the finer things in life: china, crystal, silverware, silver serving tray,
vases, candle holders, cocktail glasses and wine goblets.
Kitchen:
more gifts for couples just starting out or the culinary bride: cookbooks,
spices, tea kettle, coffeemaker (an toaster engraved with the couples name is
very popular), juicer, grater, cast iron pots and pans,
vegetable steamer, blender, wok, herbs, cooking oils and other kitchen
accessories.
With your groom, consider these categories. Note the quantities, sizes and
colors
or patterns of items you’ll need for your new home.
