GIFT REGISTRY

There are so many places you can register. Here are a few items to think about and also some alternatives to gifts.

Dinnerware and flatware

8 to 12 of the following:

 4-piece casual place settings

 5-piece fine china/formal place settings (optional)

 5-piece flatware settings

Other possible accessories:

 Casserole dishes

 Serving bowls

 Pasta/soup bowls

 Sugar and creamer

 Salt and pepper set

 Gravy boat

 Cake plate

 Butter dish

 Teapot

 Salad bowl

 Serving spoons/forks

 Butter knife

 Extra teaspoons

 Extra salad forks

Tableware

 Tablecloths

 Place mats

 Napkins

 Napkin rings

Crystal and Glassware

8 to 12 of the following:

 Wineglasses

 Water goblets

 Champagne flutes

 Iced beverage glasses

 Pilsners/beer mugs

 Margarita or martini glasses

Other possible accessories:

 Wine rack

 Ice bucket with tongs

 Pitchers

 Cocktail shaker

 Cake stand

 Punch bowl set

Cookware

 Cookware boxed set

 Sauce pans

 Sauté pans

 Omelette pans

 Griddle

 Grill pan

 Steamer insert

 Crock pot

 Casserole

 Wok

 Pot rack

 Tea kettle

 Casserole dish

Bakeware

 Cookie sheet

 Bundt pan

 Cake pan

 Loaf pan

 Pie pan

 Muffin pan

 Mixing bowls

 Measuring cups

 Pizza pan

Kitchen Appliances

 Blender

 Coffee maker

 Coffee grinder

 Food processor

 Hand mixer

 Bread maker

 Pasta maker

 Waffle maker

 Toaster or toaster oven

 Microwave oven

 Steamer

 Electric can opener

 Juicer

Cutlery

 Boxed set of steak knives

 Knife block

 Chef’s knife

 Bread knife

 Paring knife

 Utility knife

 Sharpening steel

 Kitchen shears

 Cutting board

Bedroom

 Flat sheets

 Fitted sheets

 Pillowcases

 Pillows

 Pillow shams

 Bed spread

 Bed skirts

 Lightweight comforter

 Duvet or down comforter

 Lightweight and heavy blankets

Bathroom

 Bath towels

 Hand towels

 Wash cloths

 Guest towels

 Shower curtain

 Bathroom rug

 Bathroom scale

 Hamper

Home Décor

 Vases

 Picture frames

 Decorative bowls

 Candlesticks/candle holders

 Clocks

Other

Tools

Furniture

Camera equipment

Computer equipment and electronics

Patio and outdoor gear

Sports or fitness gear

Luggage

OTHER IDEAS

Gifts: Asking for Money

Engaged couples are always talking about it -- many definitely prefer Cash gifts. But how to tell guests -- or parents, who are often so set on a Trip to the registry to purchase traditional gifts like china, silver, and crystal?

THE REASONS

Whether you're getting married for the first time and would rather have A lump sum to put toward your first home, or you're remarrying and have long since set up house, extra money, rather than multiple toasters, is certainly a nice thing to think about. The truth is that quite a few of us have already accrued all kinds of appliances and amenities to outfit our lives. But there are very few who couldn't use a helping hand toward buying a home or new car. That's when money may be the most useful, thoughtful, and appreciated gift of all. Don't deny it -- you're salivating just thinking about that pile of checks you hope you'll have post-wedding, and how the two of you will sit there with a calculator adding it all up. Fun!

A LITTLE HISTORY

Time was when the mavens of manners and other divas of doing the right thing turned up their noses at the thought of giving money as a gift. But today, there are plenty of people who can't think of a more appropriate present for two people just starting out in their new, shared life. In fact, gifts of money have long been considered proper and acceptable in different regions of the country, as well as among different cultures. Guests invited to a Korean wedding often present envelopes containing cash or checks to the parents of the bride, who in turn present the money to the newlywed couple. Guests at a Chinese wedding often hand the bride monetary presents in red envelopes (red symbolizes love and joy).

There's an Italian custom called "The Grand March" -- the wedding reception ends with a receiving line in which the couple gives each guest a sweet in exchange for an envelope of money.

During the traditional Polish "Dollar Dance," guests literally buy a dance with the bride by pinning money to her veil or dress. There's no question that gifts of money and weddings are certainly no strangers.

RESOURCES

These days, there are actual registries set up around the concept of monetary gifts -- including the Bridal Registry Account, created by no less than the federal department of Housing and Urban Development! Couples can open a bridal registry savings account with participating Federal Housing Administration-approved banks nationwide. Family and friends can then deposit cash wedding gifts directly into the interest-bearing account --call (800) CALL-FHA for more information. Or register on The Knot Wedding Gift Registry to get an AmEx Gift Cheque for a Quicken Mortgage for First-Time Home Buyers. You can use the gift cheque towards the mortgage application fee or as payment towards closing costs.

HOW TO SPREAD THE WORD

If you decide to set up such an account, or simply want your guests to know that you'd prefer checks -- let your parents, close relatives and friends, and wedding-party members know that when guests ask, they can tell them that. Or post it on your Personal Wedding Web Page. But don't completely forego some sort of traditional registry. Give guests a choice -- some may really want to give you something material, rather than just writing you a check. And it's not as if you wouldn't want some cool new stuff from the department store or The Knot Wedding Gift Registry right? Just bite the bullet, guys.

QUICK TIPS

If anyone asks, checks before the wedding should be made out to the bride OR groom (i.e., they should use the bride's maiden name, if she's planning to change it). After the wedding, checks should be made out to bride AND groom. This just makes cashing 'em easier, and it's also the traditional way it's done. As far as checks brought to the reception -- put someone in charge of collecting them. The best man is a good bet. You might even want to make him and the maid of honor responsible for keeping the checks for you while you're on your honeymoon -- they can even deposit them into your account for you, as long as they make a list of who gave you what first!

IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS

The one potentially awkward thing about a cash gift is that there's no hiding how big or small that present is. But the thought behind each one remains the same -- and your thanks shouldn't vary in size, either.