It has realllly been awhile since I've done one of these. To be honest, the wedding plans have kind of taken a back seat for the last few months - but after the Holidays it's going to be full speed ahead! My wonderful friend Jacqueline did take some engagement pictures in October, and here's one of my favorites:
But, back on task, I read this article today at theknot.com (my most favorite wedding site for so many reasons, but I can go into that later) about registry fun and suddenly got really excited about registering for new stuff!
Here are just a few things I'm most looking forward to:
1) Brand new, real people knives. The ones I'm using now are like sawing through leather with a chopstick.
2) Towels. Real, adult, bath towels. That's all I'm gonna say. I refuse to get into the condition of the towels I am currently using.
3) A KitchenAid Stand Mixer. No, I do not bake. But, maybe I will someday if I have one these. Right? Yeah . . . right.
4) A set of really nice white dishes. Food looks so much tastier on white dishes. I can't wait!
SO, MY QUESTION IS THIS:
What items should I be sure to register for? Is there something you wish you would have added or what was your most useful/favorite gift?
I really do cherish your input!
Happy Tuesday,
Love, Nikki
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Comments (27)
KnitterPam
said:
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... Get stuff you need. Like a good punch bowl. Because down the road (I'm not pushing, but I do have a baby pattern ready to knit for you....  ahem...), you might have kiddos. Or someone you know will and you'll be the hostess. If you're not gonna bake, don't get a mixer. Or a salad spinner. Or a G.Foreman grill. Or a panini maker. They are Wasters of Space in the Kitchen. Get a good set of Corningware (can be refrigerated, baked, nuked or frozen) WITH LIDS. Get nice mixing bowls and measuring cups/spoons (with numbers that won't rub off over time). Nice saute pans, and maybe a flat grill so you can make batches of pancakes on a weekend morning. |
raffertyc1
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... Pam's list is pretty good - definitely don't register for all the kitchen gadgets if you aren't at least once a month wishing you had one for something you are doing - unless of course you have a lot of extra space that needs filling! Get bath sheets - they are more like beach towels in your colors and they will dry and cover anything!! barware is always fun, especially if you like to drink. |
loreedfk
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... A good set of cookware - it took me many years to learn that it really does make a difference. And just a tip - I'm not a PChef consultant anymore - but you can do a bridal registry with Pampered Chef and they have some really awesome stuff! |
Connie Catlin
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... But even if you just make mashed potatoes once in a while, that mixer will be loved! |
Wendy_B
said:
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... Nice serving pieces and utensils. I only registered for a few when I got married. Everytime I had a party, I had to borrow or run out an buy some! Register for things you would never buy for yourself, but would like to have. You can buy sets of dishes or towels from Bed Bath and Beyond or Target any old day. A Kitchen Aid is a good start! |
Wendy_B
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... Magnalite cookware....I've had mine for almost twenty years. We cook a lot at home, even though we own a restaurant, and it is still in great shape. |
tichwoli
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... I love these and think that you should get very specific on your registry. I have a set of Sabatier french chefs knives that have been around the world with me for 30+ years and are still as good as new. For cookware - All Clad stainless steel and for dinner ware - spend a bit of time looking around and then register with the store that has the style you want. |
Kristen
said:
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... Non-Love the Pampered Chef stuff... even the little things, tuna strainer, ice cream scoop(engineering magic in that baby), pizza stone, all stones... Like the Calphalon pans,everything tastes good coming out of it. |
hollykoster
said:
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... One thing I personally would do differently... I wish I'd gone more along the line of Correll than my stoneware Pfaltzgraph. The stoneware, while gorgeous, is heavy and chips easily. |
Staci B
said:
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... Another non-cook here ... the Pampered Chef ice cream scoop is a MUST! I've bought it as a gift for several people. Also, their little metal cake/brownie server (black-handled I believe). Another item we've given (& use) often. |
NicoleS72
said:
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... So off the top of my head here are a few things: If you're asking for the Kitchen Aid you HAVE to get the Pampered Chef Scoop for the cookies-makes them SUPER EASY to make. Plain White/Clear Serving dishes with lids. I registered for a lot of these at Crate and Barrel and got them all. I still have them all except one my husband broke. Set of serving platters in different sizes-again C&B For knives I'm gonna tell you to get a better brand as I used my old ones a lot and had to get them sharpened ALL THE TIME. I really like Wusthof and Bed Bath & Beyond sells these. You can use the 20% off on them too! LOTS of cutting boards. If you want to eat healthy that means eating a lot of fruits and veggies. I have 5 or 6 boards and sometimes wish I had a few more! Get the kind with the channel in them to keep the stuff from flowing over and the rubber sides to keep them from moving on the counter! A George Foreman Grill with removable plates. I just got this this year and wish I'd had it LONG AGO. This is by far one of my most used kitchen items! |
crsmoos
said:
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... A Kitchen Aid Mixer is an awesome gift. I gave one to my daughter for her wedding shower and she loves it. She is not much of a baker either but she uses it for mashed potatoes. Many people like to go together to buy gifts too, so if you would need a grill or patio set--that's something to thing about too. White dishes are a good choice too~there was a study done that people don't eat as much on light colored dishes. They tend to put more food on black dishes. Pampered Chef stones (all of them) are so great too=  |
CS_Nikki
said:
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... This has been so much fun to read and really, really helpful. I'm going to be getting started on the registries very soon and I will definitely be taking some of your suggestions. Keep 'em coming!  |
suzvit
said:
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... Everyone is so practical! My favorite gift from (ahem)40 years ago - can that be? was my good china. I still use it often and treasure it. A little hokey but true. I thought of returning it to get all the practical things and my wise mother cautioned against it. I'm so glad I listened and both registered for it and kept it. |
BlueBuff
said:
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... Some very good suggestions! So along the lines of registering for the nicer things you might not buy yourselves later, choose a better than average set of stainless silverware. You use it for a looong time and you want it to remain looking nice. And if you do want to choose good china, go with midrange on this so you will actually receive some. The West Bend Versatility Slow Cooker is my best appliance! It is my second West Bend slow cooker and I thought I could never love one more than my first one, but I do! And personally, I think everyone needs a waffle iron!  If you get one, email me and I'll share our special family recipe. |
Shona
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... I'm going to agree with suzvit, I registered for practical things as well as good china and Crystal. I did receive about 50% of my china..and even less of my crystal, and I love drinking my wine out of my Crystalware. I also received some of my everyday dinner ware, when it was all said and done, I of course went out and completed my fiestaware everyday dinner ware but not my China or Crystal, thankfully my mom completed my China as a gift a few years later, but 12 years later I have yet to supplement the rest of my Crystal, although I buy practical stuff I need all the time (corning ware, pampered chef gadgets, I even replaced my cookware) but I am not sure I will ever be able to justify completing my crystal or good silverware with two kiddos in the house and college years looming, and I so love having it and using it. |
Stampgoddess
said:
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... Someone gave me a kitchen aid mixer, and I NEVER use it! It weighs a ton, I don't have counter space to keep it out, therefore it never comes out of the cabinet. I have a Calphalon knife set that I LOVE--it comes with a sharpener and on the end of each knife is engraved what it is--paring, bread knife, etc. so you don't have to keep pulling them out to find the one you want. Got it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. (BTW--save your BB&B coupons forever--they will ALWAYS take expired ones and usually will take them for as many items as you want to buy). Another thing I still have and use from my wedding 20 years ago (yay, us!!!) is a good set of stainless steel silverware. Ask for more than you think you will need--for some reason pieces disappear over the years! I also agree with Wendy to ask for serving pieces and serving utensils--lots of them! I don't know if Tupperware does wedding registry, but their Fridge-Smart containers are FABULOUS!!! They keep your fruits and veggies fresh for ages! If you don't have a toaster oven, put that on the list. I don't know how I ever lived without one. You're smart to want all-white dishes--I love mine! |
jheyer
said:
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... Nikki! I am so happy for you and this is the fun part of the wedding planning! LOVE the photo! I agree with most and would second the good stainless silverware. Also will second how great the FridgeSmart storage containers are! They rock! Air bake pans for making cookies (even if you are just cooking the kind from a tube) Some nice any occasion cloth napkins and placemats. Great for everyday or special occasions. Loree, I used to be a Pampered Chef Consultant too back in the day! I love my Tool Turnabout and my Food Chopper! They are items I use all the time! The Mix n' Scraper (any of these scrapers) from PC are awesome too as well as the stoneware. There are so many items from that catalog as well as all the cookbooks I use all the time. Good luck! |
Monica
said:
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... I ditto the nice flatware suggestions, and definitely get a larger set than you think you'll use. There's only the two of us, but I selected a set for 16 people when I registered and let me tell you, that has come in so handy many times!! I'd much rather run the dishwasher than toss plastic utensils after a party and that larger set has helped a lot! If you plan on chopping things, alongwith knives I would recommend a small 2-4 cup electric food processor. I have one that was a Christmas present from DH's grnadparents shortly after we got married and I use that baby all the time!! I recently boughthte PP manula chopper, which is also very handy, but I will not give up my electric one! I have a KitchenAid mixer taking up space on my countertop, and while I don't use it all the time it has come in handy many times. DH uses it to whip egg whites for special waffles, I use it to whip cream for fresh whipped cream and to make frosting, and then there are those times it actually mixes something. lol! I suggest Pyrex glass baking dishes (with lids and carrying cases if you can find them) as I have some that have gone to many family events, church functions and gatherings. If you are a "clean and simple look" person, stay away from fussy patterns on anything. Something else to consider: you'll need serving dishes for entertaining and gatherings. I bought some really nice elegant white serving dishes in different sizes (with lids!) at a Corning Revere outlet shortly after we got married and still have them. Wish I'd bought more, in fact. Good quality paring knives are a must (Pampered Chef makes the best ones), and if you think you'll need them make sure to have a set of steak knives picked out. My in-laws are vegetarian so I didn't put that on my list.... and 15 years later I'm still irritated on the infrequent occasion I need one and don't have any! (note to self: go buy a set.)Bath sheets are defintely the way to go... and if you want matching bath mats, hand towels, washcloths, etc. make sure you add those. I got a huge amount of kithcen towels for my wedding and was glad that I had taken the time to select what I wanted... even if you simply want solids I'd add them to your registry. Another suggestion is to register in more than one store, as people can be very selective about stores they will shop at... or send them the web link to your registry so they can shop online. Have fun! |
CS Tricia
said:
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... Just gotta say. LOVE the picture. And get good knives. Cliff says. Mine are terrible. And get a nice big kettle for making soup. Cuz you and I both know that we're gonna make lotsa soup. |
ESIDER
said:
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... Going off in a different direction here Nikki so please bear with me. Though I think all the previous suggestions are great, there are other non-traditional options that you might want to consider... Since my husband and I were both in early thirties (31 and 33) when we got married, we had nearly everything we needed to "start out"... twice. Instead of getting a "better" (and third) set of things, we registered for our honeymoon to NYC figuring we could get the "good" knives, pans, sheets, etc. whenever we had the extra money to splurge. Having a home mortgage and three VERY large educational loans (2 undergrads and a Master's) the one thing we knew we could NEVER get on our own was the honeymoon of our dreams and the memories to go along with it... I will cherish forever that special vacation our family and friends helped turn into our reality - Our beautiful hotel, dining in some of the world's finest restaurants, the museums and the amazing opportunity to see some of our favorite actors (Jennifer Garner, Kevin Kline, Hank Azaria, David Hyde Pierce, to name a few) in the ELEVEN Broadway shows we experienced while there will never be broken, incomplete, or forgotten in a cabinet or box. I don't regret for one minute not getting that set of knives we don't have yet or a few pieces of Le Crueset. Don't get me wrong, traditional registries are great and it is always exciting to get new things especially you are starting a new life with that special person you have been waiting for your whole life for. However, my personal feeling is that Kohl's always has a sale and the cookware, storage containers, bedding and bath towels I have my eye on will ALWAYS be available. Again, just some food for thought... Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself and all the wonderful anticipation that accompanies the arrival of your special day! |
scampbell
said:
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... Wendy is right about the Magnalite. A large stock pot or roaster is good for soup. For knives, go with the Porsche. Same designer as the fancy car. The only knives you will ever use. You really only need a few: paring, chef, santuko, bread, and good steak knives. Love my pyrex. Stick with all white linens. Easier to keep towels clean with a touch of bleach. Colors tend to fade and not look as nice. White = spa. If you can, get the china, crystal and silverplate. I love eating with a silverplate fork. It's heavier and so lux. Don't save it for years and years, use the stuff. Get a china pattern you really love, and if you have to skimp, do it on the crystal. Enjoy! Stef |
dlwrules
said:
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... A really good coffee maker. The whole day is just a lot better once you get caffeine coursing thru your veins. |
Connie Catlin
said:
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... I actually posted this yesterday but don't see it so...to repeat..No matter how much you pay for nonstick cookware, somehow it gets ruined in a couple years so my suggestion is to get really good stainless cookware - it'll last decades. And be sure to buy some 'bar keep' powder to clean it - don't know why but it works better than anything else. (barkeepers friend - something like that). Darling picture Nikki! |
CS_Christine
said:
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... Great picture Nikki!!! Love it!! You'll see me registering for bedding and those cute decorative pillows that I would never buy otherwise. Thinking about registering at Kohl's they seem to have everything. |
CS_Nikki
said:
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... Thanks, Christine! I agree - you can never have too many decorative pillows! And I love both Kohls and Target. Hope you're having fun getting things planned! |
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