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When you join a gift registry, you wander through the store or catalog and pick out items you would like to have. Your wish list of wedding gifts becomes a matter of public record, and people who want to buy you gifts can find out where you're registered and choose from the things on your wish list. This has two positive effects: the guest knows he or she is buying you something you want, and the registry itself prevents people who use the registry from buying you the same gift. Wedding registries cut down on the number of presents that are returned after the wedding, saving everyone time and effort. Wedding etiquette says that if you are going to join a registry, you should pick gifts with a range of prices, so that guests can work within their budgets. Another possibility includes buying a portion of a large gift, as when a guest purchases one full place setting of wedding china: once twelve people each buy a place setting, the bride and groom have their china all bought. Most big chains have wedding registry services: even Target has one! Typical items chosen by wedding couples include china, glassware, vases, table and bed linens, towels, appliances, cocktail shakers and the inevitable toaster. But you no longer have to be restricted to household items. With people marrying later in life these days, it's often a matter of getting rid of half their stuff so they can start a new home together. Wedding registries have taken this fact into account, and it's now possible to put all sorts of things on the wedding wish list.
Most wedding guests put off buying wedding presents as long as possible, many running out the week (or the day!) before to get something for the happy couple. But if you want to get the planful guests, the ones who take their jobs seriously in the gift department, you should register for gifts at least 4 months in advance. And always, always register somewhere before your first wedding shower, so your friends can buy you the gifts you want.
If you're marrying without household objects, choose things that you would have to buy yourself—an iron, a blender, blankets and towels, or glassware. If you're in the unique position of not needing any more stuff because your parents just moved into a condo and gave you half their stuff, you can register for things like CDs from your favorite musicians and significantly beef up your collection. Be kind to your guests by registering for gifts that are affordable.
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