Getting married to the love of your life is great, but do you know what’s almost as good? Getting all those amazing wedding gifts.
OK, obviously I’m kidding (kind of), but a major perk of having a big wedding is being able to ask your friends and family to shower you with gifts to start your life together in style.
The only problem? Many couples end up with gifts they never use. From silver plates to weird knickknacks, so many traditional wedding gifts end up sitting in storage boxes collecting dust. My parents have been married for over 30 years and still haven’t used the china they were gifted back in 1989.
If you’re getting married and wondering what to put on your wedding registry, here are a few practical items you’ll definitely use all the time.
Slow Cooker
There are going to be countless days throughout your marriage when you and your partner are not interested in cooking. Those are the days you turn to the slow cooker. Whether you want a yummy chili, a delicious soup, or perfectly cooked chicken, a slow cooker is your best friend. You will use this item, I promise.
Luggage Set
Do you and your partner plan on traveling during your marriage? If so, ask for a nice luggage set! Quality luggage can last for a very long time, especially if you take good care of it, so there’s a chance you’ll be able to use it for many, many years.
Bedsheets
Is there anything better than sleeping in between quality sheets? I think not. I always have a hard time buying really nice sheets myself, but I’d have zero problems asking someone to buy them for me. Take this opportunity to get a set or two of bedsheets (like this one here) that’ll make sleeping a complete luxury.
Practical Dinnerware
Rather than ask for really expensive china or silver you’ll probably never use, find a set that is both nice and practical. Now, I’m not saying you need to ask for a plastic set from Target, but it should be something you’d feel comfortable pulling out for dinner parties or holidays as well as random Wednesdays.
Vacuum
I don’t know if you’ve noticed recently, but vacuums are expensive. Good ones can cost anywhere from $200 to $400, so ask a wedding guest with deep pockets to buy one for you! You’ll always need a decent vacuum no matter what, so use your wedding as an opportunity to get a really nice one.
What Do You Use Everyday?
Think about the things you enjoy every day. Do you make coffee every morning? Do you whip up a smoothie for lunch? If so, ask for a great coffee maker or a state-of-the-art blender!
Just as important, if you don’t drink coffee, don’t ask for the coffee maker. It’s easy to think you’ll become the kind of person who makes a perfect cappuccino at home in the morning, but you don’t want to ask for something you’ll never use.
For Those Who Already Have Everything…
Many people live with their partner before they get married and realize they don’t need kitchen items or new bedsheets. If you’re one of those people, consider asking your wedding guests to put money towards your honeymoon instead!
Or, if you’re planning on renovating your home, ask your guests to put money towards that. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking for money (in fact, some guests prefer giving cash), but try to be specific about what the money is going towards.
