Q: Hey guys!! I find that I often look to you all on things DIY related, but more often than not, on things life related. I would love to hear items in or around your house that you are so glad you own because it helps with the day to day. I really enjoyed reading about how you saved money with Clara (what items you skipped out on or decided to go back and buy) and how you saved money with your wedding. I am getting married next June and it would be super helpful to hear what things my fiance and I should register for (and what we shouldn’t). You guys are my favorite! – Tyne
A: Let’s do this. We thought it would actually be fun to search our brains to see if they would even stretch back to 2007 and remember what we got, what we still love, what we regretted asking for, and what we wish we’d asked for. Because friends and relatives can be amazingly generous (and at least in our family really seem to appreciate a list of things you love so they don’t have to guess), it comes down to thinking long and hard about what you actually will use and love for the long haul. No pressure, right?
Registry items are one of those deeply personal decisions — some people love registering for formal china, while others are happy to skip it. The important part is knowing how you live and what you’ll realistically use. Registering for a Kitchenaid mixer when you don’t bake often is probably not the best idea. Toss out romantic notions of who you “should be” someday and focus on how you live now and how you expect to live in the coming years. If you’re a casual couple, embrace that. If you’re more formal, that’s fine too. But be honest with yourselves about what you’ll actually use.
Choosing classic, timeless items is usually a safe bet — if your tastes change, you won’t be stuck re-buying a whole set of trendy or highly style-specific pieces. You can always add personality later with easy-to-change accessories like patterned napkins, table runners, or seasonal glassware. Basic white dishes, clear glasses, and simple silverware can be dressed up in many ways, so they offer flexibility over time.
We also learned to pick items that are attractive enough to be left out. A sleek stainless steel toaster or a nice blender can live on the counter without making the kitchen look cluttered. Avoid overly bright or trendy colors for large items you might leave on display. Spending a bit more up front on pieces you won’t hide will pay off for the lazy among us who tend to leave appliances out for convenience.
Below is a list of what we registered for and still love, what we regret, what we skipped, and what we later purchased and wished we had registered for. Hopefully it helps you think through your own registry.
Kitchen Stuff We Registered For And Still Love:
- Basic silverware from Crate & Barrel
- White cloth napkins
- Simple white dishes that go with everything — classic and durable
- Good serving bowls and serving ware (multiple salad/chip bowls and large platters)
- Stainless steel blender and toaster (we also have a griddle)
- A cheerful strainer (ours is bright yellow and gets used)
- Chunky wood cutting boards (we keep two on the counter because they look nice and are practical)
- Simple, compact can opener (we avoided a bulky electric model)
- Clear peppercorn and sea salt grinders (classic and functional)
- Basic glass pitcher (timeless and useful)
- Stemless wine glasses — versatile for drinks beyond wine
House Stuff We Registered For And Still Love:
- Two Dolce lounge chairs from Target — still in our guest room
- Two simple glass-based lamps that moved with us from house to house
- Organic white bed sheets and four good pillows with pillowcases
- Large leather photo album for wedding photo strips
- Fluffy white towels used in main and guest bathrooms
- West Elm daybed and parson’s desk — gifts that have lasted
Stuff We Got And Later Regretted:
- Hepa filtered vacuum — we picked a cheap one and had to upgrade to a better model later
- Knife set in a block — the initial set was low quality and was replaced
- Small white mugs — scale was wrong; we later replaced them with larger mugs
- Cordless hand vac — ours failed fairly quickly and needed replacement
- Basic pots and pans — they scratched and wore out, so we later upgraded to better, teflon-free cookware
Stuff We Passed On (gadgets we realized we wouldn’t use):
- Coffee maker — we’re a tea household
- Kitchenaid mixer — would have collected dust
- Monogrammed towels and robes — not our style
- Espresso machine, ice cream maker, rice cooker, panini press, waffle maker — all specific appliances we didn’t need
- Toaster oven and specialty glassware like martini glasses — decided against them
Stuff We Have Since Bought (that we wish we’d registered for):
- A matched set of wood spoons and spatulas for a caddy next to the stove
- An immersion blender — turns out we use this often
- A charming soap and lotion set for the kitchen or bathroom
- Additional items as our tastes evolved (colored napkins, personalized mugs, holiday glasses)
- Sonicare toothbrushes — something practical we later wished we had added
- Two large clear glass canisters for staple storage on the counter
- A reliable fruit bowl that we use daily
We probably left a few things out — this was five years ago — but that covers the main wins, misses, and surprises from our registry. After compiling our list, we asked friends and family to share their top registry picks, and their answers reinforced that practical, everyday items often end up being the most valuable.
- My BFF Katie: white dishes, white platters, white towels, stainless toaster, and basic silverware
- My other BFF Cat: basic white towels, a versatile serving platter, everyday dishes (colorful Fiestaware), a striped ceramic pitcher, and a cute Anthropologie bowl set
- My friend D: crockpot, good knives, quality pots and pans, an air mattress, and a heavy bag for boxing
- My friend Heather: everyday dishes, a blender, nesting bowls, picture frames, and a powerful vacuum — she regrets registering for martini glasses and specialty ice cream dishes
- My friend Cody: plush white towels, a 9×13 baking dish, a throw blanket, a welcome sign, and white dishes
- My friend Kristin: white dishes, knives, small appliances like a toaster and hand mixer, timeless serving platters, and basic glasses
- My friend Lisa: good knives, pots and pans, flatware, and an ice cream maker
- My brother Doctor Dan: basic towels, a solid knife set, simple flatware, a coffee maker, and picture frames
- My sister-in-law Katie: a long-lasting coffee maker, casual dishes, stainless flatware, matching serving dishes, and Wusthof knives
- My mother-in-law Kathy: practical items like a crockpot, a hand-crank ice cream maker, a woven laundry basket, glass canisters, and a decorative bowl
So there you have it: practical registry favorites, a few regrets, and ideas for items worth adding. Think about how you live, aim for classic pieces that will last, and register for things you know you’ll use every day. Hindsight is 20/20 — choose what will make your daily life easier and more pleasant.