Registry Regrets And Must-Have's
One of the best parts of any celebration is the gifts, no? I mean, even at age 5, the birthday party is great and all, but it’s the stack of neatly wrapped boxes in the corner that we get most excited for. Well, a wedding is clearly no different. After the months of planning, countless anxiety attacks, and bending over backwards to please every guest’s unsolicited request…those gifts are basically our consolation prize. We’ve made it through the sh*t storm of chaos (I mean wedding planning), and we DESERVE that pastel pink SMEG toaster if we want it!
So what exactly should you put on your registry list? Well, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind y’all of my love for a Honey Fund (read about it here), but I understand physical gifts are needed as well! Here’s a roundup of my MUST-HAVE’s, SHOULD-HAVE’s, and WTF WAS I THINKING’s. Let’s start with the Should-Have’s, because LBH…those are the ones you came here for:
Should Have #1: Limit The Appliances!
Unless you’ve recently bought a million dollar mansion from Josh Flagg that has endless counter space, be cautious of how many kitchen appliances you register for. Most of those items are bulky and will totally kill your vision of a clean, clutter-free McGee and Co kitchen. A coffee maker and air fryer are big enough…add a blender, ice cream machine, and waffle maker to the mix and you’ve got yourself a Hoarders situation.
Should Have #2: Wait On Those Gift Cards!
Why is it that when we get a gift card, we feel the need to use it immediately? Unlike a check, which can go right into the savings account, these somehow come with an imaginary time limit. I found myself instantly going on the website and settling for something that I knew I didn’t need, but it was listed for $139 and the gift card was for $150 so like…why not? I urge you to not make this same mistake. Put your gift cards somewhere safe, and save them for when you really need something. Especially for those of you not yet in a house, you’re going to find PLENTY of uses for them when you do move into a more spacious, empty home one day.
Should Have #3: Listen to your Mama!
Both of our moms urged us to include things like monogrammed bath towels and high end duvet covers on our registry. We rolled our eyes at the thought of millennials ever prioritizing luxurious linens (I mean, the cheap ones we already have work just fine!), but turns out they were right! As we prepare to move into our house and visualize our linen closet filled with uniform, plush options for guests, we realize our reality is a pile of thin, old sheets and towels. Oops!
Shop Towels Here; Photo from Pottery Barn
Now that you know what I wish I had done, here are some things I’m glad I asked for:
Must Have #1: Air Fryer
So, it looks like a time machine, and it happens to be the one gift that my husband instantly looked at and said “that’s going back.” To be fair, this thing is a bit bulky, and the necessity of a healthy deep fryer seems a bit low on the list when you consider that neither of you eat fried food on the reg. But I was determined to win this battle, and insisted we at least try it out. Fast forward a week, and the husband is a BELIEVER. You can make absolutely anything in here from french fries to coconut shrimp to even just plain grilled chicken. The one we purchased doesn’t use any oil and heats up instantly (no waiting 20 minutes to pre-heat), so we have completely forgone our oven and instead use the air fryer for it all. Somehow, the end result is always a perfectly crispy texture, despite not using any oil. Plus, it doubles as a toaster…hello morning avocado toast!
Must Have #2: Fancy Knives
If you or your S.O. likes to be in the kitchen, you probably need some sharp knives. These are one of those things that you will NEVER buy yourselves, but will use all the time. As the vegetable chopper and poultry cutter in our house, my husband can attest to the difference between a $50 knife set from Target and these bad boys. Shop them here
Must Have #3: Dinner Set
The thought of having cabinets filled with chinaware sends a shiver down my spine. How old are we? 100? That being said, matching plates/bowls/mugs are probs for the best. We all have that cabinet filled with mis-matched plastic (some from college, some from your fiance’s bachelor pad, and some from the clearance aisle of Walmart). Nothing wrong with that cabinet, of course, but one day you’ll likely host a dinner party or Thanksgiving, and will appreciate a matching set. Tip: stick with something timeless so you can use them for years to come. Also…get at least 8-10 of everything, since you WILL have that clumsy guest who shatters a bowl and will need extras!
Must Have #4: Good Wine Glasses
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…Trader Joe’s Five Buck Chuck has never tasted so rich. Whether you’re a wine snob or not, these thin glasses with long stems will have you feeling like Kerry Washington in Scandal, and will have your wine tasting better than it ever has before.
Must Have #5: Sous Vide
Don’t ask me about the physics of this, because it truly baffles me every time. But this thing WORKS. Put steak, chicken, or fish into an air-sealed bag with your seasoning/marinade of choice, and submerge it in water. With the help of this auto-heating device, you can pull your meat out in under 30 minutes and have it perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful AF. Cut into it and have it fall apart, and instantly melt in your mouth. Again, not sure how this thing works, but magic is worth every penny. Shop it here
Must Have #6: Coffee Maker
I love this thing because it gives you OPTIONS. In a rush? Use the Keureg cup. Prefer coffee grinds? Use the single batch grind option. Serving guests? Make a pot of coffee with the old school filter (and then Google “how to make coffee with a filter,” because LBH…we don’t know how to do that).
And now for the WTF Was I Thinking’s…
WTF Was I Thinking #1: Fancy Hamper
This thing is a death trap. Truly. I wobbled past my husband the other day with my toe GUSHING blood, and he casually says “ah, hamper got ya?” Turns out, this had happened to him on multiple occasions as well. While trying to carry this basket that gets heavy AF, it’s super easy to accidentally kick it with your foot mid-walk. Well, the material is a sharp seagrass and it slices your skin upon contact. Never thought laundry could be so dangerous! And why did I convince myself that a fancy hamper was something I needed? Should’ve stuck to the plastic ones.
WTF Was I Thinking #2: Bowls Galore
Put a decorative serving bowl on your registry…I dare you. Somehow, these are the first to be chosen by guests, and ignored as others decide to purchase something for you that’s not on the registry….which is always MORE BOWLS. We had to move food out of the pantry to make space for all of these! On the plus side, should we ever host a dip party, we’re set.
Luckily, that sums up the WTF purchases for now, but stay tuned as the months go on and I realize there are probably tons more that I have never/will never use.
Again, my biggest tip is to do a gift registry (for Must-Have’s only!) and a honeyfund so you can enjoy your dream vacation without spending a dime. Click here to read more on how to set up your HoneyFund, or visit my Instagram (@wish.i.knew.before.i.do) for a Tutorial on setting it all up via your wedding website! Enjoy!