Before getting married, we went through the usual wedding registry process. Some items we picked, from deco artwork to trendy china patterns, have failed to stand the test of time. Other wedding gifts have remained favorites, reminding us of the people who had the wisdom to get us a gift of lasting value.
If you are engaged, getting ready to put items on a wedding registry or are a wedding guest who wants to find the perfect wedding gift, perhaps my thoughts and experience will be helpful.
What we registered for:
At the risk of embarrassing ourselves, I will now disclose some of the things I thought would last for years and remain favorites. I picked out Dansk dishes with a blue trim for everyday use at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also selected some more expensive formal china. The formal china was rarely used and I quickly got tired of the pattern on the Dansk dishes, although they did last. They lasted so long I got sick of them way before they got scratched and worn. I was tempted to drop a few on purpose, just to be able to get some new dishes. We eventually gave them to a thrift store and cheerfully sent them on their way.
We also registered for more practical items such as microwave ovens, toasters, vacuum cleaners and personalized drinking and wine glasses. I also signed up for my silver pattern, although I actually chose gold-colored cutlery, a striking color against my fancier china plates.
We also registered at an eclectic art boutique and wedding guests bought us nice pottery, some artwork and other items from that store. I was thrilled.
The Wedding Gifts That Lasted
Guess which wedding gifts we still use and love? We don't have the exact same microwave as I did twenty years ago but I have a similar one. The vacuum cleaner was much appreciated - as was the toaster, drinking and wine glasses. We still have and use those personalized glasses! Every toast we make reminds us of our special day. It adds such a personal touch to have fine crystal glasses monogrammed with our initials. My silverware (which is actually gold plated) is still a favorite. The dishes - not so much. When it comes to china patterns, I didn't have a knack for picking timeless classics. Stick with the simple pattern as you are not likely to get tired of them. Wedding gifts I didn't ask for but loved: Liquor Decanter and glasses set, the first addition to our home bar, (made us feel like adults), vases in a wide collection of sizes and shapes, bath towels, kitchen accessories and gadgets, a footstool, foot massager (why anyone picked that as a wedding gift is beyond me but we loved it).
What to Give as a Wedding Gift
