4 Ways to Make Your Registry More Considerate

From the folks who invented the Thankful Registry

cover2-gratitude-780x400

The etiquette around registries is so confusing. You’re “supposed” to have one, but don’t get too carried away with it or you might be accused of being “gift grabby.” Is there any way to win? That’s why Kathy Cheng created Thankful Registry: to make wedding registries more about people, not stuff. This mission is at the core of everything the business does (including its name) and is carried out in small but significant ways throughout your registry, from the “gentle tone” of the design, to gift prices that don’t reveal themselves until you hover over an item (though guests can sort gifts by price to make finding something within their budget that much easier), and the ability to seamlessly integrate cash options and donation gifts without designating a dollar amount to them. You can add gifts from anywhere on the Internet, and even include descriptions of why you want particular items, so your guests feel more connected to the purchases they are making. Combined, all these features add up to one idea: that your registry should be flexible for you and your partner and considerate of the people buying you gifts.

full-registry-layout

Kathy explains:

I was a bridesmaid in a wedding in 2007 and I was late to the registry, so I got my friend a $200 blender because there was nothing left. A few months later, she told me it was in storage because she didn’t have room in her kitchen. She felt embarrassed and I was upset. I created Thankful with the idea of maximizing the registry experience. Our number one priority is customization, so that it’s your registry and not Crate & Barrel’s.

Thankful Registry also believes privacy—yours and that of your friends and family—matters. You can opt to password-protect your registry, and all registries are kept off Google search results. And they believe traditions evolve. For example, while some guests firmly believe in paper thank you notes sent via post, other people believe in going paperless. To cater to both, Thankful gives guests the option to request “paperless thank yous” exactly for this reason.

sample-kate-emilysuzy-james copydandkitty copy

Setting up your account with Thankful Registry is wondrously straightforward: After registering, you pay a one-time flat fee of $30 for twelve months of use. Why $30? Well, it’s not just about the pretty designs. Unlike big-box retailers you can visit at the mall, Thankful Registry doesn’t sell stuff. They don’t have a vested interest in how much your registry adds up to, and they don’t get paid every time you buy twelve matching silverware sets. So you can be free to create your registry without a bunch of pressure to turn it into something that doesn’t jibe with your values. You can read more about why Thankful Registry isn’t free right here.

Obviously you don’t have to have a registry at all, but if you’re in the market and looking for an option you can feel good about, it doesn’t get much better than Thankful. And if you’re just getting started, Kathy has rounded up some of her best tips for creating a registry that is considerate of both you and your guests. Because while your registry is obviously about you and your partner, it’s also a little bit about the people shopping it too. Here’s Kathy in her own words:

partial-registry-layout-3

1. Set Aside the registry checklist. If you listen to the retailers, your registry will take hours for your guests to scroll through (driving them crazy) and you’ll end up with a lot of things you probably won’t use. Ever. Instead, think practical, but also consider what your guests would like to give you. There was a story recently about a bride who put toilet paper and paper towels on her registry. That’s definitely practical, but unless you’re preparing for some massive kitchen or bathroom disaster, you can probably stay out of the cleaning aisle.

2. Consider all types of guests. Add classic wedding gift items (homewares, etc.) for your more traditional guests and family members, but also include fun and easy options for those who are strapped for time. Don’t make your last-minute gift buyers choose from all the weird, random items that are available on the registry two days before the wedding. (We’ve all been there.) Gift cards and group gifts are great choices, and Thankful lets you keep the dollar denomination open-ended, so your guests can decide the value of their own gift.

3. Give guests flexibility and control. Registries generally lock guests with a specific retailer, which means they’re locked paying a specific price and any shipping costs. But keep it open and your guests can shop around for a better price and take advantage of sales or special offers elsewhere. We all want to be savvy with our money when it comes to wedding costs, and the same goes for our guests. (Editor’s note: With Thankful Registry, your guests can buy gifts from a different website from the one you’ve designated, or even purchase in store, and they can still come back and mark the item as completed on your registry so there’s no confusion about what’s been bought.)

4. Add a charity that you care about. While I know some folks have mixed feelings about the charity gift, there’s something lovely and balanced about sharing the joy and generosity you experience during your wedding. Incorporating a charity component to your registry is a thoughtful way to do that. While not every guest will make a donation, it’s more about raising awareness for the things you care about. We’ve also seen some couples request donations to their alma mater or nonprofits they volunteer with, which makes it extra personal.

Thankful Registry offers a free SEVEN-day trial period to figure out if it’s the right registry for you. Click HERE to create your account today.

Featured Sponsored Content

Please read our comment policy before you comment.

The APW Store is Here

APW Wedding e-shop

go find all our favorites from around the internet, and our free planning tools

Shop Now
APW Wedding e-shop

Planning a wedding?

We have all the planning tools you need right now.

Budget spreadsheets, checklists, and more...

Get Your Free Planning Tools