Over the years, wedding gifts and registry ideas have evolved. Back in the 1980s, for example, tradition told a bride to stick to her checklist of such necessities as towels, a toaster, fine china, and Tupperware. Fast forward to 2016, however, and many modern couples are selecting personalized gifts related to food and travel, charity, or even home improvement.
Thanks to technology, wedding guests can find gifts easily through a couple’s universal wedding registry, conveniently combining multiple registries in one location. For today’s soon-to-be brides and grooms, here is a list of unconventional gifts to consider registering for.
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Charitable Donations
For couples requesting that guests give from the heart, a popular option is to donate to designated charities in lieu of traditional gifts. There are so many charities out there—you can even choose more than one. For instance, you can protect wildlife through the National Wildlife Federation, support kids in need through Save the Children, or provide much needed shelter with Habitat for Humanity International.
Gardener’s Delight
For brides and grooms who love eating healthy and growing their own gardens, guests can contribute many eco-friendly gifts. Couples can register for a delivery service of local organic produce, or some gardening equipment, such as a gardener’s tool seat, a garden cart, or a unique seed collection. Another popular option is a CSA farm share; Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a great way for a consumer to buy local, seasonal food straight from the farmer.
Works of Art
Every room can use a work of art to add to its design. What art lover wouldn’t appreciate a print, poster, sculpture, or beautiful collection of photographs in their modern home? The print of Impressionist Claude Monet’s Water Lily Pond would look lovely in the master bath; some vintage 1950s monster movie posters would be perfect for the home theater; a series of framed black and white photographs of nature is just what the hallway needs.
Home Improvements
For engaged couples moving straight into a new home after their wedding, home improvement registries are no longer uncommon. Guests can be encouraged to help pay for renovations such as a series of solar panels, energy efficient windows, a water filtration system, a new roof, or even the latest in home technology gadgets. If comfort zone items are of greater interest, other, more extravagant, items can range from flat screen TVs to an outdoor living oasis with a fire feature, eating area, and swimming pool. A wine cellar is never a bad idea, either.
Travel
Couples who love to travel can now enlist their wedding guests to help them do so. It is increasingly popular for newlyweds to crowdfund their honeymoons to exotic locations, like Fiji or St. Barts. Happy couples can also consider using any cash received as a gift to have dinner, go on excursions, buy camping equipment, or visit a luxury spa.
Future Plans
Planning for the future is never a bad thing, and couples can now use their wedding registry to help prepare them for life further down the road. Guests can be encouraged to assist with long-term goals like a down payment on a new SUV, adopting a child, or even contributing to college savings accounts. Obviously, every couple is different, so future-proof registry items will differ based on circumstance.
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