Handy Tips for the Perfect Gift List

By Georgina Clatworthy

One of the more fun tasks on your wedding planning list will be sorting out your gift list & setting up your registry.  The biggest challenge will be finding where to place your registry & letting guests know about it.  Here are some do’s & don’ts for creating your gift list & keeping your guests happy.

DO make sure there is a wide choice of gifts available.  It is always better to have too many items than too few & you may be surprised by how generous your guests can be.

DO choose items across a wide spectrum of prices.  Some people may not be able to afford high price items while others may club together to buy you something extra special.

DON’T wait until the last minute to put your list together.  Make sure you have details ready when you send out your invitations about 8 weeks before the wedding day.

DON’T be tempted to ask for money instead of gifts.  This is considered rude & makes you look greedy.  Some of your guests may be offended by such a request, so set up a gift list as an alternative option

DO think about alternatives.  If you are lucky enough to have everything already, then consider gifts such as a wine list or even charitable dontations.

DO be discreet.  If you want to mention your gift list in your invitations make only a minor reference to it.  Generally good etiquette states that no mention of gifts should be made in your invitations as this implies the guests have to buy you something.  It is also bad manners to mention the gift list to those guests invited to the evening reception only.

DO set up multiple lists if you want, particularly if you like items from two places or more.  Although, more than two lists could become something of a headache for you & your guests!

DO check out what you get with your gift registry service.  Some companies will offer free delivery on everything & some will give you further incentives on items left on your list after the wedding.

DO pick a registry service that is easy for your guests to use & access.  An internet only registry may not be accessible to all your guests.  Department stores will offer wedding registry services & guest can usally contact them by phone, in store or online.

DO pick your gift list together & make sure there is something on there for both of you.  If he wants something you really don’t or vice versa, now is the time to practise a little thing called compromise, you may encounter it a lot during married life!