It's election night and the results are pouring in. This is the perfect opportunity to have an intellectual conversation about the two-party system in America, what truly impacts voter turn-out, and the role of the media in our governmental system.
But that's for somebody else's blog.
Here? Here, I need your input on Decision 2010. And by Decision 2010, I mean figuring out my bridal registry.
Now, I had a few friends who were all, "Are you even going to register? Do you need stuff?"
The gracious Cha Cha responds to this with a friendly hug and an explanation that every bride wants to set up a beautiful household for her new husband.
The deranged spinster Cha Cha cackles and notes that she's typically been spending all of her extra cash on cat food and housecoats, not on platters and other servingware, so yeah, she's gonna register.
And bitter but popular Cha Cha? She recounts all of the bridal shower gifts, bachelorette gifts, wedding gifts, baby shower gifts, and baby gifts that she has lavished upon her friends. And she cackles with delight and thinks, "You owe me, bitches! And I'm registering for some nice shit, too!"
I'm a nice person. Really, I am.
But it's time to register. And I'm at a bit of a loss.
We aren't registering for china. And I know we'll register for The Object of My Desire, aka a KitchenAid stand mixer. But other than that? Umm?
So, spill it. What kitchen or household item has been the most awesome item in your arsenal? What cookware do you recommend? And what did you think you couldn't live without ... only to find that, dude, you totally don't need it at all?
I need a new turkey baster. But I think that I will probably need to register for more stuff besides a mixer and a turkey baster. Just sayin'.
Help a girl out. What do you love?
The KitchenAid is a good choice - I'd make sure you also have a really good roasting pan, and a good food processor.
ReplyDeleteThe waffle maker? It will be sold (only used once!) in the garage sale in three years.
Agreed! The food processor is the bomb! A good coffee maker, if you drink coffee, a set of good pots and pans, including a double boiler and steam insert, a good colander and spatulas....lots of plastic scrapers too. Oh, and a good set of knives. Not the cheap set with the fake wooden block, Henckels (?) or some other upscale set. Good knives!! And an electric one too...hubby likes that one at Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteAnd good pillows with high thread count sheets...lovely!
You can never have enough sheets and towels. In fact, they are my "go-to" gift for weddings.
ReplyDeleteWe got an electric skillet--a big one that can fry up 8 pancakes at a time. Totally awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd good for you to register!
And I just read Cyndi B.'s comment--yes, go for the good bedding, too!
Hands down, my mixer was my favorite wedding gift- I got the pink one, in case you were wondering. I'm sure you weren't. Also we randomly recieved a panini maker (it was not on our registry and I'm pretty certain my husbands best friend stole it for us) and we use it all the time. We almost returned it but I'm so glad we kept it. Now I can make a sandwich for dinner, and if I make it a "panini" it's just fancy, not lazy....
ReplyDeleteThe "good" china we registered for is still in it's boxes because I decided I didn't like it. so good call on that.
I also got a lot of foof storage containers that I use all the time. Ok, I'm done now. Longest comment ever...
Veggie steamer/rice cooker has been the #1 best; crock pot; wine glasses because even if you have them, they break; decent knives and silverware but not ultra fancy/expensive ones so that you actually get the whole set; something fun that fits a hobby you like to do together and a camera to capture it all!
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have registered for china. Oh, how I wish I would have. Granted, it would be packed away in a box, waiting for the RIGHT occasion. But someday, when that right occasion finally arrives? I will be so sad to not have china.
ReplyDeleteAnd so I think you should register for classic but pretty china.
Also - lots of serving dishes if you don't already have them. When I was first married, I was rich in Pyrex dishes of all shapes and sizes. But then some of them broke. And I gave some to my brother when he got his first apartment. And now? I don't have nearly enough.
Also - I think you should register for NICE QUALITY THINGS, no matter what it is. We were so young and stupid that we registered for cheap crap - and it just doesn't last.
Nice pots and pans, good knives, not the cheap ones, and large serving platters. I know those are a pain to store but to have it when you need it, priceless.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't ask this, but I think the coolest place to register that has everything you never thought you needed, but now that you see it, you can't live without is Bed Bath & Beyond. Not that I'm biased. Just sayin...
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the bitter, but popluar ChaCha! You SO deserve nice gifts. You have given plenty!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWe had a dear friend that was/is a manager at Williams Sonoma when we got married. I didn't have a clue (remember I was 23 at the time) but she walked us around and gave us a real must have list. The things we still treasure are our All-Clad pot set and Hinkels knives. FYI, at that time when you registered at WS you got something like 10% off one purchase after the wedding. We took our gobs of gift cards and bought the 10 pan All-Clad set. It was a great investment. 10 years later I see NO need to ever replace them.
I suggest only registering a few places. Too many looks greedy, but since you aren't starting from scratch register for something fun that you both enjoy. We just gave a gift card to Backwoods to friends that just got married. They are both 30 and wanted new camping equipment. While I don't camp, I can support their habit (and certainly a splurge item!) :)
Have FUN!!! And don't let you know who carry the gun, he may get arried away! :)
Love my KitchenAid! It's been going strong for 17 years.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD I have been married 17 years.
Good knives. Register for some really sharp expensive kick ass knives
I definitely could not live without my KitchenAid mixer. I am just getting into the food processor, but have already thrown my old mandolin away. The thing I use the most after that and love is my Le Creuset dutch oven. It is wonderful to cook with and cleans up so easily. Next on my list is to get a few Le Creuset pots and pans. I would pass on the knife set and just get a few really good knives.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with china is you rarely get a complete set so you either return them or spend the money to complete the set. I love mine but I have only use it once every 2 or 3 years. If I had to do it again, I would pass on it.
And there is nothing like good quality sheets. I am sure the 4 dogs will love them.:)
Forget the china and silver it is waste. Register at a place you really like. Looking for electronics try Best Buy. You both have dogs, register at a pet store. If you like to cook/bake try Chef Central. And Bed, Bath and Beyond is always a great place - they carry so many things.
ReplyDeleteI just posted a Thursday 13 about your registry... come over and check it out! I don't think I've added anything too creative that your other commenters haven't mentioned... other than maybe an ice cream maker? A lovely must have!
ReplyDeleteHappy registering.
Good pots and pans, I love Le Creuset and good knives. These will last forever and you will use them every day. I also love our coffee press and our Wms & Sonoma tea pot with the press inside for loose leaf tea.
ReplyDeleteMy 2cents, having had to split up all our shit in a divorce, here are the things we fought over, which could translate to "best stuff." A great vacuum cleaner (we owned Simplicity brand, great for sucking up pounds & pounds of pet hair) and a piece of artwork. The thing I miss the most? The Instant Hot (hot water at your fingertips for an impromptu cuppa tea or cocoa on a cold chilly eve)- get one of those in your new kitchen! Best. Thing. Ever. A good one runs about $100. Those friends with babies owe ya!
ReplyDeleteWe have the Kitchen Aid stand-up mixer. G made us register for it. We got it. I use it exactly twice a year, but when I do, I feel like an adult. It is awesome.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I'd say really nice pots and pans and crystal stemware. I have no china, but I have Waterford crystal wine glasses. And I use them. And I feel like a queen.
Be real. Register for every day stuff. If you're really going to be great hosts - think of one set of gorgeous white china and then different sets of chargers (for seasonal flair). Our favorite gift was a wok - the real kind, not the electric, that we have used religiously for 20 years of marriage. Our least favorite...anything made of silver...that shit tarnishes like fast.
ReplyDeleteBut truly...if I were doing it today...I'd chuck it all and have everyone pay for a fabulous european or tropical honeymoon. You can register for those too you know! And then you don't even have to do the ooh/aah shower thing. Just have a bash at a bar and enjoy!
I agree with Green Girl. My electric skillet has been the best gift! My tie for a close second is the small food processor and the rice/veggie steamer. Most practical? An excellent set of knives.
ReplyDeletei agree with GOOD knives, crockpot and good pots and pans (i like my DISHWASHABLE calphalon).
ReplyDeletei also got a big, square, but-fairly-deep-for-a-serving-dish, serving dish when we got married. i even remember thinking, "ok. random." but, i LOVE it. eleven years later, when i need it, i pull it out and think, "best wedding gift EVER." so i would say, some big serving dishes.
reading over the other comments, i also agree with instant hot water, dutch oven and good vacuum.
ReplyDeletep.s. i LOVE trixie bang bang's logic that the best stuff was the stuff they fought over in the divorce! xoxo, trixie.