SimpleRegistry Blog

Registry Trends: Charitable Donations

2012-02-20T17:07:09Z

The gift of charity has become quite a popular wedding registry trend in recent years. It's not only a terrific way to show your friends and family that you want to make a difference in the world, but it can make a major difference for organizations -- and many individuals -- in need.

First as a couple, simply choose the charity or charities you'd like to benefit in honor of your wedding. There are literally thousands of options -- from making a donation to a nonprofit like the National MS Society or the World Wildlife Fund to supporting your local library or even a regional fundraiser.

Next, determine how much you'd like friends and family to donate to your selected charities. For some couples, particularly those that already have three sets of kitchen knives and a dozen wine glasses to their name, it could very well be 100 percent of the wedding registry. For others, it may be $100 or $200. But no matter the amount, the donation itself is what matters most.

Not affiliated with a particular charity or benefit yet? Your marriage is a great opportunity to start supporting a cause and get involved as a couple. Try to find an organization whose work is meaningful to both of you. Head over to CharityWatch.org for a complete list of charitable organizations, links to their homepages, and overall grades based on key criteria.

3 Registry Items Worth Splurging On

2012-02-08T21:07:09Z

While everyday items like cookware and wine glasses are a registry no-brainer, it's easy to forget adding some special higher-priced items, too. Even if you think they may be out of the price range of your guests, it's quite common for groups to split the total cost of an item. Remember, this is your chance to make some major upgrades, so take advantage of it. Check out these three splurge-worthy ideas for your wedding registry:

Sofa
Whether you're stuck with that old futon from college or looking for an upgrade to match your new home, a comfy, stylish, and durable sofa will certainly be a great investment. The Collins Sofa by La-Z-Boy ($1,099) is elegant yet traditional and features hundreds of fabrics to choose from.

Deluxe Knife Set
First-rate knives can transform your entire cooking experience. Instead of labor-intensive and tedious food preparation, elite kitchen knives will make your culinary experiences easier, more enjoyable, and ultimately more effective. Check out our previous blog post on top knife sets by clicking here.

Outdoor Grill
Imagine countless nights grilling in the backyard for friends and family and being able to produce juicy burgers, grilled fish, succulent steaks, and marinated vegetables -- among countless other dishes. The Weber Spirit E-310 ($519) is not only perfect for the serious griller but ideal for someone who doesn't need any extra "bells and whistles."

Registry 101: 3 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Registry

2012-01-27T17:25:29Z

For those couples already set with wedding plans this year, it's now time to put together your registry. With decisions to make on what to get, how much to include, and the amount allocated for each item, the task can be quite harder than it seems. In this week's Registry 101, we'll dish out a few organization tips and practical advice to ensure your registry is diverse, practical, and inviting to friends and family.

Pricing Registry Items

To get the most out of your registry, consider breaking down items into lower monetary values. For instance, if you put $250 as the value for the majority of your items, it will probably deter friends and family from contributing, especially for those with smaller budgets. Instead, set up a good portion of your registry items in increments that are affordable to all (i.e. $15, $25 or $50).

Registry Organization

Consider dividing your registry into clear categories such as "Kitchen", "Landscaping", "For the Home", "Travel Gear", or others. This will keep your registry organized, focused, and easy for guests to find what they'd like to gift you.

What to Include

Remember to register for items that you want and actually need. Don't feel obliged to include things just because you've seen other people get them for their registries. After all, this is your wedding registry. If you already have top-notch kitchen knives and plenty of serving dishes, then forget about them. This is your chance to get that gas grill, landscaping items for the new house, or deluxe luggage set you've always coveted.

3 Indoor Game Ideas for Your Wedding Registry

2012-01-18T19:47:03Z

Already got enough china and kitchen accessories to last a lifetime? Don't feel obliged to stock your wedding registry with items you don't need or already have. Instead, consider registering for some unique indoor games that will certainly add some fun to your home. Whether you're looking for something sports-related or a compact item better suited for your space, check out some of our favorite game ideas to include on your registry.

Table Tennis
Bring the fast-paced game of table tennis to your backyard or basement when you register for a ping-pong table. The two-piece Stiga STS275 table ($599.99) is highly regarded for its durability, tournament-style playing surface, and convenient playback & storage positions.

Pool Table
Likely to be the centerpiece of your rec room for decades to come, billiards is a terrific game to play with friends, family, or even on your own. Tables can range from under $1,000 to well over $5,000 -- particularly those equipped with first-class features. For the casual pool player, consider Mizerak's Donovan II 8' Slatron Billiard Table ($899.99) found at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Poker Table
Meanwhile, Texas Hold 'Em fans may want to consider adding a deluxe poker table to their registry. The Trademark Poker 96-Inch Hold 'Em Poker Table ($303.97) is a popular choice, while the Rockwell 94" Elegant Poker Table ($1,499.99) is at the top of its class.

Registry Ideas: Stand Mixers

2012-01-11T20:19:11Z

I can't tell you how much my cooking and baking has improved since purchasing a first-class stand mixer. Not only does it look stylish in my kitchen, but it also enables me to create every single one of my favorite culinary treats. My white chocolate chip cranberry oatmeal cookies never cease to amaze friends and family.

So if you're hoping to make delicious cookies, bread, cake, mashed potatoes, or anything in between, consider adding a premium mixer to your wedding registry this year. My personal favorite is KitchenAid's Tilt-Head Stand Mixer ($399.99). This top of the line model features a 5-quart glass bowl, tilt-head for easy access to the bowl or beater, 325-watt motor, one-year warranty, and includes a dough hook, flat beater, and wire whip.

Another popular mixer is Cuisinart's 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer ($299.00), which boasts 12 speeds, a countdown timer, tilt-back head, and a stainless steel bowl with handles. Also, don't forget to add vital mixing accessories to your registry and see your cooking take off to a whole new level.

Registry Ideas: Wine Club Membership

2011-12-19T15:45:43Z

Talk about a wedding gift that keeps on giving. A wine club membership will deliver a variety of fine wine to your door each month. Ideal for foodies and wine lovers alike, subscribers can keep the celebration going long past the wedding and will be surprised every time when they open their new arrivals.

Through Wine of the Month Club, couples can choose from five levels of service, including the Classic Series Membership (starting at $21.95 plus shipping and taxes), which sends two vintages of wine each month hand-selected by the owner. The wines are comparable to $12-$15 selections typically found at your local wine shop and come from lesser-known but highly reputable wineries from all over the world.

Meanwhile, one of the best perks of a wine club membership is variety. For instance, with the Classic Series, newlyweds can choose from bottles of red and white or two of the same types of wine each moth. Other service plans include hard to find wines and a cellar series that supplies you with six wines every other month. Gift givers also have the option of choosing how long they'd like the membership to last, making it perfect for any budget -- especially if a group chips in together.

At Cellars Wine Club, choose from champagne options to sweet wine to even high-end wine produced in limited quantities from boutique vineyards. Wine.com is another great option when it comes to gift variety. Go for the ultra-premium wines rated 90+ by the world's top wine critics or pair your wine with some delicious food like cheese, chocolate, and paella.

Have any preferred wine clubs? Let us know about them! Also, if you have given a wine club membership as a gift or received a membership in the past, be sure to tell us about your experience on Facebook.

Creative Registry Ideas: Drills & Home Improvement Items

2011-12-12T16:18:06Z

A wedding registry makes for a terrific opportunity to upgrade that personal tool collection -- especially for those many newlyweds moving into a home for the first time. Whether it's big projects like updating the bathroom or just simple tasks around the house, power tools and home improvement items will certainly come in handy for years to come.

First, it's essential that couples are equipped with a cordless power drill. The Craftsman 19.2 volt C3 Cordless Drill is one of the most versatile drills on the market and comes at a great value. The power battery features a variable speed motor and enables one to drill at low and high speeds. Starting at $59.99.

Be sure to add in a 54-Piece Power Driving Set for a variety of drilling options. This particular set by Craftsman includes a "Quick Connector" for seamless tool changes, plus some of the most popular screwdriver and nut driver sizes.

Meanwhile, when it comes to storage, the Waterloo 6 Drawer Tool Chest (Starting at $159.99) is perfect for all of your needs. In addition to three split and three full-width drawers inside the chest, the Waterloo includes a large in-cabinet storage area for numerous tools and equipment, plus side handles for easy lifting. Looking for something more heavy duty? Go with the 26-inch wide 5-Drawer Quiet Glide Rollaway Chest that holds up to 50 lbs. per drawer.

Creative Registry Ideas: Digital Camera

2011-11-30T20:41:33Z

A digital camera is a functional, exciting registry gift that newlyweds can begin using as soon as their honeymoon. From family functions to vacation retreats and everything in between, it's certainly a gift that will be used time and time again. Whether you're searching for a simple, point-and-shoot compact camera or an advanced digital SLR, consider these four first-rate selections.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9

This is a great compact camera for owners that don't want all of the bells and whistles of an advanced SLR. Highlighted by 16.2 megapixels and a background defocus feature, the DSC-WX9 is ideal for automatic snapshots and produces solid photo and video quality for its class. Starting at $139.99.

Olympus PEN E-PL3

Considered one of the most upscale compact digital cameras, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 promises excellent photo quality and superb overall performance. Complete with a dust reduction system and face detection technology, this model provides great bang for the buck when it comes to features, size, photo quality, and performance. Starting at $599.00.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i (with 18-55mm lens)

This is a terrific entry-level camera for avid photographers that prefer more advanced features that professionals typically use to control their photos. The T2i ensures excellent photo quality (featuring a class-leading 18.0 megapixel image sensor), fast performance, and has a solid video-capturing function as well. Starting at $605.00.

Nikon D7000

While on the higher end for SLR cameras, the Nikon D7000 is an optimal choice for ardent photographers. It features a sleek design, provides great performance, and assures first-class photo quality. All in all, this is one of the top models currently on the market. Starting at $1,080.00.

Creative Registry Ideas: Wine Glasses

2011-11-18T20:09:38Z

Perfect for oenophiles and couples that love to entertain, wine glasses will make a great addition to your wedding registry -- and eventually your kitchen. Whether you're looking for just a few pieces of stemware or an entire set for special occasions and dinner parties, the following glasses are must-haves for any household.

Bordeaux

Considered a great all-purpose glass, this large "tulip glass" is typically used for red wine. Through a wider bowl and a narrowing rim, the Bordeaux exposes more air to the wine and increases the rate of oxidation. It's best used with full-bodied wines like Merlot and Cabernet.

Chardonnay/Chablis

Designated as a white wine glass, the Chardonnay/Chablis glass is visually distinctive -- especially when multiple varieties of wine are served. Because there's less need to aerate white wine, these are slightly smaller versions of the Bordeaux glasses.

Burgundy

These are large format glasses designed with a wide bowl that allows maximum exposure to air. This particular type of wine glass is best paired with a lighter to medium-bodied red wine like Pinot and Syrah.

Champagne

The narrow flute or tulip cuvee prolong the bubbles of sparkling wine and preserve its chill.

Sherry/Port

Certainly optional and generally reserved for wine enthusiasts, these glasses are ideal for dessert wines and aperitifs.

Also, if you're interested in more artistic sets, consider some handmade glasses like these handpainted gems by artist Mary Elizabeth. Her exclusive collection even includes carafes and stemless glasses.

Creative Registry Ideas: Espresso Makers

2011-11-10T16:25:23Z

Take your typical morning coffee and transform it into an authentic espresso, latte, or cappuccino when you register for a home espresso machine. Before you know it, you'll be a master barista in your very own kitchen.

Convenient and considerably less expensive, a stovetop espresso maker could be an ideal choice for couples looking for something simple. Bialetti's Moka Express is one of the world's top coffee makers -- and it's easy to see why. Not only does the Moka Express produce quality espresso, but it can also be yours starting at $19.95.

Meanwhile, coffee connoisseurs hoping for a more advanced apparatus should consider the DeLonghi Pump Espresso Maker EC 702 ($199.95). This solid model stands out with its adjustable frother that mixes steam and milk to generate a rich, creamy froth -- perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. Plus, with a self-priming operation, there isn't any frustrating, time-consuming preparation to worry about.

For avid espresso drinkers who enjoy crafting the perfect latte, consider registering for a high-end machine like Rancilio Silvia. This single-boiler machine is nearly professional-grade and truly produces high-quality espresso. In other words, this dynamic machine will really bring out your inner barista.

Registry Ideas - Landscaping Items

2011-10-26T16:06:24Z

With many newlyweds finding themselves homeowners for the first time, now is the perfect opportunity to begin designing an amazing yard. Therefore, consider adding an array of landscaping items to your current wedding registry so you can implement your own "Garden of Eden" in no time.

For instance, add some tree saplings and shrubs to your registry this year. These items - vital for any landscaping project - provide privacy, shade, protection from the elements, and give way to an overall creative look. Go with the ever-popular evergreen shrub or upgrade to something special like the amur maple.

Meanwhile, flowers are central to dynamic landscaping and will really add some color to your yard. Think about registering for common perennials like petunias, azaleas, daisies, and verbenas for a stunning color scheme. Also, stone gardens and rock walls will contribute towards a natural look to your property and are low maintenance.

Registry Ideas - Gas Grills

2011-10-11T19:59:14Z

With the right piece of grill equipment, you'll be well on your way to cooking up just about any kind of delicious recipe. Imagine countless nights cooking in the backyard for friends and family and being able to produce tender and juicy burgers, grilled fish, succulent steaks, and marinated vegetables -- among countless other dishes. With your upcoming nuptials, now is the perfect time to register for that ultimate gas grill. Check out these options for your wedding registry:

Typically, you can't go wrong with a Weber, one of the nation's most popular and dependable manufacturers of gas grills. The Weber Spirit E-310 ($519) features three stainless steel burners and 536 square inches of grilling space, plenty of room to cook up that special meal. All in all, this model is perfect for the serious griller but also someone that doesn't need any extra "bells and whistles."

Also consider Char-Broil's Quantum Infrared 4-Burner Auto-Clean Grill ($479.00). The auto-clean feature is a nice touch, allowing grillers to burn off extra food residue before shutting down automatically. Additionally, the infrared cooking system eliminates flare-ups and ensures that your food never dries out.

Nursery Essential

2011-09-21T19:25:27Z

One of the most exciting things to do in preparation for a new baby is to decorate her room, right? Since the birth of bambino 14 months ago we have moved four times making it completely impossible to justify spending too much money or time decorating. That said, the nester in me wanted very much to make sure that our daughter's room was cozy, had some good visuals for her development, and was a fun play area.

Enter the DECAL! If you are easily overwhelmed with baby decor choices, renting a place you can't paint, or unwilling to invest too much in baby decor, wall decals are a wonderful option. We have gone through three rounds of these (different decals in each place we have lived so far) and each one is more beautiful than the next. The best thing about these is that you can customize them to various color schemes, choose them based on the size of the wall you are working with, and easily change them out as your child's interests grow. You simply press the decal onto the wall, rub the paper backing and peel.

When the time comes, you can easily remove these from your wall. Some decals are even reusable and can be transferred to another wall or passed onto a friend. The best thing about these is that the bambino loves looking at them. I even attribute her latest word "owl" to the forest scene in her current bedroom. I've found all of my decals on Etsy.

Registry Ideas - Deluxe Knife Sets

2011-09-20T15:15:16Z

No matter if you're a skilled chef or beginner, every home kitchen needs a first-rate knife set. Meanwhile, your wedding registry is the perfect opportunity to finally own that deluxe knife set you've always coveted. Instead of settling for a cheaper set from a major department store, go for a superior brand that offers variety, durability and assurance. In other words, purchase something you know will be a part of your kitchen for many years to come.

The Wusthof Classic 12-Piece Knife Block Set ($499.95 at Williams-Sonoma) is one of the most highly regarded sets on the market. Simply, the knives are durable, offer excellent balance, and feature high-carbon-steel blades. Also, you can't go wrong with the Shun Classic 10-Piece Knife Block Set ($799.95). The set -- which is produced by Japan's leading blade manufacturer -- features sharp cutting edges and comfortable handles. Also, if you're a truly devoted chef, consider the Michel Bras 7-Piece Knife Set ($2,155.00). These top-of-the-line knives merge traditions of both Japanese and French cutlery and are highlighted by razor-sharp stainless steel blades.

Registry Ideas - eReaders

2011-09-07T15:13:40Z

Now here's a practical registry gift that couples can truly use time and again. Whether you're a bookworm or prefer magazines and newspapers, eReaders provide you with instant access to thousands of selections. The best part is that the latest devices are only about eight ounces, can last up to two months on a single charge, and even feature built-in Wi-Fi. No matter if you're at home on the couch, lounging at the beach, or on a plane across the Atlantic, you can access your favorite books and magazines wherever and whenever without any hassle.

The Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble's Nook lead the pack when it comes to most coveted eReaders. At only 8.5 ounces, the Kindle Wi-Fi can download up to 3,500 books, has a no-glare guarantee (perfect for those bright beach days), features a 6-inch reading size area, and more than 950,000 books available. Meanwhile, the Nook gives you access to more than two million books and is even lighter than the Kindle. Or better yet, consider a tablet with the iPad2. The latest model -- which features two cameras, 10-hour battery life, and an overall lighter and skinnier design -- is quite ideal for browsing the web, reading books, watching movies, or checking email.