An alternative to traditional wedding registries

It will no doubt shock and disappoint some of my Stay Free! readers to learn that I don't despise gift registries--quite the contrary, I embrace them! ... both as a giver and as a receiver.

Still, the annoying thing about registries is that you're generally limited to chain stores that I otherwise wouldn't frequent. So I've been wondering if there's a DIY registry online that allows you to list things from local stores, and I've found it: FindGift.com. This site allows you to list anything, be it from a local indie store or some website. You can specify as many or few details as you want: "model X lamp in X color from Cog & Pearl at 190 Avenue in Park Slope" or simply "a boombox." Thus, it not only allows your people to buy from local, independent businesses, it allows them, in some cases, to comparison shop.

The downside: gift-givers will need to remember to click off the item they bought or else you'll end up with duplicates. Since you usually get duplicates from regular registries anyway, I'm not sure how much that matters, but if the store doesn't have a customer-friendlly return policy, it'll be a real hassle. Perhaps the best way to use this, then, is to make sure any store you include has a decent return policy. And you can always use it in conjunction with standard registries (which is what we'll be doing).

Comments

[rp]

Who buys wedding gifts in nyc? It's all envelopes here.

[Karol]

It is all envelopes but this registry thing is so cool. I'm so making a list and emailing it to my boyfriend. :-)

[Matt]

Hi Sara- Thanks for putting this site up. My fiancee and I are getting married in August out in Berkeley, CA and a site like this is a breath of fresh air! I will be checking out the registry site you recommend...

[Matt]

Carrie-Sorry!

[Alexis]

I wish Cog and Pearl did registries. And maybe Matter across the street. Have you seen their antler chandelier?

[Amanda]

I've been falling asleep at night trying to figure out how to write a generic thing that does exactly this.

I mean c'mon. We need towels. I don't really care if you get them at Crate and Barrel or Gaia Organic Whatever. (Actually, I do. Since you don't have to eat it, conventional cotton farming is way, way more toxic than any foodstuffs, but there is a limit to how much energy I have to spend on the all consuming task of alienating my future inlaws, and if they want to buy towels at Crate and Barrel, this is not a thing that will keep me up all night.)

[Unique Gift Ideas]

great site, will recommend to my friend who is getting married this August.

[Joy]

great site, will recommend to my friend who is getting married this August.

unique gifts

[Mark]

try myweddingfavors.com

unique gifts