Overwhelmed by all the Choices...

I have created and deleted about 5 or 6 registries. I finally decided on Blueprint. You can either keep your store registry and link it, or just add a random product from any website.

As as far as choosing which item just remember that you can make changes every day if you want to. Look at the consumer reviews and for large items it’s always good to check consumer reports. One rule I usually go by is not to purchase the cheapest option, or the most expensive. I usually try to find something with good reviews in the middle.

Also, even if guests don’t really buy everything most stores offer a discount on the leftover items so you can purchase them yourselves for less after the wedding!

I am horrible for people buy me gifts for because I do thorough research on everything. If you are feeling overwhelmed think of places you usually shop at first. Like if I was doing a registry it would be to Kohls and Target. And then make a list of things you would like to have but don't right now. I'm a very visual person and would need to go in store to find the things I would want. But if you know you want a blender then look up some reviews on the different ones (unless it's all color variance then pick the one you like).

When I'm feeling overwhelmed I take a break and chill before tackling the frustrating task. Not just wedding planning but life in general, life will allow me to take a momentary break to chill and collect myself before I go axe murder-y crazy. In my future field of therapy we call it self-care and it's important for everyone to remember to care for themselves first and foremost (grad student atm).

I had 2 created & deleted 1 & left zola lol. then was told i really should have another one so we just picked target. I’m in my 30’s (early- still stings ha) & we have a house & really would like more items from places like lowe’s so it makes registering kind of hard. just select a range of pricing for gifts & only pick things you’d actually use. i’ve read a lot of people having regret bc they put things on the list they never ever use. good luck & try not to stress!

View Quoted Comment I feel like you could register at Lowe's. Or if there are home improvements add a note on your website or if possible on the registries that monetary gifts will be directed at home improvement projects.

This is super overwhelming for us, too! I also work a non-profit job and my FH works part time so we're not really used to buying things for ourselves. I for sure have created like 10 registries and have deleted them. I have found registry checklists to be really helpful, and if you use Zola they have this feature where you can see other people's registries which has also been helpful. I just sat down with my FH and we talked about what we use a lot that we want to upgrade, as well as things that would be nice to have that we would never buy ourselves. I also like to read reviews and pick the best reviewed item in the price range that I'm comfortable with - I would never ask for a $400 blender, so I found the one with the best reviews for under $150.

I registered at Amazon. It was great because there’s so much more than just household items and prices are pretty competitive with stores. If I didn’t already know exactly what I wanted, I checked reviews first. They also give you a completion discount for items that someone didn’t already buy. Customer service is excellent and returns are super easy.

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I am constantly wanting to register for stuff for work! Haha. I don't know if you're the same way as a non-profit worker. I work at an animal shelter so I just want to buy stuff for my fur babies, but I know that our friends and family want to give us gifts to kickstart our married life so I can't just register for kuranda beds and kongs. Haha.

I am happy to know that other people created and deleted several registries because I felt like an idiot last night deleting one because I just didn't know that others had that problem.

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I will definitely need to check out Blueprint.

Maybe I can pick two or three items a day and do my research and pick a product for each category instead of going at it all at once.

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I definitely need to schedule in some self care breaks! Haha. I often ignore them.

I'm a big time researcher as well. I have to look at reviews on several different websites and read all about their functions. Spreadsheets are often involved...

I heard that Target is a bit difficult when it comes to returns. Does anyone know if there is any truth to that?

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I know my cousin registered at Home Depot and got a lot of household items a few years ago. It was actually a ton of fun to go shopping for his tools with my mum!

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I think that might be what we pick instead of Zola. I love photography & FH loves books and is in grad school. I don't know if people would like to buy that sort of stuff as well, but it is definitely items we will use and items Amazon has.

We did an Amazon registry and also a donation registry. I also work at a non-profit, so we had people donate to that. It turned out to be a pretty good balance. We got a few physical things and were able to raise $1000+ for a cause we cared about

We did Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl's and Amazon. I like Amazon especially because you can add things from other stores to it - we added something from Lowe's.

And, I've heard bad things about registry returns at Target too.

View Quoted Comment I had a cookbook, Sonos sound bar and wireless speakers, and his and hers “Sanford & Son” t-shirts and we got all of those items as gifts.

We were very overwhelmed as well! It really helped registering in the store and having someone guide us. For Bed Bath and Beyond I asked our registry attendant a lot of questions. I would say okay so we need a blender but we don’t need a super expensive vitamix, what is a good mid range blender and she would suggest one! I did that on a lot of things. Then I went home and read online reviews of everything I added and there were a few random things that I ended up changing the brand of. We did our registries at Bed Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel. Also for Crate & Barrel we went to their private registry event and the salespeople were only there to help people register and that was very helpful!

Bed, bath and beyond!! I just finished my registry. Super easy and chill and a whole lot to choose from!! They printed me off slips to go into invites, they gave me a checklist and a huge book to look through!! Such a great experience and you can either go in store to do it(real fun, you get to use a scanner) or you can do it online and manage it all as well!! Also they are awesome with returns!!

It looks like Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Amazon are our for sure choices.

I love Target, but the registry department has horrible reviews. We are considering Kohls for our third choice right now. We have a bunch of older people who don't online shop and are kind of spread out across the south US.

Are there any other stores we should go for? I totally considered Petsmart because we have five pets and foster pets as well. I considered Walmart too--love those Pioneer Woman dishes, but ugh, my alternative friends will hate me for feeding the belly of the beast!