Registering for gifts when you have a big life event is a big business.
Eighty-seven percent of engaged couples create a wedding registry, and 80 percent of expectant moms register, according to Theknot.com and Thebump.com, the online wedding and baby planning and registry sites.
But the good ‘ole days of racing around big box stores, schlepping a tired plus-one with you while you figure out what you’ll want to own for the rest of your life are long gone.
The new registries offer more options — and if you don’t want to stuff your house with fancy china simply because you’re getting married — you don’t have to request it anymore.
“We’ve seen honeymoon registries becoming more and more popular,” said Jamie Miles, editor of Theknot.com. In 2012, 13 percent of couples registered for honeymoon activities, while last year, 22 percent asked their guests to pay for a portion of their big getaway.
Registry etiquette is still important, however. When registering, make sure you include gifts in every price range — and send your thank you notes promptly, Miles said.
Here are some of the hot new registries for every occasion.
Zola
Best for: Brides who want a single registry.
What it offers: It’s essentially a universal registry that allows you to request tangible items, experiences (everything from wine tastings to yoga classes to a moving service), charity donations and even cash. You can request the specific timing that your gift be shipped (post-honeymoon or post-move, for example), and you can exchange the gift virtually if it hasn’t already been shipped. They offer free shipping for gifts greater than $100, though they charge a credit card fee of 2.7 percent.
Find it here: http://www.Zola.com
SimpleRegistry
Best for: Those who secretly want cash instead of gifts
What it offers: Like many new registries, this site also allows you to register for tangible gifts, for experiences and for charity donations. But unlike the others, this site sends you a bank check or a bank transfer for the price of the item instead of the gifts (they track the gifts and give you the contact info for the giver, so he or she assumes you got the requested items). SimpleRegistry deducts 2.45 percent off the price of the gift for those given using a credit card, and the gift giver is also charged 2.45 percent plus $1 when they check out — or you can have the option of having those costs deducted from your gift.
Find it here: http://www.Simpleregistry.com
BabyList
Best for: Those who want more than tangible baby gifts
What it offers: In addition to allowing you to register for gifts from multiple stores, you can also register for other things you may need, like house cleaning services, home-cooked meals, doula hours, babymoons and laundry services. You can register wherever you want, and it links to that store. When the person wants to purchase, they hit the “reserve” button and then they go to the site and purchase the item or make the homemade meal.
Find it here: http://www.Babyli.st
Danielle Braff is a freelance writer.
