Going OFF the registry.

You say you're grateful, but you don't sound like it. You can return it for store credit. It'll be okay.

You don't sound very grateful. Just say thank you and return it for something you want and can fit in your house, like Emma said

^^I kinda agree, you should be able to return it..if not leave it in the box and re-gift it later?

I didn't even think about returning it. Great idea!

Most places will give you a pretty good discount on items that were not bought on your registry, just use the money towards whatever is remaining that you guys really want

I feel you on the space issue. I have the world's worst kitchen, logistically. It looks big, but in reality, we have no room for anything.

To answer your question-- people buy gifts NOT from your registry cause they think maybe it hadn't occurred to you, or cause they want to get you something sentimental, not practical.

People are going to buy what they want to buy -- registry or not -- and this is a perfect time to take on the ever popular mantra "it's the thought that counts". They are doing something thoughtful for you ... whether it's something you need or want doesn't matter, they are thinking of you and doing something nice. Accept it graciously and kindly and then figure out what to do with it whether it means taking it back or deciding maybe it is something you could use. Whatever way you go, be thankful.

We got multiple things off of our registry. Some were absolutely amazing and personal to us and awesome and others ... not so much. We are writing very sweet thank you cards for all of them and then returning a few to put toward our new kind mattress

Literally, we returned every single item that was not from our registry either because we didn't need it or we thought it was so ugly. A lot of those gifts were because people thought that buying from a registry was too impersonal. So the intention is good - they're not trying to be rude. In fact, chances are they're trying to be extra sweet. The good news is that just because somebody gifts you something, it doesn't mean that you have to keep it!

Just return it, like others said. It can be frustrating, but there's not much you can do. DH and I got a few knick-knacks from his grandma's friends which are totally not our style and we don't know where they were purchased, but it was really sweet of them, regardless.

It's funny how people immediately point to the bride for feeling ungrateful. I feel for the bride. People who go off registry are IMO selfish. "You told me what you need (and probably spent hours talking it over with FH and researching the products) but I'm deciding I know what you need more than you do." Maybe they already have the thing you want to buy them? Maybe they don't have the space for that item? Maybe they have a family heirloom they'd rather use than the impersonal one you are buying them? So many people on my husband's side didn't even know to mark stuff as purchased on the registry, so I had to awkwardly open up four ice cream scoops and four can openers at my shower (all different brands of course, not the one I specifically researched and asked for). People didn't even tell me where they got them from or provide a receipt, so now guess what? I have four can openers and four ice cream scoops. My MIL insisted on having this shower for me for their side of the family/friends which was nice, but the host needs to explain what the bride needs to the guests. It actually created a lot of extra stress for me around an already busy time because I had to figure out how to return/store the excess items we were given (none were returnable except for a comforter at costco because they didn't require a receipt but only gave us $19 for it back... FYI not even a bed size that we owned so it was obviously regifted). For the love of God, please AT LEAST provide a receipt! My favorite was when someone bought me baking cups and said "I know you registered for some different ones, but I got these for you instead." WHY? It's not a money thing either. If you can't afford something on the registry, get a Target gift card.