register for engagement party?

I'd probably create a small registry so that people can purchase gifts if they choose. I'm pretty sure traditionally people give gifts at engagement partys, it's not a requirement but people do. Maybe you could just select a few items in your household that need an update?

To be honest I don't think that gifts should be expected at an engagement party. We had one thrown for us and we told guests no gifts. We will get gifts at the bridal shower and wedding we didn't want them spending more money on us for an engagement party. If you don't want gifts say you don't want gifts. Now for your wedding I would register for things you want to upgrade and if you would prefer cash gifts make your registry small and people will get the hint that you would like a monetary gift.

Make a small registry. Talk to your FH and see if there is anything you want to upgrade or replace. FH and I made a small one before our engagement party because my mom said to and a few people did ask. We only gave the info to the people who asked. We weren't expecting gifts, but most people either gave us money or a gift.

Eta: Clarity

I had the same thing happen to me. I didn't register. I thought gifts were completely unnecessary for the engagement party, but some of my more traditional family and friends got us gifts regardless. Just try to politely spread the word that you'd rather they not gift anything at this time, or maybe set up a charity you'd prefer they donate to.

I've never heard of registering for an engagement party, let alone gifts. I think people these days assume if it's wedding related, they must buy a gift. Tell them no, that there's no gift expected.

I'm 42, and a first-time bride. Engagement parties seem to be a 'thing' these days - but no one in my family or circle of friends had one 10 years ago... just went out to dinner with immediate family to celebrate, that's it.

For your SHOWER and WEDDING, you should have a registry though... this is something I fought, too - having been together five years when we got engaged, and living together two. However, my mother pointed out that a registry is actually as much for the guests as the couple.

What we did was we made a small registry of about 50 different items (not counting multiples of things), and we looked at it as "upgrades".... Upgrade your towels to plusher, nicer ones -or add to what you have with large bath sheets, or a nice shower curtain. Upgrade your pots and pans to something more substantial or ditch the old chipped ones. Upgrade your flatware if you're using a bunch of mismatched ones. Upgrade your toaster to a more modern one with better controls. Upgrade your sheets to silky high-thread count Egyptian cotton ones, or even linen, that will become like butter the more you wash them.

We decided to choose a 'china' pattern that would be our sole dishes: Lennox makes dishwasher safe, microwave safe, chip-proof china in cool modern patterns that are more expensive than pottery dishes but something we could still afford to add to ourselves later. We love them and use them every day! For the first time in my life, I have dishes that match

People are going to give you gifts whether you register or not, so unless you want a bunch of stuff you don't need, or isn't your taste, take the time to register!

1) Go ahead and register as you would for the wedding and if people ask, give them that registry. You'll need one eventually anyways so might as well set it up early.

2) You can probably think of a few things you could upgrade around the house or maybe something you've always wanted but could never justify buying yourself. Try thinking outside the box if you have any hobbies you need something for. We registered for camping and backpacking equipment, for instance. You can also do registries on Amazon which broadens the scope a bit. If you can only think of a handful of things, that's ok. A small registry will let guests know that, when in doubt, cash is ok. But try and throw a few things on there to start with.