Registry gift prices?

We didn’t have a registry but what most people recommend is having a big range of gifts. So something things for $50 or under, some for $100 then some more that groups or families could buy together, which could be fairly expensive. Then people get to an option of what to spend. We usually gift around $100 so I’d be looking for something around that range. I think everyone’s view on what to splurge on will be different, which is why you have a list of things you would like! I would personally never buy myself monogrammed towels but if that’s what someone wants as a gift I would buy it for them.

For me it’s not so much the item itself. You can get cheap or expensive towels, bedding, dishes, appliances. Depending on my relationship with the person I would be comfortable spending $25-200. Like my siblings I could spend $200 on, my friends $50-100, a more casual acquaintance $50 or less. Some people might want to get you an expensive gift but just can’t afford it and I’ve been in that place too. I think it would be good to have a range of prices. Some people will give you money regardless of your registry so you could put that toward something nicer.

We registered for a $250 duvet, a $300 knife set, and our flatware was $40 per 5 piece place setting. All of our more expensive items were the first things bought from our registry and our cheapest items were the last things bought. I personally wanted quality stuff that would last us for a long time. I think most guests want to purchase good quality, I know my mother in law recently complained about a wedding she went to because she said they didn’t register for quality stuff and she didn’t want to buy something that wouldn’t last.

I agree with what others have said about having a variety of price points. I think most people have in their mind what they want to spend and look for things around that price, regardless of what the item is. Just have a range of $50 options, $100 options, $200 options, etc. If I know I want to spend $100, it doesn't really matter to me if it's a knife, sheets, plates etc.

It's always recommended to register for a wide range of price points. Also, sometimes people will go in together on a more expensive item. I had items ranging from a few dollars to $250. I registered for quality items because we wanted things that will last, as these were upgrades since we already live together. The key is having a variety because it allows the guest to control how much he or she wants to spend on the gift. As Mrs. S said above, the amount someone spends may depend a lot on the relationship. Your friend may not be in a position to buy you that $300 Kitchen Aid mixer, but your favorite aunt may jump on it immediately.

Registries also have the option of just being able to be checkmarked off but bought somewhere else so even if you had something expensive, someone could find it for a better price elsewhere and still get it for you

I have a variety of prices on my registry. I think you just want to make sure you have all the items that you want and need on the list because something like a vegetable peeler is going to be cheaper than a comforter or vacuum. Just make sure you cover a range of price points. I don't know what your guest look likes, but for me I have young people that are still in college ranging all the way through well off professionals and retirees.

I agree with pps about items covering a wide-range of prices, from the kinds of retailers your guests are most likely to frequent. The first item purchased off daughter's two registries (Macy's for china, flatware, etc., and Kohl's for household items, etc.), was the $300+ KitchenAid mixer. For her china, she registered for individual place settings, a wide-variety of serving pieces, and the 40-piece set of 8 place settings. The FIRST item of her china purchased? The 40-piece set with a non-sale price of about $400.... By her shower (25 guests from a 100 guest wedding), she probably received about 80% of the registry items. About a month before the wedding she added a bunch of less expensive items to the registry ($10-35 range?), as those seemed to be popular wedding gifts from their early-mid 20-something friend group from whom they received things like cloth napkin sets, kitchen utensils, etc. From virtually all of the more established guests (30-90 yrs), they received checks or cash as wedding gifts. By the time the wedding was over, there was very little left on her registries. Good luck!

Our registry had items ranging from $15 - $450. People who bought the cheaper items typically gifted multiple items. Surprisingly, the more expensive items were purchased first.

What everyone else said about having a range of prices is right. I would add:
-Some places let you put things in a "group gift fund" so people can more easily contribute to larger gifts.
-If you're expecting to have a shower, it's a good idea to have more inexpensive (<$50) gifts because people will be buying multiple gifts.-If you have a lot of friends who are still students, it might be good to register for things as items, rather than as a set, especially if they're kind of pricey. For example, instead of registering for a set of 12 wine glasses, register for a wine glass and set the quantity to 12.It's usually slightly cheaper to a whole set, but if someone can't afford to buy the whole set, they might be able 6 glasses separately.

I put anything and everything we wanted on our registry regardless of price (although I think our most expensive thing is like $180 for some luggage) because we get a "finish your registry" coupon closer to the wedding date so we are buying those items anyway but want to be able to use our discount on it. If someone wants to get the expensive items for us, great! If not, we're still getting it. People aren't going to buy someone something they aren't comfortable getting.

We've opted not to do a registry and have told our family / friends that gifts are not necessary, if they choose to attend our wedding / reception that is gift enough. We always felt this way, but now in light of Covid, we definitely feel this way.

I have a Target, IKEA and a Zola registry. I would say that MOST of my items are under $50, but since we are registering for furniture, we have a few pieces between $100-$300 like a table and a headboard, and of course a KitchenAid mixer. However I know that most people won't spend that much, so we will probably end up keeping them on the registry soley for the discount at the end. We also have a charity donation item so that we can give back with all the effects of COVID-19. People who want to gift will get what they can and they can just ignore the more pricey items if thats not their cup of tea.

I would have a wide range of options, and also see if your registry allows for people to "go in on" a gift or authorize gift cards. Keep in mind that some relatives or friend groups may decide to buy larger ticket items as a group gift, too.


We aren't having a registry and specifically put a little note in with the invitations "your presence is your present" with a thank you. We are having a card box for anyone who still wants to bring a card 😉

Have a wide range of price options. From the inexpensive kitchen utensils, coffee mugs, all the way up to higher priced things. Some people will only buy the $100-500 items and other people can't afford that so will collectively a bundle $5-10 stuff. Everyone's shopping styles and budgets are different so never assume anything. While it is understandable to feel guilty, your guests won't blink unless everything on your list is $100-1000.

Prior to Amazon coming into the picture, it used to be that kitchen appliances and bed linens were the top of the line splurge items, and even those were reasonably priced for the average person. Now people register for anything under the sun, including furniture and vacations, which don't be surprised if some people don't get those because it's not as common.

You don't have to limit your registry to household items either. Some guests like to buy you fun stuff too...like a novelty pack of Cards Against Humanity from Target or wherever or camping gear, if you're into that. It's all up to you and what you need and want. People love to buy gifts and cash isn't given in every circle, so let them get you a new set of sheets or a new coffeemaker or whatever you want to replace. It is ok even if you've been together awhile.

Target and Bed Bath and Beyond probably have the best variety and best quality that fit into the wide range of prices. They also have registry list suggestions on their websites to give you an idea of what to register for.

Splurge on the bed/bath linens and appliances. Go mid-range on dishes unless you do a ton of fancy entertaining.

Either way, nothing about the registry, including mentioning you're not having one, goes near the invitations. It is spread by word of mouth and people will ask you, your parents, etc so don't worry about them not being able to figure it out without explicit instructions. People have been doing this successfully for decades by word of mouth only.

I agree with everyone that you need a variety of price points. I’m assuming you already have a registry set up, but we used Zola and it was really helpful because if you input your number of guests, they have a tool that will automatically recommend the number of gifts you should add from each price point. I felt incredibly awkward about the whole registry thing, but this made me feel a little less guilty because there was a guideline. You also have to remember that people are happy just to have a variety of options

I would register for a variety of prices and just change the item to fit the price. For example, you can register for expensive towels for the over $100 range and then register for some serving platters in the under $50 range. We have some items ranging from $15-$150 and then a honeymoon fund, where people can contribute any amount they like.

I literally always say the only time in your life it's acceptable to ask for expensive gifts and people expect it, is your wedding! So don't feel bad! People would rather get you what you want then something cheap you'll have to replace in a few years. A few people may even go in on something more expensive. I say list what you really want, not what's cheap. Definitely have a variety of price points, like kitchen utensils aren't usually too expensive on their own or pot holders or towels, etc. If people don't find anything on your registry they want to buy, they can just get a gift card.