Your Registry and You Series: Part One

So today I was talking to Shannon about what I was going to buy for someone off their wedding registry when we got super derailed and I basically started to tell her all the stuff you REALLY need to register for, and what you don't.

This will be a many-part series. For now I'm sticking with dinnerware, drinkware, flatware, and linens. Mostly because one blog post with everything would be an epic novel and we just don't have that kind of time.

DINNERWARE

This is pretty obvious. Y'all are going to need plates, bowls, etc for all the delicious foods you'll be cooking together. The most important elements for your everyday dinnerware are: dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and oven safe. Most plain dinnerware is dishwasher safe, but any fancy, painted on details will eventually be completely destroyed by the heat. For this reason, we don't put our grandmother's fancy china in the dishwasher. Microwave safety is actually pretty important, regardless of how fancy you think you are. Saving someone a plate of dinner when they're working late is super nice of you, and they're going to put it in the microwave. Now, I try not to put plastic in the microwave because of the chemicals that can leach out and be absorbed by the food, but this is not the same with your dinner dishes.

This Murano dinnerware from Crate & Barrel is gorgeous, but you can't put it in the microwave, so don't bother.

Oven safe is nice because it means you can warm up plates if you're feeling extra fancy for dinner, or keep a plate warm for your spouse if they're working late. My dad always had a plate of dinner in the oven for when he got home if we decided to eat early. Most of the time plates will be oven safe up to about 200-250 degrees, but DOUBLE CHECK. Always. It's important.

Crate & Barrel's Essential dinnerware collection meets all my specs, with the bonus of being reasonably priced and simple.

Personally, I have Fiestaware, which I love. They have tons of colors, meet all my specs, plus are oven safe up to 400 degrees and even freezer safe! 

Crate & Barrel's Rika collection also meets my specs, and is great for people who want something with a bit of pattern on it. This pattern is also masculine enough that your dad won't feel weird using it.

DRINKWARE

Okay, so what you really need are stemless wine glasses, wine glasses, beer glasses, and champagne glasses. No seriously, that's it. We have tall glasses, but honestly, we almost never use them. We always reach right for the stemless wine glasses for water, juice, iced tea, and even their true purpose, wine! Just think of them as cups you can also serve wine in.

Stemless wine glass from Crate & Barrel. Also, only $25 for 12 of them. For $50 someone can buy you 24 of the best glasses you'll ever own. Bonus: Duh they're dishwasher safe.

You really do need regular wine glasses with stems for entertaining though. The heat from your hands can warm up the wine, and if you're popping open a bourdeaux you brought back from France that you know goes for at least $50 in the US, you'll want to feel fancy doing it. Also, you mom will want a regular wine glass because hand washing a glass for her shows her you love her. True fact. 

This is the Gus wineglass from Crate & Barrel. Only $30 for 12 of them and that's really all you need. Use this for both red and white wines, plus any cocktails you feel should be fancy.

Okay, you might not NEED the beer glasses, but we keep about 8 beer glasses in the door of our freezer at all times. Do you know how fancy you feel offering someone a beer from a FROZEN GLASS!? They love that. We... uhm.... well we stole most of ours. Or got them for free with a promotion the bar was doing. But you should probably buy yours. For the sake of your karma. Also, these will hold water and juice and whatnot as well. Stop buying juice glasses. For real.

Pint tumbler from Crate & Barrel. A set of 4 only costs $12. Or just skip this and steal them. Your call.

Ya need the champagne flutes. I'm sorry, but you do. You can shove some mimosa's or bellini's in them too, but nothing else works for the bubbly stuff. Actually, I'm not sorry. You can get a bottle of Andre for like $7 and it's delicious and makes you feel like you've got something to celebrate so DO IT.

Zoom flutes from the great C&B. Legit, they cost freaking $15 for 6 of them. SUCK IT UP YOU NEED THEM.

FLATWARE

Yup. You're going to need forks and knives and whatnot. The nice lady who helped Hubs and I at Macy's, recommended 18/10 stainless steel, and to never use lemon (or anything acidic scented) dishwashing detergent because it would screw up the flatware. She didn't let us down.

This is the Oneida Flatware "Moda" set. For 65 pieces it was $225 at Macy's, but well worth it. Seriously, hubs touched every single knife, fork and  spoon in both Macy's and Crate & Barrel. This is the one you want. Just buy it.

LINENS

There's only one thing here you truly need, and those are white cotton napkins. They're white because you'll be bleaching these a lot, and they're cotton because we're adults and a "roller napkin" COUGHCOUGH PAPER TOWEL COUGHCOUGH is not cutting it at your fancy, grown up Thanksgivings, alright? Now in terms of placemats, table runners, table cloths, etc, the world is your oyster. Go crazy with color and patterns, hell, even themes! They're fun.

Fete Vanilla Cotton Napkin from C&B. Only $20 for 8 of them, but you'd be wise to register for 3 sets. If you really must be creative, you could always add some embroidery. 

Okay, so this Heredia tablecloth from Anthropologie seems insane, especially for $118,  BUT IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY.

This Malani placemat from C&B is totally adorable, and much more reasonable at  $13.

C&B's Handpainted Plaid Runner is adorable and runs from $50-$70.  Get the table runner pun? Eh? No? Okay. 

This series will be a regular, but sporadic. Unlike the Fancy Party Series, I don't quite know where I'll be going with this or how it will end, but I guess we'll discover together!