Registry Checklist

Bed Blanket Essentials

• Cotton is the most breathable, and you’ll find a wide variety of color and style options.
• Down blankets have a long life span and offer warmth while remaining cool to the touch.
• Fleece blankets provide extra warmth and are usually easy to care for (machine-washable) because of the synthetic fibers.
• Wool is the most durable and warmest, but it doesn’t offer the same softness as fleece, down, and cotton.

Comforter Set Essentials

• Appearance isn’t everything; take note of the inside material. Most comforters are filled with polyester batting, but goose down (assuming you’re not allergic to it) is a great choice for a soft, fluffy feel.
• Stick with a comforter that has a 200 thread count or higher.
• Consider registering for a comforter set to get a finished look. Many comforter sets include standard-sized shams, oversized shams, and a bed skirt.

Euro Shams Essentials

• These pillowcases go on Euro pillows and other oversized decorative pillows that aren’t meant for sleeping on.
• Make sure you register for a pillowcase that will fit your sham filler or Euro pillow.

Flat Sheets Essentials

• The softness of a sheet is measured by its thread count (the number of threads woven per square inch of material).
• The thread count for sheets usually falls between 250 and 400. The higher the thread count, the softer the sheets.
• A thread count above 300 is softer, considered more luxurious, and usually more expensive.
• Popular cotton sheet blends include "Egyptian long-staple," "pima," and "Supima."

Dryer Essentials

• Figure out the size you’re looking for first by measuring in cubic feet.
• For the best energy-efficiency, your washer should have half the capacity of your dryer. (For a 3.5-cubic-foot washer, you’ll want a 7-cubic-foot dryer.)
• Select one with several temperature settings.
• Digital controls allow you to preset your load.
• Added insulation keeps noise to a minimum.

Washer Essentials

• Front-loading washers open in the front and are agitator-free. Many are stackable with dryers and also spin faster than top-loaders.
• Top-loading washers come with more color options and features than front-loading washers. The design also allows for easy access.
• Choose a stainless steel or plastic tub. Porcelain-coated steel tubs can deteriorate easily.
• Washers with several water-level settings conserve water and money.
• Pick a washer with several temperature settings and an automatic temperature regulator.
• An insulation feature will help reduce noise.
• Digital controls allow you to preset your load.
• Look for an Energy Star rating. This means the machine cuts energy and water consumption by more than 40 percent compared to non-Energy Star washers.

Digital Camera Essentials

• Check out the camera’s resolution, which determines the quality of printed images -- six megapixels are ideal if you plan on printing from the camera.
• Rechargeable batteries will help save money; have them included in the package.
• Consider how you’ll be using the camera. If you take your camera everywhere, the best option is a smaller size that can be stowed easily in a purse or pocket.

Suitcase Essentials

• Depending on how often you travel, register for a set of small, medium, and large suitcases.
• Wheels that have ball bearings can be recessed into the luggage to avoid damage.
• Extra zipper compartments allow luggage to expand.
• If you often travel internationally, hard-case luggage provides maximum security.
• Fabric luggage is easier to pack and is often lighter than hard cases, but it won’t offer the same impact protection.
• Choose luggage with wheels that are installed with screws rather than rivets. Screws are easier to remove and repair.

Travel Totes Essentials

• Register for totes if you tend to take a lot of short day trips.
• It should be suitable for carrying items such as books and laptops.
• The material needs to be durable enough for everyday use.
• A zipper closure, rather than a flap or button, keeps contents secure inside.

Garden Hose Essentials

• Keep in mind that the longer your hose, the less water pressure you’ll have.
• Typical garden hoses are available in lengths of 25’, 50’, 75’, and 100’.
• Consider the hose’s diameter: They come in 5/8", 1/2", 3/4", and 1" sizes.
• More water will flow through a larger diameter. (The standard garden hose is 5/8" in diameter.)
• PVC plus rubber reinforcement ensure durability and a long life span.

Patio Umbrella Essentials

• Choose your patio furniture first and then pick the umbrella. Find an umbrella that properly fits the size of your patio table hole.
• Examine the table’s pole hole -- a taller pole will cast a larger shadow, so choose accordingly.
• An umbrella with a porous weave helps pass heat through and doesn’t topple in high winds.
• Pick your colors wisely: Lighter colors reflect heat while darker colors trap in heat.

Casual Place Settings Essentials

• Pick a pattern that you’re sure you won’t get tired of. White and ivory are always safe choices.
• Stoneware is a popular material because of its durability (it’s also microwavable).
• Keep in mind the size of your cabinets, and get plates that will stack easily and aren’t too heavy.
• Typically, you’ll register for a five-piece place setting, which includes a dinner plate, salad/dessert plate, bread-and-butter plate, cup, and saucer. Extras include soup bowls, chargers, and serving pieces.

Cloth Napkins Essentials

• Coordinate your napkins with the rest of your tableware.
• Consider registering for napkins in hot accent colors.
• Look for machine-washable and wrinkle-free designs.

Place Mats Essentials

• Available in different colors, patterns, and designs; sizes and shapes vary from round to square to rectangular.
• Opt for vinyl place mats for easy cleanup.
• Consider registering for seasonal and formal sets as well.

Teakettle Essentials

• Look for teakettles with a lid that tightly seals yet is easy to open and close.
• Decide if you want one with a whistle.
• Ergonomic spouts open when you tilt for easy pouring.

Formal Silver 5-piece Flatware Set Essentials

• Sterling silver flatware is used for formal occasions and requires special care, like hand-washing and polishing.
• Formal flatware is usually sold in a five-piece place setting, which includes a dinner fork, salad fork, teaspoon, tablespoon, and knife.
• For the highest-quality silver, get sterling silver with at least 92.5 percent pure silver.
• Silver-plated flatware is dishwasher-safe and a less expensive option to sterling.
• Nickel coating is hard and more durable than silver.
• Sterling silver and silver plate will need to be polished at least once a year.

Steak Knives Essentials

• Knives are crafted in two ways: Stamped, which punches knives out of a sheet of steel; and forged (the pricier option), which involves pouring molten metal into a knife-shaped mold and hammering it into shape.
• Steak knife sets are usually sold in sets of four, six, or eight and can vary in quality and price.
• The best blades are made of high carbon stainless steel because they can be easily sharpened and don't rust.
• Look for nonserrated blades for cutting meat because they leave no jagged edges.
• When it comes to picking the handle, it's up to your taste. Knives with wooden handles can’t go in the dishwasher (though this is recommend for any steak knife).
• Stainless steel handles are great but can be harder to grip.

Champagne Flutes Essentials

• Champagne flutes are identified by a long stem with a tall, narrow bowl on top, and they’re taller and thinner than other types of wineglasses.
• The shape is designed to keep bubbly well carbonated and at the right temperature.
• Look for ones with extra-long stems, which resemble a trumpet-shape.
• The bowls should extend close to the base of the glass.
• Available in glass or crystal -- use glass for entertaining and crystal for special occasions.

Double Old-Fashioned Glasses Essentials

• Double old-fashioned glasses look like old-fashioned glasses but are double the size.
• They’re usually used for serving straight alcohol such as Scotch, vodka on the rocks, or other premium liqueur drinks.
• Available in either round or square shapes.
• Usually holds about eight to ten ounces of liquid.
• Also referred to as rocks glasses.

Margarita Glasses Essentials

• An exaggerated rim, which measures five inches in diameter, makes it easy to dip into salt.
• Should hold about 12 to 20 ounces of liquid.
• You may want plastic or acrylic glasses if you plan to entertain outdoors often.

Pilsner Glasses Essentials

• Pilsner glasses are similar to pint glasses but are slightly smaller and usually identified by the short neck on the bottom.

Seven-Piece Bar Tool Set Essentials

• Double jigger: for measuring liquor. A jigger is the size of a shot.
• Ice spoon: for picking out cubes or stirring a mixed drink. Select one with a long neck.
• Citrus knife: for peeling fruit and removing pith.
• Bottle opener: for removing both metal bottle caps as well as corks from wine bottles.
• Strainer: for removing ice from a mixed drink after it’s been shaken. Go for the metal version because it’s the sturdiest.
• Olive fork: for serving olives or picking them out of the jar.

White Wineglasses Essentials

• White wineglasses are narrow with semi-straight or tulip-shaped sides; the shape allows the chilled wine to retain its temperature longer.
• The smaller bowl of the glass means less contact between the hand and the glass so body heat doesn’t transfer as easily to the wine.

Sofas Essentials

• Measure the space you have to fill. The standard three-seater is 80" to 85" long.
• Measure the entryway of your home to ensure that you can fit the sofa through the door.
• A sectional sofa can be broken into smaller pieces. This is a good option for a large room with a small entryway.
• A sleeper sofa is a great option if you’ll have overnight guests and lack a spare room.
• Low arm height makes a sofa more comfortable for napping and casual seating; a formal sofa may have a higher arm height.

Throw Blankets Essentials

• Pick a standard-size blanket large enough to cover a person but still small enough to look neat when tossed over a sofa or chair -- about 50" x 60".
• Cotton blankets are soft, breathable, and long lasting.
• Wool blankets are the warmest and most durable option, but they’re not so soft to the touch.
• Synthetic fibers, such as acrylic or fleece, are soft to the touch and warm, but they’re less breathable than natural fibers.

Basting Brushes Essentials

• Register for three brushes (small, medium, and large) to handle all basting needs.
• Consider getting them in different colors so you can designate them for veggies, butter, and meat.
• Register for an angled brush for quicker basting.
• Brushes with long handles -- about 15" -- help keep your hands away from high heat.

Cake Pans/Muffin Tins Essentials

• Select metal and silicone materials if you’re frequent bakers.
• Springforms are traditionally used for cheesecakes and tortes -- desserts that are hard to remove from a regular pan.
• Silicone offers easy removal, nonstick sides, and fast cleanup. (It’s also dishwasher-safe.)

Cheese Grater Essentials

• A box grater is the most basic and most difficult to clean.
• Mandolin graters have one flat panel and come with a variety of blades, making for easy storage and mobility.
• Plane graters are flat (similar to mandolin graters) and simple to handle. They require the user to scrape the cheese against the blades.
• With a rotary cheese grater, the cheese is inserted into a compartment and a rotary is turned to shave the cheese. It’s easier to use, but you’ll have less grating options.

Cookware Set Essentials

• Aluminum is lightweight and a great heat conductor, but it scratches and stains easily.
• Stainless steel is durable and easy to maintain, but it’s a poor heat conductor.
• Cast iron is inexpensive but is heavy and corrodes easily.
• Copper is expensive, scratches easily, and is a great heat condutor.
• Enameled steel and glass are the most stylish options because they’re colorful, but they chip easily.
• Nonstick surfaces make cooking and cleanup a breeze.

• A broiler pan is a two-piece pan made of a slotted upper pan and a deep lower pan for catching drips. It’s usually intended to broil meat.
• Nonstick or stainless steel broiler pans keep cleanup to a minimum.

Cutting Boards Essentials

• Plastic boards may retain knife scratches but are easiest to clean.
• Glass boards are hardest on knife blades and make a grating sound when cut on.
• Wooden boards are hardest to clean but are the most gentle on knife blades.

Dutch Oven Essentials

• A Dutch oven is a thick-walled pot used for cooking stews and roasts.
• The walls should be the same thickness all the way around.
• Make sure the lid tightly fits. Get one with a clear lid if you like to monitor food while it cooks.

Garlic Press Essentials

• Consider a stainless steel, dishwasher-safe press.
• Try out garlic presses to see which one feels best, making sure that the handle is comfortable.
• Test to see that the press lifts up high enough for quick cleanup.

Ice Cream Maker Essentials

• Opt for a two-quart option if you plan on doing a lot of entertaining.
• Select an electric model for easy use (rather than an old-fashioned crank version).

Panini Press Essentials

• Select one with variable heat settings for grilling different items.
• Some can handle more than one sandwich at a time.

Rice Cooker Essentials

• Consider at least a five-cup capacity.
• An automatic warm-setting switch has heat sensors that detect when the rice is cooked.
• An optional steaming basket is ideal for vegetables.

Stand Mixer Essentials

• Check out all the different sizes, speeds, and colors before you made your decision.
• Consider how often you’ll use it and for what type of cooking when picking a model.
• The "planetary" feature allows the mixer to spin on its own axis while spiraling around the bowl for optimal mixing power.

Waffle Maker Essentials

• Consider how often you’ll use it -- get one that makes half-waffles if you don’t eat them as often.
• A nonstick, stainless steel interior is easy to clean.
• Make sure you find one with a stay-cool handle.
• A control dial helps you monitor how it cooks.
• Some have lights that alert you when your waffles are ready.

Handheld Steamer Essentials

• Find a steamer that’s small enough to fit in your luggage.
• The long-cord option comes in handy for tackling drapes, furniture, and other hard-to-reach items.
• Look for one with an auto shut off option and a nondrip spout.
• A drain plug will help prevent mineral buildup.

Iron Essentials

• Check that it has a thermostat so you can regulate the heat.
• A "burst of steam" option tackles tough wrinkle problems.
• The self-clean feature shoots steam through the soleplate (surface).
• Nonstick soleplates ensure the best quality ironing.
• Cordless or long-cord irons have the best mobility.
• Look for one with adjustable fabric settings. (You’ll want one for delicates, cotton, and wool.)

Vacuum Essentials

• Theoretically, the higher number of amps, the more suction your vacuum will have. Aim for a vacuum with 12 amps or higher.
• A bag vacuum collects dust and dirt into a paper bag that needs to be replaced when full.
• A bagless vacuum collects dust and dirt into a canister that’s emptied after cleaning.
• Look for a HEPA filter, which is a prime filtration system for capturing allergens.
• Before you register, know the service warranty on the vacuum.

Bath Towels Essentials

• Just like sheets, the softness of a bath towel is measured by its thread count (the number of threads woven per square inch of material).
• Standard bath towel sizes are approximately 27" x 54" (sizes vary by manufacturer).
• Check out bath sheets if you’re looking for oversized options, which are usually 36" x 72" (sizes vary by manufacturer).
• "Egyptian" cotton towels are the most luxurious but require careful washing.
• "Supima" cotton towels are still high in quality with easier care options.
• "Standard" cotton is a lower quality material but still durable and absorbent.
• If you like the feel of a terry cloth robe, consider a terry cloth weave with larger thread loops.
• Look for "long-fiber" or "long-staple" cotton for the ultimate softness. Most cotton/polyester blends are less expensive but lack breathability.

Hair Dryer Essentials

• Look for a dryer that features more than 1,800 watts of energy for maximum power.
• A variety of heat and speed settings are great for his and her hairstyles.
• A nozzle is ideal for smoothing hair, while diffusers are best for styling curly hair.
• The "cool shot" setting will lock your hair in place after heat styling.
• A "quiet" feature provides a fast dry without noise.
• Ionic dryers produce negatively charged ions to prevent over-drying.

Shower Curtain Essentials

• Measure your tub’s length as well as the distance from the shower curtain rod to the bathroom floor. Unless you have an old-fashioned tub, a standard-size shower curtain should work.
• Clear, plastic curtains are cheaper but can be difficult to clean.
• Cloth shower curtains require a lining but are easy to remove and throw in the wash.
• A vinyl curtain is water-repellent and can also be frequently laundered.
• Don’t forget the shower curtain rings to hang your liner and curtain. Check the packaging on the curtain and liner for details on how many you’ll need.

Showerhead Essentials

• Available with massage functions, water-conserving features, and artistic finishes.
• Consider a handheld nozzle showerhead.
• Look for adjustable spray patterns and pressures.
• Think about registering for a low-flow showerhead to conserve water.
• If your water often changes from hot to cold (or vice versa) too suddenly, look for a showerhead with temperature control features.

Tub Mat Essentials

• A textured, rubber tub mat is the most common because it’s extra slip-proof.
• Most are white or clear, but there are more colorful options.
• Test out tub mats before registering to get a feel for the texture that you like best.

Washcloths Essentials

• Standard washcloths measure about 13" x 13".
• Consider an extra-soft cotton washcloth that’s gentle on the face.
• Darker-colored washcloths are more resistant to stains from makeup.
• Register for your washcloths in a set that coordinates with your bath towels.
• Look for "long-fiber" or "long-staple" cotton for the ultimate softness. Most cotton/polyester blends are less expensive but lack breathability.