Funny how I get so nostalgic around the time of our wedding anniversary... I get to thinking back, how, as a young couple, we were so naive about so many things. At the top of that list was setting up our home. I was soo clueless when it came to "homemaking"... Good thing they had such a thing as "Bridal Registries!
I remember being guided thru the different departments at Wilmers/Elder Beerman,
pen and papers in hand, checking off the wants and needs that were going to transform me into a domestic diva. Yeah, fat chance!
I was digging around, looking for nothing in particular, recently, and came across the booklet that had listed in it, all the gifts we received for our wedding. It was truly a step back in time! And a lesson for future brides who are in the "bridal registry" phase of their wedding planning.
I think that my formal china pattern is beautiful and it's wonderful when I bring it out for the holidays, but really? One would think I had plans to entertain royalty when you see the serving pieces, the crystal, the chafing dishes that I accumulated! Nothing but the best for THIS bride! Whateverrr!
At the opposite end of the spectrum was my everyday tableware. I accumulated THAT at my local "Liberal Supermarket". If my Mom spent a certain amount of money, she received a stamp. Once the card was full of stamps, you cashed it in for plates, cups, saucers, etc. So that's what we had....Liberal Supermarket ironstone... the pattern was orange and yellow sunflowers. It served us well for years.
We received three electric knives (I thought the reason for registering was to avoid duplication?) We were married 20 years before I cooked a turkey - we were blessed to enjoy family Thanksgiving dinners elsewhere - so that gift was unused for years. It did, however, come in handy when I had to cut foam for a kid's Halloween costume.
Fondue pots were all the rage back in the early 70's. I registered for one and received two to match the "Harvest Gold" kitchen appliances we had on order. Nothing like making your guests work for their appetizers! I must have lost, between moves, the long forks that came with the pot - that, or maybe our guests just got lazy and I actually had to start serving them...either way, no more fondue parties at the Wright Place!
Popcorn poppers must have been new and cutting edge back then, as we received three of them, as well. (Hey, someone went off the registry and bought one at Ontario's! THAT's why we got more than one!) Well, it sure beat "Jiffy Pop" popcorn and microwaves weren't invented yet.
Add to all that an iron, an ironing board, tons of towels, sheets, picture frames, blankets, a multitude of other gadgets, gifts and cash, and we were on our way to domestic bliss.
My advice to young brides is this. Take it easy on the bridal registry. You'll develop your own style and tastes, they'll change thru the years and you'll have a lifetime to accumulate things that fit. And if you have a need for an electric knife, a popcorn popper or a fondue pot, don't register for it. Call me instead!
No comments:
Post a Comment