A Bride's Gift Registry | The Charming Homekeeper

A Bride's Gift Registry gives you a complete list of essentials for fine living. Includes:

• checklist
• vintage wisdom

Before you say, "I do," there are so many things you don't!  That is ... you don't want to write a laundry list of wasteful home items on your bridal gift registry, only to find you are missing the essentials for fine living!  So, to the new bride or the seasoned homekeeper (who wants to refresh), I present ... A Bride's Gift Registry.  

A Bride's Gift Registry

LIVING ROOM

• 1 divan, sofa, or love seat
• 2 upholstered chairs (1 “man-of-the-house”)
• 3 tables (1 coffee, 2 end)
• 1 rug (or rugs)
• 1 radio
• 1 mirror
• 1 desk (with desk chair)
• 2-3 lamps
• 1 clock
• curtains and draperies
• pictures (or framed art)
• plants (fresh or faux)

DINING

• 1 table (drop-leaf or extending)
• 4 chairs

Vintage Tip!  Select double-duty type units, such as a wrought iron or wicker, which you can use later, on a terrace or in a sun room, with a tea wagon to match and wrought iron plant stands.

TABLE LINEN

• 1 white damask table cloth with 8 napkins
• 1 casual table cloth with 4 napkins
• 4 place mats with 4 napkins
• 1 lace runner with 4 lace-accent napkins
• 1 table pad (for protecting wood tables)

CHINA

• 9 butter plates
• 9 dinner plates
• 9 salad plates
• 9 cereal bowls (use also for fruit)
• 1 platter (round or medium oval)
• 1 teapot and/or coffeepot (or silver)
• 1 creamer and sugar (or silver)
• 2 pair salts and peppers (unless you have silver or glass)

Tip!  Collect a set of nine to allow for breakage.

GLASSWARE

• 9 tumblers
• 9 highball glasses (use for iced drinks too)
• 9 footed cocktail glasses (use for juice too)
• 9 sherbet glasses

SILVER

• 8 soup spoons
• 8 teaspoons (more are always handy)
• 8 luncheon or dinner forks
• 8 luncheon or dinner knives
• 8 salad forks
• 8 butter knives
• 6 serving pieces
• 1 steak knife set
• 1 carving set
• 2 candlesticks (unless using glass or china)

BEDROOM

• 1 double bed (with mattress and springs)
• 2 pillows (4 is better)
• 1 dresser
• 1 dressing table (with skirt, optional) and accessories
• 1 dressing table bench or chair
• 3 mirrors (dresser, dressing table, full-length)
• curtains and/or draperies
• 1 or 2 night tables
• 2 – 3 lamps
• 1 large rug or 2 smaller rugs (for bedside)
• pictures

BED LINENS

• 2 mattress covers
• 2 sets of sheets with pillowcases
• 2 blankets
• 1 quilt
• 1 electric blanket or comforter (select according to your climate)

BATHROOM

• 6 bath towels
• 6 hand towels
• 6 face cloths
• 1 bath mat (2 are better)
• 1 stool (optional)
• 1 hamper (with seat-top, preferably)
• 1 medicine cabinet (unless furnished)
• 1 first-aid kit
• 1 set of staple medicines
• 1 shower curtain
• Window curtains or draperies

FOR COOKING

• 1 cookbook
• 1 clock
• 6 pot holders
• 1 coffeepot
• 1 small frying pan
• 1 large frying pan
• 1 double boiler (optional)
• 2 or 3 saucepans (get sizes that “nest”)
• 1 Dutch-oven type kettle
• 1 muffin pan
• 1 baking pan 8” x 8”
• 1 glass pie plate
• 1 glass casserole
• 8 individual casseroles
• 2 cake tins (8” round)
• 1 electric toaster

FOR FOOD PREPARATION

• 1 fruit juicer
• 1 can opener
• 1 egg beater (or use whisk)
• 1 small sieve
• 1 large sieve
• 1 flour sifter
• 1 rolling pin
• 1 pastry board
• 1 set of graters
• 1 set of knives (paring, carving, bread)
• 1 small fork
• 1 vegetable peeler
• 1 breadboard
• 2 mixing spoons (1 wooden)
• 1 pancake turner
• 1 set of mixing bowls (“nesting”)
• 1 set of measuring spoons
• 1 set of measuring cups
• 1 graduated measuring cup (glass)
• 1 spatula

FOR FOOD STORAGE

• 1 canister set
• 1 bread-and-cake box (vintage style)
• 1 set of freezer storage dishes
• 1 set of microwave safe dishes with lids
• 1 set of bowl covers

FOR DISHWASHING

• 1 dishpan (2 if your sink has no stopper)
• 1 dish drainer
• 1 rubber dish scraper
• 3 lintless glass towels (optional)
• 7 dish towels
• 7 dishcloths
• Rubber gloves
• 1 liquid dish soap
• 1 dishwasher soap (if applicable)
• 1 steel wool
• 1 scouring powder
• 1 metal polish

FOR CLEANING

• 1 vacuum cleaner (with attachments)
• 1 broom
• 1 dust mop (dry & wet)
• 1 dustpan with brush
• 1 pail
• 2 flannel polishing cloths
• 6 microfiber cloths

FOR CLEANING CONTINUED

• 1 set fabric gloves (optional)
• Covering cloths (old sheets will do)
• 1 wax (for wood floors)
• 1 polish (furniture and metal)
• cleaners (upholstery, floors, toilets)
• 1 scrubbing brush
• 1 toilet brush
• 1 duster (with extension rod)

MISCELLANEOUS

• 1 table (on wheels or folding)
• 2 chairs (folding if space is limited)
• 1 step-stool
• 1 garbage pail
• 1 tray (silver or other)
• 1 towel rack
• 1 electric iron
• 1 pressing cloth
• 1 sponge
• 1 ironing board with pad
• 1 sleeve board (optional)
• 1 starch bottle
• 1 clothesline or drier
• 1 clothes basket
• 1 set clothespins
• 50-100 hangers

 
FOYER

• 1 foyer table
• 1 lamp
• 1 mirror
• 1 rug
• 1 silver tray
• 1 silver vase