I will be honest, I am not sure what the big dislike is regarding gift registries. Some people see a registry and completely freak out thinking that they must buy exactly the most expensive thing on the list or they will be ostracized for ever.
Also it is not up to you what the bride and groom put on their list. It is also never in a million years your responsibility to inform the couple that their choices are incorrect, unless of course you are socially inept and don't have a brain to mouth filter that stops you from saying stupid things. That was not directed at the OP by the way
The bride and groom didn't make up their registry with the thought that you personally had to buy the most expensive thing on the list. People who get upset at registries are just playing out fears of their own short comings such as not being able to afford the $60 wine glasses and that the bride and groom are going to be mad or hurt that you didn't. I can guarantee you that when the bride and groom put the $60 wine glasses on their list they didn't do so with the intention that they expected the person who is a friend that they occasionally hang out with to purchase them or anyone else for that matter. They put them on their because grandma/Aunt Bea/their best friend/insert any other person other than you/ usually buys stuff like that and they want to make life easier on the gift giver and themselves.
Personally I always browse the registry and look for something within my budget or a couple of small items that look like good choices. Now if it's a friend of a friend I might get the placemats and funky wine rings. If it's my best friend or a close relative, I'm probably going to get the $60 wine glasses if it's in my budget.
As for giving money, I have a simple way of handling that. If the couple are friends but not really the most meaningful relationship it is usually $50 to $75 depending on our budget. Really good friends are usually $100. Best friends and family are $150 to $200 depending on our budget. And acquaintances that we barely know who you realize just invited you because more people = more money get a polite regrets and well wishes
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Also it is not up to you what the bride and groom put on their list. It is also never in a million years your responsibility to inform the couple that their choices are incorrect, unless of course you are socially inept and don't have a brain to mouth filter that stops you from saying stupid things. That was not directed at the OP by the way
The bride and groom didn't make up their registry with the thought that you personally had to buy the most expensive thing on the list. People who get upset at registries are just playing out fears of their own short comings such as not being able to afford the $60 wine glasses and that the bride and groom are going to be mad or hurt that you didn't. I can guarantee you that when the bride and groom put the $60 wine glasses on their list they didn't do so with the intention that they expected the person who is a friend that they occasionally hang out with to purchase them or anyone else for that matter. They put them on their because grandma/Aunt Bea/their best friend/insert any other person other than you/ usually buys stuff like that and they want to make life easier on the gift giver and themselves.
Personally I always browse the registry and look for something within my budget or a couple of small items that look like good choices. Now if it's a friend of a friend I might get the placemats and funky wine rings. If it's my best friend or a close relative, I'm probably going to get the $60 wine glasses if it's in my budget.
As for giving money, I have a simple way of handling that. If the couple are friends but not really the most meaningful relationship it is usually $50 to $75 depending on our budget. Really good friends are usually $100. Best friends and family are $150 to $200 depending on our budget. And acquaintances that we barely know who you realize just invited you because more people = more money get a polite regrets and well wishes
