A Tin of Potato Chips, Regifts, and an Octopus Lamp. WeddingChannel.com Exposes the Worst Wedding Gift Stories

Business Wire, June 18, 2009

Worried About How to Give a Great Gift on a Budget?

WeddingChannel.com Shares Budget-Friendly Gift-Giving Tips

LOS ANGELES -- What do a tin of potato chips, used Christmas ornaments (and not the heirloom kind), and an octopus lamp have in common? According to brides on WeddingChannel.com (www.weddingchannel.com), the number one wedding & gift registry website, they were voted as the worst wedding gifts.

From regifts and handmade goods to just plain odd items and even no gifts at all, WeddingChannel.com has compiled some of the worst gift horror stories.

WORST WEDDING GIFT STORIES

OCTOPUS LAMPS AND POTATO CHIPS WEREN’T ON MY REGISTRY.

No, they’re not gag gifts—these are actual wedding gifts that newlyweds received. From alligator-shaped magnets to a tin of potato chips to an octopus lamp, these couples were definitely surprised when they unwrapped their wedding gifts.

DIY GONE BAD.

Several guests decided to test out their DIY skills for the wedding gift. One bride was excited when she received a homemade wedding album—but once she opened it, she found black electrical tape holding the fabric together. Another guest decided to tune in to his inner artist and gifted a large frame with Post-its aligned in rows as the artwork.

REGIFTING ISN’T AN OPTION.

Espresso cups with stains. Candles and votives with soot still on them. From used Christmas ornaments to secondhand bakeware sets (with flour still on it!), regift stories were definitely, sadly, the most popular.

NO GIFT. NO CARD. NADA.

What’s worse than a regift? That would be not giving anything at all. One bride had four wedding guests who didn’t give a gift or even a card—and one of these guests was a brother-in-law. Ouch.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY GIFT-GIVING TIPS

“With approximately 120 million people attending a wedding this summer, it’s understandable that many of them are watching their budget more than ever,” says Charli Penn, managing editor of WeddingChannel.com. “However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still give a great, memorable gift.” Here are some tips from WeddingChannel.com:

Group Gifts

Friendly with other wedding guests? Then ask them to all chip in on a larger wedding gift. Not only will you each spend less, but a group gift is a savvy way to make it seem like you spent more than you actually did.

Personalize It

Personalization is the perfect way to upgrade a less expensive gift. Think wine bottle opener with a favorite bottle of wine for the wine enthusiast, or a cake stand with your favorite cake recipes for the couple with a sweet tooth. Pairing these items with something you know they’ll love is thoughtful and budget-friendly.

Shop Early & Save

Check out the patented gift registry search engine on WeddingChannel.com to find out where the couple’s registered. Once you know, start keeping an eye out for store sales and discounts. Even though a gift may retail for $100, you may be able to save $25!

As for engaged couples who don’t want to seem greedy when registering, Penn offers this key tip. “Make sure you register for a variety of price ranges so there’s always something on your registry that a guest can afford.” In fact, according to The Knot Market Intelligence 2008 Registry Study, couples typically register for a variety of items that range from $11 to $442. “And don’t forget to keep an eye on your registry. As the wedding date approaches, sometimes only a few items are left and you don’t want guests to be frustrated there’s nothing left.”

About WeddingChannel.com

WeddingChannel.com is the number one wedding and gift registry website, offering comprehensive wedding planning content, interactive tools, and a central location for couples to manage their gift registries. The patented registry system on WeddingChannel.com brings together registries from the nation’s leading retailers including Tiffany & Co., Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Crate and Barrel, and Pottery Barn, among others, allowing guests to search one easy site to find a wedding gift.

WeddingChannel.com is based in Los Angeles and is a part of The Knot Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT) lifestage media network.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more registry tips, check out WeddingChannel.com. To interview an expert or executive from WeddingChannel.com, or to obtain statistics, tips, checklists, or high-resolution photos, contact Jacalyn Lee, senior public relations manager, at 212.515.3505 or jlee@weddingchannel.com.