Catherine Gillis
Northern News Services

Gift registries are a practical way to shop for the bride and groom. Most people don't have the slightest idea what to buy for newlyweds, so gift registries make shopping a whole lot easier for everyone.

With gift registries you won't have the problem of receiving three toasters at the same time, and the best part is that the bride can actually be selfish. The bride can go on a shopping spree without even spending a penny. Doesn't that sound appealing?

"The best thing about gift registries is that you know that you're going to get what you want," says Natacha Saravanja, an employee at Langlois.

With gift registries, you no longer have to act surprised when you open up a gift that really doesn't suit your style.

The most popular gifts for weddings are usually dishes, linens, picture frames, and for some apparent reason, flasks for the best man.

You can find these gift items at Barren Land Jewelery, Sasha's Jewelery, Langlois and Home Hardware.

And, of course, there are absolutely no restrictions on how much you should spend. Most of these stores have had gift registries since they opened up so they are very familiar with the way that they work.

"The best thing about registries is that you buy something that the bride and groom want," says Home Hardware's Pat Winter. "There are no duplications."

Retailers advise that the best way to manage a successful gift registry is to bring a close friend with you, one who knows all of your other friends and family members, to one of the stores above and pick out the things that you admire the most. Sign them up with a store clerk, then wait until your friend spreads the word.

There's no doubt, adds Bonnie Humphrey of Barren Land Jewelery, "Wedding gift registries make shopping a lot easier on everyone."