A gift registry is a type of managed wish list made for a formal occasion where gifts are customary, the most common of which are for weddings and baby showers. With the popularity of the internet however, gift registries have diversified into abundant categories, such as honeymoon or charity registries.

Where a managed gift registry is different from a typical recipient-run wish list is that the registry is managed by a third party; this can either be by a retail store, or increasingly gift registry websites are being selected instead. Items are compiled and prioritized into a list, which is then mailled to the chosen company. Upon purchasing an item on the registry, the registry is updated to be viewed by other guests wishing to purchase an item on the list. This offers many benefits for both the givers and the receivers of the gifts:

It provides valuable and easily accessible information for what items the giver should buy. If managed by a retail store, it means that guests only have to search one store in order to purchase a gift.

It prevents people purchasing duplicate or unneeded gifts, which is great for both the buyer and the recipient. It saves the family the time and hassle of keeping the registry up to date. Registries usually make the purchaser of a gift anonymous, reducing the negative social interactions that can result from competitive gift purchasing.

When contemplating whether to use the services of a specialized retailer or to use a registry website, several aspects of each should be considered. While using a retailer for your registry is generally free, the items on the list have to be ones available from the store managing it. If you feel you do not want your guests to needlessly search through a variety of stores, this can be seen as an advantage. Retailers will also usually have specificstaff that can assist you in a variety of matters related to the registry, such as gift ideas or return policy.

Online gift registries on the other hand, offer the ability to shop at home, increased variety and instant communication between persons. They can be used for a variety of occasions, can choose a larger variety of gifts from multiple stores (known as a Universal Registry), plus simple cash registries are available if that is what you want.

Some websites even offer discounts on sponsored products if they are included in your registry. However, most websites offer their services at a price, and great caution should be taken in making sure both the registry service and the listed gifts are legitimate. Thoroughly research the reputations of websites that you may be thinking about using, to avoid both confusion and heartbreak.

For some great gift ideas including an online gift registry and online event organiser, visit wippygifts.com.