A big turkey platter. It’s one of those things I never would have gotten for myself since it gets used twice a year at most, but I’m glad I have it and grateful to the friend who gave it to me.
From one couple, we got a 9x13 Pyrex baking dish and a power drill with all sorts of attachments. We got laughs from the assembled family when Ms dfb unwrapped the baking dishes at the same time as I unwrapped the drill, we each looked at them puzzledly, and then handed them to each other, since she’s much more the type to use a drill (to do whatever magic one uses a drill for) while I do the cooking.
Anyway, we still have and actively use both of them, nearly 20 years later, and it remains a fun story to tell (especially together, with appropriate facial expressions).
Somebody a nice fancy KitchenAid food processor. Too complicated. It took me 10 years before I opened it and then I started to use it once again 10 years later. Finally I couldn’t deal with it and gave it away. I think it was expensive, almost cover your plate kind of gift. Phew was my reaction after I gave it away. I definitely like simple stuff, but somehow it was in my registry.
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We got one gift we never could identify, and laughed for days about what to say in the thank you note. “Dear Aunt and Uncle, Thank you so much for the thing you sent us. We don’t have anything quite like it and neither does anyone else we know.”
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ooohhhh…Please!! Tell us shape, size, color, material, and anything else unique about it and see if we can figure out what it is. What year were you married?
Are Auntie and Uncle foreign? If so, from where?
Do you still have the gift??
We also got one gift we weren’t sure about. We finally decided it was a vase, but it wasn’t really apparent from the shape and design. The funniest gift was a bright yellow soup tureen that looked as if the giver had just thrown it at a pottery class. We moved that thing from place to place for years before finally parting with it.
For almost 30 yrs we have had a wool blanket on our bed. I can’t remember who gave it to us. 2 very good knives. Two silver plated trivets. We never thought we would use them but we do almost daily. A butcher block dining table and 6 rush caned chairs. It has been our everyday table since we married. The chair seats are still in perfect condition.
Until last year we used placemats given to us my a friend of my inlaws. They are a thick woven mat. I have never found a good replacement for them. They are still in good shape but have faded.
I also have Corningware and Pyrex glass baking dishes. I also still have my original Crock pot.
I didn’t register for China or Flatware but wish I had.
This will sound silly but I can still remember who gave me one revere ware pot.
We still use the China and flatware a few times a year. The Waterford isn’t used very often, probably because it can’t go in the dishwasher. The pattern was discontinued in their bankruptcy proceedings and we never finished the set.
Most used are the wood cutting board we use daily for bread, the Corning ware casseroles, the lasagne pan, and the Pyrex mixing bowls.
I keep thinking that I’ll throw a party one day where I’ll use all of the glassware and serving dishes in the China hutch and sideboard.
Haha, our Wedgewood China has not been used for 10 years plus. I’m guessing it’s still in boxes somewhere in our garage. But I bet you when we get the time to look for it, it might have gone without us knowing it.
I still use the knife and the sharpener that it came with…it is so cool, you put your knife in this plastic sheath and run it back and forth…have used it for 33 years. Still remember who gave it to us.
Which is why I have bent over backwards to find interesting and wonderful things, usually at our really amazing craftsmans places. I would like it so much if years from now the beloved would remember us but I know they will not if given a check.
That said, I have decided to just give cash from now on. I do remember and do realize that it is very apprieciated.
But cannot imaging some 3 decades later how they would have a single memory of us.
We were married in New Zealand and still enjoy a few serving dishes from the guests.
All of the Waterford and such we did use for a very long time but the times changed. So informal now, at least on the West Coast.
I am waiting a few more years to decide how to unload some of these beautiful precious things.
I am enjoying your posts.
fun thread! 
I still use almost all my wedding gifts: silver, china, waterford, corningware, revere ware, small appliances etc. We use engraved silver napkin rings every day. The towels wore out. I have only just let go of sheets and really debated about them. I’ve been married 36 years, too.
I still use the iron and board received as a HS graduation gift. And a quilt that was custom made for me. On my bedside table is a porcelain bowl my mother’s friends gave me for graduation “so you can always remember us.” I do.
When I shopped for my own kids, I discovered you can’t buy revere ware like mine in stores any longer. My sisters and I kind of compete for the old revere ware when someone dies.
I got married in 1987, and, when I moved (post-divorce) in 2014, I finally got rid of the (still unopened) ice cream maker that I had received as a wedding gift. Ironically, it was one of my favorite presents – something that we hasn’t registered for – but somehow I had found it strangely flattering. Yes! Me! The type of person who will frequently be making homemade ice cream! I was meaning to get around to it for decades, but I finally came to the realization that it just wasn’t going to happen (i barely cook at all).
Strangely, now that I’ve gotten rid of the thing, I still read ice cream recipes and think, “I should get myself an ice cream maker one of these days!”
I got rid of the punch bowl and 4 dozen cups about 10 years back because I was never ever going to be living someplace where anyone served punch. And it took up so much space! Then, of course, I moved south where I seem to be hosting several bridal/baby showers a year. drat. Took my mother’s Fostoria set. The one I let go of was nicer.
I use my silver but barely use my china. I let me color blind husband help me pick it out and that wasn’t a good idea.
My Mom’s friend took our plain, formal invitation and had someone paint a water color on it and then she framed it. It hangs in our bedroom and I still enjoy looking at it even after 29 years.
this is making me nostalgic for a few of things mentioned above that we dont have any more that were gifts 21 yrs ago. I use my knife set and flatware every day; My H still has his super nintendo though.
My parents were dirt poor when they married - he was in vet school and she was a waitress. Someone gave them a silver candle snuffer (puter-outer). My mom thought it was an olive scoop… they still have it - unused.
^ We got one of those candle snuffers as well. Never used or needed. I wonder if anyone has ever bought one for themselves or if all the candle snuffers in the world were bought as wedding gifts?
With rare exceptions, I’m all for sticking to someone’s registry or giving cash.
When we moved into our “new” house (the downsized model), some friends gave us a gift from a local artists’ market. It’s a handblown glass candle snuffer. No, we’ve never used it, but I display it on our coffee table along with three of these in different styles from Simon Pearce: http://www.simonpearce.com/categories/living-decorating/vases-hurricanes-candlesticks/tealights-votives
Things I still use: crystal stemware, crystal bar glasses, china, sterling silver, everyday stainless, all the crystal vases & bowls, pitchers, ice buckets (it was a big year for those things as I got tons,) my pots & pans, crystal candlesticks, all the Nambe - and the huge Armetale platter for turkey. Also, the electric warming tray I use a lot and it’s a popular item for borrowing by friends.) And all the silver picture frames.
What I don’t use is are the several mantle clocks we got (please don’t give that as a wedding present to anyone.) Someone also gave me a “wedding plate” which I re-gifted as soon as possible. And all the money is gone. 
I also still use the white Corningware cookware. That was a shower gift, iirc.
I have a large crystal bowl that I use all the time, as well as my everyday china. I’ve replaced some pieces over the years. I also use a lovely pair of candlesticks in my dining room. They were one of my favorite gifts.
I still use my Waterford crystal, Wedgewood China, sterling flatware, and assorted serving pieces for special occasions. Although I admit I’m a fan of champagne and use one of my champagne flutes on a pretty regular basis - lol.