Wedding Registries: A long-term investment

Here are a few statistics associated with the cost of weddings in Canada nowadays.

(Statistics from Weddingbells.ca)

·         Average expected cost of a wedding is $20,129 (up from $19,279 in 2009)

·         During the engagement period, couples buy: (Statistics from About.com)

• $4 billion in furniture
• $3 billion in house wares
• $400 million in tableware
• Average amount spent per guest on wedding gift: 85$- 150$

Over the past few years the wedding landscape has drastically changed.

Brides and grooms are getting married later in life (27 years old and 29 years old, respectively). As a result, more and more couples have amassed a wide array of furniture, house ware, and/or tableware before getting married.

Today couples who need items can simply register at their favorite department store and create their own personal “wish list”. Thus, gone are the days of receiving useless gifts and/ or the same gift twice.

A great idea for brides and grooms to be is to invest in items or products that are long-term assets. The new “it” thing is bamboo; bamboo cutting boards, bamboo sheets, bamboo furniture, etc.  For example, bamboo sheets have a lifespan far greater than cotton sheets (given the proper maintenance) and they carry hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties that can’t be beat. Bamboo sheets of 300 to 500 thread count offer quality that can challenge 1000 thread count cotton. Finally, bamboo can keep you cool on your hottest nights and can keep you warm even when your significant other can’t. What do you think?

Happy shopping!

What to register? - Now that’s the question…

After having gone registry shopping I have realized that the ultimate question is no longer is “he the one?” it has changed to “what should I register for?”

From linens (cotton, bamboo, recycled paper), tablecloths, dining plates (which to my surprise are very expensive per set), crystal tableware and stemware, honeymoon registries, and the new trend of registering to a charity for donations.

What are you registering for?

I understand the longevity of certain products like bamboo sheets with their silk like touch; I was also amazed at the qualities the saleswoman was telling me about bamboo sheets (antibacterial, keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, anti-allergenic, and great if you have skin irritations etc.). So she got me thinking and I found a great website that sells loads of bamboo products- check it out.

I also understand the utility of a table cloth; however, don’t you think that 180$ for 1 bowl, 1 entrée plate, 1 dessert plate, 1 cup and 1 saucer is a bit much? So were talking 180$ x 8 = 1400$. One word - WOW. What does everyone else think? Am I overreacting here?

I think I’m going to stick to the basic necessities and enjoy the more simple things in life when it comes to my wedding registry.

Happy shopping and feel free to give me any suggestions.

Being eco- friendly: A win – win Deal? Of Course!

Let’s explain!

To be eco- friendly, you do not need to invest thousands of dollars in solar panels, the last hybrid cars or plenty other things that you cannot afford to buy! Maybe,   for some of you who read this, you may have wives thinking that you waste your money in buying “ecological gadgets”! So, why don’t you try to prove she is wrong by making her happy! I am sure you want the secret! Here it is, the sheets! You probably wonder: « What? Sheets? ».

Yes, you read well and more precisely, Bamboo Sheets! Indeed, Bamboo is a natural cellulose fiber grown without pesticide or chemicals. Bamboo only uses natural rainwater.

It is the fastest growing plant on earth, which makes bamboo the most renewable resource. The more you cut, the more it grows, just like grass. Moreover, bamboo fiber is 100 % biodegradable textile material without any pollution in the environment.

Obviously, that’s not all! Bamboo sheets get plenty advantage:
natural anti-bacterial, breathable and cool, hypoallergenic… Futhermore, bamboo sheets are also very soft just like silk! By buying Bamboo sheets, you preserve the Nature and you make your wife happy with a gift and so do you…

Now, have a good sleep!

... And you think you're protecting your baby? HA!

We go a very long way to protect our babies from anything & everything: sharp objects, staircases, glass surfaces– you name it! Most of the time, it’s during the day that we run behind our children to prevent them from getting hurt.

But have you thought about the danger your exposing to your infants during the night?  

I mean –Yes- you tuck them in, you open the baby monitor and leave the door slightly open-Just in case.

Have you considered that you might be tucking them in with one of the biggest threats of all? Probably not…The issue here is that fitted blankets, cotton sheets, or sheepskins are not lightweight nor are they breathable. This actually poses serious suffocation risks.

Since babies are curious creatures, it’s easy for them to misuse these covers and severely hurt themselves.  

This nightmare can easily be avoided by switching to bamboo sheets. This ultra light material that is breathable in nature permits babies to easily breath- even if they are tucked under the covers from head to toe. Even using products such as Baby Sleeping Sacks can protect babies during their rest.

So as a parent, I think it’s time to decide what is truly best for our children. We shouldn’t only focus in protecting them during the day, but especially during the night.

The last thing a parent needs is to wake up in the morning with the unthinkable…