The Yentas registered for a fantastic guest blogger and lucky us, we received one! Her name is Dana Ostomel and she’s the creator of Deposit a Gift, an online cash registry that allows couples flexibility in gifts for all occasions! Dana is the queen of gifting ideas, and we wanted to know all about how to register for keeping the romance alive after the wedding dust settles. She gives us plenty of ideas and reasons to be excited for marriage after the wedding.
Engaged couples are falling in love with the growing trend of registering for experiences instead of traditional household items because, simply put, memories will always outlast stuff. A honeymoon registry is the obvious choice and a fantastic way to kick off your married life, but what about all the days to come when the honeymoon is over?
It’s common for couples coming down from their wedding high to struggle with the first year when the to-do list is gone and so is all the attention. Remember, your wedding is just the first in a lifetime of shared memories together – it truly is just the starting line, not the end of the party. Every successful relationship needs TLC, and your first year of marriage can really set the tone for that.
A newlywed activity registry is a great way to keep the spice alive during the first year of marriage and create the kinds of memories daydreams are made of. It is also an opportunity to refocus all of that attention you were getting from the outside world onto each other.
One of my favorite ideas is creating a registry of fun date nights for your first year of marriage. What guest doesn’t want to be responsible for romantic new experiences that you’ll never forget?
NEED SOME INSPIRATION?
Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunset
You’ve always dreamt of this, but can you actually make it happen? It’s definitely not your typical date, but why not! This is the time to experience things that are out of the ordinary. Who knows, a little bubbly (Prosecco’s my fav!) and a to-die-for sunset…you’ll see, more than the air is gonna get hot!
Cooking Lessons
Taking a cooking class is the perfect way to spice up your relationship. It’s a great team activity where you can learn as much about each other as you do about creating a new dish. Consider enrolling in a series to beef up your repertoire, then plan a dinner party to invite friends over and show off your skills.
Romantic Couples Massage
Sometimes we’ve all gotta let our hair down and get loose, and there’s no better way to do that than with a massage. To make it a real treat, hire a masseuse who makes house calls so you’re in the privacy of your own home. Start early with some wine and candles to set the mood. Sound indulgent? It’s a gift, and that’s the point. This is such a great opportunity to do something you might not normally do. You can thank me later!
An Evening of Symphony Music
You’re married, and some would say “all grown up,” so it’s time to take date night up a notch with some culture. No matter where you live, there likely is a local orchestra who’s probably pretty darn good and worth a listen. Who knows, you might dig it so much that you buy season’s tickets. Beethoven would be proud.
Swanky, Mystery Meals on the Town
My husband and I are big fans of the “mystery date,” and dinners are a fabulous way to make this happen. Commit to doin’ it up at least once a month and take turns being the planner. It creates anticipation a la your first dates and is something fun to look forward to. There’s nothing more fun than scheming to surprise your honey with a new culinary experience that will take their breath away. If you learn anything from this post… mystery dates are the way to go. Trust me 🙂
Tickets to Cheer on your Favorite Team
For the sportstastic couples among us, cheering on your favorite team together can be the way to go. It may not be the most original idea, but not much beats a beer and your favorite munchies with the one you love. Think of all the cute photos you’ll snap in your matching jerseys!
Pub Crawl Nights
Half the fun of this date is in the planning. Together scout out the coolest pubs in your area (hopefully in walking distance) and have at it. These days pubs really run the gamut from being total dives, offering live music, or a bar full of fancy beers and finger foods. Pubs often have a distinct personality driven by the regulars who are always good for a laugh. You may even walk away with some new friends!
Cuddling by the Fire during a Weekend Getaway
What’s better than one date night? A three day weekend of date nights! Every once in a while you’ve just got to get away from your regular environment and mix it up away from the distractions of home. You might think you’ll miss that computer, but once transfixed by the crackling fire and the glow of your sweetie, you’ll never wanna leave.
Creating a registry like this is a snap and is endless fun for guests to choose from. There truly is no better present than the gift of spending time together. Cheers!
Dana Ostomel is the founder and Chief Gifting Officer of Deposit a Gift, a cash gift registry service. Years before Dana got married, she wondered how anyone could store so many presents — and even if they could, how they had the time to unwrap, return (often), track and use them all. Her marketing background led her to believe she could simplify the registry process—and not just for weddings, but for any big gifting event. And so Deposit a Gift, the next generation gift registry, was born. Read more about Dana here, and visit Deposit a Gift to learn how you can build your own registry!
