5 Registry Items to Splurge on!

Put down the scanner gun, and walk away....slowly. Good girl. Now lets regroup, you are in Bed Bath and WAY Beyond you are overwhelmed and your hand holding that scanner gun is shaking. Here are a few thing to get scan happy about when planning your registry.

1. Make a Sterling Choice

In our parents' time, sterling silver flatware was a fixed item on most wedding registries, and complete sets were passed down from one generation to the next. These days, couples tend to skip over sterling in favor of stainless, liking its lower price tag. But stainless will never hold the value, beauty, and heirloom quality of real silver. And it wears so well -- the more you use silver, the better it looks and the shinier the patina grows. Although it has to be hand-washed, the extra elbow grease is worth it for beautiful silver.

Work your china into your everyday dinners, as this top-quality tableware is meant for regular use.

2. Fine Dining

A lot of people shy away from fine dinnerware, thinking that usage once or twice a year doesn't make this fragile purchase worth it. But the truth is that porcelain and bone china are actually tougher and more durable than common stoneware. So don't save china for special occasions only, instead work it into your everyday dinners, as this top-quality tableware is meant for regular use.

3. Slice and Dice

High-quality knives are probably the single best investment you can make in your kitchen. Allowing you to prep meals faster, more easily, and more safely, you will immediately notice the impact of a quality knife on your cooking. Don't worry about getting the whole 23-knife set (although definitely do if you'll put them to good use). Instead invest in three basic types -- a chef's knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife. When you register, pick each knife up at the store, checking for comfort, weight (should be on the hefty side), and balance (shouldn't feel like it's toppling out of your hand). You can't go wrong with brands such as Wüsthof, J.A. Henckels, and Shun.

4. Stove-toppers

You need more from a stockpot than the ability to boil water -- after all, there's a reason half the food gets burned when you use your cheap college cookware: Inexpensive pots and pans won't heat evenly or properly. Upgrade to stainless (corrode-resistant) pots and pans with aluminum or copper cores (great for heat conduction), any other copper combination, anodized aluminum, and cast iron.

5. Perk Up

Stop relying on your neighborhood barista to get your caffeine fix. Instead, use your registry to treat yourselves to the sophistication of espresso at home, sipped from the comfort of your own kitchen table. Sleek espresso machines often come with a hefty price tag, so put one on the registry and look forward to brunches and after-dinner noshes full of fun cappuccinos, espressos, and happily caffeinated guests.