Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- It was once just reserved for weddings and baby showers, but now graduates are using gift registries to score big as they head off to college or the real world.
From college dorm supplies to computers and iPads, students are asking for it all and many of you are sounding off about the latest trend.
People have mixed feelings about the registries. For instance, several of our viewers commented on the registries on our Facebook page. One of our viewers said it’s tacky and would feed into the “I am owed something mentality.” Others said they think it’s a great idea and would make the transition to college or the real world a little easier.
Emily Maher is about to make one of the biggest transition of her life. She’ll be graduating next week. And like many college grads, there’s a long list of things she’ll need as she enters the real world, but creating a gift registry to get those items is something she says she refuses to do.
“School is so expensive that I’m not expecting anything from family or friends because you made it and $200,000 later you don’t need anything else, but a degree,” Maher said.
Students like Alisa Kurtz think its a good idea to go to My Registry or
Dormco.com to make sure they get what they want for graduation.
“I’m actually having a lot of people come to my graduation, so having a registry would definitely be helpful because 16 people you don’t know who’s going to get you what,” Kurtz said.
But what’s the protocol for a gift registry for grads? Etiquette expert Miesje Havens says it’s okay to create one, just don’t put it on the actual graduation invitation. And make sure your requests are within reason.
“You want to make sure you have realistic items on there that are varied and you also want to have a wide range of prices you can have gifts that start at $10 up to $100,” Havens said.
Havens suggests asking for items like bedding, gift cards or organizers. You can spread the word about the registry through email, social networks or word of mouth. And after you’ve walked across the stage and gotten all your gifts, the most important thing to remember is to say thanks.
Etiquette experts say those thank you notes should always be handwritten and sent out with three to five days of receiving the gift.
