Gift lists - Wedding Forum

Liz · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 06:32 AM

We were planning on placing a gift list with John Lewis, but discovered that our local store has pretty crappy range. Now I am stuck for ideas!

Where are you/did you all have your lists (if you are having/had one)? I love the stock in Debenhams but I have heard they are a bit crappy...

Any advice?

Jacqui · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 06:41 AM

Can you do an on line one? It would also make it easier for all the guests (mind you I am assuming that all have access and can use the net - if they are like the older generaltion in my family, they won't have a clue!).

We were ever so rude and suggested that if they really wanted to, they could just give us could hard cash!

Jac
xxx

Teresa · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 06:43 AM

We didn't have one and instead asked for holiday vouchers. We did that as we've lived together for 5 years and have most things. We are also applying to move to Australia so didn't want to have to take all the stuff over there.

I've heard a few bad things about Debenhams although some of their stuff is lovely. With John Lewis, are you limited to the stuff that is in your local store or can you use the website or another shop a bit further away. They are supposed to be really good.

The only thing I would say is if you have a gift list then to pick a shop that is easily accessible for all your guests. We went to a wedding last year in Leeds and they'd chosen a local shop that didn't have any branches near us and no online ordering. It was really hard for us to get something from the list so in the end we gave them money so that they could choose something themselves.

House of Fraser do wedding lists too and they have some lovely stuff.

Liz · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 07:06 AM

Hmmm...most of our friends will be up for online ordering, but I think the mass of older rellys might struggle a bit...

KM · #5 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 07:29 AM

I'm sorry Liz, I dont think we're having a Gift List either as we have all we need, and are therefore asking for vouchers so we can buy new things when we move house which will be after the wedding.

I have heard bad things about Debenhams too, but I'm not sure I would let that entirely put me off, as sometimes you dont always hear the good things about places, just the bad. But I'd still be slightly wary though.

x

Kezzer · #6 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 07:41 AM

You're not far from London, couldn't you pick your list at the Oxford Street store as it doesn't matter what store your guests buy from?
Can't recommend them enough

Copperhead · #7 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 07:42 AM

we had debenhams and they were ok. I thought the amount they charged our guests for wrapping and delivery was shocking though. I suppose they'd all be about the same.

Can't they order in things from other stores if your local one or the one that is local to your family doesn't have it?

Liz · #8 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kezzer

You're not far from London, couldn't you pick your list at the Oxford Street store as it doesn't matter what store your guests buy from?
Can't recommend them enough

I thought of that, but then I thought that alot of the guests will be closest to the Reading one...hmmm...but as Rachael says if they can order things in from other stores it might be a goer...

thanks!!

J · #9 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 08:17 AM

We had Debenhams, and the range is great but their organisation is a bit crap. We had trouble getting them to deal with anything beyond the 2 standard deliveries you get, and ended up having to go into the store to get stroppy and claim the rest of our gifts. We had to get them off the shelves to prove they weren't out of stock as they kept saying!! The gift wrapping is a bit of a piss-take too.

Mind you, the choice of alternatives isn't great for "one stop shop" providers so they may be a good option still, and our experience I hope may be a one-off.

#10 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 09:10 AM

One thing to say

DO NOT USE DEBENHAMS!

We had a tiny list with them (majority of guests gave us travel vouchers for honeymoon) and they couldn't even sort it out, got hardly anything as they had sold out, etc etc so much more I could say but won't bore you!

John Lewis are fab, used them for lots of weddings I have been too, ie friends had their lists there and you can order on the phone, internet or any John Lewis store. So easy!

Have fun!

Liz · #11 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 09:42 AM

That has definitely killed the Debenhams idea for me - I knew someone had had a bad experience...

There is no way I'm going somewhere with crap service. John Lewis Oxford St is looking better and better...

Thanks!

Ffi · #12 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 02:48 PM

How about Marks & Spencer? We had 3 lists in all but only gave details out on request. We had a small Debenhams one (easier for older family) but I echo what Decords said about stock being sold out. We had a Marks one as well which was excellent, guests could buy at any store or online and have it delivered to us or pick it up. We also had a small one with a local kitchen shop which had lovely things.

I have also heard really good things about John Lewis.

Lady Rools · #13 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 04:21 PM

I'm thinking of John lewis, pretty much just for the Denby white dinner service and some bed linen and towels. Ahh getting pressies is going to be such a bonus!

Isla · #14 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 04:51 PM

I have already registered for a John Lewis gift list (and the wedding is still 11 months away!!) I love that shop.

Just got the new Next Directory the other day and they are starting a wedding list service where guests can order from the home brochure by phone, online or in store, no idea how good they will be though as it is very new.

I like John Lewis though as they don't charge extra for delivery (either from you or your guests) and most other places seem to.

Ang · #15 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 04:56 PM

I've heard good and bad about most wedding lists. I think a lot depends on the area you live in and what stock different shops hold. Last time I married I had a M&S and an Argos one. M&S was terrible. Every month I received an updated list from them and more than half the list was temporarily unavailable, trial lines or sold out. In the end I only actually got 3 things from that list! But I've heard other people who've said M&S were fantastic for them. Argos were brilliant but again I've heard people say they were rubbish. I think it's just trial and error and luck.

Ang xxx

Lady Rools · #16 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 05:32 PM

My friend had argos and she had no problems, but then her mum works for them so she wouldn't really! We have had no problems ordering from Debenhams, but I always think the gift wrap is a piss take..and have heard bad things from the other end. xx

Liz · #17 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 05:22 AM

I hadn't thought of M&S, might give that one a shot. But going to JL Oxford Street sounds good too...hmmm, is having two lists greedy??

Not that it's all about the pressies or anything...it's just that this is my one chance to get nice housey things witohut being told that the money could be better spent on a new plasma screen/xbox/power drill/anything involving batteries or electricity

lisastef · #18 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 05:42 AM

I was gunna have debenhams as they have a fairly big store local to us - but not so sure now

thanks for posting this thread has given me a good insight

weez · #19 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 01:36 PM

I had a wedding list at Blue water John Lewis as it is near to me. It wasn't very near for most of my guests though. But it really wasn't a problem. Most of my guests shopped online and found the setup very easy. A few rang up and sorted things out and the rest got vouchers. I found that most of the people who weren't able to acess the internet were happy for me to give them a printout of the list and then ordered by phone, or were more traditional types who wanted to give me a gift of their own choosing anyway. The giftlist was a godsend for overseas relatives.

If you are going to be travelling some distance to do your list, it might be an idea to do a list of a few ideas of what you want before you go. It took me 3 visits to get mine together, but I'm only 10 minutes from the store.

Good luck, Louisexxx

Liz · #20 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 04:11 PM

Thanks Louise, that's a good point! I also don't want to be arguing over the scanner with Stephen as he tries to zap that plasma tv...

Tulip · #21 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 05:19 PM

We had a John Lewis list and it was great - I couldn't fault it. Also, if the shop nearest you doesn't have all the things you want you can still add them to your list - you just need the item code (or something - I can't remember what exactly but they'd tell you in store). You even get a free cup of coffee and pastry each to help you when you need a break from scanning your pressies - what more could you want?!

Liz · #22 (**permalink**) 07-01-2005, 04:31 AM

Okay I have to say that a free coffee and pastry sells it for me!! JL here I come!!