10 Surprising Registry Ideas

Not every couple wants--or needs--bed linens or a gravy boat. Nowadays it's possible (and fun) to sign up for practically anything, from a retro fridge to, yes, even a foosball table. Here's our guide to the most unexpected gift categories for newlyweds. Game on!

1. HOME IMPROVEMENT - New homeowners? Monogrammed china might be nice, but power tools, painting gear and building supplies are far more practical. The user-friendly registry at Lowe's (lowes.com) has all of the above and more. In fact you can choose from a mind-blowing 40,000-plus products to spruce up new digs. And because the company's such a giant, shipping costs remain low. For those who prefer a less daunting, more mom-and-pop hardware experience, visit Blain's Farm and Fleet (farmandfleet.com). Since items are available online as well as in the store, you can treat the local branch as your own private supply shed.

Flat interior latex paint in (clockwise from top right) Soft Amethyst, Asparagus, Pink Chintz and Beach Ball, Olympic, from $9 per quart; lowes.com.

2. CHARITY - If you've already got the home goods you need, perhaps you're looking for a good-karma start to your marriage. Ask guests to donate to a charity on your behalf. Justgive (justgive.org) provides a registry with more than one million nonprofits to select from (most couples pick five). For a $5 fee, guests give tax-deductible donations in any amount above $5 (the average is $85). The site--which categorizes charities by cause--alerts couples when gifts are made; amounts can remain private. For those who want a traditional registry but still feel the altruistic call, try the I Do Foundation (idofoundation.org). You can create your own Web site and register as you normally would at stores like Target and Linens 'n Things. When guests purchase gifts, 3 to 8 percent of their value gets donated to your charity.

3 HOME FURNISHINGS - Marriage often provides the catalyst for couples to get rid of hand-me-down or college-days furniture and acquire more adult fare. Luckily, plenty of retailers offer stylish options that cost far less than your average sterling-silver tray. Club Wedd at Target (target.com) features an affordable selection of furniture by such designers as Thomas O'Brien and Rachel Ashwell, as well as cool outdoor gear (chimenea, anyone?) from brands like Smith & Hawken. Fans of modern design should investigate Unica Home (unicahome.com), which carries steeper-priced goods, such as Italian-designed chaise longues, Philippe Starck café tables, and hanging egg chairs.

Foam-and-polycarbonate Mademoiselle chair with fabric seat, Philippe Starck for Kartell, from $717; unicahome.com.

4. ARTWORK -Paintings aren't an uncommon wedding gift, but since art is so personal, getting a piece you like can be a real gamble. With a wide range of registries popping up at funky style shops, design shrines and galleries, couples can receive works that will actually end up on the walls. Velocity (velocityartanddesign.com) offers affordable prints and paintings, as well as limited edition, silk-screened balsa-wood hangings at around $300. Into something more highbrow? Check out design mecca Moss (mossonline.com). Or try your local gallery. Not all have registries, but Mixed Greens (mixedgreens.com) in N.Y.C. does, and you don't have to be a New Yorker to sign up.

Untitled, oil on canvas (31" x 25"), Howard Fonda, $2,800; at Mixed Greens, mixedgreens.com.

5. LARGE APPLIANCES -If it's possible to buy a car or house online, registering for a large appliance suddenly seems less unthinkable, especially as an everyone-chips-in bridal-party gift. Appliance-juggernaut Sears (sears.com) has online and in-store registries that carry fridges, dishwashers and washing machines from Kenmore, Jenn-Air and other big names. Lovers of boutique brands like Aga, Diva de Provence and Northstar should visit Home Click (homeclick.com) for its premium appliances, like Saeco's $2,900 coffeemaker or Toto Neorest's toilets, some as much as $3,640. Remember to keep in mind shipping and installation costs--or hope your betrothed is a handyman.

Retro-style refrigerator, Northstar, $3,795; homeclick.com.

6. TRAVEL -After the price of a wedding, honeymoon costs can feel daunting. Some couples ease the strain by registering for getaway packages that invite guests to purchase different portions of the experience, from flights to lodging to activities. The Big Day (thebigday.com) specializes in trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Maldives with moderate fees. If you seek superluxury, Artisans of Leisure (artisansofleisure.com) offers tours through Italy's Amalfi Coast with a private driver and other high-end extras. Even chains like Starwood Hotels (spghoneymoon.com), which includes the W and Le Meridien brands, cater to registering couples, with no fees.

7. WINE & GOURMET FOOD -Foodies and wine snobs take note: Registering for your favorite gourmet grub and vino is now a palatable--and easy--option. Take a gander at Morrell (morrellwine.com), with its vast selection of wines (the company also sells stemware and other accoutrements). If you're a wine rookie, the site offers a live chat with those in the know, as well as a "top picks" list. Cooking.com stocks plenty of amazing food, from gourmet meats (wild-boar tenderloin) to top-notch coffee (Torrefazione Italia blends). And thanks to the Chocolate of the Month Club (chocolatemonthclub.com), couples can receive 12 months of scrumptious goodies. Yum.

Tantara pinot noir Santa Maria 2005 ($45) and Belle Glos pinot noir, Clarke & Telephone 2005 ($40); morrellwine.com.

8. COFFEE-TABLE BOOKS - Even if couples don't always have a chance to read coffee-table books, the fact is they're a gorgeous blend of art and accessory. Publisher Taschen (taschen.com) and retailer Dashwood Books (dashwoodbooks.com) boast superb collections of beautiful tomes on subjects that run the gamut from fashion to photography, many with reasonable price tags. Both allow you to create only informal in-store registries, but you can browse online and have orders shipped. Soon-to-be-marrieds can also register at Amazon (amazon.com). The megastore's massive stock of coffee-table books (and every type of book, for that matter) is often sold at discount.

Domus magazine 1928-1999, $600 for 12 volumes; 888-827-2436 or taschen.com.

9. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - Certainly cash is one present no one returns. If you're uncomfortable asking for it but like the idea of beginning your marriage with a sense of financial security, look into Giftsofstock.com. The site enables couples to create registry portfolios through a certified broker, who typically advises requesting between 20 and 30 options per account. It's free to sign up; guests pay around $25 per trade. For the Wall Street-savvy, Registerstock.com, along with licensed firm J.H. Darbie & Co., invites newlyweds to register for specific stocks but doesn't provide advice, so do your homework first! Signing up is free, but a $20 fee applies per order.

10. INDOOR FUN & GAMES -For game lovers, stocking the basement or den with the latest toys is far more fun than matching the table linens to the china. Frontgate's registry (frontgate.com) has everything for the kid in you, from high-end arcade games ($3,700) to pool tables ($3,500), as well as smaller items like movie posters and neon pub signs. Beyond an unbeatable array of board games and vintage toys, FAO Schwarz also sells unusual items like jukeboxes and ping-pong tables. The toy emporium has no registry per se but couples can create a wish list at fao.com. Another option? The Conran Shop (conranusa.com), which offers unique goods like punching bags and DJ turntables.

Stainless-steel foosball table, $995; the Conran Shop, conranusa.com.