There’s already a lot of research out there on the best types of pots to choose whether you get nonstick, hard anodized, 18/10 stainless steel, copper core etc, etc.  Having seen my mom use the same Revere stainless steel cookware set for over 30 years from her wedding, I opted out of any of the fancy technologies for 18/10 stainless steel.  The current Revere didn’t seem as durable to me as the set my mom has so I went for All-Clad, hoping that it will last as long as I can cook.  However, not everyone likes the weight of the All-Clad (or the price) so for this blog I decided to compare prices for a Calphalon Tri-ply 18/10 stainless steel set from Macy’s.

This 13 piece set, featured on the right, cost $399.99.  To demonstrate how much you can save in getting a set rather than keeping or purchasing individual pots I actually priced out each pot to find out if there is actually a savings in purchasing the set.  The table below shows the prices.

The total cost, if purchased individually, is $648.94. As the 13 piece set is priced at $399.99, the savings is $248.95 which is more significant than I thought it would be.

In addition, Macy’s often runs bonus and double bonus sales for purchasing cookware sets.  Currently for Calphalon they are offering a 6 piece utensil set with crock and a 5 quart dutch oven set.  They say the added value is $299.99 for a total savings of $548.94.

It seems this is produced just for the double bonus.

The double bonus seems to be a great added value but when you look closely bonuses are not really that great.  In this case, it’s likely that you already have a utensil set, or in the least wouldn’t want a $49.99 utensil set.  The dutch oven is actually not one that Calphalon even sells on its own.  I couldn’t find it in any catalogue which means that it is probably a cheaper knockoff of its nicer Dutch ovens and produced especially for this “double bonus” – meaning that it’s not really a $250.00 value.  If you could manage to swap out these bonuses for other Calphalon products of similar prices at Macy’s you’d be much better off.

My recommendation would be to find the set that you like and to get real bonuses added in and not these fake ones.  See my blog here on the topic.  As I explained in this earlier blog, if you choose a set smaller than what you actually need and augment it with pots as these double bonuses instead of their selections you’ll be much better off.

Thanks to Petitshoo for the photo.

How to Register for Pots

Tip #1 Register for many single pots rather than a set

Oftentimes when you go to Macy’s or other stores they’ll tell you to register for individual pots and then exchange them after the wedding for a packaged set.  The reason for doing this is so that guests can purchase something at a reasonable price rather than paying $500-$1,000 for one gift.  When registering for pots I recommend choosing them for the price range rather than for what you’d actually need.

Tip #2 Think about the pots you have used

There’s no doubt about it, purchasing a set over individual pots saves money.  However, some of the larger sets might not be adding much value and may be unnecessarily cluttering your kitchen.  Here are the pots I use 95% of the time:

• 6 quart stock pot – soups, boiling water for pasta, cooking for company
• 2 quart sauce pan – sauces and veggies
• 3.5 quart sauce pan – for when my 2 quart is in use and sauces
• non-stick fry pan - everything

And the pots I use 5% of the time but can’t live without:

• 12-16 quart stock pot with steamer options – pasta for the masses, lobster and crab, corn-on-the-cob, it’s my “party pot”
• 3 quart cassoulette- coq au vin, I love its multi-use stovetop and oven, great for entertaining

Once it’s time to return the individual pots for your set, do your research on what you’d like to get in return.  The sets are often great deals, but sometimes they sneak pots that aren’t very valuable into the larger sets.  A good example of this is the omelette pan.  They’ll throw in a six and an eight inch omelette pan and charge $200 more than a set without those pans, when the added value is only $50.  Not only that, but I wouldn’t use those two particular pans when I prefer my all-purpose nonstick 10″ fry pan.

Tip #3 Pick a slow day to complete your registry

If you go on a Saturday morning there won’t  be enough associates working to help carry the items from your car, you’ll have to wait and they won’t have the time to make sure you get what you need.   If you instead go on a Tuesday morning, you’ll have the store to yourself and the sales associate will be more entertained and interested in helping you complete your registry to your advantage. (see the next tip!)

Tip #4 Swap out lame bonuses for real value

Often All-Clad or Calphalon will have the double bonuses if you spend enough money on their cookware.  One bonus might be a nice steamer and the other could be an apron and spatula.  Ask the sales associate if it’s possible to switch out the one you don’t want for something else that’s more useful to you.  At Macy’s I purchased a smaller All-Clad set and augmented it with a large 12 quart stock pan and steamer and a smaller sauce pan as their summer double bonus ~ free!  Originally they’d been offering a panini grill pan but as cool as that sounded I thought the sauce pan would get more use in the end.

Tip #5 Get 20% off for completing at one time instead of 10%

Macy’s typically gives you 10% off wedding registry completion purchases if you come to the store within 90 days of your wedding.  Try to get 20% off – it’s possible!  This past weekend, for example, they had a semi-annual home sale where they gave 20% off “when you complete your gift registry any day of our home sale”.   In the fine print they say it lasts from July 23 – August 16^th,2009 (for Seattle stores).  Chances are if you ask nicely when the last home sale was or when the next one is and are they running their 20% special, you’ll be able to get it.

I love giving thoughtful presents in general, but when it comes to buying wedding gifts I usually just figure out my budget, go online, add the gift from the registry to my basket, and checkout.  I figure the couple knows what they want already and I enjoy giving them something that they’ll use.  Anytime I think of straying and buying the happy couple something not requested I imagine all of their guests also going rogue and then picture them with 100 blenders, faced with the task of lugging everything back to 15 different stores etc etc and then  I snap out of my daydream and buy from the registry.  I’ve come to think of it as a “free rider” problem.  As long as everyone else is buying from the registry you’re allowed to think of a creative or more personal present.  In my own rules, the closer you are to the couple the more uninhibited you become by the wedding registry.  Some of my own favorite gifts were those thoughtful ones purchased or made by close friends and family members.  If you’re looking for some great wedding ideas here are My Top 10 Wedding Gifts:

1. The Gift of Relaxation - a couple’s massage.  Whether on the honeymoon or a couple months after they’ve returned to earth, this is a great gift to give the couple a little more time together stress-free.

2. Framing – Most couples have something to frame and won’t have the time or money to get it done.  It’s also something they’ll appreciate for years to come.  What to frame? Their invitations, ketubah, wedding pictures and if you don’t know then a gift certificate to a local framing shop.

3. A Family Heirloom – If you’re an aunt, great-uncle or grandparent this might be a nice time to pass on something to the new family being created.  Be it valuable or not, sentimental gifts are truly appreciated.

4. A Honeymoon Adventure – Find out where the couple is going and buy them something they may not splurge on themselves, maybe a snorkel or canopy tour.  It also may be easier to write a check for the amount you think it would be, in the hopes that the couple would be able to use it for that adventure if they chose.

5. Restaurant Gift Card – This is an especially good gift if you live far away.  That way instead of being able to actually take your friends or family out to dinner in person, you can in spirit. 

6. Their Favorite Drink – Are they into wine? Give them something to drink on their 10th anniversary or a bottle of champagne to drink now! There are plenty of choice for beer connoisseurs as well.

7. Personally Made Gift – Do you knit? Paint? Take photographs? If so, using your time to create something can be a wonderful gift because it means you took the time out of your schedule to dedicate to the couple. 

8. A Groom Present- let’s face it, most fiances pick out bedding and matching china but with varying degrees of interest.  Throwing a grill, grill utensils, a smoker or an REI gift card on the registry is a great way to balance it out and can also be more interesting for the groomsmen to buy.

9. A Piece of the Wedding – This is especially helpful for weddings on a budget.  I’ve seen family friends and family members decide to pay for the photography, gift baskets, or flowers.  There is a wide range of items to choose from that vary in price. 

10.  Entertainment – A Netflix, Gamefly or Blockbuster subscription.  Movies tickets, a popcorn bowl and gourmet popcorn.  A subscription to the local theater or tickets to their favorite sports team.  The sky’s the limit here in terms of options and pricing.

For more help planning your wedding check out other AvantBride blogs or if you’re in the Seattle area www.AvantBride.com.