I am getting married in a little over a month and like many couples we have a Target gift registry, just because it makes things so much easier. We have the standard pots and pans, some Tupperware, etc.
But more than one person has said the stuff on there is boring. I replied with, “Dude, a panini maker would be awesome!” But no one listens to me.
So, what’s something useful, but fun at the same time that I don’t know about?
We put a TiVo on our Amazon registry, and got it.
“Upgrade” sheets or towels – the 450 tc sateen stripe sheet sets at Target are nice.
Small espresso machine – if you think you’ll use it. Or a K-cup machine. Some sort of semi-indulgent coffee maker
Matching sets of plates, or wine glasses, if you’re into that sort of thing. Target has a lot of selection at the mid-range
OXO ergonomic cooking utensils - I wouldn’t pay $10 for a pancake flipper but since someone did for me, I have to admit it’s a hell of a pancake flipper.
Dirt devil hand-held vac – soooo useful!!
Scooba – oh hell yeah. (we have hardwood floors)
The danger, if people think your registry is too boring, they will get you something both hideously ugly and useless, which you will a)have to thank them for b)feel guilty about throwing out. Most of the stuff on our list was pretty practical, it was mainly cooking stuff an appliances, sheet and towels, traditional items, really, but no silver, fine china, crystal or any of that dust catching crap. People didn’t complain too much, and only a few people, with excellent taste, went off registry. There were a few “cute” items like a toothbrush holder in the shape of a frog.
Not really fun, but a registry suggestion I give to everybody:
There is a certain group of people who want to buy you pretty things. If such things are on your registry, they’ll buy them there, but they’d rather get a pretty vase from elsewhere than buy something functional but dull that you’ve registered for. As such, register for Decoy Vases. These are pretty items in a reasonable price range (what that is will depend on your particular group) which you can return/exchange later on and buy the stuff you actually want on your registry that people didn’t get you. If you don’t have Decoy Vases, you usually won’t be able to return the pretty objects that you’ll get anyway, and will be stuck with those, rather than the panini maker of your dreams.
doublepost!
Sex toys.
$100 target gift cards.
Barware. Even if you registered for crystal or whatever, go ahead and register for a set (or a couple sets) of good beer glasses, martini glasses, whatever your favorite poison calls for. My husband and I put a set of nice, casual beer mugs on our Crate & Barrel registry, and those have lasted over a decade, way longer than the set of dishes we got from the same registry. (The glaze on them “crazed” within about 5 years.)
Target is fun to register at because you can put fun things like tools and sporting goods on your list, CDs, DVDs, maybe a camera or something? If you and your guests are the lighthearted sort you could add a couple funny things, like toothpaste, or condoms.
Ice cream maker!
Depending on your guests and your living situation
Super soakers/ squirt guns
Patio furniture
Margarita maker
And don’t forget a fire extinguisher - it’s probably time to replace yours anyway.
Board and/or lawn games
Anything that reflects your personality is great.
I’m not sure where we registered for it, but we asked for this. It’s amazing for parties - functional as well as a great conversation piece.
Rock Band
condoms
razorblades, hamsters and hooks.
Not so useful, but when I got married two months ago we put owl pellets on the Amazon registry. Of course we didn’t get them, but it would be fun to dissect.
My then fiance and now hubby kept pointing the scanning gun at my bottom and trying to register for that. I tried to reassure him that he didn’t need to register for that. 
Anyway, we registered for some Tigger beach towels and got those.
Board games and anything to help with entertaining are always fun… outdoor serving pieces and glasses… lawn games… lots of fun stuff is out there.
Yep, the last thing he would have wanted was for some old boyfriend to get him that with the following gift card: Hope you enjoy it, I know I did!
I know someone who jokingly zapped a Snickers bar – some guests thought it was funny and added one in with their “normal” gift. AAIR, they got 10 or 20 Snickers.
My best advice is to register at Bed Bath and Beyond. I know this doesnt really fit the question but I had to say it. We got most of our gifts from BBB and they were awesome to work with. For anything you decide in the end that you dont want to keep, you can return it for cash. Its awesome!! Even if you dont have a location in your city, you can register online.
5 bags of circus peanuts. and we got em… mmm circus peanuts…