b'Gift RegistriesCouples ask for fewer blenders and more Belizepening presents is fun, but how many toasters does one coupleneed? Though you may want to have a traditional gift registry for linens and kitchenware, there are appealing alterna-tives for family and friends to fund travel, homes and charitableAlternative registries are on the rise. One reason causes rather than a packaged gift.is more Americans are getting married later. The average age of rst marriage is 27 for women and HONEYMOON FUNDING: 29 for men. Many brides- and grooms-to-be are With these services, guests can choose to pay for a portionliving on their own or together and already own of the expenses, such as airline miles, hotels or dining. They canbedding, kitchen items and other typical wedding also give add-on extras, such as a champagne brunch or a mas- gifts. Another reason is a more casual modern sage for two. Depending on the destination, donors can chooselifestyle no longer puts the same premium on formal to fund sightseeing excursions, gondola rides, hot air ballooncollections, such as large china and silverware trips, horseback outings or deep-sea shing trips, as examples. sets, that previous generations did. Many modern couples prize experiences over items. Engaged HOME FUNDING: couples may also feel cash-strapped and would Some couples may have an eye to the future and home own- prefer to pool wedding gifts into a big present, ership. Family and friends can contribute to their down paymentsuch as an appliance or furniture. goal or buy portions of their house (such as a window, at a suggested amount of $75).NONTRADITIONAL GIFTS:Couples may be stocked for kitchenware, but would like some camping gear or bicycles, a sofa or wine. One advantage of these services is that givers can pool funds to contribute toward higher-priced gifts. All wedding gifts are exactly thatgifts. Guests should have the option to choose a gift that they CHARITABLE DONATIONS: feel good about, whether that is a coffeemaker or In lieu of gifts, some couples choose to direct guests to fundthe carbon offset for the honeymoon. Consider nonprots. Some popular examples at the I Do Foundationa blend of registries that suits your needs, but (part of Just Give) are Doctors Without Borders, the Americanalso has traditional and nontraditional options Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity and Save the Children.for people who wish to give you a memorable Couples can also choose nonprots closer to home, such aspresent. Recognize that some guests may prefer an animal shelters and schools. object over an experience and vice versa. Even in selecting charities, you should choose several so there is an option that may vibe with their values also.'