The Knot and Kohl's Unwrap the Ultimate Rules on Wedding Gifts

Going to a wedding this summer, but fretting over the perfect giftand how much to spend? According to a recent survey of 10,000 bridesand 5,000 newlyweds conducted by The Knot (www.theknot.com), theleading wedding website, in partnership with Kohl's Bridal Aisle(www.kohls.com), couples today have very specific wishes when it comesto their wedding gift desires. Here are the must-know rules forwedding gift shopping for 2005 based on survey findings and expertisefrom editor in chief of The Knot, Carley Roney:

DO BUY A GIFT FROM THEIR REGISTRY

Do your very best to buy a gift from the couple's registry -whether in the store or on the Web. Nearly 85 percent of today'sto-be-weds want you to select a gift from their wish list, and 98percent of them have created at least one wedding gift registry list.Most brides surveyed indicated that they registered before the bridalshower, giving guests plenty of lead-time to shop off their wishlists.If you're a friend of the groom and you're not sure which gift willsuit his taste, don't worry that you'll disappoint: over 90 percent ofgrooms are involved in creating the gift registry list today, withover 60 percent having participated in every single decision.

DO LOOK FOR TOP GIFTS IN KITCHEN, BED & BATH, & OUTDOORDEPARTMENTS

Some of the most wanted gifts this year hail from kitchenelectrics, cookware, bakeware, casual dinnerware, bedding and bathdepartments, according to the respondents of The Knot & Kohl's Survey.Couples said everyday cooking and entertaining was a favoriteactivity, and ranked their gifts accordingly. Among top gift choicesmentioned were:

-- Bakeware, cutlery and gadgets, and Calphalon cookware

-- Casual dinnerware, stainless flatware and glasses

-- Kitchen electrics: KitchenAid Stand Mixer, food processor, toaster and coffeemaker

-- Bedding: 400 thread count Egyptian-cotton sheets

-- Bath: towels and accessories

-- Outdoor: BBQ items/accessories, patio furniture, gardening equipment & supplies

DON'T SKIMP: NEVER SPEND LESS THAN $50

How much to spend on a gift is always a mystery but, based on TheKnot survey conducted on behalf of Kohl's, guests should never spendless than $50 on a wedding gift. Using the price-per-plate as ameasure isn't a good idea either (only 10 percent of brides agreedwith that rule) - you wouldn't give your best friend a less expensivegift just because she was having a more casual affair. Instead, ensurethat you spend what's appropriate to your relationship to the coupleand what's customary in your city (get advice from your peers). Here'sa guide based on national averages:

-- Co-worker and/or a distant family friend or relative: $50-$75

-- Relative or friend: $75 - $100

-- Close relative or close friend: $100 - $150+

DO GO IN ON A BIG GROUP GIFT

When asked about their favorite wedding gift, the majority of the5,000 newlyweds polled indicated the gifts that topped their list werethe big ticket items purchased by groups of guests including thesuper-popular Dyson Vacuum ($599 retail), complete sets ofprofessional cookware ($199 and up) and the KitchenAid stand mixer(all available at Kohl's or kohls.com). Other favorite items includefull sets of their formal china and sterling ($600 - $2000,TheKnot.com/chinaregistry).

DON'T RE-GIFT, BUT IF YOU DO - DO IT WISELY.

One of the most common complaints among newlyweds polled was thatthey received a recycled gift. The urge to save a penny or get rid ofan unwanted item by giving it as a wedding gift can be compelling -but it's not so easy to pull one over on the bride and groom. You'rebetter off waiting a month or two to save for a special gift ratherthan giving them something that's been sitting in your closet. But, ifyou do re-gift, beware: several newlyweds told us that they receivedgifts with the original cards still enclosed!!!

DO LOOK ONLINE FOR REGISTRY LOCATIONS

Most couples spread the word about registry locations via word ofmouth -- 77 percent of newlyweds told us they relied on their moms andbridesmaids to get the word out. If you don't want to ask, log onlineto the couple's personal wedding webpage. There has been a 7 percentincrease in the number of couples who are using the Web as a homebaseto link to their registries. Today, 4 in 10 couples have a weddingwebpage and statistics indicate that number will continue to grow. (Anote of caution to brides: it is still unacceptable to list registrydetails in your wedding invitation, but it is acceptable in yourbridal shower invitation).

DON'T WAIT LONGER THAN TWO MONTHS

Longstanding etiquette states that wedding guests have a year tosend a gift, but procrastinating your gift buy is a sure way to forgetto send one all together. Two out of three newlywed couples polledindicated that they still haven't received all of their wedding gifts- so clearly, the one-year rule isn't working. So, take advantage ofthe modern conveniences of online shopping, and send a gift within twomonths of the wedding.

For a complete list of the year's hottest wedding gifts or tospeak with Carley Roney about more gift trends and etiquette, pleasecontact The Knot Press Office at 212.219.8555 or email pr@theknot.com.To find out more about Kohl's Bridal Aisle Gift Registry, please visitkohls.com.

ABOUT KOHL'S BRIDAL AISLE

Kohl's Bridal Aisle Gift Registry offers everything from everydayessentials to those little extras. Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS)carries the best brands in small electrics, cookware, bakeware, casualdinnerware, flatware, glassware, bedding, bath, luggage and vacuums.Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's operates 670 stores in 40states, which makes it easy and convenient for your guests to shop.Kohl's Bridal Aisle Gift Registry is also available online atwww.kohls.com.

ABOUT THE KNOT, INC.

The Knot, Inc. (NASDAQ:KNOT) (www.theknot.com), the nation'sleading wedding resource, provides more than one million new members ayear with comprehensive wedding planning information, interactivetools and resources, and wedding-related shopping. The Knot hasextended its brand to reach every venue engaged couples consult,including bookstores, newsstands, nationally distributed cabletelevision programming, and the Internet. Its award-winning website,TheKnot.com, is the leading online wedding destination and weddingcontent provider to America Online, MSN and Comcast. The Knot alsooffers a diverse collection of wedding planning print publications.The Knot produces a national publication, The Knot Weddings Magazineand publishes The Knot Weddings, regional wedding magazines in 16 U.S.markets and "The Knot Real Weddings" magazines in two additionalmarkets. The Company also publishes a wedding planning book trilogywith Broadway Books, and a gift-book series with Chronicle Books, aswell as producing a televised documentary series on The Oxygen Networkand a Video On Demand (VOD) service for Comcast Cable. The Knot isbased in New York and has several other offices across the country.