It is that time of the year when I often think of the adage “April showers brings May flowers.” Of course, as a child I used to add  “And what do May flowers bring…pilgrims.” The history of that adage can be traced back to the 14th century opening lines of Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales.” 

But this time of year, also ushers in another batch of showers. Here come the waves of engagement, bridal and eventually baby showers. In some situations, the showers are exclusively for the female side of the nuptials. Sometimes men get involved with the gift giving aspect of these showers. To make life easier for the pair getting married and their invited friends, stores have introduced the concept of the registry.

In Chicago, the department store Marshall Field’s developed the first bridal registry in 1924. It gave engaged couples the opportunity to choose what silver, crystal and china patterns they wanted. Their friends got a printed list of gifts to select from. This eliminated duplicate and unwanted gifts. It also made it easier for the gift giver.

In 1983, Target stores initiated the first electronic self-service registry. I was fortunate to accompany an engaged couple a few weeks ago when they began creating their bridal registry. The attendant in the registry department handed them an electronic device that allowed them to scan the bar codes of the gifts they wanted added to their registry. I followed them as they went up and down the aisles targeting numerous bar codes. Since they were at a retailer that supplied home furnishings, cookware and appliances, their growing list covered everything from linen napkins to convection ovens. 

Leaving the store, the groom-to-be suggested they go to a clothing store to develop a registry for clothes and gear for their planned honeymoon. A short drive later, we checked in with the store’s registry supervisor and now armed with the electronic wand hit the shelves and racks. I always thought that Greenland was a weird place for their honeymoon. Soon their registry list was loaded with sweaters, boots, winter coats, woolen socks, gloves, visors and assorted gear as if they would be camping out instead of their booked five-star hotel.

For those looking to buy a gift for that special occasion, the registry makes it easy. There is no longer the need to go to a brick and mortar store. You go online to one of the stores where the couple has developed a registry. Once there, you can see what items have already been purchased. You can also see what gifts are in your price range. When you make your decision, you simply click on it, locking in the item so that others will not duplicate. Once the selection is made, the store handles gift wrapping, sending a card with your name and delivering the package. 

Timing is everything. I found out the hard way that the trick is to get to the registry as soon as possible. A few years ago, I was invited to the wedding of a couple that lived in my building. They were more acquaintances than friends, so I was surprised when the invitation arrived. With the wedding only 10 days away, I decided to look at the list of places where they had registered. I avoided Tiffany’s and William Sonoma to keep the price of my gift manageable. I signed on to their registry account at a less pricey retailer. I would rather not name the store but suffice it to say I hit a “bullseye” when I saw the registry prices. Since I had waited too long, the available gifts were limited. I opted for the barbeque tongs wondering when they will ever use them since they lived in a small studio apartment in New York City.

Some past registries have become famous for including bizarre gifts such as a $7,000 ice bucket from Tiffany, a year supply of Doritos, a hatchet, a Vespa scooter, a set of gold toothpicks and a Mercedes C Class car. The latter gift was completed when the bride and groom opened a small box containing the Matchbox version of the Mercedes.

Since I have never been married, I wonder if there has ever been a registry to celebrate being a single guy. If not, I wonder if places such as Dave’s Sporting Goods, Starbucks, AMC theatres, Exxon Mobil and Panera’s would allow me to start a registry?

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.