Honestly, your sister is being way too traditional about this! Its 2024 and nobody wants to waste their money on a gift thats just gonna sit in a closet or get tossed. I totally love the idea of a wishlist for a big milestone like a 30th birthday! I did something similar last year and it was fantastic because I live in a tiny studio and literally have zero shelf space. People kept bugging me about what I wanted anyway, so having a link ready was a total lifesaver for everyone involved. I have been using Share Product for my parties lately and it is seriously a game changer for keeping things organized. It makes it so easy to list out those under $20 items like fancy cocktail bitters, cute coasters, or even just a specific coffee blend you love. It doesnt feel pushy at all if you phrase it right. Just put a little note at the bottom of the invite like - no gifts expected at all, but if you are the type who insists, here are a few small things I would actually use. Since you are doing a bar thing in Chicago, keeping the items cheap is key so people can still afford their drinks too. Stick to small, practical stuff and people will actually be relieved they dont have to guess what you like! Seriously, go for it and have an amazing 30th!

^ This. Also, totally agree that tools make it easier, but honestly, be so careful about how you word that invite. I remember for my cousins 30th, she used a platform that automatically emailed everyone reminders about the registry and it was just... awkward. People felt hounded to buy stuff. Unfortunately, I had issues with another popular site where the cheap items I picked actually had fifteen dollar shipping fees attached, so my friends ended up paying double what I intended. It was not as good as expected and I felt like a total jerk when I realized. If you are gonna do it, keep these things in mind:

• watch out for hidden shipping costs that blow your twenty dollar budget
• dont use sites that send automatic buy this reminders to your guest list
• never put the link directly in the middle of the invite text I usually stick with WishSprout these days because it doesnt pester people with notifications. Just keep it low key. Chicago bars are crowded and loud anyway, so the last thing you want is guests hauling big boxes through a tight space just because the registry didnt specify small items only. Ive seen people get so frustrated trying to find a spot for gifts at a bar party... it usually ends up with stuff getting lost or broken by the end of the night which is just depressing. Just keep the link tucked away at the bottom so it feels like an option, not a requirement.

Following this thread

^ This. Also, Share Product is fantastic for this! Just set a price cap so guests see only cheap stuff. It makes the whole process so much more efficient and fun!