I think most of the points mentioned there are a lot more common sense than you think.
I think the very outdated registries of generations before us is gone. No one registers for every home kitchen item possible because thats what they think they need. (My nonbaker friends asked for basic baking gear to have on hand for special occasions whereas my non-cooking inclined friends asked for cookbooks or basic equipment) People are very practical nowadays. In fact, I've only seen one or 2 registries with crystal glassware, china or expensive utensil settings. People don't really use them so less ask for them.

I work at a very popular housewares store among design-esque leaning people, and I gotta say, those registries include EVERYTHING imaginable. The registrants then come in a few days after the shower or the wedding to return half of what they purchased because they realize they don't need it or have space/room for it.

In part, I think that the reason why certain people register for every possible thing is because they have very large weddings, 200+ guests and allow for every guest to be able to purchase something for the couple. That kinda makes sense, right? Personally, when I got married, we already had most of everything we needed to live in a home, so we just registered for a few things here and there and a few upgrades, like bed linens.

I wanted to add, from my experience, both personal and work related, most brides register without the groom and are accompanied by their moms and aunts and moms' best friends. More often than not, the mom is advising--commanding--the bride what to put on the registry. But moms don't realize that their daughter will most likely have a different lifestyle than the parent.

I have seen a growing trend of couples register together since they will both be part of that new life.

So while I think that common sense should guide a bride when creating a registry, it's really not as easy. If a person has lived on their own long enough, they would find it easy to register sensibly. Otherwise, that person would be lost and misguided by elders.

We were one of those that had a very large wedding and blessed with many generous friends and family. Although some parts of the country tend to give money as a wedding present, where we are most would rather give an actual item. So we had a large registry that included, I hate to say it, some padding--items we anticipated returning for credit. We also broke down sets whenever possible. For example, registering for individual knives or pots and pans. We then returned all the individual pieces and then purchased sets with the resulting credit. Since the sets are typically cheaper than the piecemeal approach, the extra credit went to large ticket items like furniture. That said, we cook and entertain a lot so I feel that we make good use out those wonderful gifts (even the china and crystal) and I love that I have such a great, personal association with something as simple as kitchen tongs (part of a college friends shower present).

I want to register for china, but only because I LOVE dishes. Also, the boy will probably register for tools. Why not? We need them for our house!

Other than that, probably things like really nice bath towels, a nice knife or two, and some enameled cast iron. And maybe a picnic basket or blanket or something. I'd rather have gorgeous china (and a hutch to put it in) than a KitchenAid mixer. Lol.