Move aside, wedding and baby registries, because there’s a new list in town: divorce registries.
Made popular by TikToker Becca Murray (@thebeccamurray), who started a divorce registry following the dissolution of her marriage, a divorce registry is just what it sounds like — a gift registry for people splitting from a partner.
While married, a couple usually shares a lot of household essentials, like electronics, cookware, and furniture.
Post-split, however, at least one half of the divorce duo is forced to start over. (Or, in some cases, both parties may want all new things, since it might be easier or less painful to simply sell or donate shared items that carry memories and emotions.)
So it does make some sense why someone might be in need of tangible and practical support post-divorce, especially if the relationship was an abusive one, one partner is left hurting financially, or there are limited resources overall.
But after sharing her divorce registry, labeled “Starting Over,” Murray received a lot of what she said were “unkind” messages.
Her divorce registry included items like a $90 wooden bowl and a $450 outdoor tent.
Murray has detailed her split from her husband of 13 years, Will Gatlin, on her TikTok, and claims that she only posted her divorce registry following many calls from fans and followers to let them know how they can best support her.
“It was set up because over the course of three months after the split,” she explained in a video. “I had so many people asking how they could support.”
The registry, she added, included items she would need to replace in her divorce. Along with the $90 wooden bowl and $450 4-person tent listed, other items on her registry include:
- A $700 Vitamix blender with attachments
- An $85 popcorn bowl
- An $170 “serving bowl” from East Fork
- A $300 side wooden table
After Murray shared her registry, she said she received some “incredibly rude” comments about it.
“I am not good at accepting help,” she added.
Murray added that she had "zero expectations" about the registry and no one was forced to buy her anything.
Murray went on to explain that she’s noticed that anyone purchasing items off her registry or donating to her fund were people who had been through a divorce before, noting that they understand what it’s like to start over.
Even seemingly “small” things like pots and pans can represent starting over in a very tangible way, and just add to the physical and emotional burden of divorce.
She added that those who support the registry “understand how difficult it is to deal with the logistical part of all of the actual, physical things that you lost at the same time as having your life and your foundation and your future ripped out from underneath you.”
“I spent thousands on household things when my ex moved out,” wrote one TikToker in agreement with Murray’s video.
While some people criticized the divorce registry, many people in her comment section were in full support.
“I LOVE this idea,” wrote @turnberi. “People should start doing Lost My Job registries, Gone No Contact with Parents and Need support registry, lost 100 pounds and dont know how dress registries, Coming Out and Want to Experiment with a New Look registries.”
“My friend did a divorce registry a few years ago,” agreed another commenter. “I thought (and still think) it’s brilliant!”
Maybe divorce registries are a new trend that will catch on?
If you do want to try your hand at your own life event registry, Amon has a “custom gift lift” that anyone can create — and add items to from Amazon — for any “milestone.”
Amazon Gift Registry
Price may vary
from
And yes, thank you, I will be adding my own registries soon, so anyone looking to add to my “please help, my favorite coffee brand of coffee beans shot up $8 overnight” or “my daughter needs oral surgery and I live in a country where teeth are not part of healthcare” registries, look for those coming soon!
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
