Often registry gifts are picked so groups can purchase together. Maybe that was their intention. We had a good mixture of gifts on our registry but a few big ticket items for groups and all my girlfriends from school put in together and bought our clothes dryer for us. Even those that couldn't attend (we live interstate) contributed. We were stoked!

To answer your question though, just get a gift your happy with. Registrys are there to help guests but you certainly don't have to buy off the registry.