My sister got lots of lovely stuff at her baby shower but I did have people asking me "What does she need? What should I get?"
So was thinking for mine I could do a registry with Baby Bunting or Toys R Us... or should I just do an informal list with my mum/MIL, so that if people want to have ideas given to them they can, but they can also just do their own thing?
I also know that my close friends will want to buy me something that I will use, something big, so they will probably just ask me outright...
I am thinking the same thing OP. I might just do a list with my mum and sister as they will be he ones organising the shower for me when it comes about. I think they are going to put on the invite to please contact them for gift suggestions.
Even with a gift registry people will buy things not on the list so I would say go for it. just make sure you have something for every budget on it. alternatively you can ask people to contribute to a bigger item, like your fave pram or something.
Personally I think it's a good idea - I know I would prefer to get someone something they want or need. Then their gift is still like a surprise & they have the confidence that you will use it. I guess just make sure you include things to cater for all budgets and people shouldn't turn their noses up at it.
I'd be a bit uncomfortable with a registry to be honest, I prefer the idea of an informal list.
Although you could have a registry, just not tell people about it, if friends contact your Mum or MIL wanting gift ideas, then they could be directed to the registry. If people have their own ideas about what to get, then they can do their own thing without feeling obliged to buy from the registry.
For myself I couldn't send out registry cards with a shower invite, but then you don't want to get loads of stuff that you won't use either.
Personally I hate gift registry for weddings so I guess the same would apply for a baby shower. I just don't think it's necessary. I was given a huge amount of gifts while I was pregnant and only got one clothing item that was a duplicate & it wasn't really as it was in a different size. The only other thing we got that was similar was two rockers but even then we found that one was better for when he was a newborn, the other for when he was a bit bigger.
i did a registry for my baby shower- i also put a pram on layby adn peole could jsut put $ on that too. it was the best- we got basicall everything on it and it worked really well for us!!
Its a tough one. I think something informal would be good but then if you have a particular group of friends they may like to all go in and get something a bit bigger....sorry no help at all
you could do what a girlfriend did (she stole the idea from my 21st) ...
A notebook with a gift idea on every page, then people can have a look through the book and rip out the page of the thing they're going to buy.
She had pics cut out on the pages & where the items could be bought & approximate price - it was useful as she had a range from about $10 through to a few hundred.
Thanks girls for all the replies! Leasha I hadn't thought about being limited to one store... hmm!
LSK that's a great idea about the big thing on lay buy... will keep that one in mind.
Punkin that's a good idea too, with the notebook - but TBH sounds like a bit too much work for me
Maybe I'll do a combo - make my own, informal list from Baby Bunting (ie walk around with a notepad) and some other stores, then leave that with mum/MIL/sis and say "Contact X for gift ideas" or whatever. That way I'm not restricting it to one store.
Actually I'm not doing the invites so I don't really need to worry about what to put on there...
I think go for it! People will appreciate being guided as to what you do and don't need. Some people will make up their own minds about what they want to get you and some people will be more than happy to use the registry.
For our wedding we had two registries at two seperate stores. We made sure to cater to all budgets ranging from $20 - $800. We still put our "big ticket" items up there in case people wanted to do a group gift (which lots of people did). Also, you might find that the store will give you a discount on any left over items that aren't purchased by your guests.
We got most of the items from our registry but some people gave us their own gift and some people gave us cash and vouchers.
I think its an excellent idea as I got so many doubles of things that I will never use and its much better having Gifts that you can use and I'm sure your family and friends will appreciate when they see you using it not just laying around if that makes sense.
well good luck with it all.
No I think it's great. As a friend or family member I would want to buy something that they want and if there is something like say and activity gym on a informal list well there are lots of different activity gyms out there and if the person has their heart set on a particular kind well thats what I would want to buy rather than buying something different and then the person feels like they can't get the one they wanted. Even cot sheets the person may have a theme or colour they prefer.
I think with registries it's just important t choose more then u would expect to get so that the last people aren't left with a pack of coathangers or a dummy iykwim? and also lots of different prices if ppl want to spend more or less or put in with others etc.
If you feel uncomfortable you could word it like if you need ideas I have a registry at... or something like that
No I think it's great. As a friend or family member I would want to buy something that they want and if there is something like say and activity gym on a informal list well there are lots of different activity gyms out there and if the person has their heart set on a particular kind well thats what I would want to buy rather than buying something different and then the person feels like they can't get the one they wanted. Even cot sheets the person may have a theme or colour they prefer.
I think with registries it's just important t choose more then u would expect to get so that the last people aren't left with a pack of coathangers or a dummy iykwim? and also lots of different prices if ppl want to spend more or less or put in with others etc.
If you feel uncomfortable you could word it like if you need ideas I have a registry at... or something like that
I made two lists .. one with the stuff I need, along with the brands of products that I use (hated getting things like shampoo in brands that I don't use) and one "wish" list. Things I don't really NEED, but would love to have, kwim?? (milk band, feeding pillow ... stuff like that)
I gave it to my Mother and told my MIL she has it, so they could just inform ppl if they inquire. We live in a rural town, so there are not baby-store around and for me to registar at a shop in the city seems like wasting ppl's time.
BTW - I LOVE that idea about the book Punkin .. that is really fresh!!
i was discussing with mum the other day (we just held a baby shower for my cousin) about what is 'enough' when it comes to a baby shower gift..
when i had dd.. i had a baby shower, my best friend brought along a big plastic tub absolutely chockers with all kinds of baby things.. clothes, towels, nappies, wipes, nappy bag etc i would have valued it at over $100 and really really thoughtful, she then bought me flowers when i was in hospital, and another gift when she came to visit us when we came home. my aunty and 2 cousins (both older than me by 10 years) gave me a hat and bootees set.. while i appreciated all my gifts, it kinda shows people have different views on what to buy for baby showers!
after all that rambling on..i say go with a registry if thats what you would prefer!! vary the prices like everyone has said, allowing for all budgets!
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