Gift Registry Vent About This Page:

[Ashli]

Honestly, when it comes to including registry info in the invitation, I have always assumed that the person or couple is doing it to be helpful to people and in no way are "gift grabbers". If I thought that was the intended purpose, then I'd have to question why I was friends with someone like that in the first place. I like to think that the vast majority of my friends (and people in general) have their hearts in the right place. It helps me sleep at night.

[mcneal]

Originally Posted by Ashli

Honestly, when it comes to including registry info in the invitation, I have always assumed that the person or couple is doing it to be helpful to people and in no way are "gift grabbers". If I thought that was the intended purpose, then I'd have to question why I was friends with someone like that in the first place. I like to think that the vast majority of my friends (and people in general) have their hearts in the right place. It helps me sleep at night.

THat is how I look at it. It is very easy to pick a gift off the registry if you are in a hurry or not around the recipient that much. Also, sometimes the places that offer gift registry give special discounts on items that are not purchased by the guests and they make it easier for returns. Including a registry is not like holding a gun to someone's head and saying "BUY ME A GIFT"; it is just a tool to help you if you so wish. My DDinlaw lets our grandson make one for his birthday and it is wonderful. Eliminates everybody calling and asking "what does the boy want for his birthday?". Plus I have heard many of the younger members of the family talking about how much fun it was walking around and scanning anything they though might be cool to have! I also think it is fine to buy something you just want to give.

[Carousel96]

If there's something you really want to give, by all means give that. If you're stumped, the registry is your friend.
Goodness knows there were thing on my registry that I thought I had to have and never used. So they're no guarantee either.

[HiddenMickey]

I hardly ever buy from a registry. I like to give something I feel is more personally from me and my family.

[PhilsEagles08]

Baby registries don't mean too much to me. All I wanted when I was pregnant was diapers & wipes. I had enough diapers in every size imaginable for the 1st year (I was also purchasing weekly myself). Anywho, I usually always go for the "swing"....that's my go-to gift because I know how much of a life saver it was when my daughter was a baby.

[Fortissimo]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

I hardly ever buy from a registry. I like to give something I feel is more personally from me and my family.

I also rarely give from the registry. For weddings we always give money and a Christmas ornament or decoration so the first Christmas they have something they don't have to buy. For a baby I always give diapers, either disposable or cloth depending on their plans, and something with Disney because you can't have a baby with no Disney.

[Cheriemek]

My niece's baby shower invitation included a note about their having registered at Pottery Barn Baby. I was buying a gift for myself and my 4 daughters so I spent about $120. On what? On a shower curtain, liner, and shower curtain rings. Yes! That's how much it cost at Pottery Barn. I was embarassed that guest would thinks "oh.. a shower curtain..." not knowing what crazy prices Pottery Barn has.

[GingerJ]

Originally Posted by Cheriemek

My niece's baby shower invitation included a note about their having registered at Pottery Barn Baby. I was buying a gift for myself and my 4 daughters so I spent about $120. On what? On a shower curtain, liner, and shower curtain rings. Yes! That's how much it cost at Pottery Barn. I was embarassed that guests would think "oh.. a shower curtain..." not knowing what crazy prices Pottery Barn has.

Not only crazy expensive, but that seems kind of a weird thing for a baby registry. Since it was Pottery Barn Baby, I'm guessing it was really cute and part of baby-inspired theming for the bathroom? I'd love to hear what it looked like, and I'm betting it was the most adorable bathroom ever.

I totally get what you're saying, btw. I once spent something like $100 on towels from a bridal registry. They were nice towels, sure, but I was hoping folks would realize the big-time investment in something to dry off with.

Ginger

[hstrygrl]

We registered for our little one because we had nothing for baby #2 (11 years after baby #1), and it helps people figure out a starting point, theme, etc. One of the major reasons is that I work at a high school where the staff throw showers for anyone expecting or engaged, and it helps the coordinator choose items that we want and will use.

The smaller items we put on there were added to match price points for everyone. The larger items were put on there for mother-in-law who lives five states away, or for my staff who pool money for the showers.

Also, I like when invitations include registry information. I am a bit shy and would hate to ask about gifts.

Additionally, I will say that from the other end, the hand-knitted blankets and the cute little frames are nice, but we NEVER used them. We have a very small house and all that did was clutter it up, I hate to say. Additionally, I would steer away from the ornaments and leave that up to the parents. I would have preferred to pick out my own (and yes, we received one... not our taste, though). And there's always the possibility you'll get more than one.

The Mickey stuff is a great idea. When it comes from the heart with a specific reason, that's another thing altogether. Let's say grandma makes quilts, and everyone in the family has a quilt, and now it's baby's turn. That's something altogether special and wonderful. But we got no less than 5 crocheted blankets bought only because they were cute that sat in a drawer because they were impractical to use.

If all else fails and you want to surprise them and still give them something they need... My go-to gift in that case is stamps! They'll be needing to mail birth announcements and thank you cards, and probably haven't included that on the registry