Posted by Vered on December 15 2010
I like gift registries. I think they are a wonderful convenience and a definite win-win situation. The recipients gets gifts they actually like, and the gift givers have a much easier time than if they had to pick a gift on their own.
A gift registry also prevents waste, because these are gifts that are wanted, needed, and will be used. No lame gifts, no duplicates. Whenever I need to give a wedding gift or a baby shower gift, I first check to see if a gift registry has been created.
So, how do you go about creating a baby registry? Here are a few tried and tested tips:
1. Go with an online baby store, or with a chain store. This will make the baby gift registry accessible to all your friends and family.
2. Include large and small items. Close relatives will probably want to buy larger items, but more distant friends and coworkers should have the option of not spending a fortune on your baby gift.
3. Make it affordable. These days, for the average family, it’s best to go with an affordable baby store. People are still struggling financially.
4. Use the registry checklist. Most baby registries feature a checklist to help you make sure you remembered to include everything you might need. It’s also a good idea to ask family and friends for their input, especially if this is your first baby.
5. Don’t keep it a secret! You’ve put a lot of work and thought into your baby registry. But what’s the point if people don’t know about it? While you can’t walk around and just tell people about your baby registry out of the blue, it’s completely acceptable to tell them that you started a registry if the conversation revolves around you being pregnant, what you will need for the baby, or how much stuff babies need. After all, if you suspect that they would want to get you a gift, you are doing them a favor by letting them know they’re going to have an easy time picking one!