So how do you handle

ChelleM

people that choose to buy an item that's not on your registry?  For example, someone who ignores the fact that you registered for a Graco MetroLite stroller and buys you a completely different brand?

Will you return it?  I know some of our family will do this and of course I'm grateful for any gift I'm given.  But with certain items (most items, really) we've taken a lot of time and thought and researched the best options for us with gear (safety and so on).  Part of the problem here is that H's aunt likes to give us second hand things that she gets at the salvation army - and it's always accompanied by a lovely cigarette smoke scent.

I don't want to be stuck using something I don't like.  Does that sound totally greedy?  I've always had a hard time returning gifts - I feel so rude.

sueandjoe

I return everything that I don't love. You picked things out for a reason, if you are not going to use things return or donate.

mrs.serrato85

I hope she would understand that you do not want your baby around anything that smells like that. I take my gifts as "bonus's" if i were to get something like this that i would really never use and couldnt reaturn i would just buy the one i wanted.. kinda like i never got it. But hopefully bigger ticket items will be bought by close friends and family that you feel comfortable talking with about exchanging it for your "dream" item

MidwestTexan

Return it if you don't want it, or donate it to your church or some other cause and consider it a tax write-off.

pinkram

Unless I liked it better than what I registered for, I'd return it, unless it was something that you can always use more of.  WHen I got married, somebody bought us towels that were not on our registry and we just kept them because you can always use more towels.  But we also got a blender that we did not want, so we returned that for the one we registered for.

AndiG

If it was a major item on the registry that I had strong feelings about, I would probably return it.  Smaller things I would just deal with, but anything with a cig. smell I would probably toss (or at least try to wash really well).

lzybeanie

I'd return it in a second - there's a reason why you picked the stroller you picked. It's very nice of them to want to get you something, but they have to understand that these things aren't all the same. I wouldn't ask them for the receipt or anything, I'd just return it and take the store credit (if that's an option). That is one of my biggest pet peeves...I don't care if people go off the registry - it's their prerogative if they're generous to buy a gift for me. I don't like it when they buy something that they think is better. I understand there are price limitations too, but then you just need to pick something else to buy!

Like you said, I'm appreciative of every gift I get, but there are certain reasons why I picked what I did and that should be respected.

As far as smokey hand me downs from Salvation Army...good lord! I don't even know where to start with that! Just re-donate it and call it a day!

nicolehoppe

I would definitely return anything that you don't like and get the things you love.  It is not like someone is going to come to your home and take inventory of your baby items to see if you still have that stroler/high chair/diaper bags etc.  If they do- they are crazy anyway so don't worry about it!

meryltheresa

MidwestTexan:

Return it if you don't want it, or donate it to your church or some other cause and consider it a tax write-off.

 Agreed, if you took the time to research exactly what works for you, then I would return it or donate it.

KelliLynee

As PP said, unless it was a better item than I registered for, I would return it.

We spend weeks deciding on a travel system and yesterday (after we registered) my mom said "I saw a really nice car seat system at BRU. I think you would like it" and I reminded her that you cant just pick out an item like that based on what it looks like and that we already decided which system we wanted based on reviews. Hope she doesnt buy this one she found cause I have no idea what it is!

christana08

IMO, those people that decide to buy something not on the registry are running the risk that you'll end up getting the one that you really wanted. I'd return it and if they say something, too bad. It seems kind of arrogant that they would do something like that. I wouldn't feel bad returning it.

MiaVonT

like most pp ... I'd say if you can't return it, donate ... tax write off!

 

I usually feel bad too if I have to return saomething or am not into it .... makes me feel a lil ungreatful .... stupid hormones maybe? lol

 

we plan to return anything that was not on the registry or that we dislike .... we too did a ton of research on items .... sometimes family just doesn't understand!

Mrs_mam

Return anything you don't want, can't use or don't like. Even if it's on your registry and you get it and hate it, take it back. People want you to enjoy what they give you, it's a waste of their money to keep something and not use it so go trade it in for something you do want. It's not like you have to tell them.

rebus82

If there's a receipt, return it. If there isn't, donate it. When it comes to items that I've researched, there's no way I would keep something else just because someone bought it for me, especially a stinky SA gift that you have no history on. You baby's safety/well-being is far more important than your husband's aunts feelings on the matter.