Registry question...

lily87

...so I really didn't want to do one. Some people I know (typically older) find them rude, and the other people I know absolutely insist on one. At first I thought, well how hard is it for people to just go buy a cute outfit? I love to shop. But, my younger girlfriends are just seriously opposed to this no registry idea. They feel that if they spend a lot of money, which they all tend to do, then they want to spend it on something I would definitely use (even if we don't need anything).

So, after arguing with both people, I have decided to just make an Amazon list to appease the girls since there are more of them. I feel like people can pick out clothes on their own, so other than a few sleep sacks and the unusual onesie, I will leave that off. And, since we will buy all big ticket items (stroller, car seat, crib, furniture) ourselves...and since I personally find it awkward to register for a breast pump...this has left me wondering exactly how many items should be on the registry anyway, and especially since what is left is fairly inexpensive?  

Between work, school and family, I am looking at about 40 people who will shop from this thing. Any suggestions on a total number? I guess the thing I hate about baby registries (which I know is a personal opinion, so I am not trying to start an argument about that) is that too much looks a little greedy/gift grabby to me especially if you are not in a financial position where you need help from others. This is precisely why I didn't want one in the first place. But, I am so sick of arguing with everyone about it that I am conceding.

So, I am not sure what the appropriate amount of items should be? Anyone else in a similar predicament?

 

marriedtoeric

I think the general rule is to have 2x the number items as people who will be buying from it.  Not 100% sure though--you do want to make sure that there are a variety of prices on there, and if you're including a lot of very inexpensive things, increase the number of items, since many people shop from a registry wanting to spend a certain amount. I was surprised at how many things we ended up putting on our registry even though our big things were already bought (by us or as gifts from parents)--everything except our jogging stroller is already taken care of.  Think of things like swaddle blankets, wash cloths, little hooded towels, bibs, maybe specific books you'd like baby to have, carriers (ergo/moby, etc), etc.  Also remember that amazon has a universal registry that you can add things you love from other sites.  Have fun with it, even though it's not your style. 

gkb0910

I'd also say to add things for when your LO is a bit older, 3 months, 6 months, etc.  Think about what you'll need a little further down the road and you should be able to get more items to help.

LuciesMama

I totally understand and felt the same way. Put some stuff on there to appease your friends. The truth of the matter is that most people don't buy off the registry anyway. 

More of my 2 cents here:  https://www.lucieslist.com/

LAHN

oohhh if your doing Amazon you can put books on there!  A great start for baby's library....and maybe a parenting/sleep/breastfeeding book or two for you.  Also lullaby CD's, kids music, baby toys.  There is a lot of fun stuff that you wouldn't normally think of registering for, but Amazon is so huge and flexible you can be a lot less traditional! 

sounds fun actually, which I'd thought of that for my first (on my second so no registry for me).  

BabyBLove

I have to disagree with the person who said most people don't buy off the registry.  But, this very well could depend on where your're from and the "norm" around there. Everyone I know whose had a baby, or is having one made a registry.  Most people in my experience buy off the registry because like your friends said, they want to get you things you want and need - not just pick a bunch of random stuff.  If you don't register, you'll wind up getting 10 random packs of bibs, crib sheets that don't match, 10 packs of washclothes... you get my point! If you register, you have some control over not getting way too many of one type of baby gift.

There is A LOT more then just the big ticket items that you can put on to a registry - washclothes, towels, bottles, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, snack containers, bibs, first aid, baby wash, baby gear, diaper bag, burp clothes, crib sheets, boppy pillow, boppy cover, bumbo seat, changing pad covers, sleepsacks, baby bath tub, stroller accessories, teethers, the list could go on...

lmjt

you also didn't mention a swing and/or bouncy seat, some sort of high chair for a little later on, etc.

I know in some areas people don't look at your registry, or buy off it, but where I am, registries are expected and common, and most people buy the things you want and need. With that said, I found that a lot of people picked clothes (cause who can resist tiny little outfits!) and the big stuff they got us what we asked for.

We were financially able to afford our own baby items with DS, but people will generally want to give you stuff for your baby. Now that I haven't worked in almost 2 years, I'd welcome the help! 

lily87

After reading some posts, I do want to clarify that it isn't that I am ungrateful that people want to help out by giving things that the baby will need. If someone wants to buy my baby a gift, it is a generous thing to do and will be appreciated no matter what it is. I just personally feel weird listing things that we can afford when I know others are having trouble in this economy. So, I just want to make sure I limit it to appropriate things and the appropriate amount.

mtc2009

Another thing to consider depending on where you are planning on registering, is even if you are planning on buying big ticket items yourself, if you register at a store, it doesn't hurt to put bigger items on there because a lot of the places offer a registry completion coupon/discount, so you can still buy the stuff yourself, but you get it discounted.  I had some friends who did that- registered for some stuff for a second child, never intending to share the registry with people unless her close family members (parents, grandparents) asked and then was able to get a discount later to get the stuff they needed.