Registry side-eyeing?

Luna C · January 2014

How weird is it to put non-baby stuff on your registry?

We have two registries: One at BRU for most of the obvious stuff (crib, linens, infant feeding supplies, etc.). The other is at Amazon, mostly for basics like wipes, lotions, and diapers. I also put a few things on there that are baby-related but not obviously from the baby dept. (A radio, some stuff for pet-proofing the nursery, a bookshelf and some storage stuff.)

I feel like this is fine and not really the same as, say, putting a fuzzy bathrobe and slippers for me on there. But Dude thought that was weird and would piss people off. (I think the vast majority of our friends would not think twice about this and in fact would probably make the connection as to why the stuff was baby-related. I also assume that if someone doesn't want to buy a "non-baby" item they'll just opt not to choose any of those items and we'll probably be getting them ourself but at least have the completion discount to do it with.)

Is he overthinking things or am I making some awful breach of registry etiquette without realizing it?

otter1103 · January 2014

I think those things are fine. I would even extend items that can be used for capturing memories of LO like frames, an extra SD card, scrapbook items for baby... Without thinking too much about it . If you put something like an Xbox, then you'd probably get the side eye

katekat8721 · January 2014

I think you're ok!

Luna C · January 2014

@otter1103: that's what I was thinking. Like, I would sideeye a bartender set on a baby registry, but not a camera or something like that.

And I think almost all our friends/family would be the same.

flerlgirl · January 2014

I wouldn't side-eye you because I know about the completion coupon. If I didn't know about it I might side-eye you.

chloephoebecali · January 2014

I side eyed a wii on a registry a few years ago. She claimed it was for working out after baby arrived. I think the stuff sounds fine, but you know your guests best.

tbmadeamistake · January 2014

A registry is a wish list. If you wish for it, put it on there. If people don't want to buy it, they won't.

momof5sept18 · January 2014

I wouldn't side eye anything on your registry.

curlylocks3 · January 2014

I worried about this too and specifically asked a few people of different ages (my mom, friends) to get their opinion and everyone said it seemed ok, that some people might ask what it was for but that would be it. The non-obviously baby items on ours include:
- an iPod dock station
- 1 gallon Rubbermaid pitchers
- an immersion blender
- a small air pump
Instead of a white noise machine we are using an iPod we already have to play both nature sounds, lullabies, classical music and regular music for the babies, and I had several moms of twins say its easiest to mix up all your formula for the day in the morning in a large pitcher, and that an immersion blender works best for this. The air pump is for the tires on our stroller and I picked it because its small enough to carry in the diaper bag/basket under the stroller.

None of the items are super expensive, and in fact the iPod thing we're watching since its been discontinued and will buy ourselves if the # left in stock drops, but we'll use them for the babies.

Basically, I think you're fine. People will figure out the stuff you're putting on there, and if they don't, they won't buy it for you.

Luna C · January 2014

@chloe: I think I'd side eye a wii to be honest. That feels just over the (invisible) line to me.

Shineoncrazy · January 2014

I wouldn't necessarily side-eye baby related items, but I get the sense that most people would prefer to purchase cute baby things. No one is going to gush and say "awwwww...that is the cutest 1 gallon pitcher I have ever seen!!"

IMO, items like a Wii push into side-eye territory.

curlylocks3 · January 2014

Shineoncrazy said:

I wouldn't necessarily side-eye baby related items, but I get the sense that most people would prefer to purchase cute baby things. No one is going to gush and say "awwwww...that is the cutest 1 gallon pitcher I have ever seen!!"

IMO, items like a Wii push into side-eye territory.

LOL for sure not! I picked it because it had the best reviews for being leakproof. I doubt we'll get it, but I will use our completion coupon on it and it was a better price on Amazon than anywhere else!

babygabe614 · January 2014

I think the stuff you mentioned (radio, pet proofing supplies etc.) are totally fine. I have safety items like cabinet locks and storage items that may not be obviously baby related on mine and I doubt any of my family or friends would side eye those types of items.

JulieSmiles · January 2014

I think you're fine with those items!

Shineoncrazy · January 2014

CAMag said:

What about pricey baby clothes? I feel a bit weird putting some $30 pants from Etsy on my registry. Is that going overboard? Should I stick to the basics and get the less practical stuff myself?

I wouldn't judge especially it they're cute! I totally wanted to add this: Rainbow Bright Halloween Costume, but I couldn't wait so I just bought it

curlylocks3 · January 2014

CAMag said:

What about pricey baby clothes? I feel a bit weird putting some $30 pants from Etsy on my registry. Is that going overboard? Should I stick to the basics and get the less practical stuff myself?

I think if you have the basics on there too its ok. You might not get them, but someone might want to do that.
We personally only put sleepers, onesies and tshirts on ours but thats because I was too overwhelmed to look at clothes and don't know what to pick.

cMichelle0423 · January 2014

I noticed on some registries, like at Target, there's even a section dedicated as "just for mom" or something along those lines. I wouldn't side eye it at all. Like technically nursing bras and camis aren't for the baby, but I see those on registries quite a bit.

sm623 · January 2014

Earlier I was working on my registry on Amazon and noticed that you can prioritize and add comments to the items on your registry. You could add comments to justify your choices that you are worried might get the side eye.

temursgirl · January 2014

The only thing anyone mentioned in this thread that I personally would find odd is the wii. All the other things are pretty obviously baby related. I agree with Shineoncrazy that a lot of people want to buy the "cute" things, not necessarily the practical but boring things.

I know someone whose wedding registry was out of control... they already lived together and had a ton of stuff in their house. Her registry included a new TV and oven, an iPad AND a Kindle, among other things. And their wedding was pretty small, so I don't know who she thought would buy all that. I did side eye her for that.

ElTrain5 · January 2014

those items fall under my definition of "baby related items" so I wouldn't think twice about it. It's not like you added a new set of tires or a garden gnome.

Luna C · January 2014

curlylocks3 said:

I worried about this too and specifically asked a few people of different ages (my mom, friends) to get their opinion and everyone said it seemed ok, that some people might ask what it was for but that would be it. The non-obviously baby items on ours include:
- an iPod dock station
- 1 gallon Rubbermaid pitchers
- an immersion blender
- a small air pump.

I meant to mention: I found a way a way to make our immersion blender more obviously baby-related: We saw a set at BRU (Sage brand I think) that has supplies for making your own baby food. You can buy just storage containers, or a deluxe set that comes also with a recipe book and an immersion blender.

I was going to get one anyway, I figured any nosy grannies who thought I was getting myself a toy would more easily recognize that as baby stuff.

LKHoffa · January 2014

I wouldn't side eye you at all and would think registering outside of the box was an awesome idea! That said, there are a LOT of judgey-ass people out there! So I would say to go by the crowd of people buying for you. If you have a lot of younger or laid back people, I think you're totally fine!

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