Registry etiquette

emilyve · March 2014

I'm FTM and the first of my friends to have a baby. I don't think I've ever even been to a baby shower. So I was wondering, do you put big ticket items (stroller, car seat) on your registry? I don't expect anyone to buy them for me, by any means. But should people have the option of seeing what we picked out in case they're feeling super generous?

TinkL0ver · March 2014

I would think you should because even if you don't get them I hear that most registries give completion discounts so there is that.

biokitty42 · March 2014

I put absolutely everything on our registry the first time. My MIL did end up getting us the crib, which was a surprise. Even though you don't expect anyone to buy the big things, you'll still get to use the completion discount for them, which makes it worth it.

JackieB15 · March 2014

Put everything on there. You never know, a group might go in and buy one of those big ticket items. If they don't you get that completion discount.

beccalee721 · March 2014

Put everything you need on there. I was surprised at what some family and friends bought for us, I wasn't expecting it at all but a lot of people go in on a big gift together. Like PPs said that completion discount is awesome for items you haven't received and need to buy on your own close to the birth. Most places in my experience try to send the coupon before the due date you put down on your registry and you can use it online or in store.

JD83 · March 2014

This was super great to read. I've been wondering about this same thing for a while and I always feel guilty putting big ticket items on a registry. However, if it's commonly accepted that big ticket items aren't expected to be purchased, then that's a bit different! :-) Thank you for asking, emilyve!

beckynsean11 · March 2014

I have always seen big ticket items on there. It's not uncommon for family to do those items, or for a group of friends to do them as a group gift. Of course you don't expect people to purchase those, but put them there anyway. At worst, you're able to keep track of what you want & you get the completion discount out of it.

BethanyAnn27 · March 2014

I am in the same boat as you are, but here is how I am looking at it: For a wedding registry, etiquette is to put variety of items varying in price so people have options, so I am assuming the same goes here. Not that I expect people to buy the big things, but sometimes you can be surprised! A group of people might get together a chip in for a crib or car seat or something larger. Just make sure you have smaller priced items there as well so it doesn't look like you just expect large gifts (of course, people can buy off the registry, but it looks tacky when the only things registered for are $100+). That being said, I wouldn't register for only $10 items either...you will probably end up with a lot of things you don't really want or need if everyone goes for those.

Like some people above my post have said, a lot of registries offer discounts to you after, and people might get you gift cards to the places you register at (that happened a lot for my wedding) so with the possibility of that, plus a discount on any of the items on a registry, you will be in a good shape!

Sooooo...obviously I am feeling incredibly wordy today, but long story short is that I think you should register for all the things you need/want. If you get them, great, if not, at least you might get some good deals after! Just remember that if you put them on your registry and buy them yourselves, make sure the store knows to take them off for you so you don't end up with two cribs by accident!

mrsdanielleM2010 · March 2014

Agree: put it on there if only for the completion discount. I'm making a registry even though I'm not having a shower, just as a checklist, and if anyone asks it's there. If a great sale pops up on a registry item, you could always just grab it yourself.

Irisheyes1247 · March 2014

I'd put anything you think you want on there, if only because they will give you a completion coupon at the end. Our parents ended up buying the furniture for baby, one set of grandparents the crib and the other set the dresser. My grandmother did the travel system, a couple family members went in on bigger items.

Registry was definitely one area where (I found) Team Green is an advantage - neutral clothes are boring and at least in our case, no one was particularly interested in getting them. So we ended up with more things off our registry because of that.

nyg2042 · March 2014

A lot of times, people may go in on a big gift together...even if they don't, you will still get the discount. I say put everything on there.

DQuin19 · March 2014

Agreed w/ the posts here. Put everything on the registry. Sometimes groups of family or friends will get together and buy big ticket items. Also put a variety of items, so everyone has options to get you something you'd like.

jmolr · March 2014

Here's my opinion on it. Choose what makes you happy. Don't settle for a cheaper item because you're nervous no one will buy it. You can always use the completion discount and buy it for yourself. From what I noticed on my registry and other gifts I've bought the big ticket items go first. Often groups of friends and coworkers will chip in and get the more expensive items on your registry as opposed to the smaller items.

emmylu30 · March 2014

I agree about putting everything on registry, generous friends and family plus completion coupons make it worth it. One additional note about registries, be careful putting a lot of clothes unless they're basics since a lot of stores change these out with the seasons and they may not be available around your baby shower.

A&DPritchett2be · March 2014

I did put some big ticket items on my registry because BRU is offering up to a $200 gift card after baby is born for purchases made from the registry. My plan is to purchase the crib through the registry myself before shower invites are mailed.

mrsdanielleM2010 · March 2014

Adding: my first preference shopping for any shower is to go in on a bigger gift with a group. I figure it's easier to go without the little add ons than the big stuff. I like knowing that what I buy will be used.

brittneyandadam · March 2014

So, kind of adding to this post....should the stuff I add have an age cut-off? Like, should all the stuff on the registry be for the first 6 months only...or can I push it to a year? I was thinking about things like a high chair, older toys, older books (obviously not War and Peace...but like Velveteen Rabbit)...

ang2016 · March 2014

brittneyandadam said:
So, kind of adding to this post....should the stuff I add have an age cut-off? Like, should all the stuff on the registry be for the first 6 months only...or can I push it to a year? I was thinking about things like a high chair, older toys, older books (obviously not War and Peace...but like Velveteen Rabbit)...

I bought my SIL a high chair for her shower off her registry. Didn't even 2nd guess it!

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