Baby Registry
Creating a registry is a must!
Allow all your friends and family members to shower you with necessities (and some goodies) for your baby and even yourself.
Not sure where to start? No problem.
Read on to learn the step by step process to setting up a registry and making choices when it comes to what you should (and shouldn’t) include on it.
Step 1: Choose a Place to Register
When you set up a registry at two places, you can target two price points to accommodate all guests at your shower and others who wish to gift you with something small, like co-workers or neighbors.
It’s always wise to opt for an online option (like Amazon) for ease and convenience, and one that folks can physically visit to check out products and other baby related items they wish to purchase for you.
Setting up a registry is simple. You just enter in your personal information so your friends and family members know when your shower is, or when your baby is expected to arrive. Your address will also be added to the registry so gifts can get sent directly to your home.
Plus, an added bonus of setting up a registry with most baby companies is that you get a discount on the items you don’t get, and can earn points for future purchases one every dollar spent!
Step 2: Register Necessities First
You want to spend the majority of your time registering necessary items. These items include:
- Car Seat (with base)
- Stroller
- Diaper Bag
- Breast Pump
- Bottles
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Sheets
- High Chair
- Towels and washcloths
- Swaddles
- Burp cloths
- Infant bath tub
- Crib mattress
- Changing pad
- Baby grooming and care kit
- Baby thermometer
- Basic baby outfits and pajamas
- Bassinett
- Pack and Play
- Baby swing
- Play mat
- Baby Carrier
Step 3: Choose Some "Just Because Items"
These items are smaller or not immediately important, and are not as necessary as the list above since they can be purchased at a later time (or not at all).
Things like a wipe warmer, bottle warmer, dressy clothing, background noise maker, a crib mobile, and stuffed animals would fall into this category. They are all nice to have and are ultra-convenient.
But, when you first bring your baby home, it’s necessary to just start off with high need items.
Step 4: Let Your Registry Be Known!
Once you set up your registry, let others know it’s ready to be shopped.
Most people include their registry information when sending out a baby shower invite. It’s also wise to have some extra registry cards on hand in case co-workers or casual acquaintances make an inquiry.
Don’t promote your registry on your Facebook page. Keep it mainly open to those who will be invite to your baby shower.
Step 5: No Peeking!
It’s tempting to log into your registry regularly to peek at the items that have been snapped up.
Try to avoid this because it takes the fun out of opening your gifts at your shower. Unless you want to make some major changes on your registry, stay off of it.
In addition to these five simple steps, here are some other points to consider when creating a registry:
Skip Furniture and Personal Items
It’s generally not registry practice to ask for large furniture items like your crib, nursery glider, night stands, or changing table. Often times, immediate family members will purchase these items for you so it’s not really necessary to put it on the registry.
They are pretty hard to get in and out of a baby shower!
If you are truly in need of furniture, it’s common practice to add gift card options and use any given to you to make these large purchases.
In addition, you should also skip on asking for items for yourself. Bathrobes, slippers, pajamas, and other luxury items like this certainly are nice, but they aren’t really necessary to register for.
Often times, friends or family will put together care packages that address these areas and that also take care of your postpartum needs. Keep your baby and their own needs as the main focus.
Use a Registry Suggestion List
If you want to take a look at some baby store’s pre-generated registry lists, it may be helpful for you.
It may open your eyes to all sorts of items and could save you time when adding things to your list.
Friends and family who have had children before are also great resources when it comes to brand recommendations and what you need and can skimp on.
Making a registry is important!
It is essentially a list of everything you need to get off to a successful start as a new parent.
Follow the five steps above and consider some additional points to start making your registry list, pronto!
