Parents-to-be receive many gifts at their baby shower from friends and family. These gifts are often selected from a baby registry.
But, what exactly is a baby registry and how does a baby registry work?
Well, that is what we will be reviewing in this post. In addition, we will also be going over some of the best places to create a baby registry and help you with some ideas of what to put on it.
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What Is a Baby Registry For?
A baby registry is a list of items from a retail store that parents-to-be would wish to receive as gifts. Having a baby registry makes it easy for parents to keep a track of the gifts they receive and the things they need to buy themselves.
Friends and family buy items that have been added to the registry as a welcome gift for the baby. It is a gesture of love and care for the expecting parents and their upcoming baby.
How Does a Baby Registry Work?
Baby registries are created either at an online store or in person at a brick and mortar retail store. A baby registry is a list of all the baby items that you would like to receive as gifts from your friends and family.
An example of items you might put on the list might include a stroller, baby bottles, swaddle blankets, etc. Your personal baby registry list is managed by the store or online site you choose to make a baby registry at.
You can add items you would like through the baby registry website. Or, you can go to a store in person and scan items you see that you would like. You can also do a combination of these two methods.
After your baby registry is created, you will have a personalized link you can share with your shower guests and others that wish to buy you baby gifts. Then, the baby gift givers go on the site and select the gifts they want to purchase.
Once purchased, the baby registry is updated to show that the gifts selected are no longer needed. Additionally, you can continue to edit your baby registry after you have created it by adding or removing items from your baby registry list.
By creating a baby registry, it will save you time in regards to not having to face the hassle of exchanging gifts because your friends and family will purchase baby gifts that you have selected and like. There are various retail stores where you can create your customized baby registry and some of them are discussed below.
Do I Need a Baby Shower Registry?
Now that you know how a baby registry works, do you even need one? If you are having a baby shower, then yes! It would be considered rude to not create one.
There are some advantages to creating a baby shower registry too. Specifically, you are able to select the exact baby items you want and will use for your baby.
It is not guaranteed that your friends and family will buy you gifts from the baby registry you create. Some of your friends might give you a handmade gift or they might buy a gift they truly loved at the store.
But, it is always a great idea to give your shower attendees access to a list of gifts you would like. This way, you will receive mostly gifts that you prefer and it makes it easier for your guests to select a gift for you and the baby.
How Does a Baby Registry Work at Amazon?
The process of creating a baby registry on Amazon is quite simple and smooth. According to our research and experience Amazon’s baby registry is one of the best available baby registries.
Amazon has a user-friendly approach towards its website, which makes it simple for people who are not into technology. Some of the reasons we love the Amazon baby registry are as follows.
Organize: Amazon allows you to update each item with must-haves, purchased, or received status. Your friends will be able to see all the products that you have already received. So, you will not have to stress about getting the same gifts from multiple people.
Returns: Amazon’s policy is that the owner of the baby registry can return gifts received from the baby registry within 365 days from the baby’s birth.
Group gifts: You can also enable the group gifting feature of Amazon. If a gift is too expensive for a friend then he or she can ask other people to join in for group gifting.
Welcome Box: If you are a customer of Amazon prime then you can easily qualify for the baby registry welcome box. You will have to create and complete the registry. However, the baby items included in the box will be a surprise for you.
Diaper Discount: Amazon gives a 20% discount on eligible diapers to its baby registry users from baby’s arrival date until his or her 1st birthday. The discount automatically unlocks when you reach the $500 in purchases from your baby registry.
Completion Discount: You will get a 15% discount if you are a Prime member (10% for non-Prime members), for the remaining products on your baby registry, which is a great gesture for parents-to-be from Amazon.
How Does a Baby Registry Work at Walmart?
Walmart is famous for its everyday low price deals, and this does not stop with baby products. They have a huge variety of baby items at amazing prices.
With that said, let’s have a look at how a baby registry works at Walmart, along with all the reasons that would make a Walmart baby registry a good choice.
Welcome box: After creating a baby registry at Walmart you will get a welcome box worth $40. The box typically contains samples of various essentials required for your baby.
4,500+ stores: Walmart has more than 4,500 stores across the country, making it easily accessible. Your friends and family can visit the store or shop on their website to select a perfect gift for your bundle of joy.
Return policy: If you have an order receipt, then you can return a gift bought from your registry within 90 days to receive a gift card of the same value. Some items can be returned for up to one year as well.
App: Walmart also has an app that you can download on your phone and use the baby registry at your convenience. However, their website does have more advanced features. But a little shopping on the go never hurt anyone, right?
How Does a Baby Registry Work at Target?
The Target baby registry is one of the most user-friendly and convenient registries. It has nearly all the perks that you would want in your baby registry.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of using the target baby registry.
Universal registry: The target baby registry allows you to add products from any other site into your target registry. Your friends and family will be able to see all your desired items in one place. However, they will still buy the product from its original site.
Welcome gift: After creating your registry you will become eligible to claim Target’s welcome gift. The gift includes various coupons and samples which collectively have a value of approximately $120.
App: Target also has an app where you can conveniently create your registry on the go. You do not need to sit in front of your laptop to get this task completed. Just open the app on your phone and easily create your registry.
Group gifting: The target baby registry allows you to enable the group gifting feature. Your friends can buy gifts in a group to divide the expenses.
Return policy: Target also has a great return policy. At Target you can return baby registry items for up to a year after your due date. But, you need to make sure that the items are not opened and unused, if you want to return them.
Completion discount: Target gives you a 15% discount coupon 8 weeks before your due date. You can use the code twice only, once in the store and once online.
Target’s baby registry has pretty much all the perks that anyone would wish to have with their baby registry, making Target an all-around good bet as a selection for your baby registry.
Before we move on, you might find these FREE printable Baby Registry & Pregnancy Checklists helpful. Just fill in the form below to get them. Learn which must haves to put on your baby registry and when to complete items in each trimester of your pregnancy.
What Are the Popular Baby Gift Registries?
With so many baby registry options available in the market it can be difficult for parents to choose the best one for them.
Below we have complied a list of the most popular stores for baby registries, to help you determine where to register. I recommend picking one or two stores for a registry.
- Target: An easy to baby registry system from a store that has pretty much everything needed in a registry.
- Amazon: Amazon has a huge variety of nearly everything under the sun. Shopping on Amazon is easy and most of your friends and family will already have Amazon accounts setup for shopping there.
- Buy Buy Baby: If you are someone who loves discounts and coupon codes then Buy Buy Baby is your perfect choice.
- Walmart: Walmart has a huge variety of baby products at reasonable prices. If you are looking for the best products at low prices then Walmart is a great option.
- Babylist: Babylist is the best universal baby registry that even allows you to ask for help from your friends and family.
- Pottery Barn Kids: If you have a specific theme for your baby’s nursery in mind, then you need to check out Pottery Barn Kids. They have a huge variety of quality nursery furniture, cute toys, and other customized gifts for babies.
How To Choose the Best Place to Create a Baby Registry
We understand that you only want to provide your baby with the best. You certainly want to choose the best place to create a baby registry.
What should you keep in mind while choosing a store to create the baby registry?
- Discounts: Many stores give completion discounts to baby registry owners. Make sure the store you are considering also provides good completion discounts.
- Welcome gifts: Stores have various plans where they give welcome gifts to their registry owners. It is a nice gesture from them and it will help you get started with some great samples of baby products to try out.
- Return policy: The baby registry should have a great return policy. You can never be sure how many things you will use once the baby arrives. If your store has a long return policy then you can return any unused baby items, which is nice benefit.
- Group gifting: You might prefer the option of group gifting store because your friends will not be able to buy all the expensive gifts for your baby registry. This way 2 or 3 people can form a group and give money towards a particular gift for your baby.
If the store(s) where you create a baby registry has all of the above-mentioned benefits, it will likely make things easier for you too.
When Should You Start a Baby Registry?
There is no right time to start a baby registry because it depends on your personal choice. If you want to buy gender-specific things for your baby then you need to wait until you know the gender of the baby.
Starting a baby registry as early as possible is recommended because it takes a lot of time to complete it. On the surface it seems like an easy task, but trust me, it is very difficult to select everything.
How Many Items Should I Put on my Baby Shower Registry?
An average baby registry has approximately 100 items on it. Of course, there is still a very large range from many less to many more items that an expecting parent might put end up with on their baby registry.
You are allowed to add as many items as you want to your baby registry. But, you will want to consider only adding the minimum essentials to the list because some baby products could get wasted, plus you only have so much space in your home.
What Is Appropriate Baby Registry Etiquette?
While creating a baby registry you should make sure that the list is easily accessible for your friends and family. The baby registry list should be ready well before your shower or your baby’s arrival so they can decide what they want to buy.
You will also want to make sure to add options in different price ranges. Do not add an item with a hefty price tag, unless you have group gifting available.
Lastly, you should look at your registry periodically as you start receiving gifts. You will want to check that the gifts you have received have been updated to reflect that they have been purchased.
What Should I Put on my Baby Registry Checklist?
Your baby registry should contain with the most essential things. Make the essentials your priority and add them first.
Here is a list of some of the things that you should put on your baby registry checklist.
- Crib
- Stroller travel system including a stroller and car seat
- Diaper changing pad
- Diapers and wipes
- Nursing pillow (if planning to breastfeed)
- Baby manicure set
- Bottles
- Pacifiers
- Baby clothes (if needed)
These are only the most necessary items that you will need right after the birth of your baby. These are the must have items in your baby registry. For even more details on what to add check out our baby registry checklist post.
Figuring out how a baby registry actually works can be surprisingly tricky. But, creating a baby gift registry for your shower is important because it’s very helpful for your guests.
Now that you understand how a baby registry works, you can see that by creating a baby registry, you are able to let your friends and family know what you would like for your baby.
Choosing the best store for a baby registry can be difficult. But, once you find the right store for your baby registry, it will become easy for you to create the perfect registry.
Remember, do not go overboard with the list. Add the essentials or just the things that you will need when your baby first arrives.
Finally before I sign off, if you are expecting you might also be interested in these printable pregnancy resources listed below.
- Pregnancy Checklists – (6) simple, printable checklists so you know what to get done before your baby arrives
- First Time Mom Pregnancy Planner & Journal (Printable) – stay organized and track your pregnancy
