Birthday Registry?

[KMS]

I have been bombarded with people asking what Paisley wants for her birthday. I just expected people to to just show up with whatever gifts, but people are wanting to direction. The bad thing is that I really don't know what to say. We don't even know what we're getting her yet. I really don't know what toys are out there since most of her toys have come from her grandparents. I was *thinking* about going to the store and creating a bday registry for her tomorrow. In no way would I make this public, but if anybody asks I could tell them that they could get ideas from there. What's your take? Is this tacky? Or should I just go get familiar with the toys at the store and give direction that way?

Ahhh! Help!

[Salayia]

Absolutely! Go for it! If they're asking, then what better way to let them know?! If you're not advertising it... you're just telling them if and when they ask, then there's no possible way that anyone could think that's tacky! I think it's great! :D

[Smurfette]

Yeah, I use Target wish lists for my teen. She's had it since she was 9 y/o! She adds to it every so often and our family/friends just go to it and get her exactly what she wants. It takes the guessing out of buying her gifts. At first I felt like it was tacky but here we are, 6 years later and no one has complained yet.

Of course I had to advise my little girl that no items over $65 on there - I felt as though that was taking advantage of people. For gifts over $100, we usually tell the grandparents, aunts/uncles. Have fun with it!

I actually received EVERY SINGLE ITEM on our baby registry for the twins. I'm not kidding. :boggle:

[Heywie]

People are asking us about Ollie's birthday already. I have NO idea. We don't have a lot of space for tons of new toys and I don't think he's going to be growing out of his clothes anytime soon. I wish they could just show up without gifts... is that weird to ask for no gifts at a 1 year old party?

Otherwise, I say go for the registry! People like to know they are buying something your child wants or needs. You don't have to put it on the invitation or anything, but at least if anyone asks you, you can lead them in the right direction.

[Smurfette]

I'm telling you - sign up for the Target wish list! It will
make gift buying a breeze. It's not just for birthdays
either. My daughter lists books, backpacks, pencils,
camping gear... you name it, Target has it.

Her last birthday (14), her BFF put together a Power-
lunch gift: Capri Suns, fruit snacks, sandwich makings,
plates and napkins... all from her wish list. It was so
creative and inexpensive. We still talk about it! My kid
was being silly and added food items to her wish list
but so what...? With money being tight nowadays, it's
nice to give folks some options.

BTW, I hate gift cards. I never, ever use the entire
balance. :(

[Salayia]

BTW, I hate gift cards. I never, ever use the entire
balance. :(

Oh, I'm the same way! I've got like a dozen gift cards in my purse that have like $1 or $2 on them that I *think* I'm gonna use one day... but I always forget when I get to the store. :redface: Plus, I get embarassed that I'm using a gift card that has a dollar on it. It makes me feel like people will think I'm desparate because I'm scraping together money to buy my things, when I'm really not! I'm just trying to get the darned thing out of my purse! LOL!

[KMS]

You guys made me feel a lot better, as usual! I think that we'll go make a gift registry tomorrow and just have it in case anybody else asks. We need to pick out a gift for her anyways so I'll just do that while we're armed with the scanner.

By the way, I LOVE gift cards! lol I actually thought that I had lost my wallet today and started crying because we had a few gift cards in there!! hahaha Who cares about things like credit cards, right!? ;)

[amisteratwisterandme]

I wish they could just show up without gifts... is that weird to ask for no gifts at a 1 year old party? .

I don't think it's weird, but you could always ask them to donate money to March of Dimes or some other charity in his name, or maybe like a savings bond or something like that?

As far as a gift registry, I like the idea of doing it, but I would keep things on the less expensive side. For birthdays I usually try to stay around $20 or so for friends and maybe $50 for family. Just my :twocents:

[ikkin510]

I have been doing this for the boys each year. Especially with their birthdays being 6 weeks after winter. Come december I get asked what they want for christmas and their birthdays. People love the idea since it gives so many options.

[brendalin]

I think that it is a great idea. It takes a lot of stress off of what to get. My cousin has been doing this for years, and I loved that I was able to go on their and get her something that she wanted rather then getting her something that I thought she would enjoy!

[KMS]

I don't think it's weird, but you could always ask them to donate money to March of Dimes or some other charity in his name, or maybe like a savings bond or something like that?

As far as a gift registry, I like the idea of doing it, but I would keep things on the less expensive side. For birthdays I usually try to stay around $20 or so for friends and maybe $50 for family. Just my :twocents:

I agree, I generally stay at $20 unless it's for somebody that I'm closer to. I like the idea about donation or savings bonds too! I was actually looking for a college savings account that was easy for others to donate to and couldn't find anything so I scrapped that idea.

[saltyveruca]

I am hoping to set up a college savings account, too! If I find something, I will let you know, Keely! We have so many useless baby gifts that I'm going to have to get rid of (or store until he is actually old enough to use them-hello, 3+ toys, wtf?). I'd much rather have that thought and $$$ go to something we can actually use.

We've used Amazon Wish Lists forever, and they work really well. It also has a universal wish list function, so you can add stuff from Etsy or wherever you want. I have a list of toys and stuff for Finn on my wish list, and then a separate one for books and videos. He got some of that stuff for Christmas, so I'm glad I'm doing it! I am definitely going to set up a Target list, too...our parents don't love ordering online-they would be more likely to go to the store!

[amisteratwisterandme]

I admit I am clueless about things like this, but can you get savings bonds or something for like $25.00.

I have thought about trying to gift things like that for mine and fh's nieces and nephews, so maybe I can look into it too.

[amisteratwisterandme]

Okay, this answered my questions about bonds: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/kids/basics/basics_sb.htm

Basically, anyone can purchase them for Paisley (or Finn) at any financial institution, and they start at $25.00.

I think I am going to start doing this for my "kids" and maybe just get them a small gift to open.

[lize566]

I've used the Amazon wishlist function as well. In fact, I already put a few things on it for Zach's b-day. The only thing to watch out for, though, is that not everything on there can be found in stores, and not everybody will shop online. However, I am all for creating a registry!

[Heywie]

If someone wants to buy a savings bond, I think they have to have the baby's social security number... My grandma bought some for Ollie for Christmas, but she kept bugging me for his SSN so she could get it. Just FYI!

[FFC]

I just started a Katie wishlist.... fun stuff. I never knew what they were for till now :) Love it!!!! Thanks for the idea!