22.1 Weeks Along - Baby Registry Dilema/Etiquette
Ok so I finally went out to Babiesrus.com and set up a baby registry.
Gareth and I have been talking about it for some time and I spent some time earlier this morning setting it up and choosing some stuff for it. I did send the link to Gareth and my Mom and my sister Amanda.
But here's the question, is it proper to let other people know about it, or send out a mass email with the registry number? It almost seems kinda tacky to me to do that, like saying; "ok here's where we're registered, go buy us stuff".....
So I guess for the time being I'm just going to sit on it until someone asks me if we are registered anywhere. I don't really know what else to do.
I did find the following article about it and it makes me even more nervous now that I think about it because I don't really think anyone is throwing a shower for me, my family is all on one coast or another continent altogether.
Registry Etiquette
Baby registries are new, and some people find them rude for all the reasons I did before I had a baby. Do not push your baby registry on anyone. Do not volunteer the information that you are registered unless someone specifically asks you for gift ideas. There are two modes of thinking regarding the shower invitations -- it is excruciatingly tacky to include registry information in any other kind of invitation or announcement, but a shower is specifically for the purpose of showering someone with gifts. One compromise that I have worked for my own showers and for ones I hosted for others was not to include the information in the invitation, but to be sure to mention it on the phone when guests RSVP'd.
The most important thing to remember about your baby registry is that it is a wish list whose purpose is to help out people who want to help you. No one is obligated to buy you anything, and certainly not off the registry.
Frequently, people ignore the registry all together and select things for you that they themselves liked. This, too, is a meaningful gift. Gifts of books loved by others' children, gizmos and gadgets one mother found indispensable, or the umpteenth teddy bear are all gifts of love and generosity to your child and should be appreciated as such. Remember to write your thank you notes and to be truly grateful that people went to any time or expense to welcome your child.
Above reprinted from:
http://www.pregnancy.org/article.php?sid=1610
I guess I'm not going to worry about it. At least I have a running list of things now that I know I'd like to get for the baby, and maybe as Gareth and I accumulate more stuff, I can use the registry as a checklist of sorts and cross stuff off. Because anything else, like telling people about it unless specifically asked, is kinda declasse' I think.
Ho hum.
posted by G & Auds @ 8:36 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Yeah, it's considered a bit tacky to mention your baby registry to others unless they ask. If you sent it to your Mum and sis then tell them to subtly and discreetly pass it around...lol.
Who are you?
I'd like to know who that is as well. I don't think it's tacky at all. In fact, would you please send it to Todd and I? I would rather get you something that you want and need for little Sheanut...than something you already have.
Will call you soon. I received the addy change note. Thanks, it's really cute. Glad that you both liked the care package we sent!
Sandra aka Serenity
Hey there Sandra......awww that's so sweet of you and Todd. I don't know who posted that comment up there, but I'm thinking it's a certain someone from VJ, possible initials of DM...I dunno. Anyhow, as far as the registry, if someone, like you, asks if we're registered, then I'll pass it along, otherwise I'm a tad hesitant to foist it on people. Sheesh, there weren't baby registries around when Zack was born almost 13 years ago!
But like I said in my initial blog about it, it helps me keep track of the things I'd like to get and can cross them off the list as we accumulate them.
Glad you got the card. So many more to send out, just gotten lazy about it all.
Been thinking about you and Todd, especially knowing he is back out on the water again and back to gulf not too long from now. Hopefully by the time he gets out there again, the hurricane season will be winding down.
Talk soon...*hugs*
A.
Hey Auds and G,
I just came across your message on Jerry's alternate site (he didn't tell me you you wrote, or I would have been here long before now!), and I am glad you said hi. I have missed ya -- and we are glad to hear about "Sheanut" -- hope your pregnancy continues to go smoothly!
We're preparing to go home to Nova Scotia on Friday, so things are a little nutty right now. We'll post some pictures when we get back. :)
Best wishes and God's blessings to you both and to the baby!
Cheryl & Jerry
Hey Auds!
It's Simeon (a.k.a. Jerry) I saw your post,a nd I am sorry it took so long for me to respond. I'm excited as can be for you, and I hope all will be well in the baby's birth.
Cassie (Cheryl) and I are doing Fabulous in Oklahoma, as I'm sure she tells everyone she meets in VJ. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I saw your post and wasn't ignoring you. I've got your blog bookmarked so we can keep up with all that is going on there. Keep an eye out in Maine. =) We might need a spot in the US closer to "home" for Cassie. Who knows. =)
--Sim
Ettiquite---schmettikit!! Just say Hey.. here's what we REALLY want. If people ar eoffended, tell them, that's okay. Just buy me what you were going to buy in the first place. You WERE going to buy the baby something... weren't you?? (guilt guilt guilt guilt)
Works for me. =P
Hey I thought I'd chime in too! If you feel tacky sending the registry information, then maybe one of us can do it for ya! That way you don't feel weird! I think it's fine if you send it to people, but if you feel too awkward then maybe ask your mother or sister to email it to everyone. Hey, people should buy you stuff! It's a special time for you and Gareth and baby. :)
Hugs,
stina
I don't see anything wrong with letting people know you're registered for baby gifts. If they were planning to buy you something anyway, it will ease their shopping stress, and you get what you need, rather than eleventybajillion pink teddy bears ;-)
Reba
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