I just wanted to gather some opinions on the issue of registries for birthdays. I am used to recieving registry info for baby showers and weddings, but had never seen one for a birthday. We recently received an invite to a friend's child's 1st birthday party. On the invite, it states that the son is registered at two different retailers. I checked out the registries and on one there are outdoor items like an umbrella and umbrella stand as well as a kid-sized picnic table. There's even a request for a wall shelf. On the other site the requests are more for toys, but several items are large and cost over $100. I definitely have my own opinions but I would like to hear from other parents on 1) the idea of having a registry for a birthday and 2) registering for large, costly items and/or home decor items.
I do this for my kid's. I make Target Wish Lists. I also make these lists for Christmas. There are relatives that prefer to shop online and want ideas. Plus, when my kids sees something online or in the store I can say 'we'll put it on the list', go home and do just that so I'm not lying. I don't mention it on invites, but when a relative calls and asks what they'd like, I mention it or send them the link.
As for the larger and decor items, I can understand that too. Those are probably more for the family members that want to do a group gift. When they were 1 I put diapers and formula on the lists too. When my daughter was 3 we redecorated her room and put items on the list for family that wanted to help.
For my daughter's 1st, I had a convertible car seat on her list.
I always say that the lists are mainly ideas. Buy from them if you want, if not, you can see what types of things they like.
It may be that they have a lot of relatives and kept getting asked what the child needed. I can see how it would be helpful. The large items I'm sure are intended for relatives like grandparents to consider.
There's no rule you have to stick to the registry. You can use it as a reference to see what they have in mind, but go with what you want to give.
Get a simple little something that is age appropriate....I remember one birthday when my one year old played forever with stacking buckets he got. That was the BEST gift. ANd probably under 15 bucks. Heck..all my kids still love stacking those things...and they are waaaaay older.
Get what YOU want to get the child...not what the parents want for their home.
So tacky. My family lives all over the country and they pick up the phone to find out what our son needs/wants- or email. I would NEVER do this. So rude to put any mention of gifts on an invite, let alone on a child's birthday party invitation- especially when that child had nothing to do with the registry!
The past couple of years for Christmas I have created Amazon wishlists for my children. I only share them with family. I do not register for large items (maybe those were geared toward family on your friend's list?), mostly small toys and books. It helps me keep a running list through the year if I hear of an award winning item or something. It gives them an idea of what is appropriate since we have received very age inappropriate gifts in the past. The lists are appreciated since before we did this we always got a lot of questions about what to get. I don't know that I would share them with friends unless they asked. Maybe just get a gift card to one of the stores?
I typically do that for Christmas each year, really just to give ideas to the folks that are going to be buying gifts for the kids.
So I think it depends on how it's "meant". If it's a demand list...different story. But if she's trying to give folks a list of ideas that her kid might like to play with, I think it's a pretty good idea.
I think registries are tacky. I just got an ivitation to a child's party that has one. When I buy a gift I include a gift reciept with a gift, get a gift card or do cash.
I don't particularly like registries for anything even showers.
I personally agree with Momma W. This is ridiculously tacky.
But then I also think that a 1st birthday party ought to be a close family affair only. The baby won't remember it, so inviting the whole neighborhood is really just a selfish way to get gifts.
And don't get me started on baby showers and weddings. Ugh.
Anyhow, just get something simple that will be well-loved. Remember those popcorn popper things that you'd push across the floor? I love mine and so did my kids. But my parents hated it...heheheheh (evil grin!).
Hate it unless it is only for immediate family members. I can understand that when you have grandparents bugging you for ideas, and you don't want them getting the same things.
Asking friends to buy 1st birthday presents such as an umbrella & stand is more for the parents than the kid. Greedy, tacky, over the top. Ridiculous in my opinion!
Gifts are discouraged at our birthday parties for our LOs let alone registries? Seriously?
I have a wish list for my oldest but I don't advertise it. It's mainly a reminder/idea list I keep up with so I can remember gift ideas for xmas and birthdays.
No I wouldn't do this, I do like the idea of keeping a wish list. But my daughter is three and too young for that right now. Maybe when she is older, but even then it would just be a handwritten one, and then only shared with people who ask.
Our friends spend between $10-$20 on toddler party gifts, and give whatever they think the kid will like. If I dont have an idea, I ask the mom, and she gives suggestions. Grandparents give bigger gifts and I might give some suggestions, since this is normally the "special" gift.
And yes, I am quite sure all of the parents have at one time or another re-gifted a toy their child received as a duplicate.
No registry. Silly. I dont normally use this word, but also tacky.
Tacky, tacky, TACKY!!!. This is basically asking for gifts, which is incredibly rude. How are kids going to learn basic manners when we no longer enforce them and allow them to do things like request gifts?
Holy smokes! I just had my twins 1st birthday party & I told guests that gifts were not required but if they wanted to bring something I gave them diaper & clothing sizes... A registry for any kids party seems greedy to me
repulsive. That was my gut reaction to the question, and I feel further repulsed reading your question further. My birthday party invites say "no gifts please".