what to register for?

[thebigfam]

So the ladies at my church want to throw me a shower. nice of them! anyways they are mostly old ladies that would have no idea how or where to buy something online. Also none of them would really understand things like Cloth diapers, exclusive nursing, babywearing. (you know things I might actually use) So how can I register for things so they can get me something I want/need that is easily available at a place like Target or Walmart. I imagine getting a pile of spiosies and about 12 plastic bottles, a litany of pacifiers and a few clothes. These women are really nice and I want to be gracious and accept what they give me but I would like something I might actually use. Thanks for the help!

Big Momma

[altoidmandy]

I went through this when my MIL wanted to throw me a shower when my son was born. I registered at Target for "mainstream" baby items that I thought I would use (or return), and not a single person used it. I got a lot of homemade baby blankets, a few toys, but mostly clothes (most of which were not my style). Other than the blankets, I can't think of anything from that shower that I actually used.

[Tresa]

Ask for things they can make. They can crochet or knit or quilt, I'm guessing...it's nice to have throw blankets that match the decor of your house once you have outgrown baby stage, those baby blankets get too small fast and are so not cute, thrown around the house. So maybe some smaller blankets? Spit up cloths, shoulder cover thingies you put over your shoulder before you put baby up to burp?

Maybe they could cook for you after baby comes, a casserole shower. Jams and homemade breads? Pies?

Go with what they'd be good at.

[WifeofAnt]

Hmm... well there's still things like burp cloths, receiving blankets, onesies, socks, scratch mittens, hats, bath supplies, ect.

[EmedAK]

I'm thinking about the same kind of things with my family... I plan to register for things that I think that I will use from the mainstream stores. If the things that I get are way off base I'll try to return the items that I can and If i really won;t use them i'll donate them to a women's shelter or something. In terms of sposies -- i've registered for 7th generation diapers and wipes and natural baby products in hopes that people will pay some attention to it. For my family shower, my mom is going to put a little note on the invite that we're planning to use cloth diapers and suggest contribution towards the cloth diaper stash rather than tons of sposies.

You could also talk about some of your plans for the baby -- like that you're planning to use cloth diapers. I've gotten quite a few very interesting comments and conversations from some of my older aunties because many of them used cloth diapers.

good luck!

[Nicole730]

I would go with Target and do stuff like WifeofAnt said. They do have Burt's Bees, California Baby and some other natural lines there. Target used to sell BumGenius, so you could register for a few of those, even if they aren't in store. Hopefully the women would notice you had cloth on your registry and not buy you disposables.

If anything, just return it all for store credit - you should be able to do that as long as the item was on your registry (and you can always add it after the fact!).

[Youngfrankenstein]

Register for what you will use. They can look at the registry and decide whether or not they want to purchase anything. The good news about registering from Babies r Us or something is that you can easily return anything and they may actually have some things you could use.

You could also ask for a "feed the freezer" shower and get meals and ask them to include a recipe card (even if you don't intend to make it again).

Or you could ask that the gifts are to create junior's library. A toy only shower?

[new york momma]

(Just my personal experience) My dear MIL insisted I register and then gave me a huge shower--maybe 100 guests with our registry listed in the invitations. I was overwhelmed with lovely gifts, but actually got not one thing from the registry. Almost all the gifts were clothes with the exception of one bottle warmer, a gift card, and some lovely blankets.
I think people enjoy picking out baby clothes, after all, miniature clothes are super super cute. Another chatter on this forum gave me the advice that people seem to get pleasure from shopping for gifts they want, not necessarily what you want. And fortunately, almost everything is returnable

[Lady Lilya]

Some of my more remote relatives were relieved when I made a registry (I used MyRegistry.com) because they didn't have any idea what to get me, but wanted to get me something I would use. I had 4 aunts go in together on the expensive Britax car seat. Another relative got me the PackNPlay. Another one got me the Boppy pillow and covers.

I also did get a ton of blankets and other knitted items.