Baby Registry
Ahh, Baby Registries. As a first time mom, you're both excited and overwhelmed at the seemingly endless possibilities of places to register, and "stuff" you need to get. This list provides ten different options of places to register; from in-store and online, along with tips and additional things to think about before registering.
1. The first and obvious choice isBabies R Us. They're the leading baby supply store, and have the market cornered on all things baby. People also pretty much assumes you're registered here, and in this author's experience, people will also tend to only check here for your registry items. (Which means, even if it might be cheaper somewhere else, people aren't going to look - so register for your most-wanted and big ticket items here.)
A tip for your registry at BRU: you can always adjust your "due date", and by doing so, get your 10% completion coupon faster. After I had my baby shower I adjusted my due date and was able to get the coupon before my baby came so I could get all of the "stuff" I knew, or thought, I needed before she came.
2.Target.Target stores are everywhere, and everyone seems to love them; they have great prices (comparable to, if not cheaper than, Babies R Us) and cute stuff. Target has a wide-selection of online baby items that they don't carry in stores, which is helpful, but just make sure to check out their return policy on the items you're registering for. Most items can be returned to a store directly, but some can't and the last thing you want to do when you're in your last trimester (or dealing with a newborn) is schlep to the post office to return something.
A tip for your registry at Target: until the end of 2009 (and this may be extended), if you're a AAA member you can log on through AAA's member website and receive 10% off your entire purchase at Target.com - you don't need to wait until you get Target's completion coupon to get your 10%, nor does it have to be a one-time only discount when you're a AAA member.
3.Amazon.com.If anything can be said for Amazon, it's that they have just about everything you could want on their website, and they often have comparable or cheaper prices. Factor in free shipping if you or your family and friends are Prime members, and that makes ordering from Amazon pretty sweet. The only downfall is that older relatives who don't use the internet as much, or who don't trust ordering online, are never going to go there to get something for your baby shower.
Registering at Amazon.com is easy, and they even have a "Universal Wish List" option where you can add items that you can't find on Amazon, but on other websites, to your Amazon Wish List which is always helpful. Sometimes Amazon even has deals for registering with them; free diapers if you spend a certain amount off your registry, etc. If you're an online shopper, or think that your family and friends might shop off of Amazon for your shower, it's worth checking out.
4.Albeebaby.com. Albee Baby was a pleasant surprise to find; they have high-ticket baby items like play yards, car seats, strollers, etc. for prices that are nearly unbeatable. Sales and online coupons make purchasing here for certain higher-ticket items a no-brainer. The only downfall to Albee Baby is that they have limited inventory on items, and sometimes the items available go quickly. If you're looking to get a complete matching set (play yard, high chair, swing, stroller) you may be out of luck - but don't give up, Albee Baby constantly gets new items in stock so you should always check back to see what new items they've acquired.
Tip: Registering months before your shower at Albee Baby might be a bit tricky as items in stock may go out of stock before your shower invites even get sent out. If you have a friend of family member who wants to get you a large ticket item, perhaps suggest they go to Albee Baby as soon as possible, instead of BRU or wherever else you may register. They'll save a few bucks, and you won't have to worry about the item you want going out of stock.
5.Diapers.com. Diapers.com, despite its name, is not just diapers. Yes, they do have a wonderful selection of diapers, wipes, nursing pads and other miscellaneous items you're going to spend a nice chunk of your paycheck on, but they also have a huge array of other registry-worthy items; car seats, diaper bags, cribs, clothes, toys and books, the list goes on. Factor in their "fast-and-free" premium shipping for orders over $49, and that can rival the benefit of using Amazon, especially if you're not an Amazon.com Prime member.
Even if you choose not to register at Diapers.com, you should bookmark it for later use when you get home from the hospital with your little bundle of joy. If you're a first time parent, you may get caught off guard with the sheer amount of diapers your little one goes through in a day; and sometimes leaving the house to stock up on more diapers is near impossible, especially when you're sleep (and shower) deprived, in these instances Diapers.com can be a lifesaver.
6.TheThingsIWant.comisn't a store, but it is a pretty cool tool to use. Create a list of items you want from all the different websites on the web, and easily share that list with all your friends and family.
Pro's of using this site include it's very simple, user friendly interface, the ability to have your list b e public or password protected, and being able to add explanations to each item in your wish list. Sure, people might think about getting you the $60 beach-scene painting you put on your registry, but they're probably going to get you something else. Being able to add an explanation of "our nursery is beach themed and this is something we REALLY want to decorate the nursery with" might sway someone to purchase something they know is important to you.
Con's of using TheThingsIWant.com is that, plain and simple, people like going to a store to shop and they're more likely to purchase something online off of a registry they have some name recognition for like Amazon.com. Even though you might think this way of registering is the easiest and makes the most sense, you might find getting buy-in from the folks actually providing you shower gifts is harder than you have time and effort for.
7.MyRegistry.comis very similar to TheThingsIWant.com, only with a cleaner, easier to use webpage. The pros of using MyRegistry.com over TheThingsIWant.com is their pre-populated list of baby items; instead of having to already know what you want and adding it to your site like TTIW.com, MyRegistry.com has tons of pages of baby-stuff suggestions and recommendations of sites to go to to check out additional baby things.
The coolest feature is their "Cash Gifts" option. Often there are big ticket baby items that we want, but that people can't necessarily afford (crib, nursery furniture, etc.) Instead of absorbing the entire cost yourself, how about using the "Cash Gifts" option and give people the option of giving you a cash gift towards the purchase of that larger ticket item? Or, better yet, start a college fund for your baby that shower-goers can contribute towards, since it's never too early to start saving for that!
8.WalMart. While there seems to be a WalMart in just about every town, it's not typically the first place one thinks about start a baby registry at. Still, WalMart has a huge selection of baby items at very competitive prices, and if cost is an issue for you or maybe for the people who want to provide you gifts, taking WalMart into consideration might be a good way to go. Even if you don't register at WalMart, it's worth taking a look online, or in stores, at what deals they have going on, right now is the time to start learning how to compare prices and shop, because you'll need that extra money once the baby comes along and starts going through diapers at an impressive rate!
9.Kohl'sis another store that's not a hot spot for Baby Registries, but they're available there nonetheless. While in-store items are very limited to some basic items; clothes, towels, socks, and toys, their online selection includes items such as strollers, high chairs, bedding, car seats, etc. The fantastic thing about Kohl's is their often free, or at least cheap, shipping costs and the fact that you can return any item bought online to their retail stores without a problem.
Most items at Kohl's are always on sale, and when Kohl's has their "super sales" several times a year, buyers can make out with such good deals it seems like a steal. Customer Service is of huge importance at Kohl's, and if you can't get help with a retail associate on a return, speaking to a manager will usually get you what you want. While Kohl's might not end up being on your list of places to register, it's another spot worth checking out for deals on much needed (or just much desired) items.
10.The Land of Nodis owned by the same folks who run Crate & Barrel. As Crate & Barrel is a competitor to Pottery Barn, Land of Nod is C&B's rival to Pottery Barn Kids. While furniture and dcor are plentiful, Land of Nod also offers a few selections on car seats, diaper bags, bath-time goodies and other typical registry items. While most items are pricier than what you can find elsewhere, you are paying for a bit higher quality material, and some uniqueness in the products themselves.
This author didn't register at Land of Nod, but I did "treat" myself to a few items to decorate the nursery with; the Peg Shelf I installed over my daughter's dresser is sturdy, beautiful and high quality and the hanging Madame Butterflies get admired by kids and adults alike. In addition, their Customer Service department is excellent.
Whatever store(s) you choose, don't stress yourself out if you don't get everything you wanted off your list. Newborns (and their parents) have been surviving long before Bobby's, Bumbo's and bottle warmers. These things are always nice to have, but if you get the basics, you'll still be able to make it and your baby will be just as happy with or without the newest "it" item. Happy Registering!
