Baby showers are an event where parents receive all sorts of different gifts for their impending arrival, but not all the gifts are the ones they asked for. Many parents are now choosing to offer their guests a gifts registry to avoid exchanges and double ups. But what is the etiquette around a gift registry? And what if a guest wants to purchase something entirely different?
Here are a few reasons you should think twice before buying something not on a baby shower registry:
• If it’s not the couples first baby, they may already have the item.
• If the couple has friends and family with young children, they may have a range of hand me down items already.
• If you buy a different brand than the item listed on the registry, there may end up being doubles when someone else buys from the registry.
• Many parents are now becoming minimalist when preparing a nursery. This may mean they don’t want items such as a wipes warmer or bassinet.
• The parents may have limited space available.
Still want to purchase an item not on the registry? Here are some things you can do:
• Purchase items that will be used in large amounts, such as diapers or wipes.
• Check with the parents before purchasing any large items such as prams or furniture.
Tip: Older family members may not have access to the registry. A printed list is another option to help everyone know what items the couple wants as baby shower gifts.
Susannah is a certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International and the founder of Trimester Talk. With a background in journalism and digital strategy, she combines evidence-based research with real-world knowledge to create accessible content about pregnancy and parenting. She’s a mother of two and stepmother of two more, all of them now teenagers.