How do you feel about gift registries?

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10/5/11 1:43 P

Bridal & Baby - Great
Everything Else - Tacky

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10/5/11 1:37 P

Registries are good to find out what people may need/want. Bought several items for people off their registries.

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10/5/11 9:53 A

Don't really like them, but they may help give you a suggestion what to buy.

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10/5/11 9:05 A

Im of 2 minds @ gift registries...
On the surface I like the idea because you know what the recipient wants and therefore neednt worry @ getting them something they dont like

But the one time I did gift someone who used a gift registry, it kinda backfired on them
Their selections were so pricey that about half the people bought the least expensive thing on the list and the other half didnt use the registry at all LOL

In this economy, if you use a registry, you really need to think @ the budgets of the gift-GIVERS and a little less about your pricey desires, dont you think?

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10/5/11 6:47 A

I like them, especially if not sure what to get someone.

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10/5/11 6:46 A

I don't mind because then I know the person will actually want what I purchase for them.

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10/4/11 10:27 P

i could go either way. Weddings and first baby... great. anything else is just tacky

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10/4/11 9:33 P

i like the idea so things don't have to be returned

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10/4/11 8:58 P

Love the idea! Wish everyone would do one.

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10/4/11 7:11 P

I hate it when you pick out the perfect gift for someone, spend your hard-earned money on it and then find out they already have one, or it ends up stuck in the top of the closet and not being used or appreciated. I like the gift registries because I know what I am buying is exactly what they want.

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10/4/11 6:02 P

I like them, i think people should put everything they want. from low to high. maybe several people want to go together and get something nice. if you don't expect to get everything on your list. i can also look at the list and know what is wanted and shop where i want or buy something not even on the list. i went to a baby shower where 3 or 4 people went in an got the stroller she wanted. none of them could afford it alone but together they could. she never thought anyone would get it but was so happy and grateful. so i say a big yes.

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10/4/11 4:16 P

They are nice when you have someone that is hard to buy for.

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10/4/11 4:09 P

Unless one waits until the last minute. The registry is usually varied enough that you can find something that you would love to give.

I used to work at a Christian Bookstore/ Gift Shop. And many times people would come in and buy wedding or baby chatcke. And even though it is the thought that counts. I always wondered if the couple would have rather received a toaster instead of a mirrored plaque that says 'The Two Shall Become One' (Those are expensive, about the cost of a toaster or something useful)

Besides we have registries because it is still considered impolite to ask for cash.

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10/4/11 3:29 P

I too think they are a smart thing. I'm getting married next year and we plan on doing a gift registry. For many reasons but the main one would be to let people know what we need, because yes you can guess but in the end if you know they need it then you know they will use it.

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10/4/11 3:24 P

I think gift registry is a very good idea,but there must be a varied price, as everyone has a different income level.
My daughter gets married next year and she prefers the registry but fiance prefers the 'I Do' account so they're having either /or.
Roz.

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10/4/11 2:51 P

I also want to add we only invited the people we see, no long lost relatives or friends.... I will not go and give a gift to someone who after many years or even a year with no communication sends me a invitation to a shower, I find that extremely rude! I see that my daughter has the same values and morals as me and I am very, very proud of her especially since she is a young mother, she will be almost 21 when baby arrives.

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10/4/11 2:05 P

I DON'T LIKE THEM. THEY TAKE THE FUN OUT OF SHOPPING AND GIFTING FROM THE HEART.

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10/4/11 1:40 P

I love them for the snarking/laugh factor. You can see what kind of expensive crap the person thinks they "deserve" for getting married or hatching out a baby.

For weddings/baby showers (and only for the first baby--showers for each kid is just gift grabbing) you're probably going to be inviting folks you don't necessarily know (like people from your spouse's side of the family) so it's fine to give them a detailed list of things you'd like. It's also helpful to them if they're not going to attend but still want to send a gift.

But for birthdays/christmas, the folks buying you gifts should KNOW you better so an official registry/wish list is pretty tacky. You can just give them a quick hand written list if they ask and let them go shopping to either find you a surprise item or something from the list (lists are necessary for items like movies/books where you do want a very specific title).

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10/4/11 11:26 A

I am the O.P and I am very happy that my daughter chose the registry because for baby showers you are usually in your last trimester and you really want to stay close to home and do as little as possible when it comes to shopping ,then when baby comes you are busy. Wedding showers are nice too. As far as anything else I feel like it is greedy because a shower means being showered with gifts and celebrating the occasion, but birthdays and Christmas if you want those items get them yourself. A birthday party should be a get together for fun and celebrating life so expecting a gift is so wrong to me. Christmas should be buy for who you want and what you want. if they do not like it they can take it back or donate it. I also want to add if anyone ended up coming to the shower empty handed that is okay too it is time to celebrate as well. I thought the registries were just for showers.

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10/4/11 11:22 A

I love them for big occasions like Wedding and Baby showers. I also like them when they have a lot of different price points. I have seen Bridal registries where no item was below $300, and in that case they are getting a set of towels. I like knowing that the person actually wants the item.

I don't like registries for housewarming parties. And I am not sure how I feel about Christmas and Birthdays.

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10/4/11 10:47 A

I like giving gifts the recipient actually wants. The "expensive" items are great for group gifts.

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10/4/11 10:15 A

i LIKE THEM.

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10/4/11 10:11 A

I like them. At least I then know what the recipient really likes. And if the item looks too expensive, I can usually find a couple of other people willing to chip in on the gift. If I can't...I find something on the list that's less expensive. Or...a gift certificate to the place they choose the items from is handy, too.

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10/4/11 10:06 A

I love them. They relieve me of the responsibility of making choices.

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10/4/11 10:05 A

Don't like them, tells ppl how much you spent on the gift

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10/4/11 9:32 A

I do like registries for big occasions like weddings or baby showers. I have used them myself for both occasions and have been pleased with the outcome. I also believe that the person who is registering should keep all price ranges in mind from small to large, so people don't feel obligated to spend a whole lot of money.However, I will also say that some of my favorite gifts recieved have been ones of a more personal nature. For my baby shower my favorite gift was a monogrammed burp cloth and baby tote. I am still using them today 3 years later! People should think of the registry as a guide instead of a "must buy" list of demanded items!

My thoughts about using them for birthdays or Christmas is a little mixed. I think it would be helpful for those relatives who don't live especially close by and would help avoid purchasing a duplicate toy the child may already have. Yes, you could ask what the child likes, and for example, they say Thomas the Train. If the child already has 3 different Thomas the Train sets, it would be helpful to know which ones the child doesn't have. I do believe that parents should also teach the child that just because they register for it doesn't mean they are definitely going to get it, and they should monitor what the child registers for and not let it get out of control.

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10/4/11 9:12 A

atleast i know that what i get will actually be used

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10/4/11 9:09 A

I think they make things easier BUT they also dictate what we have to spend.

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10/4/11 9:00 A

They are OK. I also think it is OK to put a few high priced items on it. I have 3 aunts who go in together to get gifts. Yes, they will get the higher priced item. Also I would rather buy an item they want then to spend my money and have them throw it away.

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10/4/11 8:36 A

It saves a lot of time and headache trying to find something for someone you think they will like or can use. When they have gift registries, especially for those getting married, it saves the time and effort as well as saving the couple from getting 3 or 4 food processors, etc. so I find them very useful and handy.

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10/4/11 6:25 A

I think they are great

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10/4/11 3:28 A

a tool for retailers to make more money!

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10/4/11 2:29 A

I like them. If I'm going to spend my hard-earned money buying someone a gift from a store, then I want to know that it's something they want and will enjoy. I don't want to waste my money buying things that people don't want. Most store bought things are so...well...they're just things. So, if I'm going to buy things (and I usually do for most occasions), I want to buy things that people want.

On the other hand, I do sometimes make gifts for people. I hope that they value these homemade gifts more than they would someTHING from a store. I'm going to make some fun tablecloths for my sister (Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, Valentines Day, 4th of July...tablecloths for the less major, but fun, holidays). I also make an occasional quilt for someone. It's a lot of work and I put a lot of thought into picking out colors/patterns that I think people will like (plenty of probing questions in the months leading up to the quilt-making). It's also not inexpensive to quilt. So, I hope that anyone who ever gets a homemade quilt will appreciate all the thought, hard-work and expense that went into making it!

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10/4/11 1:03 A

I ignore them

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10/4/11 12:32 A

I'm another one who loves them for baby showers and weddings. I usually look at what they've registered for and then get something from the registry along with something else that matches in some way to personalize it a little-- for example, for one wedding I got all the little-bitty kitchen gadgets that no one else was buying and put them in a basket with some table linens that matched their color scheme. For a twin baby shower, I looked at the mom's color choices at Babies-R-Us, then put together a pair of baskets full of little hangers and washcloths and snuggies and socks in those colors, bought someplace less expensive so I could afford to give more.

For birthdays and Christmas, though? No, that's tacky. Part of the fun of those occasions is the surprise. Plus, I kind of think you shouldn't be expecting birthday or Christmas presents from people who don't know you well enough to know or find out what you want.

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10/3/11 10:13 P

No feelings about them.

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10/3/11 10:01 P

LOVE them!! That way I know I'm getting the person something they actually want. All the one's I've seen have a wide variety from cheap to expensive stuff. The big stuff is great when you're doing a group gift (like from the office!) and I love buying a bunch of little stuff to make a gift basket. I think they're fine for birthdays too because I have no idea what people already own and I can get them something they actually want - especially for kid's birthdays! How do I know what some friend of my child already has or wants? I would love a gift registry - saves me the trauma of searching for the perfect gift only to get them something they already have or don't even want!

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10/3/11 6:50 P

I love them and it makes it so much easier when shopping. It elinmates having to return something you don't want or need or duplicates.

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10/3/11 6:12 P

I think gift registeries are great. I'd rather buy the person something they want or need vs. something they don't want.

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10/3/11 5:57 P

Luann - I'm with you. I don't understand the problem - nobody is saying you HAVE to buy something off of the registry, and part of putting together a good registry is making sure there is a good range of prices and options available, so what's the problem? Why should someone be stuck with a bunch of stuff they don't want? If you really don't want to buy off the registry then don't, but as a gift-giver, it makes my life SO much easier to have a registry and not have to worry about getting the wrong thing or wasting my money on something unwanted.

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10/3/11 5:29 P

Whoa.... MEWHENRYSMAMA, why so angry??


The post before MEWHENRYSMAMA's says: "I was totally taken aback when a friend told me that her 6 year old had registered at Toys R Us for her birthday and Christmas."

I think there is nothing wrong with that.
At least you know what the child would like!

If my child was invited to that party, it would be nice to know that the gift we choose is something the birthday child will love, AND is something they don't already have.

Edited by: LUANN_IN_PA at: 10/3/2011 (17:31)

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10/3/11 5:08 P

WEDDINGS AND SHOWERS YES, VERY HELPFUL!
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYONE REGISTER FOR A BIRTHDAY OR CHRISTMAS AND
THINK THAT IS TAKING IT TOO FAR!! I THINK YOU CAN TELL SOMEONE IF THEY
WANT TO ASK YOU, BUT OTHERWISE IT IS UNNECESSARY.
I WILL COMMENT I THINK GIFT GIVING HAS GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL, ESPECIALLY WITH HOLIDAYS. WE SEEM TO FORGET THE REASON AND IT GOES INTO SOME KIND OF COMPETITION AND OVER THE TOP!! I, PERSONALLY,I LOVE TO GIVE PEOPLE GIFTS, BUT WISH WE WERE MORE RELAXED ABOUT IT ALL!! SOME OF THE BEST GIFTS ARE ONES YOU GET OR GIVE FOR NO REASON!!

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10/3/11 5:08 P

As said before, I think that they do serve a purpose for weddings and showers. However, I was totally taken aback when a friend told me that her 6 year old had registered at Toys R Us for her birthday and Christmas.

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10/3/11 5:00 P

I think they're fantastic. So often I get invited to weddings, showers, etc., for people I don't know very well (extended families, in-laws, work associates...) and I'd have no clue what to get them without a registry, but I hate just giving money - I think it's nicer to be able to give a gift someone actually wants or needs. Especially when someone is having a baby or setting up a house, they may have specific things they want/need or a specific style or color scheme, and the whole point of a shower is for them to get what they need so they don't have to spend all that money to get themselves set up. When I got married, some of the stuff I got not from the registry was just such a waste of money - I think unless you know the person really well, just buy off the registry! Easier for you, and then you know they'll want it and it will go to good use.

As for putting on expensive items, or putting on a lot of items - why not? The point of a registry is a wish list. It doesn't have to be only the bare necessities. Sometimes people want to give a big ticket item or go in with a group to get something a little nicer. Why shouldn't those items go on the registry? Why shouldn't a few special extras go on? Nobody has to buy them for you if they don't want to - as long as you have plenty of lower priced items as well, what's the harm?

I kind of wish people would just make registries for everything - birthdays, house warmings, Christmas, Chanukah... you can make a general registry on Amazon of all kinds of items. If it were acceptable to do so, I might be able to get more gifts I actually want or need and have less to throw on the charity give-away pile after each holiday.

Edited by: CONQUERGRAVITY at: 10/3/2011 (17:03)

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10/3/11 4:58 P

Gift registries serve a very nice purpose... they allow you to get a gift that you are sure the recipient will like!

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10/3/11 4:55 P

mixed

weddings and showers yes - with all price points

birthdays and Christmas - no way !

Edited by: MARGARITTM at: 10/3/2011 (16:56)

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10/3/11 4:54 P

I think they're fine for BIG life events like weddings, bridal showers, and baby showers. Things that you'll most likely only buy a gift for once(at least in theory). I think it's kind of tacky for a birthday, or(like one girl I know) a housewarming when it's the person's 4th new place in about 2 years. Registries for stuff like that screams "I only invited you because I want you to buy me something! And not whatever cheap crap you want to buy me...get me the good stuff I really want!"

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10/3/11 4:44 P

good because you don't get two things twice..
bad because people may feel oblicated to get you that thing!

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10/3/11 4:35 P

I guess they have their place. But in my phase of life I don't need any more stuff.

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10/3/11 4:16 P

I have mixed feelings but went with it with my daughter for her baby shower knowing she would not be greedy and she was not at all. I am glad I did it because it shows what kind of woman she is. One item was in the 60 dollar range and everything else was in the 30.00 dollar range, I found that really awesome! I have seen other registries where they listed very expensive stuff and practically the whole store. Your thoughts?