Well…an old dog can be taught new tricks. Yup. True story.

Gift registries have been around for a long time. Whenever I received an invitation to a wedding, shower or celebration I also received the ‘We are registered here' list or links.

And, guess what? I NEVER. Meaning…never…purchased off of the gift registry.

Do I hear you asking ‘Why'?

Because I did not want the recipient to know what I was purchasing for them. I wanted it to be a surprise. Do you feel the same way too?

And then my 2 youngest children got married. 

Both were wondering why most people ignored the registry and gave them ‘this is what I like' gifts. Not ‘this is what YOU like' gifts. And they hated that their family and friends wasted their money on something that they would never use. And they were sad because a lot of thought went into the gift registry lists that they created.

My youngest is pregnant right now and she and her husband have spent SO MANY hours into researching wipes, diapers, clothes, cribs, blankets, rattles…you name it – they researched it.

We have had many conversations about her gift registry and how to communicate to family and friends to NOT waste their money…and to PLEASE buy only what they want and need. She is going to add a little bit of text explaining why the gift registry is the place to shop. And hopefully people will pay attention.

I STILL don't like a gift registry. 

I really want my gift to be a surprise. But, I realize that in terms of helping out the new mom/dad or married couple…I need to shop off the registry. Because this really isn't about me, is it?

I recently hosted a baby shower for Nicole and her husband Zach (I hosted with Zach's mom, Karin). It was a Virtual Shower and so much fun (check it out HERE). All the gifts were sent to me and I wrapped them and added a tag.

Nicole turned off her notifications of gifts purchased. She also turned off the notification of who bought the gift. That way she did not know every day what was purchased. And, if she did need to look at her gift registry she had the element of surprise.

If you are looking for a place to have multiple lists in your gift registry check out ‘Baby List'. You can link your products to different vendors!

So, what are the benefits of a gift registry?

• The recipient can pick out exactly what they need. Everyone has a style. The recipient can communicate their personal style in their registry.
• Eliminated duplicates. They might already have things and they don't want the purchaser of the gift to buy duplicates.
• The recipient can state quantities. Sometimes they might need multiples (like baby wipes or cloth napkins). If they want/need 12….6 will will just not be enough.
• Receipts can be included. Most gift registries will send the recipient a gift receipt. Just in case it does work out or not as described on the website.
•  Money is not wasted. I think this is the most important. Buying OFF the registry runs the risk of money being wasted. The recipient might just re-gift it…or give it away.

And that's it. I am a changed person 🙂 I will purchase off the registry from now on!