For most expecting parents, throwing a baby shower usually means making a baby registry. However, some parents may wish to avoid the traditional registry for something more unique or personalized. It is important to know all of your options, so here is a look at some alternatives to the traditional baby registry.
Cash Gift Registries
Asking for money may be viewed as distasteful by some people, but cash gifts may be more useful in the long run. This is especially true if you have saved up baby items over the years and already have most of the items you need. Cash registries can be put towards baby clothes, diapers, furniture, toys, or even be saved into a future college fund for your child. The benefit of a cash registry is that it gives you the freedom to choose how that money is used. Sites such as Deposit a Gift are good to use if you choose to do a cash registry.
Staying Gender Neutral
Instead of learning the gender of the baby and asking for appropriate gifts, sites like NotFindingOut run your baby registry a bit differently. If you don’t want to know the gender before your baby is born, this website will provide you with an envelope for your doctor to fill out and send to them. Only the site will know the baby’s gender before the day arrives. Your guests will purchase items that are presented in both blue and pink, then you will receive a preview card with both options. When your child is born, simply confirm the gender with the site and they will send you the gifts that were purchased in the appropriate color.
Etsy
Etsy may not be the first site you think of when it comes to registries, but the site does allow you to create a baby registry. An Etsy registry won’t cover things like strollers or car seats, but it does provide a unique set of gift ideas for your child. The artists on Etsy are constantly coming up with new ideas and projects, so Etsy offers some individuality and creativity in place of traditional registries.
Diaper Party
A good option for couples who already have had children, a diaper party is a simple way to have a baby shower without the hassle of the registry. You can do it different ways, but most diaper parties ask guests to simply bring diapers or similar baby items. Diaper parties are a good way to replace your registry if you already have most of what you need.
Baby List
Baby List is a site that allows you to register for both traditional registry items as well as personalized items. While you can add items from any store, Baby List also offers the option to register for items like home cooked meals. This makes more personalized gifts an option for your guests and can lead to relaxing breaks from the trials of parenthood later down the line
