It wasn't like I expected only things from the registry (and in fact, the few clothes I did register for no one bought), but I did want to select the nursery bedding & stuff to make sure it matched.

I think every baby is a new celebration. Yes, you may still have your crib from the first baby, but the baby will still need all of the other stuff and a registry is a great way to let everyone who wants to bless baby know what he/she needs...

And I guess I have kind of a pet peeve about completely ignoring registries; it's annoying to recieve 10 of the same thing or stuff you never wanted to use, even though you appriciate the love behind the gifts. I guess that's why I stick to peoples registries, because I want to be sure they get what they want...

Equally annoying are hugely expensive registries where a person on a limited income cannot afford even one thing on the registry...

Just my opinion, of course!

Yes with my first and third. The second was only 2 1/2 years after my first, so I didn't want any showers or anything.

I don't expect things off the registry, either. But I agree that it's really annoying when people totally ignore it as well. Go ahead, buy me something you thought of yourself, I love that. But don't tell me you wanted to get me a bouncer, you just didn't like the one I chose so you got me the awful red, black, and white one.

I'm an "other" vote though. I didn't run right out, I didn't register until I was like 7 months pregnant and it was still incomplete for a long time since my shower wasn't until after the babies were born.

As an anal planner type, I spent a ton of time researching product safety, most recommended items, things I thought I'd use most, etc. before creating my registry. I wasn't working during my pregnancy, so I had plenty of time to do a ton of planning and research to ensure I picked the exact right products for my registry. I spent a lot of time with it all online, reading books, and going to stores.. So, I admit I was a bit annoyed when people got me really random stuff, or worse yet, stuff I had registered for, but not the exact brand, color, or type of item. There was a reason I picked everything I did and I think that people can at least look at the registry before buying a gift. That sounds petty, I'm sure, but there it is. I did appreciate items like clothing that I purposely didn't register for (knowing I'd get a ton) or hand-made blankets and similar. But on numerous occasions, I was given a "similar" product to one I wanted, but ended up having to return it for the exact one I had meticulously chosen. And often, there was no gift receipt, so I was stuck with a few of the things.

I don't think it's at all petty to want people to at least look at the registry for ideas. If you register for a particular quilt, for instance, you obviously have your reasons for matching, the quality, etc. I wouldn't dream of how to decorate someone else's nursery or of deciding my idea of a baby monitor was better than theirs.

Yeah, Greggie. I did have a few people not like what I had chosen for myself and offering up their own ideas. I appreciate recommendations from experienced parents, but not them buying me something different than what I wanted because they thought the purple was prettier than the blue or whatever.

I think the idea of registries are great, and I'm sure it is annoying when you get things that are not on your registry---but, I've never heard of having more baby showers after your first child. Around here people have just one. Once the baby is born most bring gifts though.

when i had my kids there weren't baby resgistries. we didn't have babies r us yet! so i didn't register. my friends and family did pretty good with gift giving...i ended up getting just about everything i needed including a bassinet, stroller, bedding, and crib too. Next time...if there is one...I am registering!

Definitely, I think some people would have been lost without it

I registered for everything I could possibly need. I mostly did so because it was the best way I could list everything I'd need.

I felt uncomfortable resistering but can see now that people find it helpful.

I think registering is perfectly fine. But it is annoying when someone registers for only ultra expensive things and not little ones too. Your grandmother may buy you that $400 jogging stroller you like, but I'm probably not going to. Along the same lines it is nice to know what you'd like to have

I don't plan on having a baby shower to begin with. I didn't have a wedding registry; my then financee and i lived together and had everything we needed, so i found it disrespectful to ask things to buy us everything new when it wasnt' necessary. a wedding as a baby is a motive for celebration, share it with those you love and don't expect anything in return.

I want to go through the process of buying everything myself and setting up the nursery as I want. I don't like sitting in front of a bunch of women oohing and aahing about baby stuff and getting my picture taken holding a gift. I'm having a huge celebratory party AFTER the baby comes to celebrate the arrival... i think that's what's most important about babies - that they're already there and healthy.

but of course... this is just my opinion... there are many other women who are more gilie and romanticize babies much more than i do... and I hope those women have the best and most memorable baby shower(s) and get everything they want for their new babie