Welcoming a new baby into the family is an exhilarating experience, full of joy and anticipation. Friends and loved ones will want to gather around you to offer heartfelt gifts celebrating your little one's arrival. A well-crafted baby registry acts as a roadmap, guiding your loved ones toward selecting the perfect gifts that align with your needs and preferences. But how do you keep your loved ones from going rogue and purchasing off-registry items?

Well,… you can’t. Inevitably, you’ll have a few bizarre standout gifts that are items you didn’t want and may never use. In those cases, it’s always best to simply smile and say a genuine thank you, even if a gift is not something you’ve asked for. That said, there are things you can do to encourage people to actually use the registry when selecting gifts for you and your little one. Let’s take a closer look at our top tips for making your baby registry an irresistible treasure trove of gift ideas!

1. Create an amazing registry.

Read our article, “Best Baby Registry Checklist: What You Need, What to Skip,” to help you get going. You can also find step-by-step instructions for how to build your gift registry in our article, “How to Create an Online Baby Registry with ANB Baby.”

2. Share the link. 

While it may seem like an obvious step, lots of people send out baby shower invitations or pregnancy announcements without including a link to the baby registry. Be sure this information is displayed distinctly and obviously on the front and back of printed invitations or that it’s hyperlinked in digital invitations. 

With an ANB Baby Gift Registry, it’s easy to spread the word and share the joy! Just log into your ANB Baby registry account by visiting the ANB Baby Registry and then click “Manage.” Then click your registry to go to the Registry Homepage. Next, you’ll click on the “Share” option at the top. Use the personalized URL to share a direct link to your ANB Baby registry or click the option to share via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn and help drive people to the right location.

3. Communicate your wishes clearly and kindly.

Consider adding one of the statements below next to the registry link on your invitations to politely but clearly ask people to buy from your registry.

“Please consider showering the mom-to-be with a gift straight from her carefully curated registry. You’ll be gifting her exactly what she needs and wants, ensuring she'll be over the moon with your thoughtful gesture.”

“If you're thinking of going off the registry, no worries! We recommend diapers, wipes, or even a sweet gift card. These types of gifts will really come in handy and be super appreciated!”

“The parents-to-be have received a bunch of amazing hand-me-downs from their wonderful family and friends. To help them out, consider choosing a gift from their registry. (That way, they won't end up with duplicates and can truly appreciate your thoughtful gesture.) Thanks a bunch!”

4. Ask for assistance.

Some of the most common feedback from people who don’t buy off the baby registry? “I didn’t buy from their registry because it was terrible.” Also, “I could see that they had no idea what they really needed so I decided to get them something different.” One smart way to work around this type of pushback is by getting your friends and family involved in the process. Ask other mom friends and relatives to review your baby registry gifts list or even to help you create it. This way they’re invested in the process and can help spread the word to other friends and family to select something from your registry.

5. Select items at varying price points

You probably have a few friends or relatives on a tight budget. Or you may have a professional colleague who won’t be attending your baby shower but still wants to get you a small gift as a gesture. Curating a selection of items at the $10 to $15 price point is an excellent way to do this. For some parents, they end up being some of the best baby registry gifts! Here are a few suggestions for affordable items to add to your baby shower gift registry:

• Baby-safe body wash, shampoo, and body lotion
• Simple bath toys
• Teething toys
• Diaper wipes
• Diaper cream
• Baby bottles and nipples
• Baby books
• Burp cloths
• Bibs

You’ll still want to include the big-ticket items on your registry. Cribs, crib mattresses, bedding, and highchairs are all items that your loved ones will want to help out with. Your co-workers may decide to go in as a group to purchase a bigger item or a generous relative may want to gift you with one big item instead of ten different small things. Here are a few big-ticket items to add to your list:

• Bassinet
• Crib mattress
• Car seat
• Stroller
• Travel crib or play yard
• Swing or bouncy chair
• Infant carrier
• Activity mat
• High chair

6. Request gift certificates.

We all have those friends and relatives who tend to leave things to the last minute. Make it easy on them by asking for a gift certificate! They can easily print out an ANB Baby e-Gift Card the day of the shower and avoid a last-minute scramble searching for a gift.

ANB Baby e-Gift Card

7. Make sure everything is in-stock.

Before you start sharing your list with others, make sure that all your baby registry gifts are still in-stock. Baby clothes are infamous for going out of stock or becoming unavailable when the seasons change. Sometimes shipping delays can cause temporary inventory shortages. It never hurts to double-check your selections.

8. Remember to show your appreciation!

At the end of the day, let's remember that most people genuinely mean well when they give a gift. It's not worth getting upset or risking precious relationships over a well-intentioned gesture. As you navigate the upcoming months, you'll need all the support you can get. So, don't forget to keep that smile on your face and graciously say thank you, even if a gift isn't exactly what you had in mind. After all, it's the thought that counts, and appreciating the kindness is what truly matters.