Baby And Wedding Registries: Can You Have Both?

Wedding and baby registries are services provided by websites or retail stores that help couples or expectant parents communicate their gift preferences to their friends and family. While it is not necessary to have both a wedding and a baby registry, it is possible to have both. Websites such as MyRegistry.com allow users to create registries for various occasions, including weddings and babies, and sync them into one universal list. This can be helpful for staying organized and making it easier for guests to find and purchase gifts.

Syncing multiple registries into one

Managing multiple registries can be a challenge, especially when you have to juggle a wedding and a baby on the way. Luckily, there are ways to sync your wedding and baby registries into one universal gift list.

Syncing Multiple Registries

MyRegistry.com offers a convenient solution to consolidate your registries. You can import your existing wedding or baby registry from a major retailer to your MyRegistry.com account, keeping all your desired gifts in one place. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of a universal registry, such as having one easy-to-manage gift list and maintaining the perks offered by individual store registries.

Automatic Updates

MyRegistry.com's system automatically syncs with your store registries. Any new items you add to your store registries will be reflected in your universal registry. When someone purchases an item from your store registry, it will be marked as "purchased" on the MyRegistry.com list as well. This two-way synchronisation ensures that your gift lists are always up to date, reducing the chances of receiving duplicate or unwanted gifts.

Guest Convenience

The platform also offers convenience for your guests. Aunt Sally, who may not be tech-savvy, can still shop for your wedding or baby shower in-store. Since the MyRegistry.com system communicates with the store's system, any purchases made by your guests will be indicated as purchased on your universal registry, regardless of whether they shop online or in-store.

Shipping Address Convenience

Another advantage of syncing your registries is the convenience of saved shipping addresses. When family and friends make purchases through your synced registries, the store's checkout process will offer the shipping address you provided when creating the registry. This saves time for your loved ones and reduces the chances of gifts being sent to the wrong address.

Creating Multiple Registries

If you're not ready to sync your registries yet, you can always come back and do it later. MyRegistry.com allows you to create as many new store registries as you like and sync them whenever you're ready. You can also create multiple registries with one account, making it easy to manage different life events, such as weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and more, all in one place.

Privacy concerns with online registries

Privacy is a significant concern for many people, and this extends to online registries. Here are some key privacy concerns related to online registries:

• Data Security: Ensuring that personal data is secure is a significant challenge. Outdated systems, weak passwords, lack of encryption, and inadequate monitoring can leave data vulnerable to hackers and malware. Healthcare data is particularly sensitive, and there have been reports of privacy leaks in baby registries, with names, addresses, and birth dates showing up in search engine results.
• User Error: Users may accidentally compromise data security due to a lack of understanding or carelessness. This could include falling for phishing attempts, not using strong passwords, or not keeping software up to date.
• Internal Threats: Employees, contractors, and vendors with access to the network can also pose a risk. If their devices are compromised, they may unknowingly expose the network to attackers.
• External Access Points: Wireless networks provided for patients and visitors, if not properly secured, can be attractive targets for hackers.
• Data Sharing: When data is shared with third parties, such as cloud service providers or research organizations, there is a risk of further data exposure if those entities do not have adequate security measures in place.
• Lack of Understanding: Many people do not fully understand privacy policies and the laws that protect their data. This can lead to unintentional consent to data collection and usage practices that they may not be comfortable with.
• Lack of Control: People often feel they have little to no control over how their data is collected, used, and shared. This sense of powerlessness can be exacerbated by complex and opaque data ecosystems involving multiple entities.
• Data Profiling and Targeting: People are often concerned about how their data is used for profiling and targeted advertising. The idea that their online behavior and preferences are being tracked and used to manipulate their choices can be unsettling.
• Government Surveillance: Many individuals are wary of government access to their data and the potential for their information to be used for surveillance or other purposes beyond their control.

Choosing a universal or store-affiliated registry

There are two main types of registries: universal registries and store-affiliated registries. Universal registries allow you to add gifts from any store you like, whereas store-affiliated registries restrict you to goods from a specific store. Both types of registries are free to create, but there may be transaction fees associated with cash gift funds.

Universal Registries

Universal registries are a good option if you want to add gifts from a variety of different stores. This type of registry can be more convenient for you and your guests, as you won't have to manage multiple registries and your guests won't have to look through multiple lists. Additionally, universal registries often offer the option of cash funds, which can be themed around milestones such as a honeymoon or a new baby. However, there may be processing fees associated with these cash funds, and it can be more difficult to track who bought which gift.

Store-Affiliated Registries

Store-affiliated registries are limited to goods from a specific store, but they offer several benefits. It's easier to track who bought which gift, you can control when everything ships, and it's convenient for your guests to check out without leaving the site. Additionally, store-affiliated registries may offer a completion discount, allowing you to purchase remaining items at a discount after your event. However, your guests may find it inconvenient to have to look through multiple registries, and you will be restricted to the offerings of a single store.

Examples of Universal and Store-Affiliated Registries

Examples of universal registries include MyRegistry and Joy, while Crate & Barrel and Anthropologie offer store-affiliated registries. Babylist is another popular option for a universal baby registry, allowing you to add items from a variety of stores and offering a completion discount.

When to create a baby registry

A baby registry is a list of gift preferences that expectant parents communicate to their friends and family. The list is made available to baby shower attendees, who can purchase items from it, preventing the receipt of duplicate or unwanted gifts.

There is no one "right" time to create a baby registry. Some people start theirs early on in their pregnancy, while others wait until the 20-week mark when they find out the gender. It all depends on what you're comfortable with and how much you like to plan ahead.

If you're having a baby shower, you'll want to make sure your registry is up and running by the time your invitations are sent out. Many parents wait until the end of the second trimester to share their registry, which is a good rule of thumb if you're not planning on having a baby shower.

• By 12 weeks: Start your baby registry. This will give you ample time to research and choose the items you want, especially for big-ticket items like strollers, car seats, and cribs. It will also allow you to claim any free welcome gifts and take advantage of completion discounts offered by some registries.
• By 28 weeks: Share your baby registry. This is a standard time to share the registry, as it is often included in the baby shower invitations, which are typically sent out four to six weeks before the shower. However, you may want to share it earlier or later, depending on what feels right for you.

Remember, these timelines are flexible and can be adjusted to fit your personal preferences and circumstances. The most important thing is to have a registry that is helpful and convenient for you and your loved ones.

What to include on a wedding registry

A wedding registry is a curated list of gifts that an engaged couple creates to make wedding gifting easier for their guests. The list is typically tied to both in-store and virtual retailers and should include a mix of gifts at different price points.

Kitchen

• Cookware (non-stick skillet, sauté pan, pasta pot, saucepan, etc.)
• Bakeware (roasting pan, casserole dish, baking sheets, loaf pans, muffin tins, etc.)
• Knives (serrated knife, paring knife, chef's knife, etc.)
• Salt and pepper mills
• Specialty appliances such as Instant Pots and air fryers
• Combo coffee and espresso machines
• A high-powered blender
• Carbonated water maker (SodaStream, Aarke Carbonator)
• Barware (muddler, cocktail shaker, jigger, bar spoon, Hawthorne strainer, specialty ice trays, ice-makers, etc.)
• Motion-sensor garbage bin (Simplehuman, ZitA)

Dining and Entertainment

• Everyday dishware (eight to 12 settings—dinner plates, dessert and/or salad plates, bowls)
• Everyday drinking glasses (eight to 12)
• Flatware (eight to 12 settings)
• Steak knives (eight to 12)
• Wine glasses (red and white)
• Salad bowl and serving utensils
• Serving bowls, platters, and trays
• Additional serveware
• Coffee creamer and sugar holders
• Pitchers (for coffee or water)
• Cheese and charcuterie boards
• Specialty glassware (margarita glasses, martini glasses, rocks glasses)
• Coloured stemware (like Estelle Colored Glass)
• High-quality game sets (chess, mahjong) and playing cards

Linen

• Two everyday sheet sets
• Flannel/cold-weather sheets
• Four bath towel sets (body towel, hand towel, washcloth)
• Additional hand towels and washcloths
• Placemats (eight to 12)
• Linen napkins (eight to 12)
• Silk pillowcases and sleeping masks
• Makeup removal towels (Weezie)
• Reusable alternatives to cotton rounds
• Fast-drying hair towels

Bedroom

• 2-3 flat and fitted sheets
• Comforter or duvet (with duvet insert)

Bathroom

2-4 bathroom containers

Living Room

• Candles and candlesticks
• Storage and organizing essentials (baskets, bins, makeup holders, etc.)
• Gift cards to home improvement stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot
• Firepits and patio heat lamps
• Indoor plants and pots
• Cash funds towards original artwork
• Gift cards for custom framing services (Framebridge, Artifact Uprising)
• Home office essentials (desk accessories, task lamps, computer monitor)

Outdoor

• Outdoor string lights
• All-weather furniture

Frequently asked questions