I think in Canada, we tend to do things smaller -- smaller proms (or, there is less done around proms), smaller showers, smaller weddings, and subsequently, smaller baby showers. My family is European to boot, and so the celebrations in our family are even more private and more modest than the Canadian norm. None of my friends have registered for baby things, and I don't know who would have used the registry if I had...

I registered. Friends and family were always asking what I needed so it was great to point them to my registery. Of course, I got lovely things that I didn't register for and "must have" items that I didn't know about from other parents. But having the registery was great.

I personally didn't because I think it's rude but I don't judge others for making a different choice UNLESS they include registry information on the invitation. That's the Ultimate Tacky, IMO.

As someone who had been to many baby showers and am childless, I found my friends' registries to be invaluable and did not think they were tacky at all. It makes me happy to get something that someone truly can use, and I think it is much harder to do that with a baby shower without a registry than a wedding.

Most people that don't have small children find getting a baby gift a difficult thing these days-there are thousands of 'must-have' items in babystores these days that were't even around 3 years ago. I would prefer the new parent's list of preferred items to help navigate a store with than a store clerk who might steer a shopper to something unneccessary and overpriced. Not everyone wants a diaper genie or a sling. And giving an unwanted gift means another burden on new parents to have to return a gift. Registries save time, get the parents what they need and assure gift givers that they are buying something wanted. If that's tacky, fine. I prefer tacky.

I personally filled my registry with items I wanted like diapers, bibs and onesies, hoping my friends and family would get the hint that I had no use for precious keepsakes like silver plated cups. Old ladies around here love to give that kind of dust-collecting stuff.

Hmmm, I have given keepsakes and am not an old lady. I also bought expensive french designer clothing for friends' baby showers. At the time, I didn't have children and wanted to buy something I thought was nice. I am very glad I am not friends with someone like pelicolina, s/he seems pretty ungrateful of gifts received. Good thing they have registries so you can shake down friends and relatives for exactly what you want.

In Spain bridal registries are the norm, but baby shower registries are considered tacky and, well, American... Weddings are usually larger affairs, while babies are feted by close friends and family. It's good to just let people indulge their own baby gift fancies, and if they're too awful for words, one can always go and change the gift (in my case mostly clothes, and yes, a cuple of silver cups and spoons..).

Meh. Not sure I understand the logic of having a registry but not including the info on the invitation. What's the point? Also, if your friends can't be happy buying you things you find useful/nice for your child...well, that seems odd to me. Besides, people aren't obliged to buy from the registry. It's just there to help them if they need it.

I'm with pelicolina. I have so many baby items collecting dust, but I feel too guilty to regift/sell/get rid of most of them. Returning merchandise wasn't really possible most of the time as I didn't know where they were bought from (besides, isn't that just as tacky?).

molly_dc, it's not that I'm ungrateful for ANY of the gifts I (or my baby) received--not at all. I was grateful for every single one of them and I couldn't believe how generous my friends were. But it's a shame that I can't use everything I received because some of the gifts were really just impractical, unsuitable for my child and, in some cases, dangerous for babies.

If someone doens't know you well enough to get you a gift you need. Or isn't close enough to you to ASK what you need - well then should you be inviting them to your baby shower?

Bridal registries came about because you were supposed to be helping a young couple set up their house. Baby registries? Wow. Worse than tacky.