Should You Make a Registry for Your Child's Birthday?

Whether she's turning 1, 2, 3 or more, a lot goes into planning your child's birthday. And you know that as soon as you send out the invites, you’ll be hit with questions from guests about what she wants or could use.

Of course, if you have a baby about to celebrate her first birthday, she isn’t asking for anything right now (the long wish lists will be coming in the future!). But even toddlers have preferences — not to mention plenty of toys already in the house. And your friends and family might appreciate some guidance so they know they’ve selected a gift your little one can use.

So should you streamline the process and set up a registry for your child's birthday party? And if so, should you list the registry on the invitation, or only provide it when asked? Here, an etiquette expert breaks down the dos and don’ts of this gift-giving trend.

What is a birthday registry? 

A birthday registry is just like any other gift registry that you’d make for a baby shower or wedding, except this one is filled with potential gifts that your child might need, want or use in the future.

As with other types of registries, gifts purchased off of a birthday registry can usually be sent to the purchaser’s home or directly to the recipient (your child), which might be convenient for loved ones who can’t attend her party.

What is the etiquette for making a birthday registry?

Wedding and baby shower registries are so common that you probably don't think twice about using them. While birthday registries are seen less frequently, many of the etiquette rules apply across the board, experts say.

"Etiquette dictates that you never ask for gifts," says etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts, adding that she believes it takes the personal connection out of the gift-giving process. However, she acknowledges that birthday registries are certainly on the rise and have undeniable benefits.

For one thing, these registries can point guests in the direction of practical gifts that your child needs or will definitely enjoy. It also makes your life a little easier, since you won't have to field a ton of questions about what she might like.

And, in many ways, a birthday registry can be helpful for gift givers, too. So Grotts says you should feel free to go ahead create one for your child's party if you'd like, as long as you keep budget in mind and honor the reason why you’re having a party in the first place: to celebrate your child and spend time with the people who love her. 

But while there are positives to creating a birthday registry, the messaging is crucial, Grotts says. "It's much more polite, even in this day and age, to [tell people about the registry] verbally," she says. In other words, it's best not to include the link on the invitation. When someone asks, though, you can provide them with the information. 

Tips for making a birthday registry

Creating a birthday registry for your little one's party? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make it universal. Universal registries are ideal because they aggregate wish lists from a broad range of stores, which means you can share one link with guests. For universal registry ideas, see our picks below. 
• Keep a budget in mind. When you created your baby shower registry, you may have added pricey gear like a crib, stroller or high chair. For a birthday party, Grotts recommends skipping big-ticket items in favor or smaller, more practical picks. If Grandma and Grandpa want to buy a wow-factor gift, let them take the initiative, she says. 
• Fill it with a variety of items. Clothes, books, toys (indoor, outdoor, bathtime), puzzles, stuffed animals, keepsakes and practical items (think new sippy cups and utensils) are all great choices that can round out a registry with gifts at a range of price points.
• Share it with care. Don’t include "[Baby] is registered at X, Y, Z" on the invitation, Grotts says. "When someone asks, you can give them the information." However, if a lot of your guests have been asking if your child is registered anywhere or want suggestions, you can update the online invitation with something like, “Thank you to our friends and family who have been asking for gift suggestions. We have created an online registry."

Websites for birthday registries

When creating a registry for your child's birthday, consider these universal online gifting sites:

Amazon Gift Registry

All of the products on Amazon are at your disposal with an Amazon Gift Registry. Prime members get free shipping, so it’s helpful to include items that fit those parameters. There’s also a 90-day return policy, and the site will maintain a list of who gave you what so you can easily send thank-you cards. Sign up at Amazon.com.

Babylist

You may be familiar with Babylist as a baby shower universal registry destination, and the site can also be used to create other types of registries, including for birthdays. You can start a brand-new registry or repurpose an old one by changing some information (like your due date!) and updating and adding gifts. One of the fun things about Babylist is that you can also add experiences to the wish list. Sign up at Babylist.com.

MyRegistry.com 

Add items from any store in the world on MyRegistry.com. To make things easier, you can also sync existing gift lists from other retailers with the one on MyRegistry so you can provide friends and family with one link. Guests can also purchase an item from another store (in the event of a sale, for example) and then click a box to confirm they bought the gift — allowing them to shop in a way that’s convenient for them while still avoiding duplicate items. (Note that returns, however, have to be handled with the retailer they were purchased from.) Sign up at MyRegistry.com.

Target

With nearly 2,000 Target stores in the U.S., many people consider Target their go-to for birthday gift shopping. You can make it easier on everyone by creating a wish list registry with Target. Of course, you’ll fill it with Target products, but you can also use the universal registry feature to add items from other stores. Just remember that items purchased from non-Target stores can’t be returned to Target. Sign up at Target.com.