I don't think I realized they were a thing until we recently got an invitation that noted there was a birthday registry for the child. Then the other day while at Toys "R" Us, I noticed a sign inviting families to sign up for birthday registries.
Have you ever done one for your child? Do you like it when you're invited to parties that have registries or do you not prefer them?
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
I don't think they belong on an invite at all. That being said I have a running Amazon wish list for my girls. I give to family and friends when they ask. And I know others who also have a wish list and I regularly check them around birthdays and holidays!
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
Never knew they existed but as someone who has trouble buying gifts, I would love it.
Maybe it looks better if the gifter asks the parents if they have a gift registry... versus the parents giving that info out pre-maturely.
honeydew / 7622 posts
Eh, I think I would want to avoid stuff into my house I don't need but I'm not sure that's the best way to do that. I have an Amazon list for T but that's for me as much as anyone else.
Not part of the question but if it's a kid who won't notice I did not bring a gift I will just bring a bottle of wine or liquor for the parents.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
Never heard of that and I don't really like it. An Amazon wish list is fine, and giving it to people when they ask what LO wants is great. Putting it on an invitation is so icky to me.
I haven't been invited to many little kid bday parties yet though. The last one we went to, I asked the mom was her son wanted, she told me what he liked, and I picked up some things in the price I wanted to spend and gave them the target gift receipt.
pear / 1809 posts
I don't think it's polite to include in the invitation, but I think it's okay to have a registry set up and tell people about it if they ask. Some stores may give a registry completion discount, so that's an incentive to make one.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Don't like it included with invites for kid parties. Maybe if I ask the host for suggestions?
grapefruit / 4988 posts
My first reaction is that it seems kind of tacky, but actually I like occasions that have registries (showers, weddings) because it makes gift giving so easy. So if this becomes a thing, I'm ok with it.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I have an ongoing Amazon lost for LO. So if people ask for ideas, I can give them the link. I like shopping off registries because as a mom I know what it's like to receive toys my son won't like it play with or just take up space, and I know other parents feel the same way.
pear / 1930 posts
I'm okay with it. I can never keep track of which toys different kids have and I hate getting the "now I have two!" reaction at a birthday party.
pomegranate / 3779 posts
I think having a ongoing Amazon wish list that you give if people ask is one thing. Including any mention of gifts on an invitation is tacky in my opinion.
clementine / 812 posts
Tacky. It's one thing if you have an Amazon wish list with a moderate amount of items at varying price points (bonus points if it includes books or other educational items) and you give it to close family or friends who request ideas. A birthday registry at Toys R Us? No thanks.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
Tacky!!! It is one thing to have a wish list and passing on ideas if people ask. But I would never put on an invitation.
bananas / 9973 posts
Nope. Never seen one on an invite. That's tacky IMO. I do have a running wish list on Amazon that I'll give the link to if someone asks. I also usually ask the parent what they need/want if I need a gift idea and love Amazon wish lists.
pineapple / 12566 posts
I'm on the fence. On the one hand, I would never set one up for my own LOs. On the other, I am awful at finding gift ideas because I really like to give people something they want or will appreciate, so as a gift giver, I would love to see this.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I don't mind it at all. I am a busy person, I don't have a ton of time to browse around and come up with the perfect gift for a kid's birthday.
How is this any different than a baby or bridal shower? Are you all telling me that no one includes registry information with the invitiation?
hostess / papaya / 10219 posts
@looch: my thinking is that a shower is specifically designed to buy the couple things they need. A registry keeps that organized. A birthday party is not supposed to be about the gifts. It's supposed to be a celebration.
I don't care if others do it per se, but I'd never. I think it's very... Entitled. I'm inviting you to my party to celebrate and I'm going to tell you what gift to give me. Very impersonal and you might as well do cash or a gift card.
persimmon / 1328 posts
Yeah I think that's pretty tacky, but I am English and here registries are only ever seen at weddings.
grapefruit / 4800 posts
I'm on the fence. I think including it in the invite puts too much pressure. But I do like the idea of a list somewhere to use for reference. I might let my daughter pick out a gift for her friend but usually I just want to quickly pick out a gift and I'd prefer that they actually like it. But I don't feel like contemplating the interests and pick out a thoughtful gift every time there's a birthday party.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@travellingbee: Right, so isnt' the shower the celebration of a woman becoming a mother and the new life? A lot of people think that parents are the ones that are supposed to provide what the kids need, no one else.
A registry is a registry, regardless of the party. I don't think ill of anyone that puts one together. Does it mean I will honor it? No. But it makes my life easier.
And I believe registries were begun by department stores, so really, their goal was to sell stuff. I am sure people were put off by them when they were introduced, but over time, it became the norm. Worked well, I think!
pomegranate / 3127 posts
Very curious to see everyone's opinion! DH suggested this for DS's next birthday, because we're drowning in toys and just can't deal with any more stuff in the house. So he thinks it would be good to suggest to people what DS actually needs (mostly winter clothes).
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I think it's a little tacky. If someone asks me for ideas I give them, I also have an Amazon list (mostly for me for gift ideas throughout the year) but giving it on an invite just seems wrong to me.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
Tacky on an invite!
I don't mind being sent a link when I ask for gift ideas to the party host! 
honeydew / 7917 posts
I have an Amazon wish list for my kids, and I'll send the link to anyone who asks for a wish list. I would never put it on an invitation. Too gift grabby.
I did received an invitation where the parents asked specifically not to buy gifts with characters on it and a few other details. It rubbed me the wrong way because of the mention of gifts. Parties should be about celebrating. While I will always get a gift for the birthday boy/girl, I don't like it to be an expectation as a guest.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I've never done it with my child, but I've attended a few parties that the invite did include the registry info. I never know what to buy the kid or what they're into currently so the registry is helpful, especially for slightly older kids (ages 5+).
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@looch: I agree with you. I see no different between a shower as a celebration of life, and a birthday as a celebration of life. At both events, gifts ARE expected, to be honest. Unless the host specifically mentions no gifts.
It's also really the only times (Christmas and birthdays), that my son gets gifts. I may buy him clothes throughout the year as he needs them but when it comes to toys and things he wants, he has to wait until Christmas and his birthday. So I do see it as an expectation.
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
Interesting to see all the responses. I think what maybe puts me off is seeing it on an invite. While it can be helpful if you don't know what to buy, I guess I would prefer to ask. On the other hand, I know what it's like to get things you don't want or need and the hassle of trying to return or exchange.
pineapple / 12053 posts
@regberadaisy: agreed and we do the same! it helps me remember stuff i see and want to look for a sale for. sometimes friends ask me what DD wants and i check the list! my in laws love it for gifts too. BUT i would NEVER put it on an invite!!
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
@Boogs: precisely! Giving it out when asked is one thing but just saying "here" unprompted is yuck
pear / 1837 posts
I would never put it on an invite, but I do have an Amazon wish list for DD's birthday next month that I hope people ask me about- all she wants are books and puzzles.
nectarine / 2134 posts
Agree with @regberadaisy, not on an invite but I have a running wish list and can quickly glance at it and suggest a few things if someone asks.
If I didn't want toys or only wanted something super specific, I would just say "no gifts" or donate to charity instead and then buy the couple things the child needs. I know people enjoy buying things for kids, but I feel bad dictating what they should be buying, unless of course they ask me then I'm happy to give some suggestions.
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
I didn't know people did this!
But I agree with previous posters- it does NOT belong on an invite. It might be different if you kept a running Amazon list for your kids and passed along the link when asked (not too much different than providing a birthday list).
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