Hellobee Boards

I would just get them something off their registry. It's what they want. If you do get them something else, make sure you include a receipt.

Maybe someone else has already bought/gave them all the regular essentials?

My BIL and SIL didn't even do a registry for their baby but had a shower. I just got them the stuff I loved and I've never seen them use any of it. They either returned it or haven't used it. So I would just buy of the registry.

I think that's a tough one. As a first time mom, there are a lot of things I've love to have someone be like, THIS is the best xyz, you will love it, here it is. BUT, someone looking at my registry wouldn't be able to tell that, say, my sister gave me a practically brand new swing that her son never used, so I didn't register for one because I have one, not that I don't know about them. Or a carseat for that matter-- I know very well that I need one, but am using my sister's.

I think if you can think of something really useful that it would be OK to have duplicates of (say, I don't know, the best hooded towels??) then that's a good idea and include the gift receipt. It's hard to know without specifics...

I like the idea of 2 gifts. You aren't obligated to buy off registry but its appreciated.. Even though they might find out they were wrong about what the thought they needed, they'll remember you were thoughtful enough to shop off registry. Or pick something functional off the registry and then on your own but something useful and related to the first item.

I loved getting things from other non FTM's and them telling me I loved using this item or product.

I think you should buy off of her registry. I've seen on several HB threads that some users think "XYZ" is absolutely necessary and others say they never even opened the box. So what was useful for you may not be useful for them, you know?

I think you should just buy off the registry. When you've already had your baby, it's really easy to look back and think about how useless a lot of it is, how much we worry about things that don't matter, and how silly we can all be at times about the whole process. But no one can be told this - you just have to experience it. Everyone goes through it, and everyone gets to experience it. Just get her what she wants, imho.

Since you don't seem to know her that well I'd stick to the registry. Some people are ok with off registry (I appreciated things from mommy's off my registry) but if you don't know I'd rather be safe than sorry. Or you could do a toiletry/1st aid gift. Everyone needs that stuff.

I was happy to get things off-registry from people who knew better than me. I guess it depends on the kind of person you are. I (shockingly) didn't really think we needed white noise, but we were gifted two Sleep Sheep(s?) that ended up being lifesavers.

I now sometimes gift my friends things I never even thought about before LO, like a travel diaper changing kit (if they don't have it on the registry), since we use ours so often and I remember that being something I ordered on my own after the baby came. I don't think you can go wrong as long as you include a gift receipt!

If you can afford to do both, that's the way I would go. If not, I would buy from the registry.

@lamariniere: I don't know what etiquette dictates but
I have loved receiving gift cards to the places I've registered! I've had friends say the same.