Some things in life are optional.
- Buying extra insurance when you pick up a rental car.
- Putting relish on your hot dog.
- Tipping %20 for mediocre service at a restaurant.
- Eating a green vegetable with your dinner.
- Using baby registries.
I have a big issue with the latter. Wedding registries I can understand, especially in the case of young newlyweds. Young marrieds in their early 20's know what they need (generally) to make their combined lifestyles better. New pots and pans, sheets, velvet Elvis pictures. Whatever. For wedding gifts, I check out the registry and if there are practical items, I'll purchase them.
In the case of baby registries, I am not a participant.
WHY? Well, new parents-to-be have NO IDEA what a kid needs. They've usually gone to Babies-R-Us and been led around by the nose (and a gleeful salesperson) and told what to register for. This always includes a long list of completely useless, very expensive items. Ie., The DIAPER GENIE. (Evil, evil, evil.)
I certainly wouldn't select food based on the opinions of someone who has no sense of taste, why would I buy baby items based on the ignorance of someone who has no kids? I'm not alone in this (although most people wouldn't admit to my exact reasoning). When you go to a baby shower, there are lots of handmade items and basic items. Most people don't use "the list" because they've already looked it over and decided, "Hell, I can do better than THAT."
This brings me to the point of my digression into baby gifts... my brother and his wife are soon to spawn. Of course, they have registered at Babies R Us for a plethora of stupid, impractical items. All of which I have ignored. Now, I DO plan to give them a gift (although we are not exactly what you'd call 'close'), and I DO plan on spending my money on a nice gift for them--one that is useful and long-term. (Note: their gift to my child cost maybe $30 -- it came with a catalog from the soul-less company they ordered it online from so the price was obvious -- and my child has never used it.)
I am NOT using the registry. I have purchased a hardcover baby/child medical reference book and packed it up with a medical kit including all the medications/medical items that a baby will probably use during it's first year of life. (When it's 3am and you need to know how to take a rectal temperature on your feverish infant, THIS is the book to use. )
YET... I'm getting crap from other members of my family! "You shoud look on their registry! You don't want to duplicate anything! What if there is something they NEED?"
Screw that. I feel (and correct me if I'm way off base with this) that registries are OPTIONAL. Just suggestions. If you accept a GIFT, you take what you get. Like life, really. If they don't want my gift, they can flush it.
Am I being unreasonable and obstinate?
Am I just ignoring their baby registry because I am being a bitch and feeling cranky about the whole gift-giving process? (Maybe.)
Should I care???
3 comments:
I think, when it comes right down to it, no one cares.
I think registries exist because the majority of people GIVING gifts are so uninformed and uncreative that they would be totally LOST without the retail industry to guide them.
As you well know, I have no children, but if I did, I would be damn glad to get the gift you're giving to your brother. He and the IceQueen will be glad for it too, they just might not know it yet.
And, if they're not, that's not your problem--it's theirs.
Just give your other relatives the non-committal-grunt over the registry and change the subject. They'll forget about it.
No, you're not being bitchy or obstinate. You are being YOU! Don't change your opinions because of your relatives. We love you just the way you are.
Two things:
1) In defense of those who are in the position of buying a gift, yet have NO IDEA what to get a baby, I kind of like the registry. From this perspective, I guess it would be the thought that counts. That said, it is the thought that counts. Whether it comes from a force-fed list, from your own experiences, or from what you think would be ultimately cool.
2) The diaper genie people make a device for cats called Litter Locker. We got one a few months ago and it has been wonderful. Now, are we just sad, sad childless people with too much money? Most likely. However, it is still pretty cool, and does decrease the total number of trips up and down stairs!
Sorry, maybe TMI, but I had to share!
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