Congratulations, mom-to-be!  Having a baby is one of the most magical times of a woman’s life – filled with joy, hope, and ever-growing love.  But with this new addition comes a whole new set of worries – including registering for a baby shower.  Take a deep breath – we’re here to help!

For starters, you shouldn’t go crazy scanning items at a whole bunch of stores—keep things simple for both you and your guests by registering at just one or two locations.  Make sure you choose items in a range of prices—not just the things you can’t afford—so that guests will have as many options as possible.  Most of the items you put on the registry should be on the mid- to low-range, but include some higher-priced items like a stroller or playpen that a few guests could chip in for.

The Results of Your Baby Shower Registry (photo credit: jenisrunning via flickr)

And now, here are five of the best registries out there:

There are several websites where you can compile multiple stores’ registries into one.  MyRegistry.com claims to have access to any store in the world, including Baby Einstein, Baby Bjorn, Target, Amazon, and a whole slew of boutique baby vendors and green-friendly vendors.  Plus, if you’ve already created registries, this site allows you to roll them into one convenient location.  And with their iPhone application, you can scan any barcode with your phone and upload it to your registry while you’re out and about.

The Bump from The Knot offers a similar feature, with clients such as BuyBuy Baby, The Land of Nod, Kohl’s, Pottery Barn Kids, and Baby Super Mall.

Giggle.com is a registry and then some, complete with checklists, gear guides, a baby dictionary, and registry dos and don’ts.  And Giggle doesn’t simply compile a list of every baby item on the market—they’ve already vetted items for you using an extensive list of criteria, including checking that the products are made from safe/non-toxic materials, will grow with your child’s needs, and are environmentally conscious.  As a result, Giggle takes some of the stress off of you and puts all of the attention on your baby.

If for no other reason than convenience, Babies R Us is a great choice for a registry—especially if your friends and family are spread out all over the country.  With over 300 locations, it’s close to your guests and close to you, plus they have a great website and guests can even shop over the phone.  This baby department store has everything you could possibly want all in one location.  And as an added bonus, you get a free gift when you register!

One of our favorite registries is Layla Grace, because they offer eco-friendly products for beds, babies, and moms, like this chic Organic Knit Cotton Sling from Petunia Pickle Bottom.

And for a unique non-registry gift idea, check out the cute onesies from AmyAdele.com like this Ladybug Family of 5 Baby Shirt and Airplane Baby Shirt, which you can personalize with your own text!  Check our website for a coupon!

And don’t forget–Iris Fields can help plan your baby shower!  On top of weddings and non-profit events, we offer an array of services, including baby showers.  Please contact us to get the planning process started!  In the meantime, check out or post about Half-Pint Citizens, a fantastic company full of eco-friendly baby products!

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