So, as most of my great ideas stem, I was talking with Jessie yesterday about baby showers at our work, and Erin's pre-birthday party (like that? I came up with it. Supposed to make it less of a "woman" thing, since there's a connotation that women go to baby showers), and the topic of our respective registries came up (Target and Babies R' Us, for those interested). And then we started talking about how registries are the most misused thing in the world.
Well, okay, that's an obvious exaggeration. But it's really weird. Registries are exactly what someone or a couple need for a respective event. They've gone to the stores, they've gone around and said "we need/want that." Most of the time it's need. And here's where it gets stupid.
Most people don't get the registry items because they want to be more sponteneous and fun. So after the shower, the person or couple (whatever) is left holding the registry bag of a bunch of stuff they FREAKING NEED! The registry was there for a reason, and there's no shame in using it! I love them! I wish people would use registries for everything! I mean, there's Amazon.com's wishlists, which are kinda what I mean, but birthday or the holiday season is approaching, what to get Bob? No worries, Bob is registered at Bath and Body Works, Joy's House of Porn, and McDonalds! We can get him exactly what he wants/needs, no guess work involved!
It'd be a much different thing if it were only a few people, but it's much too prevalant. People see "registry" and they think "no fun." Bullshit. These specific events have registries for precisely this reason, and the vast majority of people are screwing up the works because they want to be more fun! Look, I know that when people might be shopping for Erin's showers/pre-birthday party they might see this adorable little outfit they'll think we'll love. And we probably will, but you know what, there aren't any clothing items on our registry. Why? Because thanks to each of our mothers, we're pretty much covered until Erin is a year old already! We don't need clothing, we need that other stuff we put on there! I know some of it is boring and to you it might seem like an anti-climatic gift, but trust me, we'll be ecstatic to get it when we (or she) opens it up! Why? We put it on the registry!!
USE THE DAMN REGISTRIES, PEOPLE! Most systems are inherently broken, but this is a system that works for once and you people are mucking it up!
And they save all that traipsing round the shops agonising over what to buy, then hours of fun trying to gift-wrap a bunch of bath-towels or whatever.
ReplyDeleteRegistries are definitely cool.
Well, I'm trying to use your registry, but having a bit of a problem since what we (me and Theresa and John and Mary Tyler Not-Moore-Upshaw (-Not-Upshaw-Raley?) want to get for you guys isn't available in the store and sells out quickly when it appears online, and even though I signed up for the email list for when it becomes available like a month ago I haven't heard squat about anything yet.
ReplyDeleteOk, I take that back, it may be available in stores, but sells out quickly online, and the website's store locator doesn't tell you whether or not it's actually in stock at any of the area stores, simply where those stores are, so I guess I'll have to call around and see if any of the stores have it.
ReplyDeleteAlso I had to try like 3 different name combinations to even find the registry (I guess I shouldn't have tried to be so specific, when I just typed in "Raeke" it came right up, but I was spelling Jessie's name wrong and your name wasn't coming up at all). And do you have a sister named Amanda who's also pregnant right now?
What's the point? When you send the invitation just send along a shopping list and say that when they give you money you will buy from this list. As far as registries go, I don't think it qualifies as a gift, more like a shopping assistant's task. A gift used to be a surprise and it taught people how to feign appreciation.
ReplyDeleteI don't take much stock in the opinion of people who stay anonymous. So what's the point of you saying all that?
ReplyDeleteIt just bugs me that businesses manipulate people. The registry kind of makes people spend more than they might have intended since the recipient knows what it cost (kind of like leaving the tag on a gift) and it persuades the gift-giver into purchasing at their store when another place might have an equivalent cheaper. Same idea as gift card. In many cases, if you don't redeem them quickly, they lose value. I just don't see why people think either registries or gift cards are less impersonal than handing over cash and cutting out some middlemen trying to force you to patronize them.
ReplyDeleteRudy
ps. Why do people think made up id's are less offensive than "anonymous". Same difference.
Rudy -
ReplyDeleteOne, thanks for leaving a name, I'll address that in a second.
Two, I can see your point now. And I partially agree, though you have to remember that the parties involved did choose those particular stores. Now, if you get them something off the registry, but at a cheaper place, maybe some sort of anonymous notification about removing it from the stores registry would be in order and totally understandable. I can also see how just having a shopping list would make sense as well, but registries are just so darn convenient. That was basically my point, but I totally see your side of it being very propitiatory to the businesses well. That's a whole other ball of wax though.
As for the anonymous thing, I might actually post about it. I'm not a fake identity. That's me, I put myself out there, so I sort of expect some mutual respect when it comes to commenting. In all honesty, you could have been someone who doesn't like me trying to eff with me, hiding behind the anonymous tag. Internet handles I don't mind so much because some people are attempting to remain a bit private (and since I've had things I've said on the net thrown at me at my workplace, I can understand why), but even still, that person can be somewhat traced by that "internet persona." Plus, alot of people that are in my particular corner of this "blogosphere" I actually do know their real names, simply because we've exchanged private emails or whatnot.
I wasn't trying to be completely snarky, but I also don't want people to hide behind internet anonymity just because they can. Don't take it personal like. And like I said, I appreciate you signing a name this time. You still could be anybody but it declares ownership of your opinion, something I'm rather big on.
God, this was almost longer than some of my actual posts!
Hope you stick around Rudy, I wasn't trying to scare you off or nuttin'.
Hiding behind internet anonymity? Pfft. Kidding.
ReplyDeleteDid you put some awesome stuff on that registry I hope? Baby could use a PS3 and a new flat screen for sure!
My approach is to do one registry item and a token "fun", spontaneous, and/or handmade gift tucked in. That way I get to be practical and personal.
ReplyDeleteBut this does explain why when I go to the person's/couple's gift registry, very few of the items are ticked off as purchased already. I always thought the others just don't know how to check off items (and I fretted about giving a repeat gift, even though it wouldn't be my fault the other people suck).
-smarmoofus