When your kid’s birthday comes around, do you find yourself racking your brain for gift ideas? Everyone from grandparents to aunts, uncles, and even colleagues want to know what your child wants, and you’d REALLY like to end up with gifts that won’t gather dust in the closet for months after the party’s over. The solution: a gift registry!

We only used to make gift registries for Christmas, but then I thought, why not create one for our son’s birthday as well? This brilliant hack is becoming popular with parents everywhere. We received multiple birthday party invitations this year with a link to the child’s registry on the invite! What a win/win for everyone! The child gets something they’ll love, and we don’t have to stress. No more wondering if we’re getting the kid something they already have or won’t use!

There are many options for making gift registries. You can make a registry at a favorite retailer, like Amazon, Target, or Crate&kids. Or, if you’re adding gifts from multiple retailers, you can use a universal registry, like MyRegistry.com. And, of course, remind your friends and family that if they aren’t sure where someone is registered, they can use RegistryFinder.com to find out! Whichever registry option you choose, there are several benefits to making one for your child!

My Top Reasons for Making a Gift Registry 

1. Receive Toys That Last

Have you ever received a gift for your child that was a hit for all of two days? The gift was discarded once the novelty wore off and never played with again. Or, even worse, you receive a really great toy that is so poorly made that it breaks within the first week? Like most parents, we have been plagued with both of these problems. But this year, since I made a gift registry for our son’s birthday, I could vet the toys before putting them on the list. I read reviews to make sure the toys would hold up over time. I chose gifts not only for his age group but also posed a bit of a challenge for him; this way, the toys would grow with him over time. 

 2. Never Forget a Gift Request Again

How often have you been at the store, and your child asks for something they see? You reply, “Maybe for your birthday!” and then walk away and forget all about it. Well, when you have an established gift registry, with one easy click of a button, you can add the item to the list. This way, maybe they will actually get the toy for their birthday (even if it’s six months away!). Or, how often has your child’s birthday come and gone, and you think of the perfect gift idea a week later? Cue the holiday gift registry! Making a gift registry in advance allows you to add gift ideas all year. 

3. Less Stress—For Everyone!

As a gift giver, I agonize over finding the perfect gift. I want to get the child something they will love and don’t already have. I love receiving a child’s wish list in the form of a registry because it removes all the guesswork. I can get something the little one (and the parents) will enjoy. Gift registries also make it easy for busy parents to buy last-minute gifts; when I realize two days before the party that I’ve forgotten to buy a gift, the present is only a couple of clicks away! 

Choosing Where to Register

Target

Who doesn’t love a Target run? One of the best parts of a Target registry is that gift-givers can shop at a physical Target store or online! Target carries kids’ favorite brands, like Melissa & Doug, Lego, and Barbie, plus brands and items made exclusively for their store—meaning you won’t find them anywhere else! If you change your mind about an item, returns couldn’t be easier: In addition to the standard 90-day return window, Target offers an extra 30 days for returns if you’re a Target Circle 360 member or for Target brand items, returns are accepted for up to 365 days after purchase. 

Amazon

Amazon is one of the world’s biggest marketplaces. You can find almost anything your child wants on Amazon, and adding items to your gift registry is super simple. When choosing items to add, be sure to read reviews to ensure you’re selecting a high-quality option. If you want to return something from your gift registry, you’ll find all your return options under your Thank You & Returns List on your Amazon Dashboard.

Crate&kids

Crate&kids offers an incredible selection of well-made, aesthetically pleasing toys and accessories to take your little one from playtime, bathtime, and bedtime! Take advantage of the free expertise offered by Crate&kids registry pros to build a birthday or holiday gift registry that meets your child’s needs and desires. Whether you need to put the finishing touches on the nursery or big kids’ room or want toys that will stand the test of time, Crate&kids has you covered! Kids will love Crate&kids personalized blankets, cuddly toys, and hooded towels. Crate&kids offers group gifting, a 15% registry discount, and gifts over $49 ship free!

MyRegistry.com

If you can’t decide where to register, MyRegistry.com makes the choice easy. You can add items from all different retailers, allowing you to choose from mainstream stores to smaller boutique retailers. To create your registry, simply enter your name and email and choose a password to get started! You’ll then enter details about your gift registry, and from there, you can begin adding gift options from anywhere you want! Already started a registry elsewhere? MyRegistry.com also allows you to merge existing gift registries in one place. As a bonus, they also have Gift Idea Boards, which can show you top gift options if you need ideas! 

Ready to Register?

We’ve got lots of ideas for items your kids will love! If your little one isn’t quite old enough to make their own wish list, we’re happy to help: check out our favorite holiday gift ideas for children under 2! If science, math, and technology are more your speed, be sure to add a few items from our STEM toy list. The RegistryFinder Amazon Storefront is filled with gift items, too! 

Simplify Your Registry Search

Making lists for more than one occasion? Or for more than one child? Or maybe you’ve decided to register with multiple retailers. After you’ve completed your registries, send your friends and family to RegistryFinder.com. For kids’ birthdays and holidays, choose the “Other” category. Enter the name, and just like that, they can quickly locate them all in one place! RegistryFinder makes it easy to locate all kinds of registries, whether for a holiday or a birthday, all year long!