Do you have to have a baby shower to register for gifts?

We are not really having a baby shower, but would like to send a nice announcement about our excitement for our baby and want to register for gifts....Is this proper...?

Do you have to have a baby shower to register for gifts?
No, you don't have to have a shower to create a registry. But don't include any registry information in the birth announcements--THAT would be improper.





I would let your parents and in-laws know where you are registered, in case other family members or friends ask them where you are registered. If people want the information, they know how to get it.





Besides, someone may end up hosting a baby shower for your wife anyway, so you never know.
Reply:you don't have to have a shower to register, but it is not proper to put where you're registered on the announcement--have your family spread the word to people as most will ask. also, another plus of registering, i know babies 'r' us and target will give you 10% off the "remaining" items on your registry after baby is born. so it's a good idea to also put a larger carseat, exersaucer, things for baby when it gets bigger.
Reply:You dont necessarily have to have a shower to register! As far as whether its proper Im not sure about that! If this is your first baby you should def have a shower, it helps you get everything you need! If not, it might just look like you are asking for gifts...then again Im pregnant with my second and I had a couple people ask if I was registered anywhere! So not sure about the etiquette but Congrats on the new baby!
Reply:That sounds fine. I got lots of gifts from relatives who live too far away to invite to a party. They still wanted to contribute to our baby. Registering helps them pick something you really need and you hopefully won't end up with twenty blankets and no bath stuff (which is what happened to me and I didn't register).