Preparing for Baby: How I Made My Registry List as a Person Who Was Getting No Hand-Me-Downs and Knew Nothing About Kids

Hey y'all! 

Let's talk baby registries. Cute tiny clothes, themed nursery items, and that creepy snot sucker from Frida that some people swear by. What's not to love?!

Busy? Pin this and come back later!

When I was pregnant with my first, I read every blog post on baby must-haves I could find. (Speaking of, have you seen my Baby Picks page? It includes links to my specific baby favorites!) When I read the first one, I wrote down all of the items suggested. When I read the second post, I wrote down anything that I hadn't seen on the first. 

I did this what felt like a bazillion times until I wasn't seeing any new suggestions.

My registry list was complete. And it took forever and was a little overwhelming, LOL!

I registered for everything because I kept hearing that you wouldn't know what worked for your family and your baby until they were there, so you should get everything and figure out what was going to work later. 

As a side note, my general feeling is that if it brings you peace, do it. If you feel better having everything you could possibly need before your sweet baby shows up, do it. If you feel better having a more minimal setup, do it.

Don't register or not register for baby items at the cost of your peace.

Back to the subject at hand! 

If you're in the same boat and lack the time or interest in reading a bazillion baby must-have posts, I'm sharing the registry spreadsheet I made in 2021!

It has a tab for registry items where you can check off what was added, what you received, and what you'd like to purchase for a second (or third or fourth or fifth) baby. There's also a tab to help organize gifts you receive along the way and at your baby shower. You can list the gift, the gift-giver, and mark off each item as you send thank-you notes.

I also made a second spreadsheet that includes a hospital packing list (I read a bazillion posts on this, too) and a pre-baby to-do list.

Both spreadsheets are customizable, so you're able to delete and add rows and columns to make them your own. 

I used both sheets for my first and second babies, and I'll continue to use them for any future babies! 

They're available as a bundle for a few dollars on my Etsy store, and I hope they help you as much as they helped me.

All the love, 

Emily

Please feel free to contact me at admin@tulipsandbasil.com!