How to Shop With a Baby Registry

A baby registry allows the parents-to-be to pick everything they need for their new arrival. It may include furniture, clothing, gadgets, diapers, toys or electronics. As a friend or family member, it helps you in the gift-giving process because you know you won't get the couple something they already have. It also tells you the colors and theme of the nursery. Follow these steps to shop with a baby registry.

Instructions

Step1 : Find out where the parents registered for gifts. They may include the information on a baby shower invitation. If not, ask a friend or the couple directly.

Step2 : Go online and search for their registry. Log on to popular baby registry websites, such as Baby's R Us, Target or Baby Depot. You can also use websites that search all existing registries.

Step3 : Print out the baby registry online or in the store. It will contain a list of everything the parents want, how many and whether it's been purchased yet.

Step4 : Stroll through the store looking for items on the list. Know that some items may only be available online.

Step5 : Ask a salesperson to help if you can't find things. Often, it can be a little overwhelming to search an entire store with a small list in hand. Store employees should know where everything is which cuts down on your shopping time.

Step6 : Purchase the items you want you give the couple. Make sure the employee checking you out removes the item from their baby registry.

Tips & Warnings

* If you're a bargain hunter and find a registry item cheaper at another store, call the store with the registry and tell that you bought it elsewhere and need them to remove it from the registry.
* Buy a gift card if you don't like the items remaining on the registry. The couple can certainly use it.

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor
Source http://www.ehow.com/how_2157094_shop-baby-registry.html

How to Shop for Baby Bargains Online

Baby gear, furniture, clothes, toys and even very little booties add up when new parents welcome Junior into their lives and pocketbooks. It pays to take the time to do some research and dig for baby bargains online.

Things You’ll Need:

* Baby Clothes
* Baby Bathtubs
* Baby Bottles
* Baby Cradles
* Baby Swings
* Baby Food
* Internet Access
* Computers
* Baby Carriages
* Baby Toys

Instructions

Step1 : Start with online sites of stores and manufacturers that you already know and like. If you don't know the URLs, do a search on the Web. Or, simply click on the boxes for specific products in the shopping list below and choose the "shop online" function.

Step2 : Scout out weekly specials or clearance racks at these sites. They will often e-mail you when there are sales or special offers.

Step3 : Search the Web for baby products. If you like the site, bookmark it.

Step4 : Search the Web for a particular baby product that you are interested in buying. You will probably find the product at many different online stores - which allows you to comparison shop.

Step5 : Clip ads and coupons for online shoppers, from parenting and baby magazines.

Step6 : Check parenting sites for their own online stores - many have clearance racks and weekly specials. Some also have classified sections for people selling used baby products, and some have chat rooms for parents who want to discuss shopping for babies.

Step7 : Look for free shipping or discounted shipping/handling, periodically offered by online baby stores.

Step8 : Call the customer service department for the online store if you have any questions about a product, its price, or how to do the transaction. Ask if the product will go on sale soon.

Step9 : Browse online auction houses. Register and list specific baby products that you want. You will be notified by email when these products are up for auction. Act quickly, if you find a steal.

Step10 : Talk to other parents who shop online for baby bargains.

Step11 : Take the time to comparison shop. Familiarize yourself with the competitive price of a product through a catalog or at a regular store. This way, you'll be ready to jump when you find the baby product on sale for a low price.

Tips & Warnings

* For the first time online buyer of anything, see "How to Shop Online."
* Once you buy online with a particular store, you may be invited to special sales only available to recent customers.
* If you are uncomfortable about providing credit card information online, most sites have customer service representatives available to take your order by phone.
* Many sale items are non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Do your research ahead of time and avoid impulse purchases.

By : eHow Parenting Editor
Source : http://www.ehow.com/how_8954_shop-baby-bargains.html

Baby Strollers – Don’t Forget the Fundamentals When Buying

Have you been shopping for baby strollers? If so, you probably realized there are several things to take into consideration when purchasing a new infant stroller. There will certainly be a wide variety of features that you will be comparing. However, there are several fundamental considerations that many parents overlook, or do not review closely enough. When shopping the vast selection of baby strollers, be sure to consider the weight of the stroller and your baby, the size of the stroller, the price, and the safety features of the stroller as well.

The weight of the stroller is a very important factor when you make a decision as to which one to purchase. It is important to keep in mind you will be lifting the stroller in and out of the car, out of a closet or from a shelf and you need to be able to lift it comfortably. Some strollers are extremely heavy to lift and heavy to push around. If you buy a heavy stroller as your baby grows, it will become increasingly difficult to push your child in it. Lightweight baby strollers can be the best option for parents with limited physical strength.

The size of baby strollers is important in your decision also. The height of the stroller, including the handlebar, should be considered. If a stroller is positioned to low or too high then it may be uncomfortable for you to push. There are strollers with adjustable handlebars. You might consider a stroller with an adjustable handlebar if you cannot find one that fits right. The width of a stroller is also really important because you want it to fit through the doorway of your home and other places as well. Some baby strollers, in particular multi-child side-by-side strollers, are so wide that they have to be folded to fit through entrances.

When you are thinking about the size of a stroller you also want to look at the size when it is folded up for storage. Some baby strollers are very bulky when they are folded which makes it hard to store in small places. And remember, storage is not just an at-home consideration. A baby stroller’s most common storage place is in the automobile. Be sure the folded size can be accommodated by your vehicle with ample room for you to comfortably store and remove the stroller.

Safety is the most important factor when you look at baby strollers for your baby. It is important for a baby sitting upright to have a safety belt or, better yet, a multi-point harness to secure him or her into the stroller, preventing baby from being able to stand and fall out of the stroller. There should also be a parking brake mechanism on the stroller. This allows you to lock the wheels when you park the stroller. Though most baby strollers provide wheel locks for the two rear wheels, strollers which provide locking of all four wheels are the safest, particularly when parked on inclines, where rear wheels bear the weight of the baby and the stroller, and gravity tends to inconveniently rotate the stroller towards the downhill-facing position.

When you shop for baby strollers you should think about many factors before you make your purchase. Many parents buy the best looking stroller, the most stylish stroller, or the baby stroller with the most features and regret it later because of the weight or size. So take all these aspects into consideration to help save you time and money and make your life a happy one!

Tips For Giving Baby Gift Baskets


Gift baskets
have grown in popularity. They make an interesting, thoughtful gift that can be made to suit almost any occasion. A baby gift basket gives you a chance to make a unique and personal gift. You can give a baby gift basket either at the baby shower or after the baby is born as a homecoming gift.

You can buy professionally made gift baskets or ready made gift baskets, but there is something a little special about making the gift basket yourself. When you make it yourself you can add whatever you like and style it how you want. You can watch the cost by making your own because you can make it as big or as small as you desire, plus you can seek out specials that will give you discounts on what you fill the basket with. Making your own gift basket just makes sense.

Themed gift baskets are great gifts. There are many theme ideas for baby gift baskets. The following list is just the beginning of ideas. Use your own creativity to come up with a unique theme for your basket.

- bath time basket: You can use a baby tub as the basket and fill it with washcloths, a cute hooded towel and bath supplies.

- clothing basket: Using a cute wicker laundry basket and filling it with socks, onesies, shoes and a cute outfit makes this theme.

- feeding basket: For the bottle-fed baby, you can put in a can of formula or coupons for formula, bottles, a bottle cleaner, burp cloths and extra nipples.

- Health and safety: Something often forgotten about until the need arises, this basket can include, a thermometer, medicine dropper, nail care kit and some childproofing items.

The basic supplies you need are easy to find at a craft or discount store. You need a basket or other container of your choice to make the foundation of the basket. You will also need some sort of filler, like tissue paper, raffia or a fabric item. You can also buy cellophane to enclose the basket when you are finished. Finally you need the items that you will put inside. You can base these on a theme or just buy various items you think the baby needs. That is all you need to make an effective baby gift basket.

Arranging your baby gift basket is a matter of taste. Generally you will keep larger items in the back and smaller items in front. Try to make everything visible and keep items from falling under or behind other items. Once you think you have it, stand back and take a good look. It may take some adjusting, but the whole process of making your gift basket shouldn’t take an extreme amount of time.