Sure, a baby registry's main purpose is to let friends and family know which baby essentials you want and need. And there's something so special about receiving baby shower gifts from your loved ones. But once you've gone through your baby registry checklist and added all the physical necessities, there's one more step we recommend: asking those loved ones for help and favors.
Asking for help can feel really hard for some people, while others may not even know what kind of support they'll want or need. The truth is, your friends and family want to be there for you in a meaningful way. Adding options for help and favors to your registry is a great way to let your people rally around you.
There are two ways to add these types of alternative gifts to your Babylist registry: help & favors coupons and cash funds.
Help & Favors
Once your baby arrives, your whole life will change (in the best way!). But life still goes on—those dishes aren’t going to wash themselves. You can ask for specific help & favors from your friends and family by adding these coupons to your baby registry. They'll ensure you line up support for day-to-day tasks, such as meals, household chores or even babysitting (so you can get a little break).
A delicious home-cooked meal from a loved one? Yes, please! (Or even a meal-delivery service).
Chores are usually the last thing any new parent wants to deal with. Ask a loved one to help keep things tidy or register for a cleaning service.
Every new parent could use a nap, a hot shower or even a date night! Ask a loved one to care for your baby while you take a break.
Fur babies still need love even after baby arrives. Asking for help walking your dog means their need will be taken care of while you have your hands full with baby.
Babies grow fast, which means they probably won’t wear their clothes for very long, especially in the first year. Pre-loved clothes from a friend or family member’s child makes a great eco-friendly gift.
Reading to your baby is a great way to bond, and it's beneficial for their development. Asking for pre-loved baby books can help you build baby's little library from day one.
Have another idea not listed? Get as creative as you’d like with this blank coupon and ask for what you really need, or let loved ones help in their own way.
Cash Funds
If you're looking for financial support, a cash fund allows friends and family to contribute money toward everyday baby necessities like diapers or childcare, or if you're thinking ahead, even a college fund. You can also ask people to contribute to things like your parental leave fund to help replace any lost income you might experience while you're not working or an adoption fund to help cover all of those costs.
Babies go through a ton of diapers–adding a diaper fund to your registry can help you restock your diaper stash once you go through the diapers you receive at your shower.
Thinking ahead? Start your baby’s college fund with help from your village. They’ll be able to contribute cash gifts to your registry that you can then use to set up a 529 as a tax-advantaged way to save for college.
Adoption costs between $30,000-$40,000 on average, which often doesn’t include additional travel costs and attorney fees. This fund gives your friends and family a chance to chip in.
Taking time off to spend time with your new baby can be one of the most memorable times of your life. However, it can be really expensive and complicated to take that time. Let your people help you out with a parental leave cash fund.
Cooking is the last thing you’ll want to do, let your friends and family help you out with a meal fund to use toward your favorite takeout.
Doulas can be an invaluable source of support during labor, childbirth and the first couple of weeks after birth. Unfortunately, most have to be paid for out of pocket. Adding a doula fund is a great way to get the support you need.
Childcare is expensive and most families can use all the help they can get. A childcare fund can help you save money to help with the high costs.
A babymoon getaway is a great opportunity to pamper yourself before baby's arrival. Let your loved ones help pay for your trip so you can relax to the max.
If you're looking to go the budget-friendly and eco-friendly route with your baby gear, this cash fund lets your friends and family contribute financially to secondhand gear that you can choose through your own preferred retailers or sources.
A general cash fund lets you ask your village for financial support to make your transition to parenthood easier, whether that’s hiring a night nurse or paying for pelvic floor physical therapy—the options are endless!
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