Registry opinions needed - kinda OT - ThinnerTimes

Alleusion · 01-12-2008, 09:27 AM

So, I need some opinions. Chances are, I'm not going to get a baby shower. I know a whopping 3 people here and none of them very well. So, since all the friends and (my side anyways) family I know are back in California, or other parts of the US, I had been thinking about an online baby shower.

Here's where I hit a snag.

Wal-Mart's baby registry won't deliver internationally.

Target has no stores in Canada, and won't deliver internationally (and has the fabric pattern I'm lusting after).

Babies R Us has a US and a Canadian store, but if I register with the US one, I have to use a US address for things to be delivered to, then I have to pay import fees when I go pick it up. The Canadian one doesn't have the fabric patterns that I like, but I can deal with it if needed.

Amazon's registry states that most baby items can not be shipped internationally. I haven't looked into registering with their Canadian counterpart yet, but it's a possibility.

Oh and gift cards are out of the question as US bought gift cards won't work in Canada (learned that one the hard way). Amazon has a gift card option which might be worth it, seeing as how everything is done online anyways.

So, I need some opinions. Should I say screw it, and not register for anything...pick one of the above and hope things work out...or.....

I feel so awkward even thinking about an online baby shower thingy, it makes me feel like I expect my friends to get me things...but if I were there, I'd be having a real shower...KWIM?

fisher1000 · 01-12-2008, 10:10 AM

Hi Jenny,

I would go with Amazon, personally...they have such a variety. Also, sometimes, Target stuff is available through Amazon...maybe you can find some of the stuff you want through them...

Additionally, I would think friends would be grateful for the Amazon suggestion, because shipping anything internationally is expensive.

What are you looking at at Target? I'm just curious...we got virtually everything from Target and Babies R Us...

Good Luck!

-Mike

coptergirl · 01-12-2008, 11:38 AM

Honey - Amazon is a great idea. But (and this may just be a super selfish suggestion so I'd get to see you), you can use my address for shipping and I can keep everything here for you until you could come and pick it up to take it back to Canada - I promise not to unwrap anything

Alleusion · 01-12-2008, 04:42 PM

Mike, this is the fabric pattern that's only available from Target...and only from an online order at that. I originally wanted the cherry blossom pattern, but Andrew pointed out that this isn't our last baby and we don't want something too girly in case we have a boy next.

Whitney,
Actually, that was my thoughts as well. I was going to ask you if I could. The problem is, I'll have to pay import fees on anything I bring back over the border. So, I guess if it's small things like clothes and such then it's okay, but big things like stroller, and such will be a little hard to hide

. I'm sure something can be worked out.

Dayanara · 01-12-2008, 05:57 PM

Most of the Canadian sites can be purchased from a US address credit card and shipped to a Canadian address.

I know a friend of mine did online registries at places like Babies R Us and had a few relatives in the USA able to purchase things that were shipped directly to her.

But Amazon is a great idea as well.

Best of luck!

fisher1000 · 01-12-2008, 06:24 PM

What about eBay? I found this classic Pooh stuff, but only poked around enough to see if it was similar to what you were looking for at Target. A lot of these folks will ship to Canada...it might be worth a look.

The pattern is great...I showed my wife. You probably should go with Dora the Explorer or Diego instead...that's what the baby will be watching nonstop after about 6 months.

Whitney I could also stand on the US side of the Falls Gorge and throw you a rope on the other side...then send everything over on a zip line. We'd probably end up in the newspaper, though, and not for our ingenuity!

You know what though...the Canadian side of the border isn't nearly as hard assed as the US side...maybe if Whitney and I claimed to be bringing over a baby shower gift...we could just slide through. Or maybe we could unbox everything and "pretend" like we're just passing it on cause we used it with our kids!

We'll figure this out! We'll keep thinking!

-Mike

Alleusion · 01-12-2008, 07:28 PM

Oh hell no, not Dora. Funny, but Dora isn't that big over here. Probably because there's more French influence than Spanish. I have the same aversion to Dora that I had to Barney when my first was born.

I'm going to "try" to get to New York to do my taxes, but there's an issue with my visitor's permit in that we don't know if I'm allowed to leave the country with it or not.

But yes, we'll figure something out.

fisher1000 · 01-12-2008, 07:36 PM

Well, if you do figure out how to come over...the same offer applies with me as Whitney said...feel free to ship stuff here too.

My mother in law is here all day with the baby during the week, so somebody is here to receive packages. PM me if you want the address!

Take care,

Mike

Ruca · 01-14-2008, 02:55 PM

Mama Jenny!

Is it possible to ship it to Whitney's and then just take the baby with you after she is born and go get all the stuff, leave the boxes on the curb for waste management and just fold up the stuff and play it off like you were "visiting" family with your newborn?

Im not sure about Canada but they don't inventory you on the way out do they? Leave with the baby, come back with all the baby stuff. Seems legit.

Then again I am kinda naive about stuff like this

Alleusion · 01-14-2008, 03:02 PM

I think they're more concerned about what I'm bringing into the country. I'm still crossing my fingers that I'll be able to fly out to San Diego next month and do some shopping at some of the outlet store.....if I can convince someone to be my driver /wink /hint....details are still way up in the air.