If you’re reading this, we have a hunch that means a new baby is on the way (if so, congrats!). In between thinking of the perfect name to bestow upon the little one, looking after the soon-to-be big brother or sister and taking care of yourself, you’re probably wondering if it’s appropriate to set up a baby registry. The answer is a resounding “YES!”.
While you likely still have some big-ticket items that are perfectly good for your new baby to enjoy, on the practical side, new baby clothing, toiletries, a car seat (yes, you need a new one) and diapers, diapers, DIAPERS are most certainly needed.
On the sentimental side, firstborns aren’t the only ones who deserve to feel special upon their arrival. Not only will they (eventually) appreciate knowing they received some thoughtful gifts just for them, but your family and friends are doubtless just as ecstatic to welcome the newest member of your family with an adorable present as they were with your first.
Typically, a baby sprinkle registry isn’t as large as a baby shower registry. When you go to create your baby sprinkle registry, there are some basic tips to keep in mind:
- Focus on the essentials! If you still have baby items that are serviceable from your shower, continue to use those and avoid unnecessary clutter in your home post-sprinkle.
- Consider including a few big-ticket items, like a car seat or a new crib (if needed) for people who wish to give a group gift to purchase.
- If you feel funny about creating a registry for your sprinkle, don’t—65% of Evite guests prefer some gift ideas from the recipient! You can include yours in your Evite event details vs. right on the invitation so guests who wish to give a gift can easily do so without needing to ask you directly.
Getting started
Where can I register for a baby sprinkle?
There are plenty of awesome retailers to choose from when building your baby sprinkle registry, so let's break down some of the most popular options out there and the perks that come with each one.
- Choose from an unbelievably wide variety of products (so you can get literally anything!)
- Get a free welcome box
- Enjoy one year of free returns
- Use a 15% completion discount when purchasing anything left on your registry
- Receive an itemized thank you list
- And, (debatably) the best part: Creating a registry on Amazon is super easy!
If you prefer an in-person experience:
- Target: Offers a 15% off completion discount, one year of free returns, a free welcome kit and the ability to shop in person and online
- Walmart: Gives you the ability to shop IRL and add your fave finds by scanning their barcodes with your phone (ah, the wonders of technology!)
Pro tip: Register with multiple retailers and add up to 3 registries to your Evite baby sprinkle invitation!
How early should I create a baby sprinkle registry?
It's generally recommended to create your baby sprinkle registry around the beginning of your second trimester, or between 12 to 16 weeks into your pregnancy. If you’re hoping to add gender-specific items to your registry, then you’ll likely have to wait until around 20 weeks into your pregnancy as this is the typical time at which doctors will be able to check your little one’s gender.
What are some etiquette tips for creating a baby sprinkle registry?
When creating your baby sprinkle registry, consider these etiquette tips to ensure a positive experience for both you and your guests:
- Include a variety of items at different price points to accommodate guests with varying budgets.
- Avoid including registry information directly on the invitation; instead, share it in your Evite’s event details.
- Express gratitude for gifts received by sending personalized thank you eCards in a timely manner.
How can I share my baby sprinkle registry with guests?
Sharing your baby sprinkle registry with guests is easy and convenient with Evite! Include up to three registry links directly on your digital invitations so guests can easily access event details and registry info all in one place. Read more about Evite’s various gifting options here.
Make sure to browse our baby sprinkle invitations for adorable designs you’ll love. Once you’ve selected your fave invitation, get inspired with these ideas for what to write in a baby shower invitation.
What to put on a baby sprinkle registry
Diapering
Bathing & toiletries
Feeding
Whether you tossed your old ones out or just want to start fresh, nursing accessories like bottles, nipples, bottle brushes and nipple cream are great practical additions to a baby sprinkle registry. Plus, no matter how carefully you clean and sanitize your baby textiles, after a while, it’s time to toss your old bibs and burp cloths and replace them. Another good reason to include them on your registry: These are great inexpensive gifting options to add to a registry for guests who want to buy something cute for your baby without breaking the bank.
Baby gear
Regardless of how great the condition of your elder child’s infant car seat is, you need a new one for each child. Why? Safety standards and technology change regularly and car seat materials degrade over time (especially if you’ve been in an accident). So please, add this to your registry to keep your new baby safe and secure. Similar to infant car seats, soft infant carriers are often recalled or upgraded, so it’s best to have a new one for your new little one. Also, if the soon-to-be older sibling is still in their toddler era, consider upgrading to a double stroller to make taking them out for a stroll much easier!
Sleeping
Both for hygienic and safety reasons (a crib mattress should be firm for safe sleep!), getting a new mattress for your new baby’s crib is a must. If your older child’s crib isn’t in perfect condition (or if it’s a convertible model they’re still using), you’ll want to include a new crib on your big-ticket items wish list.
Health & safety
Baby clothing
Books
Personalized toys and gifts
Baby monitor
Diaper bag
White noise machine
Pee-Pee Teepees
Nursery & decor
Soft toys and blankets
Anything made with fabric is likely to wear out, get soaked in drool or worse. Fresh, cozy new blankets will be a welcome addition, and every child has at least one soft toy they’ll remember and keep for the rest of their life. Who wouldn’t love the chance to gift your new baby’s favorite plushie to them?
A self-care gift for mom
Once you’ve created your baby sprinkle registry, don’t forget to add it right to your baby sprinkle invitation! You can easily add up to three to your sprinkle’s event details to make gifting extra easy for your guests. And to any family and friends who generously send you and your baby a thoughtful gift, don’t forget to send thank you cards (if you’re looking for some inspiration on what to write in your baby sprinkle thank you cards, this article is here to help you find the perfect words of gratitude).
Baby sprinkle registry FAQs
Should I make a registry for a baby sprinkle?
Absolutely! While a baby sprinkle registry generally isn’t as large as a baby shower registry, there are definitely a lot of baby items your new little bundle of joy will need. Besides, your family and friends will almost certainly be just as excited to celebrate the new baby as much as they did with your first one, and they’ll need even more gifting guidance as you’ll already have many baby items on hand.
How many items should I add to a baby sprinkle registry?
As with a baby shower, there’s no set number of items to add to a baby sprinkle registry. However, your sprinkle registry will likely be much smaller since you’ll already have many essential items ready and waiting at home to be used by your new little one!
Should I register for big-ticket items like a crib or stroller for my sprinkle?
Yes! These essential items will usually be purchased by close family members or groups of friends looking to contribute a significant gift to the expectant parents. And as baby items like cribs, car seats and strollers are regularly updated to meet new safety standards, you will likely need new ones for your new baby.
Is it okay to register for duplicates of items?
Yes, especially for essentials like diapers, wipes and bottles! These items are frequently used and often need to be replenished regularly, so having multiples will likely be a life-saver. Additionally, it’s always nice to include an assortment of options at different prices so your guests can find a wonderful gift that fits their budget.
Is it okay to update my baby sprinkle registry after it's created?
Yes, of course! It's perfectly acceptable to update your baby sprinkle registry as needed throughout your pregnancy. As you receive gifts or as your needs change, feel free to add or remove items from your registry accordingly. Keeping your registry up-to-date ensures that guests have access to the most current list of items you desire.
What makes Evite SignUp Sheets different from SignUpGenius?
Developed hand-in-hand with community organizers, PTA presidents, parents and teachers, Evite's signup sheets are designed to make organizing volunteers a breeze. Here are a few ways SignUp Sheets are different than SignUpGenius:
- 100% free: SignUp Sheets are free to use.
- Ad-free: No popup ads ever! Our signup sheets remain clutter-free, keeping your volunteers focused on signing up.
- No extra login required: Seamlessly use your Evite account to create and manage your signup sheets, keeping all your events in one convenient location.
- Automatic reminders and notifications: Stay on top of your event with automated reminders and notifications for you and your participants. Perfect for busy parents, teachers and anyone juggling multiple commitments.
- Customization options: Tailor your signup sheets to your specific event, whether it's a school fundraiser, potluck, volunteer opportunity or team activity. Add custom tasks, time slots and requirements for smooth coordination.
- User-friendly experience: Our intuitive interface makes creating and sharing signup sheets simple for everyone, regardless of tech experience.
- Real-time updates: Get instant notifications whenever someone signs up or makes a change, so you always know where things stand.
Choose Evite SignUp Sheets for the easiest, most streamlined way to get volunteers and signups for your next event!
What is a signup sheet?
Signup sheets are the perfect way to streamline scheduling, volunteer recruitment, class parties, snack duty, potluck organization, parent-teacher conferences and more! You can think of them as your digital assistant for coordinating events and tasks and ensuring that your event is a success.
Evite SignUp Sheets offers parents, teachers and event planners customizable online forms that organizers and volunteers can access and update effortlessly. Volunteers can choose their preferred time slots, sign up for tasks or indicate what they'll bring to the event. It only takes organizers a few minutes to create a signup sheet and send it out with a shareable link, so they can get the word out via text, email or social media—whichever way they prefer!
Long story short, signup sheets save everyone involved tons of time, avoid scheduling headaches and ensure everything runs smoothly before and during the event.
How do I create a signup sheet?
Creating a signup sheet has never been easier than with Evite! Here’s how to create a sheet that’s sure to make your event an absolute success:
- Go to Evite SignUp Sheets and choose the template that best fits your needs. Evite offers multiple signup sheet templates perfect for every occasion, including:
- Signup sheets for one day events (without different time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing a class party, potluck or end-of-season party.
- Signup sheets for single or multiple day events (with time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing concession stand volunteers, fundraisers, parent-teacher conferences, meal train, post-game snack duty or during appreciation week.
- After selecting your sheet template, create a title for your signup sheet and add the date, the location, the time (if applicable), who the organizer is, the organizer’s phone number or email and an optional note describing the event to your volunteers. You can also change your signup sheet background and title image if you wish!
- Next, create slots for your signup sheet. If you aren’t logged into your account, you will need to do so at this point, but luckily, you can use your existing Evite account (no need to create yet another login!). What you’ll include here will depend on what your event needs, but you can include a list of what’s needed (along with optional descriptions), how many volunteers are needed, and dates and times.
- After creating your slots, you can then add a wish list from any retailer or include supply suggestions from Evite’s retailer partners. These are to help your volunteers find and purchase supplies quickly and easily.
- Finally, review your sheet, copy your shareable link and send it out to everyone on your list! Every time a volunteer signs up for a slot on your signup sheet, Evite will email you. We will also send reminders to you and your volunteers before your event so no one will forget about it, and we’ll even let volunteers know if you remove their slot or cancel your event sheet so you don’t have to!
What information should be included on a signup sheet?
When it comes to signup sheet information, there are some essentials to include regardless of what you’re organizing:
- A title for your signup sheet. Tip: Aim to keep your signup sheet title concise but clear. You want volunteers to read it and have a general understanding of what your event is about, and also make it easy for them to look for later if they need to reference your sheet again. You have the option to include a more descriptive note in a different field about your event, so save the more in-depth details for that!
- When and where the event is taking place.
- The organizer’s name and phone number.
- Slots for volunteers to choose from. Once you choose the SignUp Sheets template that fits the occasion, the slots you’ll need for your sheet will be right there and ready for you to add the relevant info, such as dates, times, items to bring and tasks to complete.
When adding your slot information, clearly define what people are signing up for, especially for a what-to-bring list or role assignments. If you want someone to bring healthy snacks for kids to enjoy after a game, specify that. You want your volunteers to feel confident in what they’re bringing and to make it easy for them to know what’s expected of them. It will save them time and stress (and you, too!). That being said, if you make your ask too specific (for example, asking for a hard-to-source item or something expensive), you may not end up with a volunteer for it. So be clear about what you expect, but also be reasonable!
Aside from providing the basic signup information, you can also add optional descriptions to both your entire signup sheet and individual slots. While not required, they can help guide your volunteers further and provide more information. You can add information about allergies, preferences and general info about the event. You can also add a wish list to make it easier for your volunteers to bring exactly what you need!
What are the benefits of using a signup sheet template?
Signup sheet templates offer a ton of advantages for both organizers and volunteers and with Evite SignUp Sheets, you'll enjoy even more benefits than other digital and paper signup sheets! Some benefits our signup sheet templates offer include:
- A 100% free experience (no subscriptions required!).
- Shareable links for quick and easy sharing.
- No need to create another login—you can use your existing Evite account.
- The option to add a wish list to help your volunteers out.
- Automatic reminders—we’ll remind everyone on your behalf.
- An easy-to-use experience with eye-catching guided templates.
- Clean, modern designs with no pop-up ads.
With Evite SignUp Sheets, you can enjoy organizing and coordinating all your events with ease. Signup sheets streamline the signup process for everyone involved, ensuring that everything will go to plan on the day of your event while saving you precious time in the process.