Expecting couple create baby registry, get offended when in-laws don't buy from it: 'The most expensive item was 150€'

Ally Perry • Writer and Editor

Jun 27, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

What is the correct etiquette when buying a gift for a new baby?

Along with all the other challenges that expecting parents face, there is the constant bombardment of information that tells them that they need to buy a whole big collection of stuff if they want to be in any way competent at parenting. Those who have been through it will often tell you that you can survive without most of the gadgets and shiny new things, but the pressure is on to purchase them nonetheless.

Obviously, this is where having a baby can get pretty expensive, and it is normal to expect friends and family to give a helping hand where they can. Much like with weddings, parents-to-be can sometimes get a little crazy with their wish lists, but a lot of the time, they are just looking for the kind of generosity that is going to make life with a baby easier. It is not a big ask, so long as the people they hope will give them gifts have the finances to do so. While it could be argued that one of the most valuable things to be gifted as a new parent is somebody's time, some of the stuff you need for the baby also helps.

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A man and his wife were expecting their first child, and they decided to make an online gift list that their friends and family could buy from to help them prepare for the baby. The list mostly contained items that were not overly expensive, and the mom-to-be's family immediately bought from it.
However, the couple was disappointed when it seemed like the man's family was not going to buy anything from the list. The dad-to-be felt like this was yet another example of the issues that his close relatives had with him, but he didn't want to buy anything else they needed in case it caused conflict.
My family is acting weird about our baby registry and time is running out. How do I tell them we're buying the rest ourselves without starting a fight?

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