First, check to see if the parents-to-be registered with a baby store.  Most likely this 

Now, there are several people out there that love surprises and therefore hate registries.  If that is you, there are some helpful hints for you too.  First, think practical.  All parents are going to use diapers, baby wash, onesies, blankets, etc.  If you go out on a limb and buy nursery décor or a set of newborn bottles for baby shower gifts, who’s to say they will like it or that they needed it?  For my daughter’s shower I received several different pacifiers as baby shower gifts.  I quickly learned that my baby will only take to one shape and one brand.  All of the other pacifiers were never used or opened.  That is just a small example.  People also love to give diaper pails as baby shower gifts.  By the end of the shower I had three different diaper pails with no gift receipt.  We later learned that most stores, like Target, will not let you return or exchange the item without a receipt.    

I know what you are thinking, practical is boring.  Trust me, practical is far from it.