Why dont you register so you get what you really need? I registered at Baby R Us for all my gear, diaper genie, plastic bathtub etc but for all my "nice" wishlist items for my nursery, I registered on BabyBox.com. I picked out my baby bedding and crib, lighting and artwork. Then my friends got together and got the artwork, my mom-in-law got the bedding for our crib and my husband's office bought our crib! It may be the best idea. I ended up buying my chandelier off my registry but I got everything else. Go to BabyBox website and there is a place to pick all your registry items and then whoever hosts your shower, should send a small note, saying something like, I am registered at Baby R Us and BabyBox.com etc... Kind of like your wedding registry. My 2 cents

Most of the stuff I registered for I returned.  What you think you need will not always be what you end up needing.  And also, just because your friend, sister, etc couldn't live without a...you will find that it is 50/50 whether you like it as well, or more important, if your baby likes it. Some babies like bouncing, some like rocking, some sleep in the swing, some hate the swing, some love vibration... Wait until the baby comes to see what you need.  Most newborns need very little.  I got a bassinet, but I was nursing, I found that for me, having the "Snuggle nest" in the bed was much easier and I just put her in it during the day as well. In the end, she hated being in the bassinet anyway - never used it.  The only 2 things that I know are musts for most people (my friends and extensive family) are a bouncy seat and a Gymini - you need things to put the baby in so that you are not holding them all the time and they are entertained.  However, newborns do not have head control, so you want a bouncy seat that is not too upright and you may want to limit the bouncing in the beginning.

 Definitely register because otherwise you will get a bunch of stuff that can't be returned and then you are stuck.  You will use the credits at Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby for the whole first year. When you register, pick things at all different price points so that everyone feels that they have something in their price range that they will enjoy giving you.  Also, don't worry about registering for things you don't think you need as well (just so people have options) and register for things that you will need in 6 to 12 months (high chair, exersaucer, jump-r-roo). Then, return it all so you don't have a house full of gear that you are not using and buy it as you need it (using the coupons you get in the mail to get it cheaper!).  It takes time to get to know your baby, but within a month or two (or three) you will see what he/she responds to.  Also, craigs list is great for good condition, second hand items that are expensive - high chairs, big toys.

It is really is overwhelming, but you can always buy things, however, sometimes you can't take them back.