Gift registries for kids' birthdays?

My daughter's 4th birthday is next month. I am giving her a Loving Family Dollhouse that I bought off someone on Craigslist. It came with a lot of furniture and accessories, but I wanted to add a few more sets.

I viciously scanned the Toys R Us Web site to see what they offered. If I were to buy the sets I wanted to include, I would spend more money than I wanted. Even though the dollhouse was used, it still was pretty pricey, and I didn't and couldn't spend too much more on Alexis' birthday gift. I wish I could ask those coming to her party to purchase the furniture sets for Alexis' presents, then it would be easier to add onto her "big gift."

And that's when it hit me. Kids should have a gift registry for their birthday.

Why aren't there any gift registries at toy stores for kids?

There are gift registries for wedding and baby showers. Why not kids? It would take all the guess work out of finding a birthday gift, or even a Christmas gift! It would be easier on the gift-giver and easier on the parents -- they won't have to return the gift if it isn't wanted.

I don't think kids should choose their own presents. Setting a 9-year-old loose in a toy store with a price-scanning gun, asking him to choose what he wants for his birthday isn't really a great idea. All they would choose is the big-ticket items. However, parents know what their children like (at least they should!). They can choose toys or games for the registry they know their child would like. That works well for parents, too, because there is always someone who buys a present that is more of a mess than fun.

But then we all hate asking for things, don't we? How dare we SUGGEST a present. But really, a little help is, well, helpful. For example, my friend is getting married in October, and she felt awkward registering for gifts. I told her that family and loved ones love her and want to give her the things she and her fiancée wanted. And it helps if they knew WHAT to give. They want her to be happy!

The same would ring true for kids' birthdays. Don't you think?

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