In a traditional baby-shower gift registry, what does the registry primarily tell guests?

In a traditional baby-shower gift registry, the registry primarily tells guests which gifts the parents want.

A registry is a selected list of products that helps guests choose useful items while reducing duplicate presents. Baby registries commonly include necessities such as clothing, feeding supplies, bedding, bathing items, and safety equipment. Stores or online services may allow several guests to reserve individual items so that the list stays current.

The registry does not determine whether a guest must give a gift, and etiquette differs by culture, family, and invitation style. Some hosts include registry information discreetly, while others prefer contributions, handmade items, or no gifts.

A baby registry is different from a birth announcement. The registry concerns gift preferences before or around the birth; the announcement shares information about the baby after birth. It also differs from a hospital birth plan, which records medical preferences.