Baby gift lists - is it a cultural thing?

[Aiionwatha]

I've noticed that several of my French friends who have been pregnant recently have announced their pregnancies on Facebook accompanied by a link to a baby wish list, where you can buy them gifts for their new baby. I've never seen this before amongst my British friends. Is this a common custom abroad? Or is it also a thing here that I've just never come across? I think it's a good idea in a way, as I recently received several of the same gifts for my baby (5x cuddly bunny toys, for example) , but I also think my British friends would consider it very presumptuous and I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable doing it myself.

I must admit I’ve got a wish list! But I would never, ever send out the link to anyone that I didn’t know desperately wanted to get us something. My family and close friends are quite practical in terms of gifts, they’d rather get something you need instead of buying for the sake of it.

my wish list has things from £3 upwards. I think it’s a good idea, especially as everyone talks about how many babygrows/outfits you’ll be gifted that your baby won’t even get to wear before outgrowing them. But like I say, I would never openly post the link or presume that anyone would buy me anything unless they ask.

I live in France and I have never ever heard of this.

Was common in the USA

It is common in Belgium. I always thought it is nice to know that whatever I buy will be useful for the new parents. It is good to have a wide range of prices to ensure there is something for any budget. I'm sure they'll appreciate any gifts even if not on the list though.
I'll make a wish list/baby list as well as it will be easy for my family to order/send gifts when they're not in the same country and might not know what stores are available.

I think it's a nice idea 🙂 or like a money pot so people can help the new parents buy expensive items like the carseat and pushchair

Yep - I'm in the US and it's expected you have a registry. You don't generally share it publicly, but people will ask you for it all the time.

I am French and yes, it is very common in France. It's called une liste de naissance.

I've seen people create 'wish lists' - I'm not sure its just a French thing, as seems to be becoming more common. I'm with you, that it feels very presumptuous. But then I also think 'baby showers' are cringey (and as someone who went through fertility treatment, actually think they are super insensitive). I think a lot just comes down to what's normal in your friendship group. I'm not expecting people to give us gifts, and the few friends who would really like to are sensible enough to ask what kind of thing would be useful.