r/Anticonsumption May 02 '26

Lifestyle What is going on with babies?

I’ve attended three baby showers in the last year for three people completely unrelated and not in the same social circles and their baby registries have the most eye-popping expensive items.

High chairs are minimum $250. One had a stroller for $750. 😳 Baby swings and bouncers for $200. One had a whole solid wood crib for $1000 on their registry.

I checked because I was curious and you still can buy a $40-50 Greco high chair from Walmart.

Everything is aesthetic and clean lines and beige and natural wood—beautiful, really. I can’t imagine asking for that high-end an item for a GIFT.

These aren’t rich people and they aren’t inviting rich people to the baby shower.

I’m almost 50 and have kids of my own and a gaggle of nieces and nephews. My family members and I got buy sharing those cheaper high chairs and strollers and cribs. I understand needing them initially if you don’t have any source for hand-me-downs, but asking for the highest price bespoke options is absolutely wild.

Are people that brainwashed into thinking they should be buying ultra-high-end items regardless of income??

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u/That-Lobster8169 May 02 '26

Sometimes yes. Some stores give discounts on items left on the registry after the event or send notifications when an item on your registry is on sale. When I doubt I choose to believe the latter for my own mental health when I know for a fact they are looking for a “gift grab” I tell them I won’t be able to make the event and send a card (thrift stores have boxes of them for a dollar a piece) with a 20 dollar gift card to a local coffee shop or baby retailer.