My son Leo is turning three next month and honestly I am kind of at a loss with the whole gift situation. I have been through the ringer with baby showers and first birthdays so I know my way around a registry and how to organize the must-haves but this feels different now that he is a toddler. We are in a pretty tight 2-bedroom place here in Seattle and the toy situation is already getting out of control with all the hand-me-downs from his older cousins.

Lately I have had like five different relatives text me asking what he is into right now and I find myself repeating the same stuff over and over—mostly Duplo sets or specific craft supplies because he is obsessed with painting everything he touches. My sister-in-law suggested I just put together a quick Amazon or Target list to make it easier for everyone but I am worried it will come across as super tacky? Like, is a registry for a 3-year-old a bit much? I remember for his first birthday we just let people bring whatever and we ended up with three identical play tunnels that we had no room for, so I am trying to avoid that mess again but I dont want to look like I am just out for the loot.

The party is just gonna be a low-key thing at the local park with some pizza and cupcakes—trying to keep the whole budget under $300—so it isnt some grand gala or anything. I just want to make sure people arent wasting their money on things he wont use or stuff that will just drive me crazy with the noise and batteries. I have even thought about doing a fiver party where everyone just brings 5 bucks for his college fund but then I feel like he misses out on the fun of actually opening a box and being a kid.

Are registries actually helpful for this age group or does it make me look like one of those influencer parents who expects everyone to follow a strict list... what do you guys think?