Congrats to the winner: tracy davis

Recently JCPenney contacted me about their baby registry. (No, I’m not pregnant. If you read about me being pregnant, it will be one of those “IUD baby” situations!) Rather, they wanted me to test out the site since many Mom in the City readers are expectant moms. They sent me one $100 gift card to use on my registry. They also gave me a $100 gift card for one lucky Mom in the City reader.

Honestly, I didn’t even know that JCPenney had a baby registry. When I had Michael over 5 years ago, I registered at Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby. (I didn’t want a baby shower for Sean, so I didn’t register anywhere for his birth.) Now, after having gone through the process of creating a baby registry on JCPenney’s site, I definitely think that it’s a great option for expecting moms.

Here are my top five thoughts after having gone through the registry process:

1. It’s easy to find the “Gifts and Registry” section. The link is on the top of the JCPenney home page. Once you click on it, there is a “find a registry” (by name) link on the page. (I know that It’s a little thing, but I hate having to search all over the place for what I’m looking for…especially if I’m looking to get a gift for someone else.)

2. It’s simple to create a registry. You fill in some basic information to set up your account and then you’re able to start picking items. You also have the option of receiving (up to 50) free announcement cards once you set up your registry. They will arrive within 2 -3 weeks. The only thing that I don’t like about the registration process is that a CoRegistrant name is a required field. (It’s a small thing, but what if you’re a single mom – by choice or by necessity?)

4. There’s a great selection of items to choose from and the registries are easy to update. The thing that I like about the idea of having your baby registry at a variety type store like JCPenney’s (rather than a baby specific store) is simply that you have more options. If you need baby staples, they have many of the top baby brands. If you’re an expectant parent who already has all of the basics, there’s a “More gift ideas on jcp.com” option where you can include items from all over their website on your baby registry. (I could have especially used that feature for my second child!) For instance, I used my gift card towards curtains and a rug for my boys’ room…

5. They offer free gift wrap and shipping on gift registry merchandise purchases of $49 or more. The only catch is that this only applies when buyers ship to JCPenney Catalog Desks for in-store pickups. (That’s fine if you have a local JCPenney, but not so great if you don’t.)

3. There are a lot of tips and advice on the registry. I’m an “information junkie” so having everything all in one place is ideal. From “parent’s favorites” to “baby solutions” to “nursery solutions”, there’s information on a wide range of topics. Do you need help regarding hosting a shower/designing your nursery/etc.? The information is there. (I especially like the “just for dads” section – the “21 things not to say” in particular.)

Now, it’s your turn to test the site for yourself. One lucky Mom in the City reader will win a $100 JCPenney gift card to use towards a JCPenney baby registry (either yours or to purchase a gift from a friend’s registry).

To win, please let me know which JCPenney baby registry item(s) – from either your or a friend’s registry – you would purchase with the $100 in the “Comments” section below by July 31st.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter or friend me on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non- giveaway) posts until July 31st.

Good luck!

To see other contests & giveaways around the web, visit Contesting Monday or Contest Monday.)