Don't worry about how much to spend. There's no one right amount and it depends on a lot of factors. Besides, it truly is the thought that counts!

Do feel free to go off-list if there's something you love that's not on the baby registry. New parents will love benefiting from your experience and getting something useful they weren't expecting.

Don't be afraid to give a gift card. It's a great way to make sure the parents get exactly what they want and you can always pair it with something homemade if you're worried it's not personal enough.

Do consider picking out something for the older siblings. It's by no means necessary, but it is a nice gesture for the child who might be feeling a bit left out.

Do be sure to tell the store cashier that you're buying a present from a registry. That way they can be sure to mark the item as having already been purchased from the registrant's wishlist. Even if the parents love the product, they may not want to get a duplicate of the same thing from someone else. Of course, if you are buying the gift online off an electronic registry, the item you select will automatically be marked as "already purchased" the moment you check out.

Don't be offended if your gift gets returned, even if it were something you bought off a registry. The important thing is that they get something they'll really love and use.