Parents-to-be will be grateful for anything and everything they receive whether it’s chosen off of their registry or carefully picked out just for them and their baby. Babies come with a lot of gear, so sticking to practicality will greatly benefit the new parents. Read on to see what we feel is appropriate to spend on a baby shower gift.
Buying a Baby Shower Gift for a Co-worker
Depending on your work environment, office baby showers and celebrations can be a common occurrence if a co-worker is expecting. We recommend purchasing a gift under $25 for colleagues or acquaintances or going in on a group gift with others (we talk about group gifts more below). Don’t feel guilty if you’re just picking up a small gift, they will likely have a full baby shower for their bigger needs. Acknowledging this big life change for people you spend a significant amount of your workday with is a lovely gesture.
You may not know your colleagues quite as well as personal friends, so we recommend choosing something small off of their registry, or if you have children of your own choosing an item that you or your little one has loved. A great idea is to gift some favorite children’s books to help build the new baby’s library up. If all co-workers purchase a book instead of a card, the parents will walk away with a ton of long-lasting stories that they can enjoy with their baby. This is also an inexpensive way to purchase a gift that’s practical and fun.
Baby Shower Gift Ideas Under $25
Safety First Deluxe 25-Piece Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit
Huggies Newborn Gift Box
Baby Rattle Sets Teether Toys
Pearhead First 5 Years Chevron Baby Memory Book
Baby Bandana Drool Bibs by Dodo Baby
Buying a Baby Shower Gift for a Friend
Most of the baby showers you will get invited to will likely be showers for friends of yours. An acceptable range for a baby shower gift would be around $50. Take guidance from their registry, or perhaps there’s something unique you could purchase that’s defining about your friendship. For example, if you’re college friends, picking up a baby onesie with your college mascot on it would make a great and unique baby shower gift.
If you like getting creative consider purchasing a few smaller items and putting together your own gift basket. Personal care items like nail clippers, shampoo, soap, and first aid kits would make a perfect baby shower basket. If you have children of your own, draw on your experience and what items you found to get the most use. New parents may love the perspective and experience that comes from seasoned parents and may find similar baby items just as useful.
Baby Shower Gift Ideas Under $50
FridaBaby Bitty Bundle of Joy Healthcare and Grooming Kit
Fridababy Bitty Bundle of Joy Healthcare and Grooming Kit – $44.99Mamibaby Baby Lounger
Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Deluxe Bouncer
Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym
Baby Monthly Milestone Blanket
Buying a Baby Shower Gift for a Family Member
Family, or friends that are like family, are going to be the people you have known the longest and are the closest to you. We think it’s appropriate to spend the most amount of money on your family members and really close family friends. A gift up to $100 is just about right. With a budget of up to $100, you can choose a gift that’s really special or particularly desired by the new parents.
Put an extra bit of thought and effort behind a gift that will go to a family member. Knowing that you will be involved in this baby’s life on a long-term basis will help make gift-giving feel that much more important. If you have the ability to create handmade items, this is the perfect opportunity to gift something meaningful along with a store-bought item. Whether it’s a baby blanket, cute hat, or stuffed animal, handmade items become long-term keepsakes and will hold a special place in the parent’s hearts.
Baby Shower Gifts Under $100
LilleBaby Six-Position Baby Carrier
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
Graco Pack ‘n Play On the Go Playard
Marpac Dohm White Noise Machine
RUVALINO Backpack Diaper Bag
How Much to Contribute to Group Baby Shower Gifts
Do you want to gift the expecting parents with a big-ticket item but can’t justify paying for the gift on your own? Ask a couple of common friends or family members if they would like to pitch in together. This typically makes the gifting process easier for everyone anyway! By going in together on a gift, you can typically purchase a larger gift for the baby shower. If you were planning to spend $40-$60, and you combine that with 4-5 people, you’ll now have a larger pool of money to work with. If you want to personalize your gift-giving, pair your group gift with a book or small toy that you can be just from you.
When there’s not a baby registry to access, we recommend consulting the parents-to-be before purchasing big items such as car seats, strollers, rocking chairs, cribs, etc. There are so many brands and styles to choose from, you want to make sure you are purchasing what they are comfortable with and desire. Even though it might not be a surprise, allowing the new parents to choose their preferred style, safety, and specific features will be more important.
Bigger Ticket Baby Shower Gift Ideas
The Play Gym by Lovevery
Inglesina Gusto High Chair
Baby Care Playmat
Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat
Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing
Buying a Gift for a Baby “Sprinkle”
Some people will have what they call a “Baby Sprinkle” when they’re having their second or third child. There’s no need for a full baby shower since the parents already had one with their first child, but a sprinkle to celebrate another little one is a fun get-together. We recommend spending less than $25 in this type of situation. Maybe they are having a baby of the opposite gender, or it’s time to upgrade baby gear. Whichever the case is, a smaller gift that still acknowledges the new baby is a nice gesture.
A sweet gift for the soon-to-be sibling is a great idea as well. When all the attention is being placed on the new baby and momma, siblings may feel a little jealous. Help the older kids feel excited with something you picked out just for them. Pretty soon life will be pretty different with a new little one around.
“Baby Sprinkle” Gift Ideas
Tummy Time Water Play Mat
My First Holiday Bib Set
Sibling Tshirt/Onesie Set
Think Wing Baby Bath Toys
Touched by Nature Organic Cotton Gowns
Buying a Baby Shower Gift for Mom
All the focus and attention is on the growing baby, but what about Mom? She’s going through a lot too, and adding in a small gift just for her is a nice addition to a baby shower. Maybe a comfortable robe, some soothing bath items, or a personalized piece of jewelry. Recognizing the hard work she’s been doing and commemorating this time in her life is a lovely gesture that will certainly be appreciated. While not expected, gifting a mom with something small, especially if she’s a close friend or family member is a nice thing to do to mark the special occasion.
Wrap Up
Typically soon-to-be-parents create a registry filled with baby items with a variety of price ranges. If you’re looking for a starting place, check the registry first since you know these are items parents have flagged as things they would like to have. Particularly if you’re doing a group gift or a big-ticket item such as car seats, a rocking chair or glider, strollers, etc., consult a registry or the parents first to make sure you’re purchasing something they will be happy with.
If you want to make smaller items more robust, put them together in a sweet little gift basket or pair them together with other items. Small items like pacifiers, shampoo, bath necessities, burp cloths, books, soft animals, etc. all make great basket stuffers.
If you know the gender, you can choose gifts specific to the new baby. If not, there are a number of gender-neutral options that make wonderful gifts. When in doubt, grab a box of diapers because all parents will run through diapers like crazy! Consider purchasing larger-sized diapers, new parents will sigh a sense of relief when they don’t have to run to the store late at night.
