How Much To Spend On A Baby Shower Gift?

Introduction 

How much to spend on your baby shower gift is a question that everyone going to the baby shower must figure out. Sometimes, knowing how much to spend is to keep within your financial budget, but it can also be to make sure your gift isn’t overwhelming compared to the other guests’ gifts as well. Consider this: one gift giver at the party gives a $500 purse, while the other gifts are a fraction of that. This might make the person who got the overwhelming gift feel awkward. This guide is dedicated to giving you an understanding of the perfect budget range for your gift based on your relationship with the guest.

The answer to how much you should spend on a baby shower gift depends largely on the relationship you have with the recipient. If it’s someone you don’t know well, $25-$35 is okay, but more is preferable. If it’s a friend or a distant relative, $47-$70 is fine. If it’s a close family member or friend, $80 and above is appropriate.

Consider the following commonly recognized pricing ranges when shopping. Your relationship with the receiver has a significant impact on the suggested gift budget, so we’ve broken it down for you.

If you’re a coworker or general acquaintance, spend $25 to $35

If your relationship with the mom-to-be is more of a coworker or general acquaintance—but not quite best friends—it’s nice to give something but also not want to break the bank for it. You shouldn’t feel bad about spending less than $35 on the present. In this particular scenario, it is helpful to keep in mind a price range of $25 to $35.

Our favorite gifts in the range of $25 to $35

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• Baby mobile – Baby mobiles are a great baby shower gift idea, because they’re a useful item that will be used for years to come. They can be hung in the nursery, or from the stroller or crib. They’re also easy to travel with and make a great decoration for any room in your home. A mobile can help the baby develop his or her motor skills, as well as calm them down when they’re upset.
  • Baby Crib Mobile with Music and Lights – A captivating mobile with remote control, rotation, and moon/star projection.
  • Baby Musical Crib Mobile – Engaging mobile with night lights, relaxing music, rotating rattles, animals and stars projection.
  • Birds and Clouds Baby Crib Mobile – Whimsical felt mobile with bird and clouds design, perfect for baby showers and nursery decor.

• Stuffed animal – Stuffed animal is a timeless baby shower gift. A stuffed animal will always be a beloved toy, and it’s sure to be a hit with the kids who will love playing with it for years to come! There are all sorts of options out there—you can get a teddy bear, a sloth, an elephant, or a panda bear. The best part is that they’re super soft and cuddly.
  • Beige Bunny – For a delightful gift option for a baby shower, consider the Jellycat Bashful Beige Bunny stuffed animal—a cuddly 12-inch companion, and suitable for newborns with its soft polyester material.
  • Plush Turtle Toys – A cuddly 24″ mommy turtle with three adorable baby turtles that offer easy storage and safe playtime with washable, non-toxic materials.
  • Toffee Puppy – Adorable 7-inch plush toy made with soft polyester material, suitable from birth, and can be spot cleaned for easy maintenance.
• Baby Memory Book – Help the parents create a beautiful keepsake by gifting them a baby memory book. This allows them to document and cherish their baby’s milestones, memories, and photos.
  • Keepsake Baby Memory Book – Preserve precious memories from pre-birth to age 4 with this timeless baby memory book, a heartfelt gift for any parent-to-be.
  • Nature Themed Baby’s First Five Years – Preserve baby’s first 5 years with this gender-neutral  memory book, featuring original art and guided sections for a thoughtful and timeless gift.
  • KiddosArt Baby Memory Book – Capture baby’s precious moments and milestones in this adorable memory book, featuring 72 beautiful pages, monthly stickers, and a keepsake envelope for the perfect baby shower gift

For friends and distant relatives, you’ll want to spend $40-70

If you’re a friend or a distant relative, then you can probably afford to spend a little more than if you’re just acquaintances. Similarly, if your finances aren’t in tip-top shape and it’s hard for you to afford gifts for other people as well, then maybe this is not the time for your generous gesture. The appropriate price range for a baby gift is between $45 and $70.

How well you know the expectant mother will influence your decision over what to get within this budget. The majority of first-time mothers keep a baby registry, which can provide you with information about what they have already purchased and what they still require.

Our favorite gifts in the range of $40 to $70

• Baby Monitor – A baby monitor is always a great gift for parents and grandparents alike. You can use it to keep an eye on your little one while they are asleep, awake, or playing. It will help you know if the baby needs anything during the night or day so that you don’t have to disturb them by going into their room every time they make a noise.
  • ANMEATE – With its high-quality color screen, night vision, temperature monitoring, and two-way talk, it provides convenience and peace of mind for parents.
  • HelloBaby Monitor – With its 3.2″ IPS TFT LCD display, remote pan-tilt-zoom function, excellent night vision, and temperature sensor, this non-Wi Fi monitor ensures a clear view and safe environment for baby.
  • VTech VM819 – With its impressive 19-hour battery life and 1,000ft long range, parents can easily monitor your baby day and night.
• Diaper bag – Diaper bags are a great gift for a new mom. They can be stylish and practical, functional and personalized, or all three at once! There are many diaper bag options available today that will make life easier for parents and the baby.
  • Kaome Diaper Bag – Offers a large capacity, waterproof design with multiple pockets, stroller straps, and hooks.
  • Diaper Bag Tote – Stylish and spacious solution for moms on the go. With multiple pockets, easy cleaning, and convenient features like a changing pad and stroller clips, it’s the perfect baby shower gift
  • Columbia Carson Pass Backpack – Spacious and convenient backpack designed for parents on the go. It offers ample storage, thermal bottle pocket, and Ultra-Safe Microban protection.
• Baby Carrier – Baby carriers are a great gift for new parents. They’re useful for carrying baby around the house, in the car, and even on long walks or hikes. Some parents find that baby carriers help their babies sleep better, too—and since you’ll probably be spending some time with your new little bundle of joy, it can be a lifesaver to have one handy!
  • Boba Baby Wrap Carrier – This simple and versatile baby wrap is perfect for new parents. It offers easy tying instructions, stretchy and soft fabric, ergonomic support, and breastfeeding convenience.
  • 6-in-1 Baby Carrier – Made of high-quality cotton, providing gentle care for baby’s skin. It is suitable for children aged 0-36 months and offers hands-free convenience for parents.
  • Koala Babycare – Easy to wear, comfortable for your back, and suitable for newborns. With a secure ring closure and expert design, it ensures the best for parents and baby.

A high-end shower gift can be $80 or more for close friends or family members

Spending between $80 and $130 on a present enables you to select an item that is truly one-of-a-kind when it is for a person whom you feel as though you have known your whole life or for as long as you can remember. If you know the parents-to-be well, you should put more thought and time into choosing a baby shower gift to show your love and support for them as they start the exciting journey of parenthood.

Our favorite gifts in the range of $80 or more

• High chairs – Baby items like high chairs are just what they sound like: items made specifically to accommodate babies (and toddlers). High chairs are convenient for feeding your baby—you can strap him/her into his/her seat before putting food on their tray and letting them go at it!
  • Graco Slim Snacker High Chair – This high chair features a fast and easy one-hand, one-second fold, perfect for busy parents. Its ultra-slim design allows it to fit in compact spaces, and it conveniently self-stands when folded.
  • Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair with Tray – Transforms into different positions within seconds, offers a hygienic environment, and ensures safety with adjustable restraints.
  • Ingenuity Trio Elite 3-in-1 High Chair – This one has a wipeable and washable design. It can be converted into a booster or toddler seat, and provides safety with 3-point and 5-point harnesses.
• Car seats – Car seats are a necessary safety net that keeps your child safe while they’re in the car. We recommend getting one with multiple positions so that it can grow with your child as they get taller.
  • Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat – This one grows with the child from rear-facing to forward-facing. It has a steel-reinforced construction and is designed for safety.
  • Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat – The Guide 65 car seat is ideal for smaller cars and provides extended protection for your child. It can be used in both rear and forward-facing positions.
  • Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster – The 2-In-1 combination booster car seat is designed for children weighing 22-110 pounds, offering extended use as it converts from a 5-point harnessed seat to a belt-positioning car seat.
• Breast pump – A breast pump is also a good way to help mom keep up her milk supply when she has to be away from her baby for an extended period of time (such as during work or school). There are many different styles, brands, and prices to choose from, so you can find one that fits your budget.
  • Lansinoh Signature Pro Double Electric Breast Pump – Provides a snug fit, while adjustable suction levels and customizable settings maximize milk flow. It’s easy to use with an LCD display and compatible with Lansinoh products for convenient pumping.
  • TSRETE Breast Pump – Lightweight, hands-free, and USB rechargeable. It offers adjustable suction levels, two modes, and a memory function for personalized pumping.
  • Medela Breast Pump – This breast pump offers automatic letdown and massage mode cycles, ensuring maximum ease for new moms. It’s lightweight, flexible, and comfortable, thanks to its oval-shaped breast shields.

It also matters who will be attending the shower and the personality of the mother to be

It is also important to take into account who will be at the baby shower. If you are attending a baby shower where the guests have more money and you are on a budget, you can always make this up with a more thoughtful, personal, or sentimental gift. In the reverse situation, you want to be mindful of the likely gift sizes if most of the guests won’t be gifting Louis Vuitton gift bags.

You can get a group of people to go in together for one big gift

If you have a group of friends or family who are willing to chip in, ask them if they’d be willing to pool together money for one big gift. Ask each person how much they can contribute. Then ask them if it would be okay for everyone in the group to get together at least once before the baby shower so that everyone has an opportunity to pick out something from the registry and put their money into an envelope together. This way, you won’t have any duplicate gifts or people feeling pressured into spending more than they should on something just because someone else did.

Start thinking about your budget as soon as you get the invitation

• Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out how much you can spend and what gifts you want to buy.
• Don’t let gift-giving stress you out! It’s not worth it for either of you, so don’t feel pressured into buying something expensive or elaborate just because everyone else does.
• Include any necessary wrapping paper and ribbon when calculating costs—these things add up!

Stick with practical gifts that the parents will need and use

When you’re deciding on a gift for your friend’s baby shower, it can be tempting to go all out and spend more than you should. But if you want to give the happy parents something they’ll actually use and appreciate, avoid these common mistakes:

• Buying something expensive that they probably don’t need—yes, this is nice in theory, but when it comes down to it, most parents would rather have diapers than an elaborate outfit for their newborn.
• Thinking about what you’d like instead of what the parents will use—if you think about yourself when buying gifts for everyone else, maybe take some time off from gift-giving and focus on giving back instead.* Thinking about what other people want instead of what the parents need or want—you might think that your friend would love a stroller because she never has enough time with her kid as it is; however, if she already bought one recently and/or doesn’t drive often enough to make good use of one herself, then maybe don’t go out of your way to get her another one.