Have you been invited to a baby shower and are unsure about how much to spend on a gift?
Knowing what amount to spend is a common question among many guests, as are other queries relating to baby shower gift etiquette and whether it’s okay to gift cash.
So in this article, we’ve taken a look at these questions and more, so you can spend the right amount and move on to what matters most: celebrating your friend or family member’s impending precious arrival!
How Much Should You Spend On A Baby Shower Gift?
The first thing to consider before you set your budget is to think about who you are buying for.
This is because the general rule of thumb is the closer you are to the parents-to-be, the more you are likely to spend on a gift.
There are also other factors to consider, like how extravagant the event is, if you’ve had to travel far for the party, and whether this is mom’s first baby shower or not (more on all these later).
But firstly, let’s take a look at how much to spend based on who mom is and what they mean to you.
1. Immediate Family & Close Friends
It sounds obvious, but clearly you are more likely to spend a greater amount on the baby shower gift of your sister or niece than that of a co-worker who you aren’t particularly close to.
The average baby shower gift for a close family member or very good friend is often $100-$200, which allows you to buy bigger ticket items like a stroller or car seat (if you share the cost with another guest), high chair or baby monitor.
2. Friends & Distant Relatives
If you are attending the baby shower of a friend or distant relative, you will probably want to spend less than you would on the group above.
For those distant relatives and those friends who are important but aren’t your closest, you’ll probably find a good amount to spend on the gift is between $50-$100, which is enough to buy a nice baby bouncer for example.
Many people also wonder if it’s okay to give cash as a baby shower gift.
In terms of etiquette, there is nothing to suggest you cannot give cash, and most moms-to-be are likely to be thrilled to receive cash because they can spend it on what they really need the most.
Raising a baby is expensive work – the cost of diapers alone in the first year can be up to $2,000 – so any extra cash will probably be very well received!
Incidentally, this is the reason why diaper raffles are so popular and a lovely way to help out new parents, who will be getting through at least 10 diapers per day during the first few months.
3. Co-Workers, Employees & Clients
The third group on this list contains people who are likely to still be important to you (hence why you’ve been invited), but at the same time aren’t people you are particularly close to.
If you have been invited by your colleague, employee, or client to their celebration, it’s totally fine to buy a relatively small gift for them.
As always the relationship between you and the new parents is the most important factor.
But most guests find that a nice, thoughtful gift in the range of $25 to $50 is sufficient for this group, who you have more of a professional rather than a personal relationship with.
Other Factors To Consider
Here are a few other things to consider when deciding how much to spend on a baby shower gift or present.
How Grand The Celebration Is
The size, location and extravagance of the event can vary dramatically depending on the overall budget, the preferences of mom-to-be and who is hosting the celebration.
So keep in mind that expectations are likely to differ between an event held at a nice restaurant or hotel conference room, compared to one in a park with only a handful of invited guests.
See Also: How To Throw A Baby Shower On A Budget
Whether It’s Their First Baby Shower
Traditionally baby showers are only held to celebrate the expected birth of mom’s first baby.
Nowadays this rule is more relaxed, and some moms like to have similar events (or more specifically baby sprinkles) for their second, third or fourth child.
But if you’ve already attended mom’s first baby shower and spent a decent amount on a gift, there’s probably going to be less expectation for you to spend the same on a subsequent event.
Your Budget
You definitely shouldn’t feel under any pressure to buy a gift you cannot afford, so if money is particularly tight right now then there’s no shame in reducing your budget.
It’s good to keep in mind that a well thought-out, personalized gift can often appear more expensive than it really is, so you may want to consider things like personalized books, toys, pictures or ornaments.
These type of these gifts are not only thoughtful but also difficult to pinpoint exactly how much they cost, so are ideal if you are looking for cheaper baby shower gifts.
What They Spent On Your Gift
Some people like to reciprocate the value of a gift that they received from a friend or family member at their own celebration.
So if mom-to-be attended your baby shower, and you remember what they gifted you, then you might want to spend a similar amount on their gift this time around.
If You’ve Traveled Far
Much like a wedding, if you have traveled from out of town to attend the event, then there may be less of an expectation regarding the value of your gift.
The cost of travel and accommodation can quickly add up even if it’s only for one night, so if you have spent a decent chunk of money to attend the celebration, there should be no issue spending less than the guidelines we listed above.
Whether You Are Helping In Other Ways
Finally, it’s quite common for some guests to play a part in hosting the day.
Examples of this include offering your home as a venue if you have a large house or sizeable backyard, or by offering your services on the day if you are a florist or chef.
In these instances, your time, effort and any costs you incurred to help put on a wonderful and memorable day for mom-to-be could all form part of your present, and are sure to be well appreciated and acknowledged as your individual baby shower gift.
Must Read: Everything You Need To Know About Baby Showers
