Standing in front of a registry and wondering whether $30 is too little or $100 is too much is one of the most common baby shower worries. The good news: there's a comfortable range for almost every situation, and a thoughtful gift matters far more than the price tag.
The quick answer
Most guests spend somewhere between $30 and $100. The closer you are to the parents-to-be, the more you might spend, while workplace and group gifts tend to run lower per person. Treat the ranges below as a rule of thumb, not a rule.
What to spend, by relationship
Coworkers and acquaintances: about $20 to $50
You want to show you care without overdoing it. A useful, well-chosen essential does the job beautifully. If your office is pooling money for one big gift, $15 to $25 per person is common.
Friends: about $30 to $75
For a friend you see regularly, this is the comfortable middle. It's enough for a soft blanket, a cuddly lovey, or a couple of practical add-ons wrapped together.
Close friends and family: about $50 to $100 or more
For your sister, your best friend, or a niece or nephew's parents, many people spend at the higher end, especially for a first baby. Grandparents and immediate family often go beyond this range or choose a keepsake they know will be treasured.
What can change the number
- Is it their first baby? First-time parents are starting from scratch, so a slightly bigger gift is a kind gesture. For a second or third baby, something small, soft, and personal is often just right.
- Are you traveling to the shower? If getting there costs a lot, your presence is a real gift. A smaller present is completely fine.
- Is it a group gift? Decide what you would have spent on your own and chip in that amount.
Gift ideas at every budget
Under about $35: small, useful, and sweet
Practical add-ons are perfect here. Our organic muslin burp cloth set is the kind of everyday essential parents use constantly, and a board book with a short handwritten note inside makes any small gift feel personal.
Around $50: the gift they'll reach for every day
You can't go wrong with a blanket. Soft, breathable organic cotton is easy to gift, photographs beautifully, and gets used from day one. Browse our organic cotton baby blankets, or start with a favorite like the Alphabet Pink jacquard knit blanket. If you'd like something cuddly to go with it, take a look at our stuffed animals and loveys.
$75 to $100 and up: complete and polished
When you want to get it exactly right without the guesswork, a coordinated set is the easiest answer. Our baby shower gift sets and gift baskets arrive looking generous and intentional, like the 4-piece Milan Pastel luxe knit gift set. Going in with friends? Our bundles are an easy way to pool your budget into one lovely present.
Presentation counts, too. A little gift wrapping and a handwritten note can make a modest gift feel special.
Frequently asked questions
Is $20 enough for a baby shower gift?
Yes, especially for a coworker, an acquaintance, or an office shower where everyone is pitching in. Choose something practical and it will be appreciated.
Should I still send a gift if I can't attend?
Generally, yes. A smaller, thoughtful gift, sent ahead or shipped directly, is a lovely way to say you're thinking of them.
Should I spend more on a first baby?
A little more is a kind gesture for first-time parents, but it's never required. Something soft and personal is a wonderful gift at any price.
Still deciding?
If you'd like more ideas, read our guide to the top 10 baby shower gifts people actually buy, or browse our gift sets for a ready-to-give present.