For most people, somewhere between $30 and $100 is plenty for a baby shower gift. Where you land in that range depends mostly on how close you are to the parents-to-be and what you can comfortably afford.
If you'd like one number to start from, about $50 is a typical amount.
That's the median from a 2023 survey of 1,000 people by Ally, a US bank. In the same survey, people who spent more than most gave around $75.
A simple guide by relationship
Ally's survey also broke down typical (median) baby shower gift amounts by relationship. The figures are in US dollars:
| Your relationship | Typical amount (Ally survey) |
|---|---|
| Acquaintance or coworker | About $30 |
| Close friend | About $50 |
| Family member | About $100 |
These figures describe what people tend to spend. They aren't a rule.
If you're outside the US, treat them as a rough guide to how amounts scale with closeness. Then adjust for local prices and customs.
Etiquette doesn't set a price
You might worry that there's a "correct" amount. There isn't one.
The Emily Post Institute's guidance on baby shower gifts, a US etiquette authority, doesn't give a dollar figure. It does say that "gift registries are not marching orders." No guest is required to buy from the list.
So the real question is a gentler one: what feels generous to you, without straining your budget?
How to pick your number
Here are a few questions that can help you settle on an amount quickly.
How close are you? A cousin you text every week and a coworker you've met twice are very different. It's normal to give more to the people closest to you.
What's already on your plate this month? If several gifts are coming at once, a smaller gift is completely fine. You might also have a teacher gift, a classmate's birthday present, or a housewarming coming up.
Will you give again later? Many people give a second gift when the baby arrives, or for the first birthday. If you will, you can split your budget across both.
Are there multiple showers? If you've been invited to more than one event for the same family, you don't need to bring a full gift to each. Etiquette guidance generally doesn't expect you to attend more than one shower.
Ways to give well on a smaller budget
A modest budget can still lead to a thoughtful gift. A few ideas:
- Go in on a group gift. Pooling money for a bigger registry item, like a stroller or car seat, is a common choice. The Emily Post Institute mentions it too. Your $25 can become part of something the parents really need.
- Pick the practical stuff. Diapers, wipes, and basic baby care items get used every day. Parents rarely have too many.
- Make something. Emily Post also mentions handmade gifts, like a knitted blanket, as a thoughtful option.
- Add a personal touch. A heartfelt card or a promise of help, like a dropped-off meal after the birth, can mean as much as the gift itself.
If you know the parents are weighing what to buy and what to borrow, this guide to renting versus buying baby gear may help you choose a gift that won't sit unused.
Registry or not?
Buying from the registry is the easiest choice. The parents get something they picked, and it avoids duplicates.
Going off the registry is fine too, especially for a handmade item or a "signature" gift you like to give. If you buy safety-related items like car seats or cribs, though, it's best to stick to the registry. The parents may have chosen those for specific safety standards or fit.
What if you can't attend?
If you're invited but can't go, you aren't obligated to send a gift. That's according to Anna Post of the Emily Post Institute, writing in The Christian Science Monitor. A warm note sending your regrets is enough. You can still send something if you'd like, or wait until the baby is born.
Make gift spending easier all year
Baby showers often seem to arrive in clusters. Weddings, birthdays, and holidays tend to crowd the same months.
Setting aside a small amount each month for gifts can take the pressure off any single event. If that idea appeals to you, here's how to set up a yearly gift fund.
And if you're the one expecting, you might find it useful to budget for your baby's first year.
The short version
- Acquaintance or coworker: around $20 to $30
- Close friend: around $50
- Close family: around $100, if your budget allows
- Tight budget: a group gift, practical essentials, or something handmade
Whatever you spend, the parents-to-be are most likely to remember that you showed up for them.
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