What is baby shower gift etiquette?
Apr 3, 2023
So you have a baby shower to attend. Friends and family coming together to celebrate new life, what a lovely celebration! But when it comes to buying a baby shower gift, things can get a little bit confusing.
Nobody teaches you the correct baby shower gift etiquette. Until now.
Whether you’re a close friend or relative, or you’ve never even met the expecting couple, we’ll help you decode the baby shower gift etiquette, and pick out the perfect present.
With Moonsift, creating and sharing gift lists has never been easier. So if you’re still stuck with what to get, why not give the new parents a nudge to make sure they get the gifts they actually want.
Who do you address a baby shower gift to?
You should address a baby shower gift to the baby shower host, which will usually be the expecting mother, but can often be both parents. As a general rule, if you know both parents will be there, address the gift to them both.
So do you address baby shower gifts to both parents?
If it’s a couple’s baby shower, then yes, you should address the gifts to both parents.
Traditionally, baby showers would only include women, but co-ed baby showers are now common. Co-ed baby showers are hosted by both parents and include both men and women on the guest list. This serves as a great way to include both parents in welcoming the new baby, and reflects the modern responsibilities of parenting.
If you’re uncertain whether or not to address the gifts to both parents, you can grab hints from the baby shower invitation. A co-ed baby shower will usually include both of the parents' names in the invitation.
Use Moonsift to create a wishlist that both parents can contribute to. This ensures your gift is something they genuinely need and want, avoiding duplicates or unnecessary items.
How Much Should You Spend on a Baby Shower Gift?
Trying to figure out the appropriate amount to spend on a baby shower gift is not quite as simple as it should be.
The cost for a decent baby shower gift typically varies from $15 to upwards of $100. Whether your budget is on the smaller side, or you’re happy to splash the cash on something bigger, we’ve got some ideas for all price points that the hosts are sure to appreciate. So whatever baby shower gift amount you want to spend - we’ve got you covered.
If you've been sent a baby registry, the sooner you choose a gift from it, the more price options will be available. It's not mandatory to follow a gift registry, but it can be part of baby shower etiquette to do so if one’s been sent.
Parents usually create registries to give people an idea of things they need, and to help avoid duplicate gifts.
Along with your budget, how much you spend on your gift will likely be motivated by your relationship with the parents. We've provided a guide on how much to spend on baby shower gifts for coworkers, friends and family members below.
The budgets we suggest below are in British pounds, but we know budgets and prices vary from country to country. Therefore we've also provided examples of typical gifts within each price category. You can also browse through real examples from this baby registry: 2023 Baby registry UK.
Acquaintances and Colleagues - $15 - $30
If you aren’t too close with the parents, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on your gift. The baby shower hosts will probably send out a baby gift registry with a list of items they would like to receive, but if they don’t, here’s a few examples that make great gifts.
Common baby registry examples include:
Gifts like toys and clothing are a good choice if you’re attending a baby shower where you aren’t super close to the hosts, because they will probably need duplicates. Whereas if you opt for something like a white noise machine and someone else does too, your gift becomes a little bit less useful.
Tip: Keep it simple yet thoughtful. Even something small can be appreciated if it’s chosen with care.
Friends and Close Relatives $30 - $100
If you’re friends with the mother or father, then you probably want to be more thoughtful with your gift. You can spend anything between $25 to $50, depending on what you find on the baby registry.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to get one item, you can get creative with your gift and buy a collection of items that they might need.
Common mid-price baby registry examples:
Tip: Consider joining forces with other friends or relatives to pool your money for a larger, more meaningful gift.
Best Friend or Close Family Member $100+
Parents, siblings, best friends and other close family members typically go for items with a bigger price tag. When you’re welcoming a new member of the family, you might want to get something that counts.
These kinds of gifts typically cost over $100, and while that might seem like a lot, there are plenty of essential baby items that are in this price range. Big ticket baby items include prams and buggies, cribs, luxury feeding chairs, and more.
Common higher-price baby registry examples:
Tip: A close relationship justifies a higher spend, allowing you to choose something truly special.
This list of newborn baby essentials will give you even more ideas for what to get.
What to Bring to a Baby Shower If You Already Sent a Gift?
No one wants to show up to an event empty handed, but if you’ve already sent a gift to the expecting parents, do you still need to bring something to the baby shower?
The answer is, in most cases - yes. It’s thoughtful to bring a small additional token or heartfelt card along to the event. Consider a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates or a small gift box, it doesn’t have to be something super thoughtful or unique - you’ve already covered that part!
Is It Rude Not to Give a Baby Shower Gift?
It is customary to bring a gift to a baby shower, but not mandatory, so if you’re unable to bring a gift for whatever reason, simply offering your well wishes will usually be kindly appreciated.
Chances are, you know what kind of person the host is - if they’re more laidback, they probably won’t mind, but if they like to do things by the book, it could offend them if you don’t bring something along.
If you're on a tight budget, Moonsift can help you find affordable yet thoughtful gifts. You can also use it to create a wishlist for group gifting, ensuring everyone can contribute within their means.
DIY vs. Buying a Baby Shower Gift
Handmade gifts can be incredibly meaningful and cherished by parents for years to come, especially for a first baby. But if the couple have sent out a wishlist, then generally it’s best to pair a handmade gift with something from the list - however small, especially if you know there are things they need.
Having a baby is pricey, and oftentimes a baby registry can go a long way to supporting expecting parents with the costs of having a child. So bear that in mind if you have a lovely idea for a handmade gift. We’re not saying no, but we’re just suggesting a little bit of thoughtfulness.
Making the Most of Moonsift for Baby Shower Gifts
Moonsift simplifies the entire gifting process, making it easy to create, share, and shop from a wishlist. Whether you're the one organising the baby shower or attending as a guest, Moonsift ensures that every gift is both thoughtful and useful.
By using Moonsift for your baby shower planning, you can avoid duplicate gifts and ensure that parents receive exactly what they need.
Getting an appropriate baby shower gift
Now that you have the tips mentioned above, you don’t have to walk into a baby shower with an unwanted gift.
Even though there's a certain baby shower etiquette to follow, don’t forget that the first rule should be to enjoy the event and to celebrate the new life that’s being welcomed into the world.
If you’re planning a baby shower, you can use online platforms like Moonsift to help manage the gifting etiquette at your baby shower. With Moonsift, you can create gift registry lists with items from any online store.
