Baby showers can bring excitement and celebration. And you may think the process of buying a gift is the easy part. But if you're asking yourself, "How much should I spend on a baby shower gift?, trying to balance thoughtfulness with your budget may not be as straightforward as it seems.
There are several factors that should weigh into your decision to come up with an amount that works for you: Your relationship with the parents-to-be, your current financial situation, and even when your next paycheck arrives.
This guide can help you understand typical spending ranges, what influences a gift's value, and how to time your purchase comfortably using tools that work with your paycheck schedule.
How much should you spend on the next baby shower?
There's really no fixed number that works for everyone. What feels right depends on your unique situation — not what someone else posts online.
Here are some practical tiers based on your relationship:
- Acquaintances and co-workers typically spend $30–$50.
- Friends and extended family often choose gifts in the $50–$100 range.
- Close friends and immediate family members might select items worth $100–$200 or more.
These aren't rules — they're just starting points that you can adjust based on your budget and values.
Understanding why these price differences exist can help you make confident choices without second-guessing yourself. Take into account these considerations:
Who the gift is for
Your relationship with the parents-to-be can influence your gift decision. A close friend or cousin might inspire a more substantial gift than a colleague you chat with occasionally. So consider looking at the relationship's scale — with closer connections potentially warranting higher spending if your budget allows. Remember, these are just guidelines, not obligations.
What kind of shower it is
The type of celebration can matter, too. Group gifts at office celebrations let you contribute to something bigger without stretching your budget. Intimate brunches might call for more personal touches. Registry-based showers make selection easier, while cash fund registries give parents flexibility. Group-gifting platforms typically charge around 2.5% in fees, so factor that into your contribution.
Your paycheck and priorities
Most importantly, consider what fits your budget this month. Create an affordability formula for your relationships and scenarios to estimate a gift budget. Here’s an example:
Monthly Net Income × Discretionary Percentage × Social Priority Factor = Your Gift Budget
Here’s now it breaks down: For someone earning $3,000 monthly with 10% discretionary spending, that's $300 total for all non-essentials.
- A close friend (priority factor 1.0) might warrant up to $250
- An acquaintance (factor 0.5) suggests $50 maximum — but only if that doesn't strain other financial obligations.
How to plan your gift without stressing your budget
Making gift-giving comfortable starts with simple planning. Here's a practical approach:
Steps | Action | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
1 | Check your next two paychecks | Keeps your spending realistic |
2 | Use Tip Yourself1 to save weekly | Build your gift fund early |
3 |
Start by reviewing your upcoming income. If you know a baby shower is coming up, set aside small amounts each week through Tip Yourself1 — EarnIn's no-cost, FDIC-insured savings account — which can help you build your gift fund without feeling the pinch. When timing gets tight between paychecks, EarnIn's Cash Out2 lets you get up to $150/day, with a max of $1,000 per pay period from your earned wages with no interest or mandatory fees.
Following this complete beginner guide to budgeting, which can help you create financial space for occasional gifts without disrupting your essential expenses.
When spending less on a gift is perfectly okay
Sometimes a smaller gift makes the most sense — and that's completely fine. Thoughtfulness can matter more than the cost. Consider these approaches when budget constraints arise:
- Team up with coworkers to pool resources for a group gift. For example, if you contribute $25 alongside three coworkers, you can give a $100 higher value gift — with no individual debt burden.
- Add personal touches like handmade cards or heartfelt notes. These barely cost anything but can mean everything.
- Offer to give a hand. Helping with shower setup or cleanup can show support beyond monetary gifts.
- Choose practical consumables — like diapers — that parents always need. There's always a desire for utility gifts and cash funds, too, which can reduce individual spending pressure while providing genuine help.
Remember, if spending on a gift would require high-interest credit or create paycheck shortfalls, it's better to give within your budget. Your presence and support can mean a lot more than the price tag.
Affordable baby shower gift ideas that still feel special
Finding meaningful gifts you can afford becomes easier when you focus on what parents actually need and use. These can include consumables, gift cards, and group contributions, which balance practicality with thoughtfulness.
Practical and thoughtful
Everyday essentials make wonderful gifts regardless of price point. Diaper subscriptions, swaddle blankets, and board books for bedtime reading all can provide ongoing value. Consumables like diapers can be highly appreciated since parents constantly need them. Registry completion discounts often make these items even more affordable when purchased through major retailers.
For group gifting
Pooling resources with others opens up possibilities for bigger-ticket items. Group-gifting platforms can make it easy to contribute toward strollers, baby monitors, or nursery furniture. While platforms typically charge around a 2.5% fee, splitting costs among multiple people can still result in significant individual savings. A $200 car seat becomes just $40 each when five people contribute.
Personal touches
Handmade items and needed services can carry special meaning without requiring large budgets. Photo frames for baby's first pictures, personalized onesie bundles, or contributions to meal trains all show you care.
If timing a gift feels tricky, EarnIn lets you access wages you've already earned with no interest or mandatory fees — so you can celebrate comfortably, on your schedule. EarnIn's Cash Out2 lets you get up to $150/day, with a max of $1,000 between paydays from your earned wages. No interest or mandatory fees. Just tip3 what you think is fair. Standard transfers typically take 1–2 business days.
Need money faster? Choose the Lightning Speed4 service to get your money in minutes — even on weekends or holidays — for a small fee (starting at $3.99).
Buy a gift that fits your heart — and your paycheck
Your baby shower gift should feel right for you and come from a place of genuine care, not financial pressure. Start by honestly assessing your discretionary budget. If you have less than $100 available after essentials, consider group gifts or consumables. With $100–$300 in discretionary funds, you might choose a main-tier registry item or contribute partially to a group gift. The key is selecting something that won't create financial stress or require high-cost borrowing.
One smart suggestion is to treat gift spending as a budget line item — just like groceries or utilities. Aiming for around 1.5% of your gross income for annual gifts provides some structure — if you net $3,000 monthly ($36,000 annually), that's about $45 monthly ($540 annually) for all celebrations. Dividing this among expected events can keep individual gifts manageable. Young adults navigating multiple financial priorities can benefit from this guide to financial tips, which can help balance gift giving with savings goals.
Whether you're celebrating a close friend or showing support for a coworker, tools like Cash Out2 and financial calculators5 can help you manage the moment comfortably — without sacrificing your plans or peace of mind.
FAQs
Is there a standard amount you should spend on a baby shower gift?
No fixed standard exists. A good guideline is $30–$50 for acquaintances, $50–$100 for friends, and $100–$200+ for close family — but adjust based on your budget.
How much should you spend on a baby shower gift for a coworker or acquaintance?
Typical amounts range from $30–$50 for coworkers and acquaintances, though group gifts can let you contribute smaller amounts toward something larger.
Can you give cash or a gift card instead of a physical gift?
Yes, many parents-to-be receive gift cards and cash funds, which give them flexibility to buy what they need most.
What if you can't afford to spend much on a baby shower gift?
Focus on thoughtful gestures within your means — contribute to a group gift, give something handmade, offer help with the shower, or give practical consumables like diapers.
Should the amount you spend on a baby shower gift depend on how close you are to the parents-to-be?
Your relationship naturally influences gift decisions, but never spend beyond your comfortable budget — regardless of closeness. Social priority factors just help guide proportional spending.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Cash Out product is provided exclusively by EarnIn. Certain bank products are provided by Evolve Bank & Trust and/or Lead Bank, Members FDIC. The FDIC insures deposits to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here. Additional services in the app are offered in partnership with trusted third parties.
1
Tip Yourself Account funds and Tip Jars are held with Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC and FDIC insured up to $250,000. Tip Yourself is a 0% Annual Percentage Yield and $0 monthly fee service deposit account. For more information/details, visit Evolve Bank & Trust Customer Account Terms. The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here.2
EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out. For additional information about your Daily Max and Pay Period Max, please refer to our FAQ. Service may not be available in all states. EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. See the Fee Table for details. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
3
Tips go to EarnIn and help us provide tools such as Credit Monitoring for free and keep Lightning Speed fees low. Your service quality and availability aren’t affected by whether you tip or not.4
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available to all customers. Actual transfer speeds depend on your bank. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.5
The calculations provided are based on estimates and should be used for informational purposes only. Please be aware that comparisons may not be 100% accurate. The insights and data presented do not constitute financial advice, and we recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance.Popular articles
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