How much money should I give my friend for their baby shower?

If you’re staring at that baby shower invitation on your fridge and thinking, “I’d rather give them money than shop from their registry. Is that okay?” here’s the short answer: Of course you can.

Shopping from the baby registry might be easier since you’re just adding an item(s) to your cart from a curated list and having it shipped directly to the parents to-be, or having it wrapped and delivered to your doorstep to bring to the shower. But don’t think a monetary gift gives “easy route” vibes.

It’s a very thoughtful choice and affords the parents-to-be the freedom to pick what they truly need for their little one. Plus, it can be more personal as it shows your support and belief in their ability to take the money and run with it into their next adventure in life: growing a family.

When deciding how much money to give your friend for their baby shower, it’s essential to find a balance that reflects your relationship, your financial situation and your heartfelt wishes for the family overall.

Here are our suggested price ranges based on the level of friendship you have with the parent-to-be:

• Cubicle Mates and Professional Colleagues — $25 to $50: When it comes to those colleagues you interact with one-on-one, on a daily basis, or even less frequently, if they’re your superior or a group executive, a modest cash gift in the range of $25-$50 acknowledges this special occasion without overstepping any boundaries. This sum can help your friend start gathering essentials for their babe, like clothes, diapers, wipes, bibs and burp clothes. Or it can be put towards bigger purchases, like a car seat or crib.
• Good Friends from Periodic Times in Your Life — $50 to $100: These are the friends with whom you’ve shared special memories, even if life has led you down different paths and you don’t see other as often as you’d like. For these friends, a slightly higher gift amount of $50-$100 shows how much you appreciate everything you’ve done together and how excited you are for them to take on their newest titles (#mom or #dad). With this contribution, your friend could invest in items, like a pack and play, high chair or baby carrier — mid-range must-haves that may still be on their wish list.
• Best Friends Who’ve Been Through It All with You — $100 to $250: This new season of life isn’t just about the baby showers, the sip and sees, and the baptisms or baby naming ceremonies. It’s about a whole new level of maturity and tenure your very best friend has unlocked and how you’re going to be there to help them navigate it. Your willingness to show up, listen and offer all the hype along the way will mean way more to them than any material amount, but a gift in the range of $100-$250 can go a long way towards a trendy breast pump they’ve been texting you about or an expensive travel stroller they wouldn’t ask anyone else for out of fear of judgment.

But don’t get hung up on the specific dollar ranges. Instead, start considering what you’ll write in their card along with your cash, check or gift card amount. That’s the most important part.

Phone another friend or family member for help

Consider your budget and how much you feel comfortable giving. You can think about what feels meaningful to you and what you believe will be appreciated by the new parents.

But if you’re unsure, it’s perfectly fine to reach out discreetly to mutual friends or the parents themselves to gauge their expectations and take requests.