Is there a baby shower in your future? Need to find the perfect gift for the mom-to-be? We have you covered!

We have this guide broken into 3 kinds of baby showers - pick the one that relates to you.

1. Family Member/Close Friend Baby Shower

Yay! Congratulations - a new baby will soon be added to your tribe! Attending a baby shower for a family member is extra special. Going to this party will be a fun gathering of familiar faces and there is no doubt that you want a baby shower gift that is personal and useful.

Knowing how much to spend on a baby gift will first depend on your budget. No one wants you to go into debt to buy a gift. Average gifts from family members range from $50 to $200. A cousin might spend $50, while a grandma or close Aunt might aim for a higher priced gift. If it's a really close friend, your budget might hover around $100.

No matter what you choose to spend on the baby shower gift, remember to try to find a balance between what the mom-to-be has registered for and something unique or personal. You want your loved one to "remember" that you gave her a special, useful item.

 Gifts We Like To Give

• Baby Carrier (aka front pack or wrap/sling) - We love gifting this because it will get uses ALOT. The new mom will be thanking you silently in her head every time she puts it on. There are a variety on the market that are all wonderful so it really comes down to personal preference. For this item - we'd stick with what mom-to-be has on the registry.
• Accessories for the Stroller - It might be too big of an ask to go all-in for the stroller system but if you know what stroller the mom is registered for, you can take care of the much-enjoyed accessories. These include organizers/caddies, snack trays, cup holders, ride-along boards (for older siblings), rain shields and hooks. Again, these are really useful items that will get used over and over earning lots of gratitude from the new parents.
• A Bathtime Bundle - Bathtime can really be a wonderful bonding time with baby. Getting the baby tub, shampoo, washcloths, toys, towels and even an apron from mom/dad that can foster a fun experience. Don't be afraid to get things that will work for the older infant. The best gifts lasts longer and grow with baby. Plus a bundle of items can be arranged in the baby tub or a basket to make a beautiful presentation at the baby shower.

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Gifts We Don't Like To Give

• Baby Clothes - This is a tried and true favorite of many baby shower gifters which also makes it very common. We all love an adorable outfit but aside from the fact that most clothes gifted are too small (never gift newborn size btw), they also get grown out of really quickly. If you want your gift to have impact and be memorable, stay away from those cute little onesies.

2. Friend/Distant Relative Baby Shower

When trying to decide how much to spend for a baby shower gift for a friend or distant relative, we aim to spend between $40 and $80. What you choose to buy in this budget will depend on how well you know the mom-to-be. Most new mom's have a baby registry that will give you an idea of what has already been purchased and what she is in need of.

That being said, don't be afraid of straying from the registry list if you want to get something more personal or unique. If you have experience with a product that you love but it's not on her registry - go for it! Just don't forget the gift receipt in case she needs to make an exchange (and don't get offended if she does.)

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Gifts We Like To Give

• Diaper Cake - If you're feeling a bit creative, bundling diapers, covering them with a swaddle blanket and topping it was a cute bow is a great show-stopper to bring to the party. Youtube is filled with how-to videos that will help you make a beautiful arrangement.
• Portable Playard - We love how essential this piece of baby gear is whether at home or traveling.  Go for portability and ease of use, and stay away from gimicky add-ons.
• Gift Cards - If you aren't attending the baby shower, a gift card is perfectly acceptable to mail to the new parents. The gift card doesn't have to be for a baby-specific store - gift cards to grocery stores, restaurants (with dine-out options), Target, Amazon would all be welcomed.

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Gifts We Don't Like To Give

• Anything that Doesn't Have a Gift Receipt Included - If you are giving a gift to someone whom you aren't very close with, you should ALWAYS include a gift receipt. You can discreetly tape it to the box or include it with the card. Bonus points if you write the name of the item on the top of the receipt for easy reference. The reason for this is because it can be really awkward (and time consuming) for a mom-to-be to ask for a gift receipt because she needs to return or exchange an item. She has enough on her plate, right?

3. Client/Employee Baby Shower

If you have a client or employee expecting a new baby - you have a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation and support! We recommend a budget of $50 to $150 depending on how close you are to the expecting parents.

When choosing the gift, it will always go a long way if you opt for buying something unique and/or highly useful. This will show a higher level of appreciation. Where you shop will also make a difference. Several items that are bought at a discount store might give off a negative impression especially if you are buying for a client. We recommend choosing one or two higher quality items rather than several inexpensive products.

BTW - if your client or employee is a dad-to-be, our New Dad 6-pack is a fan-favorite gift!

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Gifts We Like To Give

• Family Portrait Mini-Session - Lots of local photographers and studios offer mini sessions that make great gift certificates. This kind of gift will be highly appreciated and unique and reflect favorably on your company. This makes a great group gift too.
• Diapers - So many diapers will be needed for the new baby that new parents will never turn them away (unless they are too small! We love size 2s for gifting large quantities.)

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Gifts We Don't Like To Give

• Anything that Relates to Breastfeeding/Nursing - Although highly useful, this is a personal area that we suggest avoiding for co-workers, employees and clients.

Final Thoughts

Of course - at the end of the day, you need to spend what you want to spend, give what you think the mom-to-be will enjoy and use. And of course, after baby is born, be sure to check in and see if the new parents need any help. Even a small gesture can be greatly appreciated. 

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We offer a variety of gift bundles - check them out here!