Community Chat

[CANDLEQUEEN]

For me, I tend to get carried away for baby showers, because I love shopping for babies, but it depends on how well I know the person, but spend what you can afford and have fun picking it out!!! 

[cherry]

It is such fun to shop for baby things. I got carried away, and my husband was with me ,and he got carried away too..

[queendiva]

No matter. Some will spend more on a gift than you, some will spend less.

You say the grandma-to-be is your "good friend" . In that case, I would spend on something nice that was in my budget.

My favorite go-to baby gift is a starter library of books. You can spend maybe as little as $20.00, the gift will be used right away (reading to baby), is truly gender neutral and will be used by all future children. Paperbacks are fine.

One of the best baby shower gifts I received was from my closest friend at the time. She had two small boys and gave me a small-ish gift bag full of their favorite paperback books. My sons enjoyed those books for years and years.

When I moved last summer my 20-something married son found my favorite childrens' books (including some of the aforementioned paperbacks) stored carefully in the basement. Oh, the delighted look on his face when he saw them! Old friends. He sat down and started reading them again. So happy that I saved them as some are out of print. The classics I knew I could always buy again.

I kept the books at my new place, he took his carefully curated collection of die-cast cars to his house.

[aroc3435]

@lovekees   As others have said look at the registry if they have one and also spend what you can afford/feel comfortable with.

If this is the first child new parents often don't really understand some of the things they will need.  I have purchased the white basic onsies (where legs are free) in packs of multiples in different sizes as well as short and long sleeve snap type undershirts in different sizes.  I normally don't purchase much for the new baby in newborn size since they will get more than enough of that size and babies seem to have bigger birth weights these days so 6 month and 12 month sizes are better I think.

It is nice when a tired parent can just grab a new garment and not have to think of doing laundry immediately when what they now call a "diaper blowout" or major leak happens, especially with breast fed babies.

I always include a few books--a really simple one for newborns, and a couple for "as they get older" and write the date and a little personal inscription.

Interesting question and am enjoying the answers--haven't had to buy a baby gift since 2016.

[queendiva]

@aroc3435 :Love the idea for onesies in a variety of sizes! Gender neutral and you can never have enough, especially for a baby who is expected in the coming warm weather months. Also agree with your suggestion for sizes. 

[DREAMON]

It depends on the relationship I have with the person. Then I go to the registry and spend accordingly.

[NYCLatinaMe]

spend as much or as little as you'd like or can affod  i've always thought baby showers are easy becaue you can spend as little or as much as i'd like.  a lot of poste focus on fancy baby thngs, but new mothers need a million diapers, and you can just buy those.  i have found meeting any new mother's need is well received

[Cakers3]

---

@lovekees wrote:

I have been invited to a baby shower of a good friends daughter.  My question is how much to spend on a gift.  Thanks

---

@lovekees   If there is no baby registry, I would opt for a nice outfit in a larger size for when the baby is outgrowing all the cutesy things for newborns.  Even a weather related little jacket for spring/summer/etc. would be nice.

I'd stay away from figurines and other clutter gifts.

Also I found a small picture album at B&N beautifuly drawn; it held only about 10 pictures and wasn't designed for logging milestones.  It was just a nice picture album for $10.

If you don't know the sex of this baby, there are plenty of outfits out there that are not pink or blue at a reasonable cost. 

You don't have to spring for an expensive car seat or other higher cost gifts; spend what is comfortable for you.

[NicksmomESQ]

   You should spend what you are comfortable with,period. You aren’t obligated to go over your budget.

[lovekees]

Thank you for all the suggestions.  I haven't been to a baby shower since the 80's.