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How much do you spend on gifts for a baby shower?
The majority of my friends and extended family do not have children, so I've only been to a handful of baby showers. The ones I have been to, I was in college and poor so I gave a joint gift with my mom (meaning she paid). One of my cousins is pregnant and due in April, and her shower is next month.
What is an appropriate amount to spend on a baby shower gift? She has 2 registries with a wide range of items/prices. Money isn't an issue, but I'm not sure if I should spend $20, $30, $50? I'll probably get one item off her registry (or a bunch of little items) and then hit up the Carters outlet near my house because they have adorable clothes for cheap.
Anyway, I know the answer really is whatever I feel comfortable with, but how much do you all typically spend on baby gifts?
Novembie mommies: Did you prefer to ONLY get items off your registries? Did you get too many clothes that your baby has never worn?
TIA!
P.S. She's having a girl. The first of the next generation of our family!
Re: How much do you spend on gifts for a baby shower?
I base my spending on how well I know the person.
Friend of a friend: $20
Relatives (I'm not that close with): $30
Friends & Close Relatives: $40 - $50
Best Friends: $50 - $100 depending on what I can find.
Sisters: $100 - $200 also depending on what I find.
I also base my spending on the relationship I have with the person. So, for example, for one of my best friend's shower last year I spent around $75-$100. On the other end of the spectrum, for friends of ours we're not that close with I think we spent about $30-$50 on their baby shower gifts.
I try to only get things from the registry and buy as early as I can. I find it helps to have a loose price point you're comfortable with, and peruse the registry and see what's in that range that jumps out at you. Then you can narrow it down to a particular item (or items) that you like.
This.
I also usually spend about $30.00 for an aquaintence, $50.00 for a friend and $100 for close friend. If you are one of my sisters? Forget about it, I'll buy ya everything!
I would love to get things off of my registry, things I need. I will say that if you purchase clothes, do bigger sizes. I already have more newborn and 0-3 month clothes than I know what to do with. Plus the fact that I live in AZ and she will more than likely be in nothing more than a baby T and diaper for the first few months.
One more registry hint that I never thought of before I was preg. I would see registries with no towels, washclothes or sheets and be all "duh, I'll buy her those, she'll need them". Then I realized that I have already taken those things off my registry because I either got them for Christmas gifts or purchaed them myself. So following the registry really can be helpful. EIther way, remember a gift receipt just in case.
Rando - $25
Co-worker/extended family - $50
Bestie - $100
Im with Sheri and Karrey!
Clothes:
Scarlett got WAY too many clothes. Buy stuff for 9 months plus and you'll be a hero. Everyone buys Newborn sizes. Also...if you do buy for older sizes, consider the weather at that time of year. Scarlett has a handful of adorable summer outfits that she's about to grow out of before she wears. Not nearly enough sweaters. It's pretty safe to buy for the weather now, but get 12 month sizes. Shoes, socks and hats are always good, too.
I liked getting stuff that wasn't on the registry because I liked that people put themselves into it. That being said, I also appreciated getting those necessities from the registy!
Ditto Aria about weather appropiate clothes. Some people got us warm clothes in bigger sizes, but forgot it's freaking hot in AZ in the summer. Especially for a girl, girls tend to get more clothes cause everyone wants to get her the cute little pink outfit.
I would stick to the registry, unless there's something you know they would like. Like one of the best gifts we got was a mobile a birder friend made for us, with birds from the area (we're birders too). Sooo cute! So if you see something you know she would like, go for it.
Price range, I agree with everyone Karrey and everyone that agreed with her!
Thanks everyone!
I spend a lot usually just because I go crazy for baby gifts . . .
Stick to the registry. Just get what you think is appropriate, but if its on the registry it is something they want.
Other helpful gifts . . . a gift certificate for a restaurant that delivers . . . gift card to BRU . . . . gift card for mani/pedi . . . or even a one time housekeeping.