How Much to Spend on a Baby Shower Gift
$30 to $100, by how close you are. In Ally's 2023 survey of 1,000 people, the median baby shower gift was $30 from an acquaintance, $50 from a close friend and $100 from family. Unlike a housewarming, a shower exists for the gifts, so a registry is expected and it helps to use it.
| Who you are | Median gift | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Acquaintance or coworker | $30 | Ally, 2023 |
| Close friend | $50 | Ally, 2023 |
| Family | $100 | Ally, 2023 |
Good to know
- Across everyone in Ally's survey, half spent $50 or less on a baby shower gift and a quarter spent $75 or more.
- A shower is the one party besides a wedding where the Emily Post Institute expects a registry, since giving gifts is its whole point.
- For the big registry items, a car seat or a stroller, a group gift from coworkers or friends lets each person stay near $30 to $50.
Gifts for New Parents under $50
Questions
What is a normal amount for a baby shower gift? In Ally's 2023 survey of 1,000 people the median was $30 from an acquaintance, $50 from a close friend and $100 from family.
Should I buy off the baby registry? It helps: the Emily Post Institute counts a shower among the two parties where a registry is expected, because the gifts are the point.
Is $25 okay for a baby shower gift? From an acquaintance or coworker, yes; the median in Ally's survey was $30.
Sources
Checked October 2026. A survey is named with its year.
- Ally, survey of 1,000 people (2023), medians rounded up to $5
- Emily Post Institute, All About Registries
Other budgets
Secret Santa · Coworker · Teacher · Wedding · Housewarming