How Much Should I Spend on a Gift?

Only spend what you can afford, after all babies grow so quickly. How about a cotton blanket? that could be useful for years.

It completely depends. For little ones you want to make sure it is suitable so I wouldn't risk cheap from China as they often slip through the available testing or have fake testing logos on them.

I bought someone a lovely baby grow with came with a bib and hat and it was around £10 I believe, brand new. With clothes I often buy 6-9 months though, as many people will buy newborn or up to 1 month and some babies don't ever fit in them or never get to wear them as everyone buys them.

Muslins are ALWAYS handy though.

As well as the baby grows I got some items from people via Vinted. Yes some are secondhand but you wouldn't notice and others are new with tags, so you wouldn't know the difference anyway. It is usually surplus because babies grow so fast.

You could also ask if they have an Amazon wish list and decide where to buy something from there or not, that way, once bought it should disappear off the list, so no one else can buy it.

Things people usually need:

- Nappies (if using them, Aldi have been known to be great, get the next size up if you don't know the size of the baby)

- Muslins

- Coupons! - you can get free nappy coupons from Huggies, Ella's Kitchen offers free weaning food vouchers. If you aren't going to ever claim these for yourself, they may be suitable to claim for someone else.

- Clothes, over the age of 3 months ideally. Check the time of year - as cute as a thick fluffy pram outfit may be, they may be that size in the middle of summer, so it won't get used. Also many outfits don't get used, they usually stick to onesies/baby grows as they are easier.

Things to usually avoid:

- Pacifiers/Dummies (Some people do not want to use these)

- Beaded dummy clips, these aren't actually legal but sold everywhere

- Baby shoes, most of the time babies are slower to walk if they wear slippers or shoes, no matter how cute, because they need to feel the floor and learn to use their feet.

- Money boxes, they are often small, not used and many people gift these, they only need 1 or 2

- Kits that include cot bumpers (I believe these are only for decoration, so waste of time and space) - but see khy's comment below on this one. I have safety concerns so I personally wouldn't use them.

How about something for mum? People often focus on the baby. Even just a positive plaque or notebook for her, give her a boost when she most needs it. Something to read during night feeds etc.

Or a voucher for a baby casting class or family class so they can get their little ones feet or all their hands together, obviously this would be someone you would be more close too or willing to spend more on.

I always buy something that they will need. But I don't necessarily buy it for newborn stage. I will buy stuff they will need when they get older. You only spend what you can afford, I normally wouldn't spend more than £15.

£10 is reasonable. These days, I'd be more inclined to buy a grocery store gift card. Parents can take their pick of what they need - nappies, food, basic clothing etc.

I think whatever you can afford is fine. There a so many beautiful baby items it can be hard to choose. If you buy clothes go for bigger sizes as everyone buys newborn stuff. Esty have some beautiful personalised Teddy's if you know the name they've chosen or you could get a keepsake box.

Another thing I bought for one couple was a meal deal from Tesco the day they came home from hospital.

It depends how close you are to the parents and whether you will play a big part in their lives. My granddaughter's baby is due soon and she has everything she needs already. We discussed my gift and she said she would like me to buy books as she and I are total book lovers. She said she still cherishes The BFG that I read to her when young and hopes I will read to her child.

So, I am going to buy a selection of children's classics like Wind in the Willows, Dr Seuss books, Peter Pan etc.

I will spend what I can afford and also get a few for his toddler years.

I usually get a collection of things together and make either it up in a bag and basket depending how much I am spending. When I had my children I appreciated gifts like these that were practical but also liked to find a little gift inside for me not the baby, even if it was a bottle of bubble bath.

I guess it depends on how long I’ve known them and if they’re close friends/family. I do feel more pressure to spend higher amounts on gifts if the person has done it for me in the past

Agree with the others saying to maybe buy a supermarket gift card or nappies, I think that would be good and possibly better than buying things everyone will buy or the parents/family may prefer to buy (and choose) themselves

It depends on what you can afford and how close you are. You can get a lovely outfit or cuddly toy for £10 - £15. John Lewis has some great items in the sale, ditto House of Fraser.

Just some gift ideas that others haven't mentioned.

Apart from nappies - since that can be hard to choose, baby wipes are super useful. Other useful items could be baby shampoo/bath, hair brush for babies, baby nail clippers, nose sucker (although my sibling received these for their unprepared baby - do prepared parents already have these? ).

Oh, and bibs - I think babies and toddlers may or may not go through a lot. Lots of people might gift new born bibs and babies grow quickly so bibs for older babies could be useful (as with other wearables).

Night light / musical toys for babies might be good to help them sleep (...which might help the parents sleep..) and/or entertain them for a few, sometimes many yrs (it also helps their new brains explore).

Bought a FisherPrice puppy on offer, a few yrs ago, for my niece when she was a fairly new baby, for when she was older but she danced her foot along with the music when she couldn't even roll over - so musical items/night lights are pretty useful and can be a little more unique than the basics. There's also the projecting night lights.

I'd look out for some gd offers in case you consider it, since toys and life now is expensive.

I wouldn't bother paying extra for some types of personalised name items as when the child grows out of it, and it's unwanted as a keepsake for different reasons, it can make it harder/awkward to resell or give away. Plus, gifter/recipient wouldn't feel bad if it is sold/given away.

Also, Learning flashcards (sibling received quite a few of these) other learning materials/books might be useful for when they're months older.

Maybe small pick me up gift / favorite snack i.e chocolate for the parents.

How ever much you feel comfortable with for me £15 around

I recently went to a very posh baby shower...my gifts were very practical in a home made basket...I wasn't very popular and we left shortly afterwards..only because we chose sensible..a lovely blanket to start with...you can't resist a comfy blanket x

Shopping vouchers as gifts that way they can use it to buy whatever they want! Or make a some homemade foods or a hamper of skincare

Lots of really great suggestions for you posted but spend what you feel comfortable with and can afford. It's always nice to buy an outfit/clothing of sorts but get a few sizes bigger or maybe a little set of nice bathing products for baby and Mum.