When considering a budget for a new baby gift, it’s important to strike a balance between thoughtfulness and practicality. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide on the right budget based on the type of gift and the relationship you have with the family:
Low Budget (£10 – £25)
For those on a budget or looking for small yet meaningful gifts, there are plenty of options that still feel special:
Personalised baby bibs: Affordable and practical, often around £10-£15, and can be embroidered with the baby’s name.
Soft toys or rattles: Simple soft toys like a plush teddy bear or baby-safe rattle, priced between £10-£20.
Baby books: Bedtime storybooks or interactive board books, typically around £5-£15.
Baby socks or mittens sets: Small but useful, often costing between £10-£20 for a cute pack.
Memory cards or milestone markers: These are great for documenting the baby’s key moments, usually priced at £10-£15.
Baby care essentials: Small sets of baby lotions, wipes, or bath products can fall within this budget range and are practical.
This budget is perfect for colleagues, acquaintances, or if you’re contributing to a group gift.
Mid-Range Budget (£25 – £50)
If you’re looking for something more substantial or personalised, the mid-range budget opens up a wider selection of gifts:
Personalised blankets: A custom embroidered baby blanket, often priced between £25-£40, offers a sentimental and useful gift.
Clothing sets: A set of baby clothes (such as baby grows or onesies) from a good brand, often costing £20-£45.
Customised soft toys: Teddies or plush animals personalised with the baby’s name, typically between £25-£40.
Keepsake boxes: Beautifully designed boxes where parents can store mementos like the baby’s first outfit or birth certificate, usually priced at £30-£50.
Engraved picture frames: A personalised photo frame, often engraved with the baby’s name or birth date, costs around £25-£40.
Baby hampers: A hand-picked gift set that may include baby clothes, toys, and skincare products, priced around £35-£50.
This price range is ideal if you’re a close friend, relative, or want to give something personalised and thoughtful without overspending.
Higher-End Budget (£50 – £100+)
For those with a higher budget or when you want to give a premium gift (such as for a close family member), consider gifts that offer luxury or long-lasting value:
Personalised furniture or nursery decor: Items like personalised rocking chairs, name plaques, or custom wall art for the nursery, usually between £50-£100.
High-quality baby clothing bundles: Premium brands or organic cotton sets for the baby, often in the £50-£80 range.
Engraved keepsakes: Premium silver or crystal engraved gifts such as photo frames, money boxes, or christening bracelets, often priced between £50-£100+.
Custom memory books: High-quality baby journals or memory books for recording milestones, often between £40-£60.
Luxury baby hampers: Larger hampers filled with organic skincare, premium baby clothes, and plush toys, typically ranging from £60-£100 or more.
Professional photography session: Contributing towards or gifting a newborn photography session, which can range from £100+.
This budget is more suited to close family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close friends, who want to give something extra special.
Group Gifts (£50 – £150+)
If you’re participating in a group gift, you can contribute to higher-ticket items that parents may really appreciate:
Baby furniture: Items like a baby cot, pram, or changing table, often ranging from £100-£300+.
Premium personalised gifts: A custom nursery chair or personalised toy box, typically priced at £100-£150.
Baby monitor or tech gadgets: High-quality baby monitors, sound machines, or smart baby tech (like a baby sleep tracker) generally start around £75 and go up depending on the brand.
Other Considerations
Personal connection: The closer your relationship to the family, the more you may feel comfortable spending. For example, gifts for a sibling’s baby might justify a higher budget, while a colleague’s baby gift could be more modest.
Occasion: If the gift is for a baby shower, the budget may be smaller compared to a gift for after the baby is born. Likewise, if it’s a christening or first birthday, you might want to spend a bit more.
Quality over quantity: Sometimes, a small but high-quality or personalised gift can mean more than a larger, less thoughtful one. Personalised items, even at a lower price point, often carry more sentimental value.
Practicality: Some parents may prefer practical gifts that help them with the day-to-day care of their baby (like nappies, clothes, or care kits), while others may cherish keepsakes or decorative items for the nursery.
By setting a budget based on the above categories, you can choose a meaningful and appropriate gift without overspending, while still giving something that the parents and baby will appreciate.