Your coworker just announced they're expecting, and now you're staring at the Slack message asking for contributions to the baby shower gift. The question everyone asks but nobody wants to voice: How much am I actually supposed to give?
Give too little and you look cheap. Give too much and you've set an uncomfortable precedent. And if you're the one organizing the collection? The pressure is even higher.
Let's break down the actual numbers—based on relationship, occasion, and office norms—so you can contribute confidently and maybe even become the office hero who finally makes group gifting less awkward.
The Quick Answer: Baby Shower Gift Amounts by Relationship
If you're in a hurry, here's the breakdown most etiquette experts and workplace surveys agree on:
| Your Relationship | Suggested Amount |
|---|---|
| Distant coworker / acquaintance | $10 – $25 |
| Regular coworker (same team) | $20 – $40 |
| Close work friend | $30 – $60 |
| Manager giving to direct report | $40 – $75 |
| Group gift contribution (any relationship) | $15 – $30 |
These ranges give you flexibility based on your budget and how well you know the expecting parent. The key principle: give what you're comfortable with—not what you think will impress anyone.
Why Office Baby Showers Are Different From Personal Ones
When your best friend or sister is having a baby, you might spend $100 or more on a meaningful gift. But work baby showers operate under different rules.
At the office, gift-giving is about acknowledging a milestone—not demonstrating the depth of your friendship. This means:
- Lower amounts are expected. Most people give between $15 and $40 for an office baby shower.
- Group gifts are the norm. Instead of 15 people giving individual $20 gifts, pooling money for one larger gift is more practical and appreciated.
- Participation matters more than amount. A $10 contribution with a signed card shows you care. Skipping the contribution entirely is noticed.
The average office baby shower group gift totals between $200 and $500, depending on team size and how long the expecting parent has been with the company.
How to Decide Your Exact Amount
Still unsure? Ask yourself these questions:
1. What's the suggested amount from the organizer?
If someone is collecting money and suggests "$20-30 per person," that's your safest bet. Organizers usually gauge what's appropriate for the office culture.
2. How many people are contributing?
In a small team of 5, you might contribute $30-40 to reach a meaningful total. In a department of 50, even $15 per person adds up to $750—plenty for a nice gift.
3. What's your relationship with the expecting parent?
If you grab lunch together weekly, lean toward the higher end of the range. If you've only exchanged pleasantries in the elevator, the lower end is fine.
4. What can you actually afford right now?
This is the most important question. Never stretch your budget to match what others are giving. A genuine $10 is better than a resentful $50.
The Etiquette of Saying "No" (Or Giving Less)
Here's what nobody tells you: you're allowed to decline or give a smaller amount.
If money is tight, you have options:
- Contribute what you can and supplement with a heartfelt card message
- Offer to help with the shower in other ways (decorating, organizing, bringing food)
- Politely decline with a simple "I'm not able to contribute this time, but please wish them well from me"
Most organizers understand that not everyone can participate financially. What's awkward is being chased for payment—which is why good collection systems let people contribute anonymously and on their own timeline.
Group Gift vs. Individual Gift: Which Is Better?
For office baby showers, group gifts almost always win. Here's why:
| Individual Gifts | Group Gift | |
|---|---|---|
| For the parent | 15 small items to open, store, and thank people for | One meaningful gift they actually need |
| For contributors | Stress about picking the "right" thing | Just send your contribution and you're done |
| Gift quality | Lots of $20-30 items | One $300+ item from the registry |
| Duplicates? | Very likely | Never |
The challenge with group gifts has always been the logistics: Who collects? How do you track contributions? What if someone doesn't pay?
That's exactly why platforms exist to handle the awkward parts—but more on that later.
What About Cash vs. Physical Gifts?
Cash gifts for baby showers have become increasingly acceptable—and many parents actually prefer them. Here's why:
- Flexibility: Parents can buy exactly what they need, when they need it
- No duplicates: They won't end up with four diaper bags
- Covers unexpected expenses: Baby costs add up fast in the first year
- Works for second+ babies: Parents often already have the basics
If you're collecting for a group gift, consider giving the parent a choice: they can receive cash, a gift card to their favorite baby store, or have the group purchase something specific from their registry.
If You're Organizing the Collection
Being the person who organizes the office baby shower collection is both a blessing and a curse. You're doing something kind—but also signing up for awkward money conversations.
Here's how to make it easier on yourself:
1. Set a clear deadline
Give people 1-2 weeks to contribute. Without a deadline, you'll be chasing stragglers forever.
2. Suggest a range, not a fixed amount
"We're suggesting $20-30, but any amount is appreciated" works better than "Please Venmo $25 exactly."
3. Use a dedicated collection tool
Passing an envelope around the office or sharing your personal Venmo creates friction. Consider using a platform designed for group gift collections—where people can contribute with any payment method, you can track who's participated, and the recipient can choose how to receive their gift.
4. Send exactly two reminders
One reminder midway through and one final "last call" message. More than that feels pushy.
5. Don't keep a mental list of who gave what
As the organizer, try not to judge contributions. People have different financial situations, and your job is just to facilitate—not to audit.
Sample Message to Request Contributions
Not sure what to write? Here's a template you can copy:
Hi everyone! 👋
As you may know, [Name] is expecting their baby in [month]! We're collecting for a group gift to celebrate.
Suggested contribution: $20-30 (but any amount is welcome!)
Deadline: [Date]
How to contribute: [Link]
You can also add a personal message that we'll include in a card. Thanks for helping us celebrate this exciting milestone!
The Easier Way to Collect
At GiftPot, we built a platform specifically for moments like these. Instead of awkward Venmo requests and spreadsheet tracking, you can:
- Create a gift collection in 30 seconds
- Share one link with your team
- Let people contribute with any payment method
- See who's participated (without seeing amounts)
- Let the recipient choose how to receive their gift—cash, gift cards, or a specific item
No apps to download. No chasing people for payment. Just a simple, professional way to celebrate your coworker's new chapter.
Ready to organize your office baby shower collection?
Create your gift pot in 30 seconds – it's free to start!
Start Your Baby Shower Collection →Key Takeaways
- $15-40 is the sweet spot for most office baby shower contributions
- Group gifts are almost always better than individual gifts at work
- It's okay to decline or give less than suggested if money is tight
- As the organizer, make contributing easy and set clear deadlines
- Cash gifts are increasingly welcome—especially for second or third babies
At the end of the day, what matters most isn't the dollar amount. It's that you showed up to celebrate a coworker's major life milestone. Do that, and you're already doing it right.
Have questions about organizing a baby shower collection at work? We're here to help. Reach out at admin@giftpot.app or start your collection at giftpot.app.
Related: How Much to Give for a Coworker's Wedding Gift | How to Organize an Office Farewell Gift Collection
