How Much to Give for a Baby Shower in Australia
Baby shower gifts in Australia are usually more modest than a wedding gift, and they're often practical: something off the parents' registry, a group contribution towards a bigger item like a pram, or a thoughtful bundle of the essentials every newborn goes through quickly.
The A$ ranges below are a realistic guide for an Australian baby shower. Adjust for how close you are to the parents and whether you're combining with others on a larger gift.
In Australia, baby showers are generally more relaxed than the lavish US versions: the focus is on practical items the parents genuinely need, and a well-chosen registry gift or a share of a group pram fund is always the right call.
How much to spend on a baby shower gift
Most guests spend somewhere in these ranges, in Australian dollars, depending on their relationship to the parents-to-be:
| Your relationship | Typical gift (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Immediate family | A$50–A$150 |
| Extended family | A$40–A$100 |
| Close friend | A$50–A$100 |
| Friend | A$30–A$70 |
| Colleague or acquaintance | A$20–A$50 |
These are typical AUD ranges, not a required amount. A smaller, well-chosen gift, or your share of a group present, is always appreciated.
What changes how much you spend
- Whether the parents have a baby registry, sticking to it means your gift is something they actually need.
- Whether you're chipping into a group gift, several friends often combine for a bigger item like a pram or cot.
- How close you are to the parents-to-be, grandparents and siblings usually give more than a colleague or acquaintance.
- Whether it's their first baby, first-baby showers tend to be larger as the parents are building everything from scratch.
- Your own budget, a thoughtful smaller gift or a handmade item is always welcome.
Worked examples
A close friend's first baby
Around A$50–100. Pick a couple of things off the registry, or a nappy-and-wipes bundle plus one nicer keepsake item.
Chipping in on a group gift for the pram
Whatever the group agrees, often A$30–60 each. Group gifts let everyone contribute to a big-ticket item the parents genuinely need.
A work colleague you're friendly with
Around A$20–40. A pack of newborn basics or a soft toy with a card is thoughtful and appropriate.
A nappy subscription for a close friend
Around A$50–80. A two-month nappy subscription or a nappy-bank contribution is one of the most practical baby gifts, and your money goes straight to something they use every single day.
Baby shower gift etiquette: do's & don'ts
Do
- Use the parents' registry if they have one, it saves duplicate gifts and gets them what they need.
- Consider the practical over the cute, newborns burn through nappies, wipes, singlets and wraps.
- Join a group gift for the big items, prams and cots are easier shared.
- Include a card, and if you can, a favourite book to start the baby's library.
Don't
- Don't feel you must buy the most expensive thing, thoughtfulness matters more.
- Don't ignore the registry and go off-piste unless you know the parents well.
- Don't forget to check sizing, newborn clothes are outgrown fast, so a size or two up is handy.
- Don't stress about a second-baby shower, these are usually lower-key and gifts are optional.
Baby shower gift amount FAQ
Most guests spend between about A$30 and A$100, with close friends and family at the higher end and colleagues or acquaintances closer to A$20–50. If you're contributing to a group gift, your share might be A$30–60. Spend what suits your budget and your relationship to the parents.
If the parents have a registry, buying from it is the safest choice, it's exactly what they've asked for and avoids duplicates. Cash or a gift card is also welcome, especially for parents who'd rather choose the big items themselves once the baby arrives.
Absolutely. Group gifts are common and practical for baby showers, they let a circle of friends or colleagues combine on a pram, cot or car seat the parents really need, and each person contributes a comfortable amount.
Usually a little less. Second-baby celebrations (sometimes called a 'sprinkle') tend to be smaller and gifts are often optional, since the parents already have most of the big items. Consumables like nappies, or a treat for the older sibling, go down well.
Setting up a baby registry?
Add items from any store, mix in a cash fund for the big-ticket things, and share one link. It's free to create and gifts come straight to you.