Baby Love in the Office: How Much is An Appropriate Amount To Contribute to a Co-Worker's Baby Gift?
Identifying Good and Bad Practices When Coordinating new baby gift Contributions
The workplace usually houses a unique dynamic of individuals consisting of those you adore and inevitably those you try to avoid. Not unlike your actual family if you think about it, but the office brings together an eccentric batch of unlikely friends who (whether you like it or not) you will spend the majority of your weekdays. So when an exciting pregnancy shakes up the office convos, it will be the main topic of choice for the next nine months (and beyond). And of course, where there’s a huge, momentous life change for someone, there are beautiful humans who simply must celebrate it. And so begins the planning of the (sometimes) dreaded group office gift. Hint: it doesn’t have to be a challenge, just follow these helpful tips and wait for the inevitable huge smile on mom-to-be’s face!
How much should I contribute to a co-worker baby gift?
When contributing to a group gift for a coworker, the appropriate amount to give can vary based on several factors, including the budget, the number of participants, and the perceived expectations within the workplace culture. Be mindful of what falls within your comfort level while being conscious of whether the amount aligns with the overall budget set for the gift. If you ever feel uncertain, don’t hesitate to ask the coordinator or discreetly inquire amongst your colleagues to gauge what others are contributing. As a general rule of thumb, we’d say to plan on contributing anywhere from of $5-30 for a group baby shower gift, depending on the size of your group and your relationship with one another! If you’re particularly close, you may feel happy to contribute more.
Finding Gifts At Every Price Point
Whatever your budget, there is a gift to suit everyone. It’s not about the price, it’s about the thought and creativity that goes into choosing the right gift for the specific recipient. At Nurtured 9, you can curate a custom new baby gift box at any price point. Every gift comes beautifully wrapped and includes a handwritten notecard, making even the most budget-friendly gift feel extra luxe and special!
baby gift ideas for a coworker
Budget Friendly Gifts (under $25)
Curate-your-own office gift at Nurtured 9 and include this adorable knit bonnet and bootie set!
Toiletry basket (simple lotions and creams)
Baby top knot hats and headbands
Rattles and teethers
Sweet baby board books
Etsy nursery decor (customized printable wall decor)
Adorable plush stuffed animals
Mid-Range Gifts ($25-$50)
Bonnet and baby booties
Comfy baby blankets
Personalized baby book to document baby’s first year
A giant box of diapers, sz 1 or 2, or wipes (the newest craze is to set mama up with enough diapers/wipes to last the first year so it’s one less thing to worry about)
Gift cards
Uber Eats or Door Dash (because who wants to cook when you are postpartum?)
Higher-end Gifts ($50 and above)
Deluxe Diaper bag with a few essentials to get her started (diaper cream, swaddle, pacifier, hand sanitizer)
Convertible baby carrier
High-end nursery sound machine
A baby monitor with video and 2-way audio capabilities
Infant swing/baby rocker or baby pillow lounger
Luxury New Baby Gift Baskets for coworkers
The “Must Knows” When Coordinating The group Gift
Maybe you are the lucky one who gets to coordinate this entire endeavor. First of all, good for you for taking on such a big task, and second, don’t even think about stressing about it because we are going to make sure you have all the tools in your belt to knock it out of the park. Let’s get into some good and bad practices to be aware of when organizing a group office baby gift for a coworker.
The Good Practices
Early Planning - Start planning well in advance, giving time for collecting contributions, purchasing, and arranging.
Communication - Be transparent and confidently communicate the purpose, budget, and timeline to all participants.
Inclusive Participation - Foster a sense of unity by extending an opportunity to contribute regardless of tenure or status with the company.
Thoughtful Selection - Consider the recipient's needs and preferences to ensure the gift is practical, meaningful, and aligns with their lifestyle.
The Bad Practices
Procrastination - Delaying any planning stage can result in rushed decisions, unnecessary stress, and oversights. Don’t forget that gifts can take time to ship!
Ignoring Budget Constraints - Be sure to respect the agreed-upon budget to maintain inclusivity and reduce financial discomfort.
Exclusionary Behavior - Avoid excluding any member of the team for any reason that can cause resentment.
Lack of Gratitude - Remember to express continued gratitude and support throughout the process for those who made the gift possible.
Group Gifts Celebrate Unity and Support
When celebrating another person’s milestones and personal triumphs, we open our hearts and minds up to empathy and display behavior for others to follow. Group gift-giving can be a great, spontaneous, and fun team-building exercise that will build camaraderie, increase morale, and develop stronger communication skills among your colleagues.
At Nurtured 9, we’ve crafted one-of-a-kind and wildly unique signature new baby gift baskets to complement every style, every aspect of the pregnancy journey, and every price point. Not to mention, with our curate-your-own baskets, we facilitate a great way to include the whole group, allowing each of your participating coworkers to choose a gift to add. Gift-giving shouldn’t be hard, it should be fun, and with an entire office to help, it should be easy too. At Nurtured 9, we take the “hard” out of the equation with a streamlined shopping experience to satisfy all your needs.