What to Bring to a Baby Shower: Gifts & Etiquette

The short answer: a gift, and usually a card. Beyond that, what you bring to a baby shower depends mostly on whether there's a gift registry, your budget, and whether the invite mentions anything else, like a dish to share.

Here's how to get it right without overthinking it.

Gift Ideas by Budget

Baby shower gifts don't need to be expensive to be well received. Some starting points by budget:

• Under £20: baby clothes bundles, a soft toy, nappies and wipes, a baby book
• £20–£50: a nursery item (baby monitor accessory, changing mat, sleep sack), a nice outfit set, a gift card
• £50+: pram accessories, a car seat contribution (often shared between a few guests), or a bigger nursery item

Practical, everyday items are almost always appreciated, even if they're less exciting to unwrap than something more novel.

Practical vs Sentimental Gifts

Most baby shower gifts fall into one of two camps:

• Practical — nappies, muslins, bottles, sleepsuits, and other things new parents go through constantly
• Sentimental — a personalised keepsake, a handwritten letter for the baby to read later, or a piece for the nursery

A mix of both tends to land well. If you're unsure, practical gifts are rarely wasted, since new parents go through basics faster than expected.

Should You Bring a Card Too?

Yes — a card is standard alongside a gift, even a small one. It's also a nice touch to write a short personal message rather than just signing your name, since many mums-to-be keep cards from their shower as a keepsake.

What If There's No Registry?

If there's no registry listed on the invite, it's worth asking a close friend or family member (rather than the mum-to-be directly) whether there's anything specific still needed, to avoid duplicate gifts. Alternatively, sticking to smaller, practical items is a safe default when you're not sure what's already been bought.

Anything Else to Bring?

A few extra things worth checking on the invite:

• A dish to share — some showers are potluck-style, particularly smaller, more casual ones
• A game or activity idea — occasionally hosts ask a few guests to help bring or run a game
• Nothing at all — many showers simply ask for a gift and nothing more, so it's always worth checking rather than assuming

Once the gifts are sorted, Crown Banqueting Suite's baby shower venue in Ilford gives plenty of space for a proper gift table and unwrapping session.