Need inexpensive baby shower gift ideas that don’t seem cheap?
These amazing ideas will delight a mother-to-be but won’t break the bank.
A cheap baby shower gift does not have to be lacklustre! There are actually lots of things you can buy that will still be very much appreciated by the mother-to-be.
The trick is to look for something that’s practical and then package it up in a way that’s really special. There’s some amazing inspiration to come in this article.
We’ve even got some ideas on this list that will cost you nothing at all!
You may also like: How to plan a baby shower checklist
How to throw a gender reveal baby shower
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Best cheap baby shower gifts
Homemade diaper cake
There’s one thing that new parents cannot have too much of, and that’s nappies!
Babies may get through as many as 15 to 20 per day in the early weeks. So extra supplies will always be appreciated, and a pack of nappies is one of the cheapest things you can buy!
The trick to giving diapers as a gift is in packaging them up to look amazing.
You can create your own homemade diaper cake with simple items such as a round tin, colourful saran wrap, and ribbon.
This amazing nappy cake tutorial produces a gorgeous result that will set you back less than £20, including the extras such as baby lotion and baby bubble bath.
DIY baby gift basket
You can put together a gift basket of items that didn’t cost the earth, but the presentation can really bring the wow factor!
Just check out this video of cleaning guru Mrs Hinch putting together a baby shower gift basket for her friend Stacey Solomon.
Some lovely, inexpensive items you can add to a wicker gift basket include:
Home cooking
The early weeks after baby is born are a bit of a whirlwind and the last thing on the new parents’ minds will be cooking.
Providing them with some home cooked meals is a huge help to take some of the burden of chores off them so they can get on with enjoying the new baby.
Offer to fill their freezer with three or four meals they can easily heat up on evenings when they just don’t have the energy to cook from scratch for themselves.
Board/buggy books
Books are one of the best gifts for new babies. Reading is a great opportunity for parents to bond with their little one and it’s brilliant for development so many skills for baby.
Getting a couple of inexpensive board books or soft books that can be attached to the stroller for when they’re out and about is a thoughtful and useful gift.
A funny onesie
There are some hilarious onesies with great slogans you can buy for new parents.
I love this Ice Ice Baby onesie.
You could also look for a personalised one with the family’s names on.
Comforter/lovey
A soft toy that will provide comfort to the new baby is also a sweet and thoughtful gift that won’t cost too much.
Our youngest daughter received this super soft lamb toy when she was born and she still carries it around everywhere with her six years later.
Tummy time mat
New parents are advised to give their baby tummy time every single day from just a few weeks.
Some babies hate tummy time and may cry a little or get frustrated when placed on their tummy.
This can be made easier with toys specifically designed to engage them during tummy time, such as a fun tummy time mat.
I love this water play mat.
Baby journal
A journal to record all of baby’s key moments in the first year.
It’s a gift they will treasure and use regularly, plus keep forever.
Portable changing mat
A portable changing mat is an essential item that a new mum will use every day, but it’s also not going to set you back too much to buy.
These handy pads usually fold up small so they can be slipped into the basket of the stroller, or tucked into the changing bag.
Stroller hooks
Stroller hooks fit to the handle of the stroller and can be used to hang shopping bags and diaper bags.
They’re also great for keeping small buggy books attached to the pushchair.
Muslin swaddles
Giant muslin swaddles were one of my best purchases when I had my first baby.
You can use them as burping cloths, bibs, tummy time blankets, summer blankets and swaddles.
Aden + Anais do some super expensive ones, but you can also buy very good value ones with just as pretty patterns too, like these lovely giant muslin blankets.
Memory box
There are lots of things new parents will gather in the first year that they will want to keep safely.
A small memory box – personalised with the family’s surname – is a really sweet gift.
Inside they can keep items such as the first lock of hair, the wristband baby wears in the hospital, and the newspaper from the day of their birth.
How much should you spend on a baby shower gift?
A normal budget for a baby shower gift is between £10 and £50 ($15 to $65) for a guest.
A close family member, such as the grandparents, may spend more purchasing a big ticket item such as the crib.
Tips for saving money on a baby shower gift
Club together
Get a group together to buy one bigger ticket item – such as a baby carrier or sling, car seat or high chair – that the new mama needs.
Look out for auctions
Facebook Marketplace and eBay may have some amazing, good quality secondhand items that have either never been used or hardly been used.
Check if there’s a baby registry
A baby registry is something a mama-to-be can create to make sure she only gets the gifts she actually needs, and nothing is doubled up.
It also means you can pick and choose items she will like that fit in with your budget.
Amazon has an amazing baby gift registry that’s easy to set up and share.
