We’re right in the midst of wedding season, and if you’re like most people, then you’re probably feeling a bit of gift-giving fatigue. Finding the perfect present for any event isn’t easy, especially in the midst of a global pandemic that has affected almost everyone’s income in some shape or form. You’ve probably received several baby shower invitations that are scheduled for late summer or early fall, and you might be wondering whether or not you’re obligated to give a gift.
As is the case with weddings, graduations, and other gift-giving events, it can be difficult to determine whether or not you should bring one, how much you should spend, or what you should buy. In today’s post, we’re going to provide you with a few helpful guidelines you can follow as the events approach.
If you’re reading this post because you’re looking for a Houston party venue where you can throw a baby shower, get in touch with Alegria Gardens to learn more about how we can help. Our event venues are currently operating at limited capacity and we are closely following CDC, state, and local guidelines to keep our guests and staff members safe.
Buying the Right Baby Shower Gift
As we noted in a previous post, your relationship to the mother or parents-to-be can help you determine how much to spend on a baby shower gift. If you’re attending a coworker’s baby shower or the party is for a distant friend with whom you haven’t spoken in years, then limit yourself to $25 without feeling guilty.
The water gets somewhat murkier when the party is for a close friend or relative. If the recipient is someone you have known for years or spend a great deal of time with, we recommend spending at least $25 and considering gifts up to $75 or $100, depending on your means and how well you know them.
In cases in which you aren’t sure what to purchase, consider pooling your money with other guests to purchase a big-ticket item that the parents-to-be will undoubtedly need, but may not be able to afford on their own. If you choose to pool your money with other guests, be sure to include a card signed by everyone so that the recipients know who to thank!
As far as what you buy is concerned, you should always see if the parents have an online registry. If they do, you should be able to find and purchase an appropriate gift without issue. If they don’t, we recommend speaking with the party planner to get an idea of what the parents need. While it’s not the end of the world if your gift has to be exchanged, welcoming a new life into the world isn’t easy. The parents may find themselves so busy that they simply set certain items aside instead of coordinating returns or exchanges, so make sure that you’re purchasing something they need and will use!
Reserve a Houston Event Venue
We hope that today’s post will help you as you look for the perfect baby shower gift. We plan to continue discussing baby shower etiquette in future posts, so come back to our blog in the coming weeks and months for even more tips and recommendations!
If you’re throwing an event this summer, fall, or winter, we hope that you’ll reserve a Houston party venue through Alegria Gardens. We’re taking every precaution we can to keep our events safe and fun for everyone involved, and we’re also offering amazing discounts on events booked this year and in 2021. We’ve never offered rates this low and our available dates are running out quickly — we recommend contacting us as soon as possible to make your reservation!