When I worked in an office, my bestie Maria was one of the nicest people on the planet – the kind of person everyone in the office really loved – so when I threw her baby shower, the usual $5 chip-in turned into $10, $20, and a guy gave me $50 in cash without blinking. Before I knew it, I had $800 in an envelope and a big problem: her giant family had already scanned her registry and bought all the big stuff.
I had no children of my own at the time and had no idea what babies and new parents really need. Someone suggested a silver rattle and cashmere baby outfit, and even in my clueless, childless state I knew it wasn’t right. “I think babies make their backs really bad,” I said, and that was the end of that sentence. I went into a complete panic with the first world problems and ended up buying the little things left from her registry and a gift card. It was fine. It was ok. But it felt kind of sad, given how much everyone had been involved.
After nearly two decades of writing about pregnancy and new parenthood (and two kids of my own), I finally know what I wish I knew back then. These are the baby gifts worth buying when you’re in a professional environment, have a real budget and need to get it right without going overboard.
What to skip before you start
Before we get into the good stuff, a few landmines worth avoiding:
- Don’t repeat what the family has already bought. Check in before purchasing items such as strollers or car seats. If it’s available in the registry, use it.
- Avoid anything too personal. Even if it’s on their registry, opening a breast in front of co-workers gets awkward fast.
- Skip anything religious unless you know their faith for sure.
- Leave the parenting advice books at home. Even jokes can land badly, and new parents are already drowning in unsolicited opinions.
- Pass clothes with sayings. “Daddy’s Drinking Buddy” is probably a pass in a professional or corporate gift box.
The best large baby shower gifts for co-workers and clients
(When you have a real budget)
A beautifully curated baby shower gift basket (~$100 – $300+)
Most baby gift baskets are filled with stuffing. Nurtured 9 is different because they’re known for thoughtful, high-quality curation, and many of their baby gift baskets lean heavily toward things a new mom can actually use herself (which is rare).
You can make your own baby gift basket from their list, which is so well put together that even the most obnoxious person in your office could pull it off.
They also do corporate gifts if you need a streamlined way to send a “congratulations” to customers who just had a baby. See all gifts from Nurtured9 here.
All but Rubber Ducky (~ $300 – $400)
The Lalo Bath Starter Kit combined with a compact bath toy set is a great package. For toys, I’m a fan of Munchkin, Green Toys and Yookidoo. Just make sure whatever you buy is easy to clean in-game. Toys with hidden cavities grow mold quickly, which is as gross as it sounds. Shop them all here.
Bedtime books (~ $400 – $500)
Every baby born today will receive at least three copies of Goodnight Moon, so skip the copies and build them a first library full of variety. A mix of board books and picture books works well, and your local bookstore will practically pass out with excitement if you walk in and ask them to pick out $300 worth of children’s books. Pair it with the Pottery Barn Bookcase and you’ve made a gift that lasts for years without crossing professional boundaries. Shop them all here.
Dinner is served (~$400–$500)
The Lalo clip-on highchair is stylish, easy to clean and takes up zero floor space. It works at home, in restaurants and when visiting family. I especially like it because it has a footrest, which is really important for comfort and feeding development (most clip-on chairs skip this). Pair it with stainless steel feeding dishes, some muslin bibs and a Little Spoon gift card (fresh, organic baby food delivered to your door) and you’ve got them covered from purees to baby meals. Shop them all here.
The ultimate “Play Station” (~$600–$900)
Lovevery makes age-specific play kits developed by childhood development experts and carefully designed for parents who don’t live in a house full of plastic. It’s one of the best gift subscriptions in the baby space. Add the Avery 2-Shelf Cubby with Bins from Pottery Barn Kids and you’ve got somewhere to put everything (the open bins mean you can actually see the toys without throwing them all out). Shop them all here.
Get Out of the House Kit (~$700 – $1,000)
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve hunted down strangers at farmers markets to ask them if they like their Veer wagon. Everyone has said yes without hesitation. Combine this with outdoor toys, a beach kit (sand toys, a pop-up shade tent, sunscreen) and a warm blanket and you’ve basically got them an entire summer. Days at the beach, walks in nature, walks around the neighborhood – this stuff gets used all the time. Shop them all here.
Note: I would get the original cruiser unless they already have a lot of kids. You can check Veer Cruiser Wagon review and comparison here.
The essence
A big budget is a real opportunity, but it can also feel like a lot of pressure. The best gifts at this level are those that make everyday life easier, stand the test of time and don’t require parents to do anything complicated to enjoy them. If you’re still unsure, a beautifully curated gift basket plus a gift card to a meal delivery service covers just about every base and will be really appreciated.
Next: Baby Shower Card Messages: 50+ Heartfelt, Funny & Original Ideas
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