New Baby Gifts for Colleagues: What to Give & How Much to Spend

Written By Rebecca Lynes | Founder of Tiny Welcome

When someone at work is expecting a baby, choosing a gift can be a little more difficult than it first appears.

You may have been asked to organise a collection, given a budget by your employer, or just want to buy something yourself for a colleague you know well.

How much should you spend? Should you choose something practical or something to keep? And what do you buy if you don't know what the parents already have, or even whether they're expecting a boy or a girl?

A thoughtful present doesn't need to be very expensive or personal. Our guide looks at what to consider when choosing a new baby gift for a colleague, with ideas for different budgets.

What makes a good new baby gift from colleagues?

A gift from work occupies a slightly different place from something chosen by a close friend or family member. If several people have contributed, you're choosing on behalf of the whole group, so ideally you want something that everyone will be happy to put their name to.

Something useful or something to keep?

Practical gifts can be a lovely choice for a new baby. Muslins, blankets, clothing and towels are likely to be used again and again during those first few weeks and months.

Keepsakes offer something different. A special treasures box, personalised book or photo frame will be kept long after the baby has grown.

You don't have to choose between the two as there are many gift sets available that combine something useful for the baby with a small keepsake.

Choosing a gift when you don't know the family well

Sometimes it's only when we're choosing a gift that we realise how little we know about someone's life outside work, even though we spend so much time with them.

You may never have been to their house, have no idea how they've decorated the nursery or know which baby products they've already chosen. In a larger workplace, the person arranging the gift may not even work directly with the recipient.

You don't know their personal style

Unless you know your colleague's tastes, avoid highly decorative nursery items, strongly themed accessories or anything that needs to coordinate with their home.

Subtle designs and softer or neutral colours are usually appropriate for somebody you don't know very well. Clothing makes a good gift, but think about size and season rather than automatically choosing newborn. If choosing a larger size, consider what time of year the baby is likely to grow into it. A classic keepsake can also work because it doesn't need to match the nursery.

It's also worth bearing in mind that some parents have strong preferences about things such as feeding, nappies and baby equipment, so it may be better to steer clear of these areas when choosing a gift.

You don't know what they already have

If you don't know what the parents already have, don't try to second-guess the purchases they may have made themselves. Items such as a baby monitor, changing bag or bouncer might already have been carefully researched and selected.

Having more than one of many baby items, however, is unlikely to be a problem. An extra soft toy or rattle can still be enjoyed, while having a good supply of frequently used everyday essentials always comes in handy. Choosing a few different items can also take some of the pressure off finding one "perfect" present that the parents definitely don't own.

For more ideas for buying without a wish list, we've put together a separate guide to choosing a baby gift when you don't know what the parents need.

You don't know whether they're having a boy or girl

If your colleague hasn't shared their baby's gender, a unisex baby gift in white, cream, grey or other neutral shades is an easy option, particularly if the office is arranging the gift before they start maternity or parental leave. You can still choose something that feels special without making the baby's gender part of the decision.

How much should you spend on a new baby gift for a colleague?

As a practical guide, £5 is a reasonable contribution for a large workplace collection or for a colleague you don't know particularly well. Around £10 can be a useful benchmark for someone you work with more closely, particularly in a smaller team. If you're also good friends outside work, you may naturally choose to give more.

Contributions should always be voluntary, and nobody should feel uncomfortable because they can't, or simply don't want to, contribute a particular amount.

If you're organising the collection, it can help to set a clear closing date. A quick reminder the day before it closes can also be useful - it's surprising how many people fully intend to contribute and simply forget.

Buying a gift on your own

If you're buying a new baby gift by yourself rather than contributing to a collection, around £10–£30 can be a useful starting point for a colleague, depending on how well you know them.

At the lower end of that range, you might choose a small keepsake, babygro, rattle or comforter. With £20 or more to spend, you could choose a ready-made gift set containing a few items.

What if you have a larger office collection?

A larger team or department can quickly create a more generous budget, but that doesn't mean you have to spend the whole amount on the baby.  

If ten colleagues were to contribute £10 each, you might choose a substantial baby hamper for around £50–£60 and use the remaining money for something special for the new mum or parents.

Flowers are a simple option, while chocolates or another food treat can work if you know of any dietary requirements.

Pampering gifts are traditionally popular for new mums, although they won't suit everyone. Those first weeks with a newborn can leave very little time for long baths or spa-style treats, so unless you know your colleague would appreciate them, something that gives them more choice may be more useful. A flexible gift voucher allows the recipient to choose something they would genuinely enjoy at a time that suits them.

New baby gift ideas for different budgets

If you already have a budget in mind, or know how much has been collected, these are some of the types of gifts you might consider at different price points.

Under £20

A book, rattle, comforter, babygro or keepsake such as a photo frame or piggy bank can all make lovely individual baby gifts. Smaller ready-made gift sets are also available within this price range.

£20–£40

At this price point, you could choose a keepsake gift box, clothing set or smaller baby hamper. This can be a useful budget for buying individually or for a collection amongst a few colleagues.

£40–£60

At £40–£60, you can consider a larger baby gift basket or hamper containing a wider range of items. This works particularly well for a team collection and gives the recipient several things to open and enjoy.

Look at what is actually included rather than judging a hamper simply by its size. Check clothing sizes, materials and the suitability of individual items so you know what you're actually sending.

What if your colleague is expecting twins?

Buying for twins doesn't necessarily mean finding two completely different presents.

You could choose coordinating items for the babies, a shared hamper containing something for each of them, or individual keepsake gifts.

We've put together a separate guide about gift ideas for twins, including suggestions for twin boys, girls, mixed twins and families who prefer neutral gifts.

When should you give a colleague their new baby gift?

Some workplaces give a gift when their colleague finishes work for maternity or parental leave. This allows everyone to sign a card and give the present in person.

Other teams prefer to wait until the baby has arrived. This can be useful if you want to know the baby's name or gender (if not known) before choosing something.

If your colleague has already started their leave, waiting until after the baby arrives may simply be more practical.

Sending a new baby gift directly to your colleague

If the baby has already arrived, your colleague is working remotely, or carrying a large gift home would be inconvenient, sending it directly to their home can be much easier.

It's also worth remembering that a new parent may not be ready to visit the workplace in the first few weeks after the birth. Sending the gift to their home means there's no need to wait, particularly if it includes clothing that the baby could quickly outgrow.

If you're ordering online, check whether the retailer can send the gift without pricing information and whether you can include a message so the recipient knows who it is from.

At Tiny Welcome, our baby gifts can be sent directly to the recipient, with no pricing information included. You can also add a personal message at checkout, which we'll handwrite on one of our gifting postcards and include with your order.

A thoughtful gift doesn't have to be complicated

Being asked to organise a new baby gift for a colleague can feel like quite a responsibility, particularly when several people have contributed, and you're the person expected to decide what everyone is giving.

Start with the budget you have, think about what you know about the family and choose something you think will be enjoyed and come in useful. 

Whether it's a small present from you personally or a larger gift from the whole office, the aim is to welcome the new arrival with something thoughtful.

If you're looking for some inspiration, you can browse our range of new baby gifts, with options for different budgets and occasions.