At some point during your career, you may be expected to buy a baby gift for a coworker. However, if you've never purchased a baby gift for a coworker before, you may be unsure how to proceed. How much should you spend? What kind of gifts are you expected to buy? Today, I'm going to offer some tips about buying a baby gift for a coworker.
When should I buy a baby gift for a coworker?
It is generally a good idea to buy a baby gift for a coworker around the time of the baby's arrival, either before or shortly after the birth. This allows you to celebrate the new arrival with your coworker and show your support and congratulations.
If you are not sure when the baby is due, you can ask the coworker for their due date or check with a mutual colleague who may know more details. You can also consider asking the coworker if there is anything specific they would like or need as a gift, as this can help ensure that the gift is appreciated and useful. However, that could also remove the "pleasantly surprised" emotion the employee would feel if the gift was sent without expectation.
Its also a good idea to find out what your other coworkers are doing if you work for a larger company. If multiple parties are interested in purchasing a gift it may be beneficial to coordinate a group gift to avoid the new mom receiving duplicate gifts or coming off as un-organized.
Lastly, it's important to be considerate and respectful of your coworker's privacy and boundaries, and to respect their wishes if they do not want to receive a gift or discuss the details of their pregnancy or parenting.
How much should I spend?
The amount you should spend on a baby gift for a coworker will depend on your office budget and your relationship with the coworker. It's a good idea to consider company policy (if one exists) and choose a gift that aligns with that policy to avoid any issues.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to show your support and congratulations for the new arrival, by choosing a gift that is thoughtful and meaningful. A small, personalized gift can often be more appreciated than a larger, more expensive gift. Afterall, you want the employee to feel valued and appreciated, so it really can be the old adage "it's the thought that matters".
What kind of gifts should I give?
There are so many different baby gifts to buy that you really cant go wrong here. However, it's probably safer to stay away from clothing or other more personalized items since picking the correct size and/or style can be difficult. On the other hand, sending flowers or a gift card could come off as not wanting to devote any time or effort to send a more heartfelt gift.
Obviously, you should figure out whether you're buying a gift for a boy or a girl. If your coworker is having a baby shower before the birth of the baby, and if the sex of the baby isn't known, then you'll have to choose a unisex gift. In many cases, your coworker will have a baby registry that you can look at in order to get gift ideas.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-
A soft, cozy blanket for the baby to snuggle up in. This is a practical gift that the parents will appreciate, especially during those late-night feedings.
-
A baby book or memory book. This is a great gift for parents who want to document their baby's milestones and memories.
-
A baby carrier or wrap. This is a practical gift that will allow the parents to keep their baby close while they're on the go.
-
A baby diaper cake with essentials like diapers, wipes, and lotion. This is a convenient gift for parents who are always running low on these items. (wink, wink)
