If You Have to Buy a Bridal Shower Gift, Don't Stress! Here's How Much You Should Spend
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The lead-up to a loved one's wedding day is full of celebratory moments: There's the engagement party, the bachelorette bash, and the bridal shower. Of these, the bridal shower usually takes place the closest to the wedding. It's a daytime party in which the bride-to-be's friends and family gather to shower her with gifts and good wishes.
If you've received a bridal shower invitation, consider yourself a lucky member of the inner circle. But even if you've already bought an impressive gift from the wedding registry, it's not a good look to show up to the shower empty-handed. Luckily, when it comes to figuring out how much to spend on a bridal shower gift, you don't have to worry about going over the top.
How Much Should You Spend on a Shower Gift?
The budget expectation for a shower gift is less than what you would spend on the couple's wedding present. "Bridal shower gifts are not meant to be big-ticket presents. Think of them as tokens of congratulations," says Tami Claytor, etiquette coach at Always Appropriate. "I would recommend a $50-$75 price point."
It may help to think of a bridal shower gift in the same budget tier as a milestone birthday gift that you would give the bride-to-be. "Usually, shower gifts land somewhere under $100 or closer to $50, depending on how close you are," says Elizabeth Wexler, founder of the wedding planning company Emlan Events and the registry start-up Spennie.
What if you're in the wedding? While there's still an expectation to bring something to the shower, the pressure's off to make it a showstopper gift. "I don't think you need to spend excessively. If you're in the wedding party, bring something for the bride to use on her wedding day," Wexler says.
What Are the Best Shower Gifts to Buy?
Wedding gifts purchased from the registry are intended to help the couple set up their home together. Bridal shower gifts, however, are all about the bride-to-be. This gift can be sentimental, reflecting your friendship with her. "Think: words of advice for marriage framed, a photo of you and the couple, or a collection of your favorite recipes delivered nicely," says Wexler.
You can also use this opportunity to gift a little treat-yourself moment. "I recommend gifts related to entertaining, travel, self-care, or someone’s hobby," says Claytor, who lists "monogrammed luggage tags, a Diptyque or Jo Malone candle, or a gift card for a massage" as bridal shower gifts that feel splurgy while staying within a budget.
Where to shop for bridal shower gifts: Aesop, Artifact Uprising, Away, Cozy Earth, Diptyque, Etsy, Lunya, Minted, Nordstrom, Printfresh
Are Shower Gifts Only Given in Person?
With the popularity and convenience of online wedding registries, you may never see the wedding gift you buy for a couple before it arrives at their home. That same custom does not apply to the bridal shower gift. "If the guest plans on attending the bridal shower, the gift should be given in person," says Claytor. If you can't attend a bridal shower for any reason, it's a good idea to send a card with a handwritten note — and perhaps a gift card as a thoughtful gesture toward the bride-to-be.
However, while physical gifts are still the standard for most traditional bridal showers, some are taking a more modern (and cost-free) approach, asking shower guests simply to send photos, words of marriage advice, or other meaningful contributions. "I just went to one where we had to bring our favorite recipe, so I brought that," Wexler says.
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