is there a proper amount to be spent?

[Justanopinion]

is there a proper amount a grandparent or great grandparent should spend for a baby shower gift?
My mother shocked me when she stated as a great grandmother she would only spend $25 or so. I am not saying she is wrong, just surprised. i would have thought she would spend more. she said she comes from a generation that believed it was the new parents responsibility to buy the big items. i did not expect this because just a few short years ago she bought a crib for me. so it got me to thinking, is there a proper amount we should be spending?

 

[powellrj]

No, they should spend what they can afford.

 

[smb6]

I don't think there is a proper amount. But in my experience (both personal and attending others) the grandmother (expected mothers mom and usually expected dads mom also) typically provide a "large" gift like a crib, rocker, or nice bedding. My grandmother (my kids great grandmother) got me a big gift for my first son. But, we were exceptionally close and unfortunately she was no longer living when my younger kids were born....

 

[DVCLiz]

is there a proper amount a grandparent or great grandparent should spend for a baby shower gift?
My mother shocked me when she stated as a great grandmother she would only spend $25 or so. I am not saying she is wrong, just surprised. i would have thought she would spend more. she said she comes from a generation that believed it was the new parents responsibility to buy the big items. i did not expect this because just a few short years ago she bought a crib for me. so it got me to thinking, is there a proper amount we should be spending?

I don't think there is a "proper" amount anyone should spend on a baby gift.

That said, I can't imagine being able to restrain myself for the gifts I would want to buy for any baby related to me!! Maybe $25.00 per DAY, but $25.00 total? No way!!!

I do remember, though, that my mother was not very "spendy" on my children as infants. She did not offer to buy the crib, etc. - and that would have come in really, really handy. I don't quite know what her thinking was - she knew we were struggling and it would have been easy for her to do. Still, it was her choice and we never discussed it and it never came up. (Although obviously it struck a chord with me since I remember it so well almost 25 years later!)

But again, no set amount is ever required - that's why they call them gifts.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If my parents make it to see great grandkids, that would be all the gift I need.

 

[scottishduffy]

Nope. No specific amount.

In my family the Grandparents usually spend a bit more on the grandchild, but I would actually feel guilty if my Gramma (Great-Grammy to-be) spent more than $50. She is on a fixed income and I would not want her to be spending money on myself and my husband (just fine and dandy financially thank-you very much). My DH and I are in the process of TTC and I know my Mom is already checking out strollers and his parents are checking out car seats. I am actually trying to discourage my grandmother from spending tons of money.

As long as Great-gramma gets to be there I am fine. I really don't need much, and if I couldn't afford all the baby equipment then I wouldn't really consider having a child.

A person should only give what they can afford and feel comfortable with. The gift reciever should be grateful for whatever comes their way as long as it was given with a kind intent.

 

[luvmy3]

In my family and other's that I know of its typical of grandparents to be to buy a large gift. However, I don't think that its anything that should be considered proper. People should spend what they want whether it be $25 or $250.

 

[Luvchefmic]

This triggered such a memory for me so I will share it ...maybe there's a point in here somewhere... when I was a kid my Nana (grandmother for those not familiar with the name) always put a crisp one dollar bill in a birthday card. She did this as far back as I can remember. My last Birthday that she was alive was back in 1981 and I was a mother of 2 and I was 23 yrs old still the card with the crisp one dollar bill. I still have most of those cards and my grandson calls me Nana..that's what I wanted

 

[Mimi1965]

All my elderly Aunties and greats gave me hand made/crochet blankets
PRICELESS!!!!!

I think elderly simply cant spend a lot

-and who keeps track on a gift & what it costs-that is very
declassee'

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't think there's a "proper" amount, but I know the grandparents usually spend a lot more than other guests. That is assuming they can afford it. I know my mom spent a lot on mine, but only gave me one gift at the shower (though it was an expensive car seat) and then more later.

 

[minkydog]

I think grandparents should spend what they think they can afford. My mother lives on a fixed income. She has 8 grandchildren. Much as she loves them, she just can't spend a lot of money. Even $25 for each kid adds up to $200.

I also don't think it's the grandparents' responsibility to buy the high ticket items. If you're old enough to have a baby, you're old enough to pay for your baby. Lots of parents, especially first time parents, think they need a ton of stuff. You don't. You can borrow things, buy them at garage sales,etc. About the only thing I would not buy used is a carseat.

 

[Pakey]

My grandmother had 47 grandchildren. When my son was born (her first great grandchild) he received $5 and I was thrilled that she was still around to be a part of his young life. As a grandparent now, I've only got one grandchild. When he was born, I spent about $1000. If I'd had 47 grandchildren, that would have equated to $21.28 per grandchild.

I've never expected my parents or my husband's parents to do anything for our children.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I think it depends on how much they can afford. My mom paid for my sons entire bedroom set, a crib, mattress, dresser and bureau. When my DD was born years later, her finances were very different. My in-laws have been most generous towards the kids.

It is really up to the individual. As a previous poster said, time is the most precious thing a grandparent can give. My older DS's have wonderful memories of my mom that they will cherish forever. My younger 2 kids have wonderful memories of my in-laws that I hope will continue to make for many more years to come.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

No, there's no proper amount for a grandparent/great grandparent to spend. It's what they can afford or want to spend. I don't think they should be expected to buy the expensive crib, stroller, etc.. If you can't afford to buy your own, you can't afford to have a baby.

 

[Inigo]

This triggered such a memory for me so I will share it ...maybe there's a point in here somewhere... when I was a kid my Nana (grandmother for those not familiar with the name) always put a crisp one dollar bill in a birthday card. She did this as far back as I can remember. My last Birthday that she was alive was back in 1981 and I was a mother of 2 and I was 23 yrs old still the card with the crisp one dollar bill. I still have most of those cards and my grandson calls me Nana..that's what I wanted

My Mamaw did the same thing. When she died, we cousins ranged in age from 14 (me) to my oldest first cousin at 55. Each of us was still getting the $1 bill. (Yes, I have first cousins over 40 years older than I am. My mother was the youngest of 11. She's younger than a few of her nieces and nephews.)

 

[LuvOrlando]

Fixed income means every dime is hard to part with so I'd be grateful for whatever could be done. In fact, I'd probably take that as a hint money is tight and offer to put her name on my gift with me to spare her the potential embarrassment, but that's just me.

Congratulations on the new member to the family.

 

[JessicaR]

is there a proper amount a grandparent or great grandparent should spend for a baby shower gift?

Yes, what you can afford.

 

[AnnaS]

I don't think there is a set/proper amount. Whatever they can afford is fine. A grandparent cannot spend anywhere near what a parent might spend. Sometimes even less then other guests. A parent might have 1,2,3 or 4 children. Now imagine each child having 1,2,3 or 4 of their own. They can have 1 grandchild or 20. That adds up big time for them. Every time they turn around there is a birthday, graduation, etc. Great, great children - will add up even faster

 

[Cooky]

.

 

[trip]

The proper amount a grandparent or a great-grandparent should spend on a baby shower gift is the amount they choose to spend, not what anyone thinks they should spend.

Just had my 4th DGC today And this is how I feel.