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How much should you spend on a gift?
Pick who it's for and the occasion, and get a typical spending range - based on common US gift-giving etiquette. A guide to help you feel confident, never a rule.
Popular
$
Or drag the slider on the right - no judgment either way.
Typical to spend
$35
Most people spend $20–$60 on a birthday gift for a friend.
Your budget$35
$10typical $35$85
Drag to set your budget.
For a friend, a considered mid-range gift is the sweet spot.
The best birthday gifts feel picked, not grabbed - match it to the person.
Typical gift spending, at a glance
Typical amounts by occasion and how close you are. Tap an occasion to browse ideas. A dash means a gift isn't normally expected - a card or small token is plenty.
| Occasion | Coworker | Friend | Close friend | Immediate family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birthday | $10–$30 | $20–$60 | $30–$85 | $40–$120 |
| Wedding | $40–$90 | $75–$175 | $105–$245 | $150–$350 |
| Bridal shower | — | $25–$75 | $35–$105 | $50–$150 |
| Anniversary | — | $30–$90 | $40–$125 | $60–$180 |
| Engagement party | — | $25–$100 | $35–$140 | $50–$200 |
| Graduation | $10–$40 | $20–$75 | $30–$105 | $40–$150 |
| New baby / baby shower | $15–$45 | $30–$85 | $40–$120 | $60–$170 |
| Housewarming | $10–$30 | $20–$60 | $30–$85 | $40–$120 |
| Retirement | $25–$80 | $25–$80 | $25–$80 | $25–$80 |
| Get well / sympathy | $15–$55 | $15–$55 | $15–$55 | $15–$55 |
| Dinner party (host gift) | $15–$40 | $15–$40 | $15–$40 | $15–$40 |
| Valentine's Day | — | — | — | — |
| Just because / thank you | $5–$20 | $10–$40 | $15–$55 | $20–$80 |
Typical US ranges from common gift-giving etiquette and consumer surveys. A guide, not a rule - and never a minimum.
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Popular gift guides
Got your budget? These curated shortlists take it from here.
Gifts for Her That Land Every Time
The best gifts for her - for a partner, sister or friend. From a silk pillowcase to a spa basket and a cozy throw, thoughtful picks she will love, for every budget.
See the picks →Gifts for Him He'll Actually Use (Not Just Unwrap)
Genuinely good gifts for men who are hard to buy for - dads, boyfriends, brothers. Practical, cool, and a couple of funny ones.
See the picks →Gifts for Mom That Show You Really Thought About It
The best gifts for mom - for her birthday, Mother's Day or just because. From a spa basket to a flower bouquet that never wilts and a cozy throw, for every budget.
See the picks →Gifts for Dad That He'll Actually Use
The best gifts for dad - for his birthday, Father's Day or just because. From a grilling set to noise-cancelling headphones and a mug that keeps coffee hot, for every budget.
See the picks →Gifts for Coffee Lovers (That Coffee Snobs Actually Want)
The best gifts for coffee lovers - from a precision pour-over kettle to a mug that never goes cold. Hand-picked, honest picks for every budget.
See the picks →Cool Tech Gifts People Actually Want
The gadgets worth gifting this year - headphones, drones, retro builds and clever everyday tech.
See the picks →Got your number? Find the gift.
Now match it to something they'll love - browse by who it's for, by occasion, or let the Gift Finder match your budget to real picks.
Not sure what's expected in the first place? Read our gift etiquette guides - weddings, engagements, hostess gifts and more.
Questions people ask
It depends on two things: the occasion and how close you are to the person. As a rough guide, a coworker's birthday runs $15-25, a close friend's $35-60, a wedding for a friend $75-175, and a new-baby gift $30-85. Use the calculator above for your exact combination - it gives a typical range, not a rule.
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