Typical amounts by relationship
| Your relationship | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Parent (to your child's family) | 30,000-100,000 yenOften combined with buying baby equipment directly |
| Sibling | 10,000-30,000 yen |
| Relative (nephew, niece, cousin...) | 5,000-10,000 yen |
| Friend | 5,000-10,000 yen |
| Colleague (individually) | 3,000-5,000 yen |
| Colleagues (jointly) | 1,000-3,000 yen per person |
An overly large gift burdens the family with the customary return gift (uchi-iwai) - staying in range is itself a courtesy.
When to give
- Standard window: from the 7th day (o-shichiya) to about one month after birth (the o-miyamairi shrine visit)
- If visiting: never right after the birth - confirm convenience, put mother and baby's condition first, keep it short
- If late: up to around six months it still counts as a baby gift; after that, switch to a first-birthday gift
- Principle: give only after mother and baby are confirmed home and well
Wrapping and inscription
- Mizuhiki cord: red-and-white bow knot (cho-musubi) - a birth is a celebration that may happily repeat, so the retieable bow is correct (the opposite of wedding envelopes)
- Inscription: 御出産御祝 or 御祝; avoid four-character forms such as 祝御出産
- Name: full name below the cord; up to three joint names (most senior on the right)
Cash or a gift?
- Cash or gift vouchers: standard among relatives - and the most practical
- Gifts: for friends and colleagues, asking preferences first is safest. Perennials: diapers and consumables, baby clothes in size 80cm+ (to grow into), name-embroidered towels Find baby gifts
- Catalog gifts: the reliable choice when you do not know their taste Find baby-gift catalogs
- Second child onward: equipment is usually covered - consumables, items the older child can share, or care items for the mother are appreciated
Gifts better avoided
- Japanese green tea - associated with funeral gifts
- Knives and scissors - evoke "cutting ties"
- Handkerchiefs - the old word tegire evokes "breaking off"
- Large furniture or strollers - space and taste issues; always consult first
Many younger families do not mind these, but for tradition-minded recipients the safe path is to avoid them.
Related pages
The amounts shown here are general reference figures only. Appropriate amounts differ by region, relationship and local custom. Before deciding on an actual amount, we recommend checking with your family or people around you.
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Frequently asked questions
How much should I give a friend?
5,000-10,000 yen is typical. Groups often coordinate at about 3,000 yen per person.
What is the deadline for a baby gift?
Ideally by one month after birth. Up to about six months it still passes as a baby gift; later, switch to a first-birthday gift.
Bow knot or musubi-kiri on the envelope?
The red-and-white bow knot - births may happily repeat, so the retieable bow is correct. Musubi-kiri is for weddings.
What about twins?
Many people give 1.5 to 2 times the single amount, or prepare two matching gifts.
How does the return gift work?
The family customarily returns a gift worth a half to a third of what they received, around the one-month shrine visit.
What for a second child?
Give the same amount as for the first - that is the base rule. For gifts, consumables and 'can never have too many' items beat equipment.
