How much should I give for a baby birth?

Ugh, figuring out how much to give for a baby shower... or, in this case, a baby birth gift is always so tricky, isn't it? I mean, it's such a happy occasion, you want to be generous, right? But then, money's tight sometimes, you know?

In Singapore, I've heard that for really close relatives – like siblings or your own kids – people usually give anywhere from $200 to $1000 in an Ang Bao. That's a pretty big range, though, huh? My sister gave me $500 when my little one was born – which was incredibly generous, considering she just bought a new car – and I felt like I should've gotten her something equally extravagant in return! I ended up feeling quite guilty because I only managed $200 for her wedding. It's all so relative, right?

It really depends on how close you are to the parents, I think. If it's a good friend, maybe $200-$300 feels about right. Something more symbolic, showing you care. But if it's a close family member, yeah, you might go higher – maybe even more than $500 if you're feeling flush, and feel that it’s appropriate given your relationship. Honestly, it's more about the gesture than the exact number, although – let's be honest – it does matter to some extent! It's supposed to wish the baby good health and all that – a little bit of luck to start life, you know? And who knows, maybe they’ll spend it on diapers... which, let's face it, we all know are ridiculously expensive!