Gift for a Pregnant Colleague — The Complete Workplace Guide
When do you give what, how much should you spend, and how do you arrange it structurally? Everything about the pregnancy gift and the maternity gift — with respect for the mother.
Gift for a pregnant colleague: give something for her, not the baby. Through Cadeo, she chooses from 1,200+ options herself. From €15, WKR-compliant, 95% redemption rate.
Gift for a Pregnant Colleague — The Complete Workplace Guide [2026]
Every year, about 170,000 women in the Netherlands go on maternity leave. That means 170,000 times the question: what do you give, when do you give it, and who pays? In this guide we cover everything — from the personal farewell gift before leave to the maternity gift after the birth — including budget, etiquette, and tax rules.
There are two gift moments: before leave (a gift for her) and after the birth (a maternity gift for the baby). The budget ranges from €5-15 per colleague in a team collection to €25-75 from the employer. Under €25 as a “personal gesture” has no WKR impact. With a choice gift via Cadeo, the recipient chooses from 1,200+ products themselves — from €15, 95% redemption rate, and immediately WKR-compliant.
1. When do you give a gift to a pregnant colleague?
There are two important gift moments during a pregnancy, and many people confuse them. The first moment is the last working day before maternity leave. This is the ideal moment for a personal gift for the expectant mother — something for her, not for the baby. She will be away for 16 weeks (4-6 weeks before the due date, 10-12 weeks after), and this farewell deserves attention.
The second moment is after the birth: the classic maternity gift. This is aimed at the baby and the new family. Etiquette says: give a maternity gift within two weeks of the birth announcement. In practice, this is often arranged as a team effort through the department or by an enthusiastic colleague who organizes a collection.
Why does the distinction matter? Because many pregnant women say they already feel “invisible” in the run-up to leave — everything revolves around the baby. A personal gift before leave that focuses on her (not the child) is therefore especially valuable. It says: we see you, not just your bump.
A third option that is becoming more common: a welcome-back gift when she returns from leave. Similar to a welcome-back gift for new employees, this marks the restart and shows that she was missed. In short: you have up to three chances to get it right. Take at least one of them.
Cadeo tip: Schedule the farewell gift for the last working day before leave. Ask the manager or office manager to coordinate it — that way, it won’t get overlooked as the date approaches.
2. Gift ideas before maternity leave
The gift before leave is about the mother, not the baby. That sounds simple, but in practice colleagues still often reach for onesies and stuffed animals. Save those for the maternity gift. This is the moment to show that you care about her — as a colleague, as a person. The most popular categories at Cadeo for pregnant colleagues confirm this: wellness is in first place (32%), followed by food & drinks (28%), and baby items only in third place (19%).
Pregnancy massage voucher
A massage specifically for pregnant women is one of the most appreciated gifts. It is personal, luxurious, and something she probably would not buy for herself. Choose a voucher so she can schedule the moment herself.
Self-care pamper package
Think pregnancy-safe skincare, aromatherapy, a luxurious sleep mask, or a nice journal. Put together a package or choose a ready-made gift box from a local brand in the Cadeo catalog.
Streaming or audiobook subscription
During leave there is a lot of “lying around and waiting.” A subscription to a streaming service or audiobook app is a thoughtful gift that will give her enjoyment for weeks.
Comfortable throw or blanket
Not for the baby, but for her. A soft, luxurious throw for the sofa during the last few weeks — simple but effective, and something that will last for years.
Meal delivery voucher
After giving birth, cooking is the last thing you feel like doing. A voucher for meal delivery is practical, valuable, and shows that you are thinking beyond the farewell moment.
Choice gift via Cadeo
Not sure? Let her choose herself. Through the Cadeo choice portal, she can pick from 1,200+ products — from wellness and food to gift cards and experiences. No wrong gift, and 95% actually make a choice.
3. Maternity gift after the birth: what and when
The maternity gift is the second round of gifting and focuses on the baby and the new family. The golden rule: send it within two weeks of the birth announcement. In practice, this is usually arranged by one colleague who organizes a collection and buys a gift on behalf of the team. That works well, as long as you keep a few things in mind.
As for the gift choice, the focus now does shift to the baby. Popular maternity gifts are personalized items (onesie with the name, wooden letter train), baby clothes in a slightly larger size (size 68-74, because they already have enough newborn clothes), or a practical gift such as a baby carrier or baby book. Note: avoid gifts that imply a view on parenting style — such as a bottle set if someone is breastfeeding.
An increasingly popular option is the maternity gift as a choice gift. The parents receive a link to a choice portal and decide themselves what they really need — from diapers to a baby monitor to a gift card for a children’s store. This avoids three identical stuffed animals and four identical onesies. Through Cadeo, the family can choose from more than 1,200 products, including baby items, and you only pay for what is actually selected.
Timing matters: forward the birth announcement to the team as soon as you receive it (with the parents’ permission), and make sure the gift is sent within two weeks. With a choice gift via Cadeo, you send the invitation digitally — you do not need a home address, because the recipient fills that in herself when choosing. Handy if you do not have the colleague’s address, which is increasingly common with remote teams.
4. Budget: what is normal for a pregnancy gift?
The most common question: how much should you spend? The answer depends on who is giving and in what situation. In a team collection, €5-15 per person is common. In a small team of five, that adds up to €25-75 — plenty for a nice gift. In a larger team, the budget can rise quickly; in that case, it is wise to agree on a maximum per person.
From the employer, the budget is usually higher. A pregnancy gift on behalf of the company typically falls in the €25-75 range, similar to a anniversary gift or a birthday gift. Some organizations combine the farewell gift and the maternity gift into one budget of €50-100.
| Situation | Budget per gift | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Team collection (farewell) | €5-15 p.p. (total €25-75) | Colleagues among themselves |
| Employer — farewell gift | €25-50 | Company (WKR) |
| Employer — maternity gift | €25-75 | Company (WKR) |
| Employer — combined | €50-100 | Company (WKR) |
| Individual colleague gift | €10-25 | Personal |
A choice gift via Cadeo works perfectly for any budget range — you can start from as little as €15 per recipient. The recipient does not see the amount, only the collection that fits her budget. That means a €25 gift can feel just as personal as a €75 gift, because in both cases she chooses what she likes best.
Cadeo tip: In a team collection, you can set the amount raised directly as the budget in Cadeo. The colleague receives one invitation, chooses herself, and the gift is delivered to her home. No running around stores or wrapping paper needed.
5. WKR and pregnancy gifts: the tax rules
For employers who want to handle the pregnancy gift professionally, the Work-Related Costs Scheme (WKR) is the relevant framework. The WKR rules offer two routes for giving a gift in a tax-friendly way.
Route 1: Personal gesture (under €25). A small gift worth up to €25 — think a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, or a small present — falls under the category “personal gesture.” This does not reduce your WKR free space. It does need to be customary in a social context, such as flowers for a special occasion. Maternity leave fits this very well.
Route 2: WKR free space (above €25). A larger gift — such as a choice gift or gift card of €50 — falls under the WKR free space. In 2026, that free space is 2% on the first €400,000 of payroll and 1.18% on the remainder. As long as your total benefits stay within this space, you do not pay final tax.
Example calculation — Pregnancy gift via WKR
Suppose you give 10 employees per year a pregnancy gift of €50 via Cadeo.
Total cost: 10 × €50 = €500
With a payroll of €400,000, your free space is: 2% × €400,000 = €8,000
The €500 spent on pregnancy gifts is only 6.25% of your total free space.
Conclusion: well within the WKR free space. Zero extra tax.
Important: flowers and fruit as a “personal gesture” under €25 cost you nothing extra. So you can perfectly give two gifts: a bouquet on behalf of the team (no WKR impact) and a choice gift on behalf of the company through the free space. Cadeo provides a clear invoice per campaign in the company’s name that your accountant can process directly. More details can be found in the complete WKR guide.
6. What you should NOT give (and why)
A gift for a pregnant colleague is a lovely gesture, but there are pitfalls. Some gifts are well-intentioned but can come across the wrong way. Here are the main don’ts — and why they matter.
No alcohol. This seems obvious, but it still shows up surprisingly often in gift packages. Wine, gin, or a cocktail set are popular gifts, but not for someone who is not drinking for 9 months. Even “for after the birth” feels awkward — some mothers breastfeed and do not drink for months.
No strong perfumes or heavily scented products. Many pregnant women are extra sensitive to smells. A perfume or strongly scented body lotion can cause nausea. Choose unscented products if you want to give something for the body.
Nothing that plays into body changes. No “bounce back” gym memberships, no scales, no clothes in a size meant to be “motivating.” Respect the fact that pregnancy changes the body and that this is not a problem that needs fixing.
Nothing too personal if you do not know each other well. Underwear, jewelry with initials, or something that expresses an opinion about parenting — save that for very close friends, not the department collection. When in doubt: choose a choice gift and let her decide herself.
And finally: do give something. Giving nothing is worse than giving the wrong thing. Even a small bouquet or a card with a personal message makes a difference. It is not about the amount but about the gesture. A colleague who leaves for 16 weeks without any recognition feels invisible — and she will remember that when she comes back.
Cadeo tip: Unsure about the right choice? With a choice gift via Cadeo, you give control to the recipient. She chooses what she likes herself — from wellness to food to a gift card. That way, every gift hits the mark, without the risk of a blunder.
7. Arrange pregnancy gifts structurally as an employer
As an employer, you do not want to reinvent the wheel every time someone is pregnant. The solution: add “maternity leave” as a fixed trigger in your recognition policy. Just like you handle birthdays and anniversaries in a structured way, you can standardize this moment too — without it feeling impersonal.
Define the triggers
Add “maternity leave” and “birth” as moments in your recognition policy. Determine the budget and gift type for each moment.
Set budgets
For example: €35 farewell gift before leave + €50 maternity gift after the birth. Calculate the impact on your WKR space.
Connect to your HR system
Through HRIS integrations (BambooHR, Personio, HiBob), Cadeo can automatically send an invitation as soon as the leave is entered in the system.
Personalize the message
Create a standard accompanying message that still feels warm and personal. Add an option for the manager to include a personal note.
The advantage of this approach: HR no longer has to organize ad hoc collections, no moment gets forgotten, and every colleague receives the same attention — whether she works in the office or remotely. The employee receives an invitation through the choice portal in the company’s branding, chooses a gift herself, and it is delivered to her home. No asking for addresses, no wrapping, no hassle.
“Since we included maternity leave as a fixed moment in our recognition policy, we no longer forget a single colleague. The choice gifts via Cadeo are hugely appreciated — precisely because the colleague chooses what she wants herself.”
— HR Manager, tech scale-up (120 employees)Combine this with other moments in your recognition policy — birthdays, anniversaries, rewards, and thank-yous — and you have a complete appreciation program that runs on autopilot. Setup takes 2-5 business days, there is no long-term contract, and you only pay upon redemption.
Frequently asked questions about gifts for pregnant colleagues
The best gift before maternity leave is something for the mother herself — not the baby. Think of a wellness voucher, a pamper package, a streaming subscription, or a choice gift via Cadeo that lets her choose from 1,200+ products herself. Save baby items for the maternity gift after the birth. The point is to show her that you value her as a colleague, not only as an expectant mother.
In a team collection, €5-15 per person is common, which comes to €25-75 in total. From the employer, the budget is usually between €25 and €75 per gift. With a choice gift via Cadeo, you can start from as little as €15 per recipient. The most important thing is not the amount but the gesture — a personal card with a €25 gift does more than an impersonal €100 package.
You give a pregnancy gift on the last working day before leave, and it is aimed at the mother: wellness, comfort, something personal for her. You give a maternity gift after the birth and it is aimed at the baby and the family: baby clothes, personalized items, or a practical gift. Both moments are important and deserve separate attention. It is good practice to acknowledge both moments.
Yes. A gift under €25 (such as flowers or chocolates) falls outside the WKR free space as a “personal gesture” and therefore has no tax impact. A gift above €25 — such as a choice gift via Cadeo — does fall under the free space. In 2026, that free space is 2% on the first €400,000 of payroll. As long as your total benefits fall within this space, you do not pay final tax.
Ideally, you give two gifts: one on the last working day before leave (a personal gift for the mother) and one after the birth (a maternity gift for the family). If you can only choose one moment, the last working day is the most impactful — it is the moment you say goodbye to her as a colleague. The maternity gift can also be sent as a card with congratulations if the budget is limited.
If you do not know the colleague well enough to choose something personal, a choice gift is the safest and most appreciated option. Through Cadeo, the recipient chooses from 1,200+ products herself, so you do not need to know her taste. Alternatively, contribute to the team collection and write a short, sincere message on the group card. That is always welcome, even if you only know each other from the coffee machine.
Yes. By adding maternity leave as a trigger in your recognition policy and linking Cadeo to your HR system (BambooHR, Personio, or HiBob), a choice-gift invitation is sent automatically as soon as the leave is entered in the system. The colleague receives a personalized link, chooses a gift herself, and it is delivered to her home. Setup takes 2-5 business days and no long-term contract is needed.
