Cut the Cost and Celebrate the Mommy To Be!
Baby showers are the best way to celebrate the arrival of a new little one! It is an opportunity for family and friends to come together, show their love and support, and shower the expecting parents with gifts that will help them begin their journey into parenthood.
However, it can quickly become an expensive affair when you consider all the decorations, food, drinks, games, activities, and favors that need to be planned.
With so many things to account for in baby shower planning, keeping costs low can seem daunting. The pressure only intensifies when you want to throw a memorable event without breaking the bank.
But don’t worry! There are ways to host a budget-friendly baby shower without sacrificing style or fun.
All it takes is some creativity and thoughtful planning to host your loved one’s special day on a budget they’ll appreciate. In this article, we’ll cover some excellent ideas that will help you avoid overspending while still creating an unforgettable event – all while keeping your wallet intact!
Venue: Hosting a Budget-Friendly Baby Shower
Finding the perfect venue for a baby shower can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to save money. Renting a space can be expensive, but there are plenty of alternative options that won’t break the bank. Consider hosting the shower at home or a friend’s house as this option is free and convenient.
A home provides an intimate setting for guests to celebrate the mother-to-be. Think about transforming your living room or backyard into the perfect baby shower venue.
Use furniture, blankets, and curtains to create cozy nooks where guests can mingle and chat. If you don’t have enough seating, ask friends or family members if they would be willing to bring chairs or pillows from home.
To add some extra flair to your space, consider decorating with balloons in pastel colors or hanging up string lights for a subtle glow. Another option is to utilize outdoor spaces like parks or backyards for free locations.
When choosing your location, ensure there are clean restrooms nearby and easy access points for all your guests’ needs. By getting creative with your venues, you’ll not only save money but also create memorable moments that will be cherished forever by everyone involved in the planning process!
Fun Fact: Baby showers are not just for the firstborn child. It is increasingly common to have baby showers for subsequent pregnancies as well. These showers are known as "baby sprinkle" or "sprinkle showers" and often focus on essentials and practical gifts rather than elaborate ones. It's a great way to celebrate the growing family and show support to the parents-to-be.
DIY Decorations
One of the easiest ways to save money on baby shower decorations is by making them yourself. A simple yet fun decoration that you can make with tissue paper is pom poms. All you need is tissue paper, a pair of scissors, and string or ribbon.
Simply stack several sheets of tissue paper on top of each other and fold like an accordion. Then tie the middle with string or ribbon and cut the ends in a rounded shape.
Carefully separate the layers of tissue paper to create a fluffy pom-pom. Balloons are another great decoration that can be made inexpensively.
You can get creative by painting or drawing on the balloons, or even filling them with confetti before inflating them for an added surprise effect. Streamers also make for colorful decorations that are easy to hang up around your home or party venue.
Utilize Items from Around the House as Decor
Instead of going out and buying expensive decorations from party stores, take a look around your own home for items you can use as decor. Books make excellent table centerpieces when stacked and topped with cute figurines or stuffed animals.
You could also use stuffed animals as decorations themselves by arranging them throughout the party venue. Picture frames are another item that can be used creatively as decor at a baby shower.
Print out some cute baby pictures and frame them to hang up on walls or place on tables throughout the event space for guests to enjoy while mingling.
By using these simple tips for decorating your baby shower, not only will you save money but you’ll also have unique, personalized decorations created specifically for this special occasion!
Food and Drinks
Potluck-Style Meal:
One of the biggest expenses at any party is food, and baby showers are no exception. A great way to save money on food and reduce stress for the host is by having a potluck-style meal where guests bring their own dish to share. This not only saves money but also adds variety to the menu as guests can bring their favorite savory or sweet dish.
To ensure a diverse spread of dishes, it’s a good idea to ask guests to indicate what they plan on bringing when they RSVP. This way, you can avoid any duplicates or gaps in the menu.
Serve Non-Alcoholic Drinks:
While it may be tempting to serve fancy cocktails or expensive wines at a baby shower, that can quickly add up in cost. Instead, consider serving non-alcoholic drinks like punch or lemonade. These beverages are not only budget-friendly but also refreshing and perfect for a daytime gathering.
To make your drinks even more special, consider adding decorative touches like fruit slices or edible flowers to your punch bowl or lemonade dispenser. You can even set up a “mocktail” station where guests can mix their own non-alcoholic cocktails using various juices and garnishes.
Games and Activities
Printable Games
One of the easiest ways to save money on baby shower games is by utilizing free printable games that can be found online. There are a plethora of websites that offer these types of games, such as Baby Shower Bingo, Word Scramble, and Guess the Baby Food.
These games not only provide entertainment for the guests but also serve as an opportunity for the mom-to-be to receive useful items as prizes. Another great aspect of printable games is that they can be personalized to fit the theme or color scheme of the baby shower.
The host can easily print out multiple copies and hand them out to guests upon arrival. Plus, with a little creative thinking, it’s possible to modify these printable games to make them more unique or challenging.
DIY Activities
If you’re looking for a more hands-on activity, DIY projects are a great option for budget-friendly baby showers. One popular activity is decorating onesies or bibs with fabric markers or iron-on patches.
This not only serves as a fun craft activity but also provides some adorable outfits for the new baby. Another fun idea is creating a scrapbook for the baby-to-be.
Guests can bring photos or mementos from their own childhoods and add them to the book along with heartfelt messages and advice for the new parents. This serves as both an activity and gift for the mom-to-be, providing her with a special keepsake filled with memories from loved ones.
There are plenty of budget-friendly options when it comes to planning activities and games at a baby shower. From free printable games found online to fun DIY projects that double as gifts, there are countless ways to entertain guests without breaking the bank!
Fun Fact: Baby showers were traditionally women-only events. However, modern baby showers have evolved to include co-ed or "Jack and Jill" baby showers, where both men and women are invited to celebrate the impending arrival of the baby. This change reflects a more inclusive and gender-neutral approach to baby showers.
Favors
At the end of a baby shower, it’s always a nice gesture to give your guests a small token of appreciation to thank them for coming and celebrating with you. However, favors can quickly add up in cost.
Luckily, there are many DIY options that are both budget-friendly and thoughtful. Here are some ideas:
Homemade Favors such as Candles or Soap Bars
Homemade favors not only show your guests that you put effort into their gifts, but they also offer a personal touch. For example, making candles or soap bars is easy and affordable. You can buy candle wax or soap base in bulk online or at your local craft store.
- Choose scents and colors to match the baby shower theme.
- To make candles, melt the wax in a double boiler over low heat until it reaches around 180 degrees Fahrenheit and then pour it into jars with wicks pre-placed at their centers.
- To make soap bars, melt the base in a microwave-safe container then stir in essential oils and any other desired ingredients like oatmeal or honey before pouring it into molds.
Not only will your homemade candles or soap bars be appreciated by guests who receive them as favors, but they’ll also be fun activities for you and your friends during the planning process.
Edible Favors like Cookies or Candy Bags
Another great option for budget-friendly baby shower favors is edible treats like cookies or candy bags. Baking cookies yourself will save money compared to buying premade ones from bakeries while still providing something sweet for everyone to take home (unless they eat them all on the way out!).
Similarly, candy bags can be filled with individually wrapped chocolates, gummies, mints, or other small-sized sweets without breaking the bank.
A fun way to personalize these favors is by adding custom labels with info about the event such as names of the mom-to-be and date of the shower. You can print these labels yourself at home or have them professionally done at a local printer.
Favors don’t need to be expensive to show your guests how much you appreciate their attendance at your baby shower. Homemade favors like candles or soap bars, as well as edible treats like cookies and candy bags, offer budget-friendly options that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Fun Fact: Baby showers are not just for moms-to-be! "Dadchelor parties" or "Man Showers" have gained popularity in recent years. These celebrations are dedicated to the expectant fathers and provide an opportunity for them to bond with friends, share parenting advice, and receive gifts that are geared towards their role as dads.
Conclusion
Celebrating the arrival of a new family member is an exciting time, but it can also be expensive. However, with a little creativity and planning, hosting a budget-friendly baby shower is possible.
Incorporating some of these ideas will help you save money while still creating a memorable event for the parents-to-be. Remember to take advantage of free venues like homes or parks, and DIY decorations using materials like tissue paper or balloons.
Consider having a potluck-style meal where guests bring their own dish, or serve non-alcoholic drinks like punch instead of expensive cocktails. Printable games and DIY activities like decorating onesies or making a scrapbook are great ways to keep guests entertained without spending extra money.
Sending guests home with homemade favors will not only save you money but will also give them something handmade to remember the special day by.
Hosting a budget-friendly baby shower doesn’t have to sacrifice style or fun. It’s all about getting creative with what you have and involving your friends and family in the celebration!