On Baby Center.com I’ve recently read a lot of threads and forums of people asking and commenting on a baby shower’s cost. Most people were saying that baby showers cost at least $300.00 and up. Some went so far as to say it costs over $1,000.00. That’s just too expensive if you ask me…So I’d thought I’d share these 11 Ways to throw a baby shower for less than $50.00.
I have thrown a couple of baby showers for friends and it is super fun. It’s a great way to show your love, excitement, and support for the upcoming baby. This week I’m throwing two showers (for the same friend)! One is a church Young Women’s shower with a bunch of teenage girls my friend and I work with. The other is a neighborhood shower with adults.
All the showers I’ve thrown have been pretty cute and nice (if I do say so myself). They were expensive-looking but they weren’t the celebrity showers you see online with a rented out venue, catered food, and professional entertainment. (If that is what you are after, let me save you some time and let you know that this is not the article for you). What they were (in addition to expensive-looking) is fun, cute, and down to earth. We all had food, drinks, activities, and showered the mama-to-be with lots of gifts, encouragement, and smiles.
Here’s how to throw a fun shower for under $50.00…
#1- Give some thought to the theme you will be choosing. Do you have any items that you could utilize so you don’t have to buy them all new? Are there themes that tie in with recent or upcoming holidays so that you can get stuff on clearance or on sale? I chose the Peter Rabbit theme for one of the showers I’m throwing because I already had 3 baby books, 3 rabbits, and a table cloth that would work. Easter decorations were out as well so I was able to find a lot of things that correlated with my theme.
#2- Set a time of day that doesn’t require an entire meal to be served. Having a snack bar, dessert bar, etc. will cost much less than a full meal. Skip the caterers and set the food out/make it yourself. At the Peter Rabbit shower, I served carrot cake cupcakes, cotton candy, carrots, and off to the side I had drinks, frosting for the cupcakes, and a veggie tray. By not serving an entire meal you will save considerably.
#3- Enlist help from guests. Someone could bring drinks, another could help with some of the food, another could be in charge of the activities, and another a few decorations. This will help a lot with time spent preparing and expense. I have done a shower single-handedly for under $50.00. That said, it’s so much easier to stay within budget and perhaps get even more refreshments and decor by enlisting the help of others. This bridal shower is a great example of having everyone split up the responsibilities and ending up with nice decor and food while all spending much less than $50.00 each.
#4- Borrow items. At the Peter Rabbit baby shower, I asked around to see if anyone had anything. One person had two cute rabbits that worked out wonderfully. At this Little Peanut Elephant Baby Shower we borrowed the glass milk jars and a few other main items to save significantly.
#5- Shop first at the Dollar Tree. I was at Michael’s and I needed rabbit peeps. There they were $2.99. I went across the street to the Dollar Tree and they were $1.00 each. I saved $8.00 by crossing the street. Not only that, but I was also able to find multiple items at the Dollar Tree that I was not even expecting to find there. Then I went back to Michael’s and got the rest of the items I needed. Note: Michael’s also has a $1.00 bin area towards the front. I was able to find some useful things there as well.
#6- Use coupons. At Michael’s I used the free app on my smart phone called Snip Snap and I was able to use a 50% off coupon and save $6.00 and then a 25% off coupon on the entire purchase. I saved over $12.00 using the app and no coupon clipping was needed!
#7- Reuse decorations and recycle. When I was pregnant I was lucky enough to have 3 baby showers. My sister-in-law gave me the decorations from the first baby shower. I then gave those decorations to my friend who was throwing me a third baby shower which helped her with the expense. If you have a Cricket or a vinyl cutter you can customize things for that shower and reuse them by peeling the vinyl off for another shower.
#8- Have the shower in a home, a back yard, or a park. There really is no need to rent out a venue as some people do.
#9- Make what you can (D.I.Y.). You can make tissue balls that hang from the ceiling for much less than you could buy them for, as well as banners, little favors, etc. If you can make the decorations yourself you will save. You can buy dollar tree table cloths and use them as back drops or just as table cloths and use wrapping paper as a runner… the possibilities are endless. Browse Pinterest for ideas. It is amazing what you can find on Pinterest! Especially when you know what you are looking for. Keep your eyes peeled for ideas that can be done inexpensively and recreate them or use them as inspiration for another creative idea.
#10- Choose inexpensive activities to do. There are a lot of inexpensive activities you can do. Perhaps I’ll do a post on the many activities I’ve seen or done that have been fun but virtually free.
#11- Skip mailing out the invites and use a free or inexpensive email invite company.
Bonus Tip (purely opinionated): Don’t feel like you need to give a gift. I never expected a gift from the people that threw me a baby shower. If they did give me one I felt a little bad because I knew they had spent not only money but a lot of TIME on it. It is not necessary to give a gift but if you want to I recommend giving something less expensive. Speaking from experience the mom-to-be may feel a little guilty to receive an awesome party AND an expensive baby gift from you. So don’t go overboard. When you do split the shower up with others then I feel like it is okay to still give gifts. I used a lot of gifts as decorations in this bridal shower I threw because there were multiple people helping with it.
Bonus Tip 2: If you are the recipient of a baby shower it is very polite to send a thank you card or perhaps give a little gift in return. I gave either a scarf or an umbrella with little cotton gloves to the women who threw me a shower. I enjoyed giving back and telling them how much I appreciated them throwing me a shower.
I added a cute saying to the umbrellas I gave to the ladies about how I hope this umbrella will protect them from having to throw future showers. They loved it.
Have a wonderful time!
What did you do to save on baby showers you have thrown?
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Wow, I wish I would have read this a few weeks ago. I just threw a baby shower this past weekend, and you have some great tips on here!
I also just wrote a post today on how to make your own Diaper Cake and a baby shower game with a free printable–if anyone is looking for additional money saving tips for a baby shower.
Anna,
Thanks for the comment. That’s a great idea!
Anita
Anna
I would love to see your Diaper Cake and baby shower game if you would share!
Denise- The diaper cake can be found by clicking that link. We didn’t play games at a lot of these showers. We made some projects for the mom to be. I will be posting a few posts about shower games but quite honestly I don’t think they will be up for awhile. Sorry about that. I wish I could have been more helpful.
Having one soon for my son need some baby ideas
would like some ide some ideas for building my own diaper cake. Thanks
Baby diaper cakes are easy- dollar tree for the little rubber bands and ribbon. You choose to add any extra if you like. Use a dollar tree charger or even a paper wrapped cardboard circle for your “cake plate”/
Diapers were the most expensive and I used a a bottle for a filler for the middle (something to build around) for the first 2 layers of 3. Another option to google is how to make a diaper wreath. I have now done 3 of each and I think the diaper wreathes were appreciated the most. Variety of ways to do them but a wire coat hanger, diaper, rubber bands and ribbon (small baby items or trinkets if you want) Super easy and quick to do.
Super, super cute! I would want the Peter Rabbit for a shower for me, but won’t be happening…lol. Love this, and that it is under $50!!! xo San
Sandra,
Thanks! That is sweet of you. I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment. 🙂
Anita
This is GREAT! Pinning for later!!
Thank you so much for the tips! My niece is 3 months preg with TWINS!! 🙂 ill be emulating these ideas for her shower!
Wow that’s great stuff! My daughter is 4 months pregnant with her 3rd baby and I usually do the baby show. It’s ends up costing me a fortune, so when I saw this article, I was like YES!. Thanks for tips and I surely will make this shower cost less.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this! My friend and I are planning a shower for a coworker and these tips are definitely going to help out! 🙂
Madison- You’re so welcome. Thank you for the positive feedback I hope it does help you save!
Great suggestions! The one that’s always helped keep my budget under control is the timing of the event – mid morning or mid afternoon. Like you said, it’s so much more affordable when you aren’t serving a full meal! (On a side note, as someone who has severe food allergies, I’m secretly relieved when there’s not a full meal. After all these years, it’s still so awkward when everyone around is chowing down and I’m not!)
TR- thanks for commenting. I’ve honestly never thought of how guests with allergies may feel. That’s another great reason to time it mid morning or mid afternoon or late evening. Thanks!
Can I ask you what time your shoer was planned for and what the foods were?
Potluck style. Anything from a bag of candy to the cake itself. Helps cut costs also. We have also asked instead of gift bags that rarely get reused to wrap with blankets or use organization totes from the dollar store.
Anji- Great ideas on how to throw a shower inexpensively. Love the gift wrap one. The frugal person in me collects all bags left over and reuses them for future gifts 🙂 Thanks!
thx im 12 years old and im throughing my 27 year old sister a baby shower so thank you very much you helped me alot
You’re welcome! Good luck with the party planning. Here is a party planning checklist in case you need one! You are an awesome sister!
Thanks for sharing this had some great ideas I’d love to use for my sister-in-law’s upcoming shower 🙂
You are welcome. Thanks for the comment!
These are some great ideas! I agree the cheaper the better. You can still throw a beautiful shower without compromising anything. The Dollar Tree is a fantastic place to start!
Yes it is a great place to go to get started on throwing an affordable party.
lol i wish i knew this stuff. i’m 22 years old and this is the first thing i am throwing all on my own. my aunt is due on christmas day with her little girl, and i volunteered to throw the shower. the total cost is now up close to $3k. i’m an under-payed nanny, and never would have done what i did if i knew what the outcome would be. next time i know either not to volunteer, or to make it cheap.
Caitlin- Thanks for leaving the comment. I’m so sorry about the cost of the shower! That must be tough being underpaid. I bet your aunt will totally love it and never forget it as well!! Baby showers are so awesome so I hope you have a great time!
Thank you so much for this article. I am helping my best friend plan a baby celebration (co-ed baby shower) and I will take tips to save money any day! The first thing I did to start planning is create a board on Pinterest (ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SITE) and this article definitely made it as a pin. I definitely knew having going to the Dollar Tree first was my best choice (as I am always so amazed what I find there) so thank you for confirming my thoughts. Anywhoo.. Thanks again!
You’re welcome, I’m so glad you found the article and stopped by! I’m excited for your friend, babies are the best!
Thanks so much! I’m throwing a surprise baby shower for my 6th grade teacher, and since we have only the money that my class has, this helped a lot!
You’re welcome! Have a great time!
great ideas… planning a shower for my daughter’s second child… a girl this time.
Fun! Congratulations!!
Thank u for such a helpful article. I was feeling a little overwhelmed with the daunting prospect of hosting my first baby shower. Your suggestions have made organizing and focusing my thoughts so much easier.
You’re welcome. Have a great time!
HI, I’m trying to looking for a place to throw my new born (daughter) a baby shower and I’m not tying to pay a lot to rent a place. do you know a good place in new York that affordable?
You could try a community building, a city park or indoor pavilion, a church, or other community buildings (recreation centers, etc.) are usually fairly inexpensive to rent (esp. if you are a resident). Best of luck!!
I’m so glad you are keeping this article fresh by adding replies to the comments! I wanted to comment that as to food, you can have a taco bar or an ice cream sundae bar or a “chip and dip” fest or even a couple of slow cookers with chili in them, and it’s not expensive but very filling for the guests. They can make “haystacks” with the chili – Fritos or tortilla chips, then chili, then add cheese, sour cream, and green onion.
Also, don’t worry about having to have special games. Complex games never work anyway. Just stick to simple stuff, like the one where guests put a paper plate on their heads and using a sharpie, you tell them how to draw something, step by step. They keep the plate flat on their heads and try to draw the item. A snowman is a good choice for winter, or go with the party theme, like “draw a circle for a head. Now draw on two bunny ears. Draw two eyes…” etc for Peter Rabbit’s head. It’s actually hilarious.
Awesome ideas thank you! what a great idea of food and games!
Thank you so very much for sharing this. I am hosting my daughter’s baby shower this coming March. It’s a boy! I have an 8 yr. old granddaughter and soon a grandson. Peter Rabbit will be the perfect theme. You have done such awesome work. Thanks for sharing!!!
You’re welcome! Thank you!
I’m planning a baby shower for a couple dozen guests and have always disliked the “games” aspect of these events. Some are silly, some boring, and I’ve even been to a shower where the games were risque and embarrassing to the older ladies. So I’m planning something different: a “many godmothers” quilt for the new baby. Guests will be asked to choose a pre-made quilt square with a plain center on which to sign their name and a wish for the new baby in indelible laundry marker. My gift to the mother-to-be will be to stitch the blocks together and quilt them. I can make the quilt squares well ahead of time, and that leaves me free to concentrate on organizing the shower. It also provides a lasting memento to give to the new mother a short while after the baby is born. NOT something you’d want to try if you aren’t already a quilter, but a lasting gift from the heart from someone who has the expertise to do it.
Hi,
Any suggestions if your due around ending of January or Beginning of Feb I don’t have enough space at home and it will be to cold outside I cant seem to find a hall under 600$ everything is so expensive.
Try a community center, a local church, a park with an inside pavillon you can rent. Maybe ask around to friends or family that would be willing to host, or you could do a lunch at a restaurant that has a separate room for rent during a slower time of the day. I wish you the best in your search!
We rented a large room at our church since our invite list is over 60 & that doesn’t include little ones. The party is end of Oct so we are doing pumpkins, with pink & white accents. My biggest concern is how big the headcount may get if everyone brings their kiddos. Since it is getting so large, my daughter suggested maybe we split it and let her MIL do 1 (they have the biggest family) and have me do a separate one with our family and her friends (which would be the same # as her MIL’s family alone)
In your opinion, are smaller showers more fun than larger ones? We are talking 35-40 as opposed to 60-70 with at least 10 kids at each.
I think too big a crowd does make a shower more intense—esp. because little kids are so noisy. I like your idea of having the MIL do a shower to reduce the guest count!
“#8- Have the shower in a home, a back yard, or a park. ”
Nice advice, but does not work for every time of the year.
For winter months those who live in the north cannot plan activities outside due to cold weather. And not everybody has place big enough to host baby shower at home (hello to residents of New York and surrounding areas).
This looks so amazing! I am actually planning to give a friend of mine a surprise baby shower party, but me and the gals were discouraged to see how much it would cost us. But thank you so much for this and the tutorials! I would tell my gals about this and will tell them to forego with the plans. Thank you so much.
Thanks
sophie
http://www.sophielagirafe.ca
It is tacky to ask guests to bring drinks etc., unless they are bringing that in lieu of a gift.
It depends on your group of friends and family. I have a very large family. When we get together we are usually over 35. So, as time as progressed we almost always just ask what we can bring to get together and have parties no matter what type they are. My friends and I do this as well. If this is not routinely done in your area or in your group of friends, I can see that it would be. Just go with what you are comfortable with. A shower will cost much more than $50 if you don’t feel comfortable asking for contributions though.