How to Host a Baby Shower on a Small Budget

Remember that baby showers are about honoring the soon-to-be-mom, not about impressing others.

Planning a baby shower can be fun, exciting and unfortunately stressful. It can also cost a lot of money if not planned properly. if you want to throw a great baby shower, but have to do it on a tight budget, it can be done.

Instructions

1. Decide on a theme that won't cost too much money. Keeping it simple and generic will help you rein in expenses and avoid impulse shopping for items that look cute but don't match the theme.

2. Make colorful and creative invitations on your computer using free clip art, images and fun fonts. Then print out the invitations on cardstock or another kind of paper and mail them. E-vites are another option that are completely free.

3. Have the party at someone's home, either at your home or someone else's, so you don't have to pay rental expenses. When you are at a home, you also have the convenience of a kitchen.

4. Shop at your local dollar stores for the best prices on favors, decorations and snacks. You may also shop at discount retailers, or even a thrift store. All of these places have items that you may use for your baby shower at low prices. Buy bulk items for party favors, such as plastic baby bottles with candies or other items inside.

5. Reduce your food costs by making most of what you serve yourself. Make your own platters of cheese, crackers and vegetables, and bake your own dessert items. Buy bulk foods and low priced plastic platters, then put a few things on the platters in a creative way. You can decorate these with small baby items to make it fit the theme.

6. Ask people that will be attending if they would like to contribute anything. Most will be thrilled to give a little to the baby shower, be it party favors or a menu item or decorations. Get a list of items your guests will be bringing so you will not have duplicate items.

7. Accept offers from friends and family for any assistance. Some guests would be happy to help with decorations, cake, favors, and more. If they ask, accept. If they don't offer, ask them for small assistance and you might be surprised how willing they are to help.

8. Keep your drinks simple. Serve tea, lemonade, or liter sodas, since the mommy-to-be shouldn't be drinking alcohol anyway. These items are lower in price, and you will be able to use what is not consumed at the party. To add a baby shower theme, use baby bottles or sippy cups to serve the drinks.

9. Use gifts as center pieces to the table. Everyone will bring nicely packaged gifts, and this is a great way to display them. You can also use scraps of paper to wrap small empty boxes and use them to decorate around your home.

References

• Inexpensive Baby Shower Ideas