Have you been tasked with organising a baby shower for an important expectant mum in your life? Congratulations! You’re obviously a valued and important person in this mum-to-be’s life! But are the impending expenses keeping you up at night? Don’t worry, if you desperately want to hold a baby shower but are worried about the costs involved, then these budget-friendly baby shower ideas are just for you!
The good news is that celebrating the impending arrival of a baby doesn’t have to break the bank. With some careful planning and creativity, you can host a beautiful and memorable baby shower that’s budget-friendly too.
Planning A Baby Shower On A Budget
A baby shower requires a few key elements. You’ll need a venue, some guests, some food, some activities and some simple decorations. Below we’ve got some great ideas on how to achieve each of these key elements in an affordable way.
Cheap Places To Have A Baby Shower
When planning a budget-friendly baby shower, one of the first considerations is the venue. Here are some affordable venue options that won’t break the bank:
Backyard or Park: Host the baby shower outdoors in a backyard or local park. These venues are often free or have a minimal rental fee and provide a beautiful natural setting for the celebration. Be sure to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather.
At Home: Does someone in the expectant mum’s inner circle have a house that might be suitable to host the event? All you need is a space large enough to accommodate the number of guests you’re expecting to attend.
Community Centers: Many community centers offer affordable rental rates for events like baby showers. They often provide tables, chairs, and sometimes even kitchen facilities, making them a convenient and cost-effective option.
Church Halls: Consider renting a hall or room at a local church. Churches often have spacious facilities available for rent at reasonable rates, and some may even offer discounts for members or non-profit events.
Public Spaces: Look into renting a room at a library, museum, or other public space. These venues often have rental options at affordable rates, providing a unique and memorable setting for the baby shower.
Virtual Baby Shower: Consider hosting a virtual baby shower using video conferencing technology. This eliminates the need for a physical venue altogether, saving on rental costs and allowing guests from around the world to attend.
When choosing a venue, be sure to consider the size of the space, its accessibility to guests, and any restrictions or regulations that may apply. With a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can find a cheap place to have a baby shower that suits your budget and makes the celebration special.
Affordable Baby Shower Invitations
You won’t have a baby shower unless you have some guests and there won’t be any guests unless you invite them!
We’re fortunate to be living in a time when you can eliminate the costs involved with traditional paper invitations. Yes, your baby shower invitations can be completely free with the help of a little technology!
You can create gorgeous, digital baby shower invitations with the use of a graphic design service like Canva and then simply email them out to your guest list. Alternatively you could create an invitation through popular social media channels – just be sure to make sure that members of the, shall we say, ‘older’ generations have a way to be invited too – they don’t always check their Facebook!
Cheap Baby Shower Decoration Ideas
Decorations are not essential for a baby shower, but they can help to create a festive atmosphere. If you’ve decided to have decorations at your event, here are some budget-friendly decoration ideas that are sure to impress:
- Balloons: Balloons are a classic and affordable decoration option for baby showers. Choose balloons in the mum-to-be’s favourite colours or opt for a mix of pastel hues to match the baby shower theme. You can also use balloons to create balloon arches or bouquets for added impact.
- Paper Decorations: Paper decorations are inexpensive and can be easily made at home. Create paper garlands, pom-poms, or paper flowers in coordinating colours to decorate the venue. You can find tutorials online for making these decorations using simple materials like tissue paper, cardstock, and string.
- DIY Centerpieces: Create your own centerpieces using items like mason jars, vases, or baby bottles filled with inexpensive flowers, greenery, or baby’s breath. You can also use items like baby blocks, stuffed animals, or books as part of the centerpiece for a cute and budget-friendly option.
- Tablecloths and Linens: Use inexpensive tablecloths and linens to dress up tables and create a cohesive look. Consider using fabric remnants or sheets as tablecloths for a cost-effective alternative to store-bought options. Alternatively check out Big W, The Reject Shop or other discount and/or party supply stores for affordable (plastic) tablecloths and coloured serviettes etc.
- Themed Printables: Look for free or inexpensive printable decorations online. You can find printable banners, signs, and labels in a variety of themes to match your baby shower theme. Simply print them out and use them to decorate the venue.
- Nature-Inspired Decor: Bring the outdoors in by using natural elements like branches, leaves, and pine cones as decorations. You can spray paint them in coordinating colors to match your theme or leave them natural for a rustic touch.
- Baby Clothesline: Create a clothesline display using baby clothes as decoration. Hang onesies, bibs, and socks on a clothesline with pegs for an adorable and budget-friendly decoration idea. You could even suggest that each guest brings along a small, baby garment to hang on the clothesline when they arrive. You’ll get a cute and colourful decoration for the room and, at the end, the expectant mum can take home all of the clothes for her new baby!
- Personalised Touches: Add personalised touches to your decorations by incorporating photos of the mum-to-be, ultrasound images, or baby-related quotes. These personal touches can make the decorations more meaningful without adding extra cost.
By using these cheap baby shower decoration ideas, you can create a beautiful and memorable setting for the celebration without breaking the bank.
Baby Shower Food Ideas On A Budget
When planning the menu for a budget-friendly baby shower, consider these affordable and delicious food ideas:
Finger Foods: Serve a variety of finger foods that are easy to eat and budget-friendly. Options can include mini sandwiches, vegetable platters with dip, sausage rolls and party pies, cheese and cracker trays, and fruit skewers.
DIY Sandwich Bar: Set up a DIY sandwich bar with different types of bread, deli meats, cheeses, and condiments. Guests can create their own sandwiches, and this option is cost-effective and allows for customization.
Soup or Chili: Serve a hearty soup or chili as a main dish. These options are inexpensive to make in large quantities and can be kept warm in a slow cooker throughout the event.
Baked Goods: Homemade baked goods, such as muffins, cookies, or brownies, can be a budget-friendly and delicious addition to the menu. Consider making them in advance and freezing them to save time and money.
Dessert Bar: Create a dessert bar with a variety of sweet treats, such as cupcakes, cookies, and mini tarts. This allows guests to sample a variety of desserts without the cost of a full dessert spread.
Mocktails: Offer a selection of non-alcoholic mocktails or punch. These drinks can be made with simple ingredients like fruit juice, soda, and fresh fruit garnishes. And they’re alcohol-free which means the expectant mum can enjoy them too!
‘Bring A Plate’: For the ultimate in budget friendly food ideas, consider making your baby shower event a ‘bring-a-plate’ affair. Everybody brings along a plate of food to share – this works particularly well for a morning or afternoon tea time slot when nobody is expecting a full meal.
When planning the menu, consider the dietary restrictions and preferences of your guests, and try to choose options that can be prepared in advance to save time on the day of the shower. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can create a delicious and budget-friendly menu that will delight your guests and celebrate the mum-to-be in style.
Affordable Baby Shower Games & Activities
Entertainment is a key part of any baby shower, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Consider these affordable and fun games and activities for your budget-friendly baby shower:
- Baby Bingo: Create bingo cards with baby-related words or gifts. As the mum-to-be opens her gifts, guests mark off items on their cards. The first guest to get a bingo wins a prize.
- Guess the Baby Food: Remove labels from jars of baby food and have guests taste and guess the flavours. The guest with the most correct guesses wins a prize.
- Baby Price Is Right: Create a list of baby items and their prices. Guests guess the total cost of all items combined. The guest with the closest guess wins a prize.
- Advice for Mum: Provide guests with cards to write down their best parenting advice or words of encouragement for the mum-to-be. Collect the cards and read them aloud for a heartfelt activity.
- Baby Word Scramble: Create a list of baby-related words and scramble the letters. Guests must unscramble the words within a time limit. The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.
- Memory Game: Place baby items on a tray and show it to guests for a few seconds. Then, cover the tray and have guests write down as many items as they can remember. The guest with the most correct items wins a prize.
But, the best tip of all if you’re the one in charge of planning this budget friendly baby shower, is to delegate! Choose a few close friends/family members of the guest of honour and ask each of them to organise and prepare a game or activity for the baby shower.
This will spread out the time and costs involved rather than leaving it all to one person. That way, on the day of the shower, everyone gets to enjoy and be surprised by the games and activities on offer.
These affordable baby shower games and activities are sure to entertain guests and create lasting memories without breaking the bank. Feel free to customise them to fit your theme or add a personal touch!
Hosting a budget-friendly baby shower doesn’t mean sacrificing style or fun. By planning ahead, getting creative, delegating and focusing on what matters most, you can create a memorable and meaningful celebration for the mum-to-be without breaking the bank.
From choosing a budget-friendly venue and DIY decorations to serving simple yet delicious food and organising affordable games and activities, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the impending arrival of a new baby without overspending.
Remember, the most important thing is to shower the mum-to-be with love and support as she embarks on this new journey into motherhood. And this could be done by simply inviting close friends and family to your house for a cup of tea and a packet of bickies!
Don’t overthink it, just plan an event that gives everyone a chance to offer their love and support to the guest of honour and share in the excitement of awaiting the new arrival.
If you’re looking for something a little more special, then these budget-friendly baby shower ideas will help you to create a special and memorable event that you will all cherish for years to come.
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