Host a Baby Shower for $200.00

Baby Shower

The Golden Rule: Prioritize & Plan

Before you spend a single dollar, sit down and make a plan. Your budget will be tight, so you need to know exactly where the money is going.

Step 1: The Guest ListThis is the biggest factor affecting your cost. More guests = more food, more drinks, more invites, a bigger space.

• Be ruthless. Keep it intimate. Aim for 10-15 very close friends and family members. This is the easiest way to control costs.

Step 2: The Budget BreakdownHere’s a sample allocation for your $200. This is a guideline—adjust based on your priorities (e.g., if you already have decorations, put more towards food).

• Venue: $0 (Host at home - yours or a family member's)

• Food & Drinks: $100 (~50% of your budget)

• Dessert: $25 (A simple, homemade cake)

• Decorations: $30 (DIY and reusable)

• Paper Goods & Utensils: $15 (Plates, cups, napkins)

• Games & Prizes: $15 (Print at home, simple prizes)

• Miscellaneous/Contingency: $15 (For things you forget)

Step-by-Step on How to Save in Each Category

1. The Venue: $0

• Host at Home: This is your biggest savings. Use your house, the parent-to-be's house, or a generous relative's house.

• Public Parks: Many parks have free pavilions or picnic areas you can use on a first-come, first-served basis. Just have a "Plan B" for bad weather.

2. Invitations: $0 - $5

• Go Digital: Use free services like Paperless Post, Evite, or even a private Facebook event. It's eco-friendly, instant, and free.

• If you must have physical invites: Buy a single cute card and take a clear photo of it to text to everyone. Or, design one yourself and print 2-3 per sheet on cardstock at home.

3. Food & Drinks: ~$100 (The Main Event)

This is where you need to be smart. Do not try to provide a full sit-down meal. Opt for a "Baby-Que," a brunch, or a simple afternoon tea.

• The Savory Spread:

  • Costco/Sam's Club: A giant tray of croissant sandwiches or wraps is under $20. A big bag of meatballs and a bottle of sauce to heat in a crockpot is another ~$15.

  • DIY Finger Sandwiches: Buy a loaf of white and wheat bread, a package of chicken breast, and some celery to make chicken salad. Cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches are also cheap and elegant.

  • Chips & Dip: A few bags of chips and a couple of homemade dips (e.g., onion dip from a soup mix + sour cream).

• The Drink Station:

  • Signature Drink: Make one large, non-alcoholic "mocktail" in a dispenser or pitcher. Think pink or blue lemonade, fruity punch, or infused water with cucumbers and mint.

  • The Basics: Offer a cheap but nice bottled water (like Great Value or Sam's Choice) and a simple iced tea. Skip soda unless it's on a deep sale.

4. Dessert: ~$25

• A Simple Themed Cake: Bake a box-mix cake or a simple sheet cake yourself. A $3 box of cake mix, $2 for frosting, and a $5 pack of themed cake toppers from Amazon or a craft store looks fantastic.

• Cupcakes: Even easier! Frost them and add a small, cute decoration on top.

• Cookie Decorating Station: Bake a big batch of sugar cookies (very cheap) and provide pink and blue icing and sprinkles. This doubles as an activity!

5. Decorations: ~$30 (DIY is Key!)

The theme is your friend. A simple color scheme (e.g., light blue & white, blush pink & gold) looks more put-together than a bunch of random characters.

• Balloons are Queen: A few packs of balloons in the theme colors can transform a room. Pro Tip: Stuff a few balloons inside a large, clear balloon for a modern look. Use command hooks to create balloon arches or clusters.

• Dollar Store & Thrift Stores: Find vases, picture frames, and baskets. You can spray paint mismatched vases the same color for a cohesive look.

• DIY Garlands: Make a "Oh Baby!" banner out of construction paper and string. Cut out paper onesies or elephants and hang them on a string with clothespins.

• Florals: Buy a few $5 bunches of baby's breath or carnations from Trader Joe's or a grocery store. Separate them into small mason jars or bottles for elegant table centerpieces.

6. Games & Activities: ~$15

Games are cheap and provide entertainment. Print everything at home or at the library for a few cents.

• Free Printable Games: Search Pinterest for "free printable baby shower games." You'll find:

  • Baby Bingo: For during gift-opening.

  • Price is Right: Guess the price of baby items (diapers, rash cream, bottles).

  • Baby Word Scramble

  • Advice for Mom Cards: Use index cards instead of a fancy book.

• Prizes: Go to the Dollar Tree! Nice-smelling hand soaps, lotions, candles, or chocolates make perfect $1 prizes.

7. Party Favors: $0 - $15

Favors are nice but not necessary. If you must, keep it simple and edible.

• Cookie or Candy Buffet: Bag up a few of the cookies from your decorating station for guests to take home.

• Single Serve Treats: A small bag of popcorn with a cute "Thanks for Poppin' by!" tag.

• Succulent Cuttings: If you or a friend has succulents, propagate a few small cuttings as favors.

Sample Budget in Action ($200)

• Food: Croissant Sandwich Tray ($18), Bag of Meatballs & Sauce ($12), Chips & Salsa ($8), Veggie Tray ($10) = $48

• Drinks: Lemonade ingredients ($8), Iced Tea ($3), 24-pack of Water ($4) = $15

• Dessert: Box Cake Mix, Frosting, Toppers ($10) = $10

• Decor: 3 packs of Balloons ($9), Streamers ($3), DIY Banner (free, from paper you own), 2 bunches Baby's Breath ($10) = $22

• Paper Goods: Plates, Napkins, Cups (Dollar Tree) = $10

• Games: Printing ($3), 3 Prize Soaps ($3) = $6

• Contingency/Misc: $15

• TOTAL: $126

You did it! And you even have $74 left over. You could use this to:

• Splurge on a nicer cake from a grocery store bakery.

• Buy a special mocktail ingredient.

• Get a small gift for the mom-to-be.

• Just save it!

Remember, the goal is to create a warm, loving atmosphere to celebrate the mom. No one will remember the expensive chair rentals; they'll remember the laughter, the games, and the joy you helped create. Happy planning