8 Easy Ways to Save Money When You’re Throwing a Baby Shower

Throwing a baby shower for a loved one can be a lot of fun! But it can also be incredibly expensive. It’s a really lovely gesture, but no one should go into debt over a party, right? The good news is, you can throw an absolutely fantastic shower without spending a ton. These baby shower budget tips will help you give your friend or family member the shower they’ve always wanted, and leave plenty of money in your pocket when it’s over.

Baby shower budget tips can save you money on everything from the venue to the food.

1. Let’s start with invitations!

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Sure, everyone loves to get a sweet card in the mail. But depending on the size of the shower, you could be spending as much as 10% of your budget in a piece of paper that will get thrown away. Skip the mailed invites and opt for a digital service instead, like Evite or Paperless Post. As an added bonus, using digital invites makes RSVPing a breeze for guests.

2. OK, let’s talk venue.

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If you can, host the shower in your home, or ask for volunteers to offer up the use of their home for the event. This might not be a possibility if the guest list is large, but by having the party in a private residence, you can save tons of money on venue rental, food costs, and more.

3. Speaking of food…

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This is where budgets usually go completely sideways. It is so expensive to feed a large group of people! Consider sticking to a theme for the shower, like finger foods or desserts. And hit that Pinterest board for tons of yummy recipes and easy-to-make snacks. The food doesn’t have to be fancy, I promise you no one is going to judge you for serving chips and dip and little tea sandwiches. Or, think about making the shower a potluck, and ask guests to bring their favorite dish to share. Awesome idea if it’s a smaller group of close friends and family.

4. Cakes and cookies and treats, oh my!

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Again, there’s no reason to blow a huge wad of cash on a giant, ornate cake. Baby shower budget tips are all about thinking outside the box. Kill two birds with one stone and combine your dessert table and favor table with sweet iced cookies. Fruit and a chocolate fountain is another inexpensive way to satisfy that sweet tooth (you can buy a chocolate fountain on Amazon for cheap!).

5. Flowers are gorgeous, but be smart about them.

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I’m sorry, but your baby shower flowers shouldn’t cost as much as your wedding flowers! When my sister and I threw our other sister a baby shower, we found cheap little tea cups and bought flowers from a local flower market at wholesale prices. We made little arrangements in each cup, and those were the decor AND the favors! If you buy smart and are willing to do a little work, you can save tons of money on the flowers for the shower.

6. You have to have decorations, right?

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Come up with a simple theme, and stick to simple decorations. Balloons are always a cute idea, like the hello balloon above. And don’t go overboard! Every inch of the venue doesn’t have to covered in some sort of decor. Less is more, and less is also cheaper. A cute idea is to print out a bunch of baby pictures of the parents to be, and display them in cheap frames for a personal touch.

7. If you must do games, skip the prizes.

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I genuinely don’t understand why we even do baby shower games anymore. They’re so awkward! But if you must, stick to games that only require a pen and paper or a single clothes pin. And really, you don’t need to do prizes for these ridiculous games. We are all grown-ups, no one needs a bath set from Victoria’s Secret for correctly guessing the poop candy bar.

8. Planning a boozy baby shower? Keep it simple.

You don’t need a signature cocktail or passed champagne. I love the idea of a self-serve mimosa or Moscow Mule station! Start stocking up on booze in advance, just buy an extra bottle every time you go to the grocery store. One bowl, some ice, and a cute sign, and voila! Booze for your guests that didn’t cost an arm and a leg.

These baby shower budget tips are just the tip of the iceberg! There are so many ways to give your loved one a gorgeous shower without ending up in the poor house. What are some of your favorite baby shower budget tips?

(Image: iStock / jacoblund)