Welcoming a new baby into the world is one of life’s most extraordinary and meaningful experiences. It can also be among the most stressful financial times as you begin planning ahead for the delivery, setting up the nursery, and coordinating childcare.
Another significant milestone is hosting a baby shower to celebrate the new arrival with people you care about. Even if you expect to receive thoughtful gifts to help with your newborn’s care, the cost of a baby shower can be prohibitive.
So, exactly how much does a baby shower cost? According to some estimates, the average baby shower at a venue costs a minimum of $550.
If that doesn’t work for your current financial situation, there are still wonderful ways to host a baby shower on a budget. Hear from the financial pros at Western Shamrock as they share their tips on how to have the best baby shower on a budget.
1. Choose an Affordable Venue
One of the most costly aspects of a baby shower is the venue. To host a cheap baby shower that is still welcoming and lovely, consider having it at your home or a friend’s house to eliminate venue fees.
Depending on the time of year and the weather, you could make inexpensive baby shower ideas work with a free outdoor venue, such as a backyard or local park. It’s also worth looking into free and low-cost community spaces available to rent, such as a clubhouse or church hall.
2. Keep the Guest List Intimate
Sticking to a tight baby shower budget is hard if you invite everyone you know to the party. A more affordable approach is to limit the number of attendees to only close friends and family.
Although some acquaintances, neighbors, and coworkers might be initially offended that they didn’t receive an invitation, most people understand budget constraints and recognize that intimate gatherings are often better for baby celebrations.
There are many benefits to having a smaller, more personal gathering, including being able to spend more quality time with the people you truly care about. You’ll save money on food and supplies without being overwhelmed by a large crowd. There are so many things to think about when you have a new baby on the way, so a smaller gathering helps you plan easier and feel less stressed about the party.
To accommodate long-distance loved ones, consider a hybrid or virtual option that allows people from far away to join the party from afar via video call.
3. Budget-Friendly Invitations
Another one of our inexpensive baby shower ideas is to send free or low-cost invitations to your guests. Evite and Paperless Post offer affordable digital invitation platforms that are easy to use and keep track of your guest count.
There are customizable templates available online that won’t cost you a thing, or perhaps just a small fee. Going the digital route will reduce costs associated with buying and mailing paper invitations with stamps. In today’s modern digital age, guests typically find it easier to keep track of an evite on their phone than on a piece of paper anyway.
When you can manage your RSVPs digitally, you eliminate a time-consuming manual process that leaves room for human error. An accurate RSVP list allows you to buy the appropriate amount of food, drinks, and decorations so you aren’t unnecessarily overspending.
4. Plan Around Timing to Save on Food Costs
Interestingly, the time of day also impacts your baby shower budget and costs. To have a baby shower on a budget, plan your party for an off-peak time, such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon. By doing this, you’ll avoid having to serve a full meal to your guests, a cost that quickly adds up as your guest list fills up.
For food, choose light snacks, appetizers, or desserts instead of full-course meals. You can cater to your favorite foods, pregnancy cravings, or cultural traditions with light fare that doesn’t break the bank.
For brunch, affordable food options for a cheap baby shower include pastries, fruit, coffee, and tea. You could provide a mix of savory appetizers and a cake or cupcakes with soda and juice for an afternoon party.
5. Budget-Friendly Food Ideas
Another food-related idea for your budget baby shower is to set up a DIY food bar serving tacos, salads, or desserts. You can buy food in bulk and let people serve themselves to take some of the pressure off you on party day.
Many families host potluck-style showers where guests bring a dish to share with the group. By going this route, you avoid the stress of shopping for and cooking everything yourself. You also save money on catering or take-out costs while letting your guests share their favorite dishes with everyone.
The cake is an essential part of many baby shower ideas on a budget, and fortunately, you can find affordable cakes with plenty of slices for everyone. Shop around at local bakeries, grocery stores, and wholesale clubs to find the best deals on cakes with personalization or unique flavors and decorations that fit your theme.
6. Inexpensive Decorations
As you create a baby shower on a budget, you’ll also want to consider decorations for a festive space. Dollar stores are excellent places to find affordable party supplies and décor, including plates, cups, napkins, utensils, banners, streamers, and balloons.
If you’re crafty, you can create DIY centerpieces using grocery store flowers or simple household items like candles and mason jars. By creating your baby shower budget décor, you’ll add personal touches to your party and save money at the same time.
Another of our inexpensive baby shower ideas is to utilize free online printables for signage, banners, and games. Using a home printer can help you personalize your baby shower without spending more money than you need to.
7. Fun and Affordable Baby Shower Games
To make your baby shower fun and engaging, you might arrange for a few games that get guests in the mood to celebrate your baby. Fortunately, many free online resources for printable games are appropriate for baby showers, such as trivia and bingo.
You can also incorporate low-cost props and household items into your games to save money. For example, you can reuse jars to play a “guess the baby food” game or create a scavenger hunt with baby supplies you’ve already started collecting for your newborn.
8. Cost-Effective Party Favors
It’s always fun for guests to take something home as a memento from a baby shower they attend. At your baby shower on a budget, you can make homemade party favors if you have enough time to prepare them before the party. Examples include chocolate-dipped strawberries, cookies, or Rice Krispies treats.
Another suggestion to stick to your baby shower budget is to use low-cost materials to package your party favors rather than buying brand-new containers. Examples are small mason jars, newspaper, or cellophane bags. You can also personalize your party favors to your interests and hobbies, such as providing DIY candles you make as crafts or seed packets if you love gardening.
9. Smart Shopping Tips for Savings
For your budget baby shower, searching for coupons and promo codes is helpful as you look for supplies and décor. Craft stores, such as Michaels, often offer online coupons of 30% or more to help you afford items for your party. There are savings apps like Honey and Slickdeals you can download to find the best discounts.
Instead of buying or renting chairs, tables, and decorations for your baby shower, consider borrowing them from people you know. If you host an outdoor baby shower, park facilities like picnic tables can make your guests comfortable without spending a dime.
10. Bonus Ideas for a Memorable Shower
Just because you throw a baby shower on a budget doesn’t mean it won’t be special for your family and friends. Here are some other ideas for making your shower a truly special one that you’ll always remember fondly when looking back at photos.
- Leave out a scrapbook for guests to write heartfelt messages.
- Create a wishing tree where guests can hang their messages for the parents-to-be.
- Set up a photo area for guests to take photos of themselves or with you.
- Incorporate a diaper raffle to set yourself up with practical supplies in a fun way.
- Choose a theme for your shower, such as storybooks, thrifted items, or DIY crafts.
Western Shamrock Can Help with Your Budget Baby Shower
We hope that you’ve found this discussion of “How much does a baby shower cost?” and baby shower ideas on a budget helpful as you prepare for your new bundle of joy to arrive.
Having a special baby shower doesn’t require a big budget, and by simplifying your party, you can actually make it more personalized and meaningful. By combining the spirit of creativity, collaboration with loved ones, and thoughtful planning, you can design an unforgettable event that sets a positive tone for the remainder of your pregnancy and childbirth.
Western Shamrock is here for you if you’ve already worked these baby shower ideas on a budget into your plan and still need financial help. We offer flexible, affordable personal loans that you can use for any purpose, such as to fund your baby’s celebration.
With a loan of a few hundred or thousand dollars, you can afford to pull off the baby shower of your dreams and make predictable monthly payments over time. To get started, visit a local Western Shamrock branch near you or apply online today to make your dream baby shower a reality.
