Amy,
I am turning to you for some advice about an upcoming baby shower that my husband & I are co-hosting because I know what a budget savvy and creative person you are!
A roommate of mine from college is expecting her first child in May. After asking her several times if anyone was throwing her a shower and her saying no, we offered to co-host a couple’s shower with a guy that works with her husband and his wife.
So here’s where I get to the dilemma…she e-mailed me the guest list this week and there are 30 couples on it…that’s 60 people!
I need some advice for how to pull of the kind of shower that they deserve, but on my budget!! I feel like we have to feed all of these people and provide adult beverages, but I don’t know how we could do that for less than a small fortune!!
Sincerely,
J.
Thank you so much for your question and I am so happy to offer a little advice on your baby shower! As always, if you have any questions that you would like to send me, you can email them to me at amy(at)momadvice(dot)com and I would love to share any expertise that I can offer.
Here are a few tips and tricks for throwing a fun baby shower on a budget:
Keep The Decorations Simple
You can burn through a lot of money quickly just on the decorations so one cost effective way to decorate is to decorate with item’s that the mother can use or by making a few sweet handmade items.
One of my favorite decorations for a table centerpiece are diaper cakes because it is a special gift for the new mommy and it can double as an attractive centerpiece for the occasion. You can visit my easy instructions and a little cost-breakdown and my tips for how to make these inexpensively.
(photo credit: Wendy Copley)
(photo credit: Janice)
Make a baby clothesline to hang near the food table or behind where the mother will be opening her gifts. Pick cute coordinating items and then give them as a gift to the mother at the end of the shower.
(photo credit: Jaime Compton)
A simple, sweet banner can double as a decoration later for the child’s nursery. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate at all, in fact, the simpler the better. If you know the mother’s nursery colors, try and coordinate the banner to the baby’s future room. For a simple banner tutorial, I love this cute square banner, a bunting made from newspaper, and for the ambitious a knitted bunting. The possibilities are endless and could be made from supplies that you already have on hand in your crafting supplies.
Inexpensive Food to Feed the Masses
If you have a large group to feed, you could stick to between meal times and just provide fun snacks or a fun dessert table. Appetizers will go a lot further than a meal will. If you would like to do a meal, a brunch can be a really cost effective way to entertain and is a classy way to throw a fabulous spread.
Spinach Balls
Bite Sized Sandwiches with vegetable & fruit trays
Mini Quiches with an elegant salad (photo credit: chanmelmel)
Instead of doing an elaborate cake, offer guests mini-cupcakes in sweet pastel colors with a creative cupcake topper. These cupcake toppers from papertreats are just one example of cute homemade toppers that can decorate your cupcakes very creatively and that will make them sparkle when your cake decorating skills are lacking. If you are really ambitious, you could make your own cupcake picks with the baby’s initial stamped on them or even something more elaborate like this. Check a scrapbooking supplies store or a craft store to find cute paper and embellishments for your project.
Remember that you can freeze cake ahead of time, so you can crank out those cupcakes even the week before and keep them in the freezer. I like to decorate the cake while it is still frozen because it helps reduce the amount of crumbs that can collect in your icing. Ice them the day before and assemble them on pretty cake stand or make your own cake stands for a thrifty and creative alternative.
You will need to modify the length of time you cook your cupcakes for cooking mini-cupcakes. Follow the instructions exactly, but just cook your cupcakes for half the time. Keep an eye on them just because they will cook quickly!
Here are some of my favorite cupcake recipes:
Moist Chocolate Cupcakes With Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Chocolate Cupcakes With Peanut Butter Frosting
The Best Birthday Cupcakes in the World
I may be the minority, but I am not a fan of baby shower games. With sixty people in attendance, you are going to have a hard time pulling off an organized activity. Spend that time socializing or do a game like these that will not require everyone being quiet and sitting in a circle.
(photo credit: Emma Black)
(photo credit: the higher nest)
How about a Baby Shower Price is Right card and choose the closest winner on how much common baby items would cost?
(photo credit: nhearon2003)
Parting Gifts
In a party of this size, I do not think people will be expecting to take home a party favor. Everyone is going to be happy to be included and will just be enjoying the celebrating. Concentrate your efforts on the food, cake, and entertainment and your guest will leave with the wonderful memory of the occasion rather than a gift that they probably will not use.
Consider your shower and any of the centerpieces and decorations your gift to your friend. If you want to add a special gift that she can use, give her a basket of thank you cards and stamps which she can use to thank all of her guests for their thoughtful gifts!
Good luck with your shower and I hope these ideas will give you a good starting point for a festive and frugal celebration!
(Photo Credit: Picture 1- Jerusalem)
Do you have any tips or advice for the hostess for throwing a great budget-friendly shower? I know she will really appreciate it!
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22 Responses to “Ask the Frugal Momma: Throwing a Baby Shower on a Budget?”
I think with that many guest, you need to keep it simple! At my shower (with not nearly that many people) by the time we ate and I opened presents, several hours had pasted and it was time to go. I think trying to do games and such may just complicate things too much.
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I agree wholeheartedly that a brunch is the best way to go in this situation. For the cost of fussy appetizers and wine, you can serve a substantial meal with a mimosa punch or something similar.
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Thanks for such a great bunch of party tips in one place.
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I think your advice is great – and I, too, hate shower games! I think, especially if it’s a couples shower, no games are necessary.
Instead of feeling like you have to have a variety of adult drinks, either go alcohol free and do some different flavored teas or, make one signature drink (like a mimosa) and name it something cute.
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Wow, Amy! What an awesome post! Makes me want to have a Baby Shower, wish I knew someone that was expecting!
~Liz
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Great post! I’ll be hosting a baby shower very soon (on a squeeky-tight budget). I’ll definitely be using some of these tips.
I had been thinking about doing a brunch because the food will be so much less expensive. Now, I’m convinced.
Kimba
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Is it wrong to think that the host should generally be the one to set the number of guests? I don’t think it is inappropriate to ask the mom-to-be to cut back a bit to whatever number you were thinking.
And I am with you Amy–I’m not crazy about a lot of the standard games played. But I did do teh baby picture board once and it was really cute. Instead of it being a game, we made the mom-to-be do all the guessing, and it was pretty funny.
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I would think brunch is the best way, breakfast foods are pretty cheap. I would also go alcohol free because poor mommy, the highlight of the party, can’t even partake!
We’re doing a bridal shower for my sister coming up soon with a sunflower theme – would love to see your suggestions for a bridal shower too!
Thanks!
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GREAT post Amy, I loved seeing some of you things you suggested where things the shower committee at our church is doing! The diaper cake is always a hit and what we like to do is have the women try to guess how many diapers are in the cake. An easy game and a lovely decoration!
Thanks for some great ideas that we hadn’t thought of. I love the baby clothes line, that will be our new addition to our baby shower decor!
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I was just at a shower and she had 4 or 5 games and it was just toooo many….keep the games to 1 or two….I had a couples shower a couple of years ago and the diaper game was REALLY fun!!! all the guys smelling diapers….cute and fun for couples to be discussing what kinda chocolate bar is in a diaper..
ps….made the diaper cake for the shower and it turned out GREAT!!!!! looked soooo cute!!!! was really easy also!!!
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Fun ideas, Amy. I was surprised with a shower this past weekend given by some friends from church, and I have to admit I love shower games! But 60 people and co-ed is a totally different ball game!
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Those are great ideas! A frugal and elegant drink is a punchbowl of ice water with floating lemon rings.
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Your timing could not have been more perfect! I am organizing a frugal shower for about 60 people myself right now!
What great ideas!
Some ideas I have had are.
1. Centerpieces – buckets filled with candy sugar sticks (in blue or pink) or lollipops that double as the favors – with a tag thanking guests.
2. Wooden or cardboard craft letters spelling out ‘BABY’ or the baby’s name, decorated and placed on the food table.
3. Scrapbooking paper or inexpensive fabric as table accents (kind of like runners).
Hope these help.
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for my shower two years ago, my sister only did two things as “games” While I opened gifts the guests played gift bingo. They had a list of things to put on the board and arrange how they wanted. As I opened they played and it kept them from getting too bored. We also did as many old wives tales to determine the sex of our coming baby, of course would only work if they haven’t found out yet! it was fun, and it did turn out correct, a girl.
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Fantastic ideas! I especially love the clothesline idea under “decorations.” And how fun that it doubles as a gift for the mom-to-be!
For snacks/appetizers, I suggest chicken salad on mini croissants and a vegetable tray with dip.
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What wonderful ideas- thank you guys so much for sharing these with our readers!
Good luck to everyone who is hosting showers right now. My fingers are cramping from all of the baby blankets I am knitting up. Everyone I know is pregnant right now so I have much work to do
Loved this conversation!
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Those tips are very useful, and I have to say that those recipes sound so delish! Sure, the recession is affecting everyone, but every mom and child deserves a great baby shower. I really admire people who are smart savers–there’s a fine line between frugal/thrifty and just plain stingy. I’m mean it’s crazy there’s people who survive on federal grants just because they’re scared of losing their money!
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Great advice! I agree brunch or a cocktail party is the way to go with a co-ed crowd. Spiked punch or homemade sangria would be nice for an evening event. It’s not all about the food anyway.
Another idea that might work is an ice cream sunday bar. You know, since pregnant women often crave ice cream. Not very “adult” but who doesn’t like ice cream?
We threw my girlfriend a lovely tea-party themed baby shower. We had the party in the afternoon so we didn’t have to serve a full meal. Instead we served tea foods… homemade scones w/ cream and jam, mini quiches and a few other things. Each table got their own tea pot and fixins. Favors were teabags in a teacup. We picked those up at thrift stores. Maybe a little too feminine for this party, but it turned out really lovely for us.
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One the the best things I do for a baby shower is have the thank you notes at the shower and have the guests fill our an envelope with their address. That’s the part of thank you’s I dread the most!
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I also do the cake at every baby shower or wedding shower. Makes a great gift and wonderful decoration. Another inexpensive decoration I use are glass bowl w/ water duckies floating coloring the water blue w/ food coloring. And I always get the nicest compliments off my pacifiers made from lifesavers and jelly bellies.
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If it is for a girl a diaper cake in the shape of a teapot. A gallon size milk container handle used as the spout and a round cover to a jar with a wooden door knob glued for the top. She even made tea cups out of small diapers. It was finger foods and pastries. The cake was a round ball with the same plastic handle used as the spout and covered with stars of frosting. The cake was an adorable tea pot. You can go to a local thrift store and collect different china t cups that don’t match and put cupcakes in them or fill with flowers for decorations. The teabag hanging from the t-pot was a charm keepsake for the Mom to keep to remember her baby shower. Another great theme is simply organic for six months up. Big shower party hits are unique items like the Help Yourself Feeding Solution. You could do a basket of items baby will need for six plus months. Mom will appreciate it.
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Wow! What great ideas Amy! I can’t wait to try ALL of the cupcake recipes:)
I totally understand the want to serve alcohol with it being a coed shower and all but at the risk of sounding old fashioned, I don’t think it’s appropriate! Not to mention expensive and like Becca said, the guest of honor isn’t able to partake:(.) I wouldn’t feel obligated at all if I were you!
I am co-hosting a shower in a couple of weeks… We are sticking with simple games, $10 gift sets from Bath and Body Works for prizes, brunch, and super cute cupcakes! Centerpieces are bottles filled with candy and balloons, and a banner for decoration!;)
I think a diaper raffle would be fun for J.’s large group. Each couple brings a pack of diapers, any brand, any size, in exchange for a raffle ticket.
Going green on the invites may be a money saving option as well by utilizing email or Facebook.
Check out some more Mama Drama on baby showers at…
http://sunshinemamas.com/sunshine-mama-drama/dear-mama-drama-22210/
Good Luck J.!!
Lori McCluskey
Mama Blogger
lori@sunshinemamas.com
SunshineMamas.com
Lori McCluskey´s last blog ..Google “University”, My Best Friend
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