Do you think it’s possible to throw a beautiful baby shower for under $500?
Well, I’m here to tell you—absolutely, yes, you can!
When I first started planning, I was a bit doubtful, especially after hearing from friends who’d spent well over $2,500 on theirs. But I was determined to make it special without spending too much.
Everyone was asking if I’d set a date yet, and I’ll admit, I felt a bit of pressure. Not because I didn’t want to celebrate, but because I was committed to sticking to my $500 budget.
So, I got creative and found ways to make it work—and now I’m excited to share the tricks and tips that helped me throw a beautiful, affordable baby shower that didn’t sacrifice style or fun!
1. Use all the help you can get
It takes a lot of effort to plan a baby shower. If you have friends and family who are close to the expectant mother, you can get them involved in the planning process. Two heads are always better than one, and various tasks or crafts you would have had to pay for can be done free of charge by your team members.
Also, when it comes to the financial side of things, they can all contribute some funds, which will go a long way to reduce the financial burden on your shoulders.
For instance, if the total budget for the baby shower is $500, a group of five people may split the bill and pitch in $100 each. This is much more reasonable than paying the whole bill yourself!
2. Reduce the number of guests
Baby showers are essentially gatherings to eat, drink and be merry, so the more guests you invite, the more mouths there are to feed.
Consider keeping the circle small and intimate among friends and family. One or two dozen guests is a good target! Just don’t cut the list down too small. Remember that inviting more people can also help the new mom collect more items from her baby registry.
3. Use digital invites
Some celebrants send out customized printed invites to guests, which can add to the nice aesthetic you have in mind, but these invites cost a lot.
Cheap baby shower ideas are all about planning a nice event without escalating costs. A digital invite will elicit the same response as a customized invite. People’s decisions on whether or not to attend are usually not based on how attractive the invitation is!
You can use Canva to design free baby shower invitations to send out via email. Or, send them directly using Evite.com.
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4. Use a free venue
The most effective way to cut down on baby shower costs is to use a free venue to host it.
As you already know, rented venues cost money, and adding that to your budget will raise the cost significantly. However, if you use a free venue, you stand to reduce costs by as much as 50% or more.
The best place to host the shower is the home of the expectant mother, but if her place is not available, you can host it at your place or that of a close friend or relative.
Other free venues you can use are:
Local parks: Public parks often offer free space for gatherings, and many have picnic tables, gazebos, and playgrounds.
Local Libraries or Community Centers: Many libraries and community centers have free or low-cost rooms available for local residents.
Apartment Complex Clubhouse: This can be a great place if you or someone in your circle lives in an apartment complex with a clubhouse,
Church: Some churches allow members to use community rooms for events like baby showers at no charge or for a small donation.
Local University: Some universities allow public use of their common areas or lounges on weekends or during off-hours.
5. Use affordable decorations
You don’t have to go extravagant with the decorations. There are minimalist designs that are just as attractive as any.
You can even go online to find decoration ideas that you can easily create DIY-style. If one of the organizers has a flower garden or there’s a local wildflower field, you can easily make the space beautiful and colorful!
The idea is just to make the place welcoming. As long as it creates an atmosphere for memorable moments, you are good to go.
Pick a theme that you know the mother will enjoy, and do your best to make her feel happy and motivated to welcome her baby into the world.
I would also inquire about the availability of decorations from other people’s weddings or baby showers. We have our own decorations from those events occupying the guest bedroom without any particular purpose.
Of course, you can reuse and repurpose decor. Check with friends and family for items like vases, table runners, or fairy lights they may have used at previous parties.
You can also look at secondhand shops or online marketplaces for affordable decor that can be used again or adapted for a future event. You’d be surprised how cheap it can be on the Facebook marketplace.
6. Go light on the food
When it comes to food, you have to be strategic about it, since this is another item that can quickly add up. On the one hand, you want the guests to be well-fed; on the other hand, you want to keep costs low. You need to strike a good balance!
What you should be looking out for are dishes that every guest will enjoy. You may choose to go for light refreshments only instead of serving a full meal.
What you serve at a baby shower should depend on the kinds of foods the majority of the guests are likely to eat, the time of day you’re hosting it, and the number of guests.
You can go online to search for baby shower recipes and do a cost analysis of different cheap recipes so you and your team can decide on a recipe for the event.
After picking a recipe, your group has to decide whether to hire a caterer or prepare the food yourselves. If one of you is an expert cook who can prepare the chosen recipes, that is even better since extra costs will be saved.
You should offer some refreshing beverage, like lemonade, iced tea, and infused waters. These are all cheap and easy to make yourself!
7. Plan several months ahead
Lastly, it pays to plan the baby shower ahead of time. That way, your group has enough time to put all the items together but by bit.
Opening a contribution fund several weeks before the event will give everyone enough time to pitch in money. It will also give them enough time to gather all the materials needed and to secure a venue.
This is better than 11th-hour arrangements that may end up costing everyone much more.
8. Group Gifts for Practicality
Encourage guests to pitch in for a group gift, like a stroller or crib. This can make gift-giving easier for guests while helping the parents get a bigger, needed item.
9. Photo Station
Create a photo backdrop using inexpensive fabric or paper decorations for a cute DIY photo station.
10. Choose Off-Peak Days or Times
Hosting a shower in the afternoon or on a weekday can save money on rentals and catering, as some venues and services offer lower prices during off-peak hours.
Generally, weekday afternoons (like Mondays to Thursdays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.) are the least expensive times, as weekends are the most popular and, therefore, pricier.
For maximum savings, aim for mid-morning (10 a.m. to noon) or early afternoon (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.). These time slots are ideal for brunch or snack-focused menus, which are often more affordable than a full meal.
Final Thoughts
Cheap baby shower ideas are not hard to execute. In fact, baby showers are usually much easier to organize compared to other big group events.
By keeping the number of invited guests small, you cut down on the amount of food and drinks you have to buy, and the need for a big hosting space.
At the end of the day, it is not the money spent that will matter to the mother, but the love and care she will receive from everyone who attends the shower.
Hi, I’m Ashley a freelance writer who’s passionate about personal finance. Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the power of money and how it can shape our lives. I’ve spent years learning everything I can about budgeting, saving, investing and retirement planning. So if you are looking for tips, advice, or just a little bit of inspiration to help you on your financial journey, you have come to the right place. I am always here to help, and I am excited to share my passion for personal finance with you.
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