Frugal Baby Shower

By

T&T Grandma

Prizes for game winners, stock up on baby items and when all is done, the prize winners give the mom the prizes.

By

louel53

In our area baby showers consist of ladies coming to someone's house with gifts, to visit with the new mom and the baby. We give them after the baby is born. The hostess serves tea, coffee, maybe juice or punch, a decorated cake or maybe some dainties. The entertainment is mostly holding the new baby. Sometimes they have a memory game where the hostess makes up a tray with about 20 baby things on it (baby wipes, a soother, Orajel, a diaper, thermometer, brush and comb, diaper pin, and so on) and everyone gets to look at this for about 10 seconds each. Then they have to write down what was on the tray. Those that get closest to all the items, get a small prize -- decorated candle or something from the dollar store. Taking lots of pictures is also part of the deal. It is always quite low key; expense is not an issue as one uses their own dishes and decorations are optional. Sometimes someone decorates a box in some theme (like a John Deere grain wagon if it is a boy baby in a farm family) or gives a larger gift like a stroller that you can put the gifts in, and then make a big deal of bringing them in. A bassinet or even just a new clothes basket is also good, as babies always have lots of laundry. The mom opens the gifts, passes them around and everyone says nice things and admires them, and every one visits. Usually, there are friend and relatives, I'd say 15 to 25 is the usual number. You don't want hordes as it would be too overwhelming for mom and baby. If you are dealing with someone who might have lots more friends, you might give a shower for neighbours and family, and then one of the new mom's girlfriends might give a shower for the younger crowd and work friends. Whatever seems to work for you. It should be very informal and low key.

By

Tonimarie1

A frugal baby shower is very very possible. After having read previous posts from the last several years right here on this site I can assure you that the ideas offered are great ones. I will give some advice just to reiterate what others have previously posted. Food is not a necessity. Have the shower mid afternoon. After lunch time before dinner. Your guests will know to eat prior to arrival and will not want/need to eat while there. A cake, drinks, and nuts/pretzels is all that is needed. I had my shower at 2 PM and the biggest part of my food (at least 75%) was not touched because most people did not expect food and had already eaten.

Also the cake is just as good home made. It shows you put more love into it than just going out and buying one. Throw away cake pans with lids can be purchased for $1 at just about any Dollar Store and cake mixes and icing are fairly cheap. You should be able to make a nice cake for less than $10 and it should easily feed 20-30 people. Once again I had plenty of cake left over too. I think out of 20 people 2 had ice cream so save $ there too. Most people will be just fine with whatever you have to offer. It is a day for Mom and baby, not a dinner party for guests. Just to give you a sigh of relief, my baby shower was done for less than $40 and I had food (BBQ on buns, pasta salad, chips) and ice cream that was not needed. I had matching decorations, plates, utensils, games, gifts for prize winners, and even balloons. I purchased everything except for food products at the Dollar Tree. I'm not sure if there is one in your area but it is available online(www.dollartree.com) and every item is $1. Good Luck with the shower. You will do great! And congrats on you to the new grandbaby!

I would like to have a baby shower for my daughter. This would be her first baby and my first grandbaby, but I really can't afford it.

I am helping plan a baby shower for a 16 year old. I need any frugal ideas you may have. There will be approximately 50 guests. We are on a tight budget.