Throwing a baby shower for a friend or family member can be a lot of fun. And with some creativity and planning, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s take a look at some tips for hosting a baby shower on a budget. 
Find a Free Venue
The cost to rent an event space, such as a hotel ballroom, could potentially use up your entire party budget. Plan to host the shower at your home instead. If you don’t have the space, consider holding the shower outdoors at a local park, or rent a room at a local community center, which should cost you less than $100.
Less is More Décor
Displaying a few simple, bold decorations make a bigger statement than multiple small decorations and will help you save money. Think one or two big bundles of balloons, a single large floral arrangement, and one bright banner welcoming the pending new arrival. Place them near key focal points like the cake table and the gift corner to create eye-catching focal points.
Coming up Roses
Fresh flowers are a beautiful addition, but professional floral arrangements will cost you. Instead of ordering from a florist, buy cut flowers at a farmer’s market (or even from Costco) and arrange them yourself. The easiest way to achieve great results is to stick with flowers in the same color family (all pink, all white). The simplicity appears super-modern and elegant; no one will guess the arrangements were DIY. You’ll save even more if you use Mason jars instead of vases. They’re cute, trendy and have a million uses around the house once the shower is over.
Who Needs a Caterer?
Food and treats will likely use up the biggest chunk of your shower budget. Here again, the warehouse club (Costco, Sam’s Club) is your best friend. You can put together a delicious spread of appetizers and desserts for a fraction of the cost of using a caterer. And you’ll probably have plenty of leftovers to take you through the following few days.
Be a Teetotaler
Since the guest of honor can’t indulge in a cocktail or glass of wine, there’s no reason to serve them. You’ll save a lot of money on beverages by not including alcohol. Clear glass pitchers of ice water and iced tea, accented with colorful sliced fruit, look (and taste) refreshing and cost just pennies, leaving more money in the budget for other things.
Very Entertaining
Instead of playing games that require prizes, make the entertainment something fun and productive. Buy a few packs of diapers in assorted sizes, and have the guests doodle or write encouraging messages on them using Sharpie markers. The messages will lift the spirits of the sleep-deprived parents during endless diaper changes those hectic first few months. You can also do the same activity with plain white onesies or undershirts.
Check out our Budget, Baby! Pinterest board for more money-saving baby shower ideas.
