The concept of a baby shower can be traced back to ancient times, when the Egyptians celebrated birth and pregnancy through sacred rituals. Throughout the ages, cultures around the world have honored new mothers and new life through ceremonies and festivities. The modern baby shower took shape in the 1950s, when friends began hosting playful parties for new mothers and “showering” them with gifts.
Today, baby showers continue to be celebrated worldwide. Though baby shower traditions differ from country to country, the concept is largely the same — these are occasions to share in the joy of a new baby and help moms-to-be prepare for motherhood.
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In the U.S., baby showers are typically hosted by a friend or relative of the mother. Parties include gifting baby gear to the new mother, playing games, swilling punch and munching on treats.
While throwing a baby shower can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, it can also be daunting. After all, there are guests to invite, decorations to hang and food to prepare. Without the right strategy, hosting a shower could take a real toll on your wallet.
We’re here to help. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about baby showers. We’ve included tips, tricks and insightful advice on how to throw a spectacular shower without overspending.
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Choose the Right Venue
Baby shower venues can range from sprawling gardens to grand hotel halls. There’s no need to feel like you have to shell out for a fancy location, however — your own home is a perfectly wonderful place for a shower, and the atmosphere is likely to be much more comfortable and laidback than a rented space. If your home is not large enough to accommodate all your guests, consider holding the shower in a church or community space, as these venues are often less expensive to rent out.
Send Digital Invites
You can save trees and money if you send out digital invites versus paper ones. Design beautiful custom invitations for free on websites like Evite.com and PaperlessPost.com. These sites let you personalize invitations with different designs, colors and themes, and send out invitations in bulk to all your invitees. They even allow you to track RSVPs and send updates to guests.
Choose the Right Theme
After a holiday passes, you can usually buy holiday-themed decorations for up to 80 percent off. If you are hosting your party shortly after a holiday, you can save big by repurposing holiday décor.
For example, if the shower falls after Thanksgiving, consider making it an autumn-themed occasion. If the shower falls after Valentine’s Day and the expected baby is a girl, you can repurpose pink streamers, centerpieces and paper goods. If the event falls after Easter, think about incorporating rabbits into the party’s theme.
Stick to Snacks and Apps
Throw the party in between mealtimes, when guests won’t be expecting a full meal. Stick to simple, classic snacks and appetizers, such as deviled eggs, cheesy quesadillas, homemade veggie plates and sandwich rolls.
Invite attendees to contribute a favorite dish or drink.
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Make Your Own Cake
Buying an elaborate, custom cake can set you back more than $50. Baking a cake from scratch isn’t only less expensive, it often makes for a tastier treat. If you aren’t a whiz with the oven, go for a box cake mix and try dressing it up with unique toppings like coconut flakes, fresh fruit or crumbled candy.
Got a friend who’s a talented baker? There’s no shame in asking him or her for help.
Plan Free Baby Shower Games
Traditionally, baby showers feature games that are playful, sentimental or even cheesy. Like so many things in life, some of the best baby shower games are free. Here are a few ideas for free games:
— Asks guests to bring in baby photos and have everyone guess who’s who
— Have guests draw a portrait of the baby using only their feet. The mother-to-be gets to pick the winning portrait
— Create a baby crossword puzzle or word scramble the guests can scribble on throughout the party
Head to the Dollar Store
To find prizes for the baby game winners, head to your dollar store to hunt down cute tiaras, fragrant pink and blue candles, and funny trinkets. Put together a spa gift basket with dollar store skincare, loofas and foots scrubbers. Create colorful bags of treats using dollar store decorations and bulk bags of sweets.
Give Baby Gifts From the Heart
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to give a heartfelt present. Try giving homemade coupons for babysitting or putting together a baby gift basket with bibs, socks, pacifiers and other goodies.
Alternatively, you could encourage everyone to contribute toward a more expensive gift, such as a stroller, bouncy chair or crib.
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A Guide to Throwing an Unforgettable Baby Shower on a Budget originally appeared on usnews.com
