Baby showers are a traditional party for expectant mothers. The shower is often thrown by friends of the mother-to-be and is a celebration of new life. The cost of hosting a baby shower depends on the number of people invited and the venue for the shower. The average cost of having a baby shower is about $200. Baby showers with fancy hotels and catered food, however, could run up to $1,000. Often the bill is split between various friends and relatives to relieve the burden being placed squarely on one person. Planning the details at least a month in advance will lay the ground work for a sensational baby shower.
Baby showers often include decorations, cake, food, drinks, games, party favors, prizes for game winners, invitations and, of course, gifts for the soon- to-arrive baby. Decorations need not be expensive to be festive. One blog offered the suggestion of using fabric paint and stencils to paint onesies as both decorations and useable wear for the newborn. If you and friends prefer arts and crafts to shower games you can find this idea and other DIY projects for a baby shower at Painting Onsies. Decorations can also be found at most dollar stores, which usually also carry a nice selection of party plates, plastic table clothes and cups.
Invitations to the baby shower can be sent digitally. Websites such as Shower card by Evite and Mint Green Animal Card offer free templates for digital cards. Creating and printing your own cards at home is an easy option that will not break the bank. Free printable invitations can also be found at Baby Shower Printables. You can also use Facebook to create an event to invite everybody via social media. No matter which type of invitation you use, make sure to send them out a month in advance so guests can shop for gifts and put the event on their calendar.
Food for the shower is the largest part of the budget. A tasteful cake can be found in bakeries at your local supermarket. Make sure the decorations on the cake are neutral unless the sex of the baby is known. A top ten list of best and worst baby shower cakes can be found here Top Ten Best and Worst Baby Shower Cakes. Securing a tasty cake does not have to be extremely expensive. Safeway and other major chain grocery stores create moist cakes with frosting that does not have the “too sweet” taste.
Food such as finger sandwiches and cut vegetables with dip can be made at home. Another alternative is to have a pot luck and have all attendees bring a dish. The cost effectiveness of this idea is helps to keep within a budget. Find punch recipes that can be made on site and save a considerable amount over having sodas. Subway offers a sub tray that is easily purchased and they are pre cut and arranged for you. Make sure to research the best catering establishment several weeks in advance to secure the best food and prices available.
It is very important to ask the recipient about baby shower games. Not everyone enjoys these games, some of which are simply tacky, such as dirty diaper musical chairs. If the expectant mom would like games then consider a few popular ones that are quick and easy to do.
The Pacifier Pass game is completed between two people. Each player has a straw and one has the pacifier on the straw. The objective is to pass the pacifier to the other person’s straw without using hands.
Pin the Pacifier on the Baby is another popular baby shower game. A picture of a baby is used and it is played like Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Each player is blindfolded and expected to pin a paper image of a pacifier closest to the baby’s mouth. Each paper image should have the players name written on the back to signify who gets closest and wins the game.
Baby Shower Bingo is another fun game using blank bingo card from the Internet. The honoree’s registry is used for each person to write the name of a potential baby gift in the squares. Since each person is writing their own card, no two will be exactly the same. When a gift is opened the players mark their card with a circle sticker. The winner is the first one to get a bingo.
Winners of the games usually receive small yet thoughtful prizes. Idea for prizes include a nice coffee in a mug. Lotions, soaps, perfume, chocolate, candy, and small denomination gift cards to Starbucks or Target.
A Blessing Tree is another idea that is found at baby showers. It involves a metal tree with branches and paper that has been hole-punched and ribbon attached. Partygoers write a blessing for the new family member and place it on the metal tree. This idea can also be utilized with blank cards. Attendees write letters to the new family which is to be opened after the baby arrives. In celebration of good friends and new life.
If your shower plans do not include games then here are some possible ideas to entertain the guests: Create scrapbook pages for the new mother-to-be. Have attendees bring a baby picture and try to guess who ‘s baby picture belongs to which adult. Create a raffle with a jar of M and M’s or your favorite candy. Whoever gets closest to the actual amount wins the jar. Stock the freezer with each person’s favorite recipe creating a box for the mother-to-be. Have a prayer circle in which every person recites well wishes for a healthy baby. After each person states their well wishes have them tie a piece of yarn as a bracelet to wear in support of the honorees pregnancy. A blessings circle is extremely powerful and thoughtful. Each blessing is about the future child’s health, career, marriage, etc. It is a heartwarming way to end the shower and an unforgettable event.