Money Saving Tips For Throwing A Dazzling Baby Shower

When you have a friend or loved one who’s about to give birth, getting a beautiful baby shower in order becomes priority number one. From gifts to snacks, the cost of throwing a baby shower can really start to add up. If you’re looking to throw a Champagne party but sadly have a Coca-Cola budget, there are ways to get the maximum bang for your buck and throw the party of their dreams without running your bank account into the red.

A baby shower can cost anywhere from $100 – $1,000, depending on how many people you invite. If the mom-to-be has a large group of friends and family, your food, drink and location costs are going to go through the roof. Come up with a budget that you and the other party hosts can live with, and don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to finding ways to drive down costs.

Let your fingers do the walking.

Make the most of all the internet has to offer by taking advantage of online invitations, using Facebook to bring together the new mom’s guest list and coordinate with guests.

Worried about doubling up on gifts? Sites such as Myregistry.com can help with that. Simply get mommy to go online and she can create a gift registry from any store in the world, preventing costly double-ups and returns for her later. A lot of major department stores such as Target also have baby registries where you can find an assortment of useful baby items and much more.

Shop online.

When you’re shopping for a new baby, the home to some of the biggest discounts is generally online, particularly for baby clothing and toys. Don’t be afraid to comparison shop, and always look for extra discounts on coupon sites which can be shared with other guests.

If you have a particularly large party and the new mommy is selecting a lot of items from one particular online shop, it also never hurts to get in touch with them and ask for a special discount for your group. You’ll be surprised how often they’re happy to help with requests like this.

Limit the guest list.

As with any party, the guest list can grow rapidly and quickly get to a point where you might feel financially strapped for cash. Chances are, the mom-to-be is going to be having several showers with one focusing on family, one for the office and so on. Don’t be afraid to keep the guest list to what you’re comfortable with.

Make it a potluck.

Food can be one of the biggest costs when it comes to throwing a shower. Instead of heading for Stress City by attempting to make it all yourself or diving into the expense of a caterer, host a potluck style party.

You can even set assignments per guest to ensure you don’t end up with 20 portions of chips and salsa rather than a nice spread. Be sure to check with guests to see if anyone has any food allergies or dietary requirements, and share this with those that are bringing food.

Keep it booze free.

Seeing as the new mom can’t really have a drink yet anyway, you can stay stylish with alcohol-free “mocktails” and punch as an alternative to Champagne or a full bar. Juice and spritzer-style drinks can be extremely refreshing, particularly if the weather is hot outside. Plan for 1 or 2 glasses of punch or mocktail per guest per hour.

Throwing the perfect baby shower doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, by taking a more creative approach you can actually have a more personalized experience for both you and the mom-to-be. Don’t be afraid to look for ways to save money and always stick to your budget. If all else fails, a fast cash place can help you with any cash crunch you may be dealing with.

As a mother of two, I have had my share of wonderful baby showers. I wrote these tips for readers as a way to pay it forward. After all, what better way to bring in a new life than a party?