Guest Author - Angela England

Ever feel like everyone around you is having babies? With so much celebration and the joy of new lives appearing, the last thing you want to worry about is your budget. Here are a few tips for putting together a baby shower that won't break the bank.

Don't Rent Expensive Facilities
No need to rent a fancy hall or hotel conference room. Try planning the baby shower at your home instead. If your house is too small for a group of party-goers, it would be alright to co-host the shower with someone who's home is larger. Or consider using a church fellowship hall for the shower, as many churches will allow church members to hold events for free, or nominal fees.

Cut Costs by Decorating Wisely
Instead of paying for helium-filled balloons that must be purchased at a party supply store, you can blow them up yourself. I've seen stunning parties that were decorated with a covering of balloons on the floor, like a colorful snowfall. Or use tape to secure the balloon bundles to door frames, table corners and centerpieces to bring the color eye-level, without paying for the cost of helium.

Another way to cut back on decorating costs is to use what you were planning to give as a gift, in your decorating scheme. Were you giving a framed photo or poster? Use that on the wall at the baby shower, or set it up on an easel for a centerpiece. Instead of wrapping a blanket or sheet set, unwrap that gift to use as the table cloth or table runner.

Make Your Own Party Favors
Individually wrapped soaps, candles or lotions can add up quickly. Instead buying these party favors pre-wrapped, try purchasing them in bulk and wrapping them yourself. Tulle circles can be tied with a ribbon, with the candle or favor inside, and will look quite charming when finished.

Economic Invitations
Sometimes pre-printed invitations can be expensive when purchased in a small packets. Baby shower hostesses on a budget can buy blank invitations instead and use rubber stamps to customize them according to the baby shower theme. Alternatively, baby shower invitations can be emailed, but this should be a last resort in cost-cutting measures.

Baby Shower Food on a Budget
Food at a baby shower does not have to be too expensive. Instead of doing a full course meal, try having just a few finger foods and snacks for people to much on. Or make the baby food part of the gift-giving process by having everyone bring a pot-luck dish. Guests could bring one for the event, and one still-frozen for the mother to take home to use after the baby is born.

Hosting a baby shower doesn't have to collapse a budget - you can celebrate new life without going broke. Baby showers on a budget can still be beautiful and memorable events.

Did you enjoy this article? It's part of the Baby Shower Basics ebook which includes everything you need to put together a successful baby shower.