Baby Shower on a Budget
By Cathy Cripps

Not only are the gifts affordable but the expectant mother will end up with some very eclectic items.

PURE PAMPERING

When a woman reaches about the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy, the cute maternity clothes are no longer “cute”. The rounded stomach is in the way, sleeping and getting comfortable is nearly impossible, and all the woman can think of is “getting the pregnancy over with.

Obviously, nature has an amazing way of preparing women to give birth but while in that stage of pregnancy, she feels miserable. Instead of or in addition to throwing a standard baby shower, why not throw a “pamper party” for the soon-to-be mom. For this shower, have everyone bring something just for the expectant mother.

This might include some comfortable lounge clothing, chocolate covered cherries, takeout Chinese food, you name it, do it. She will feel so much better about herself and gain a much better outlook about the hard work of labor ahead of her.

PREGNANT GUESTS

When hosting a baby shower, to create a ton of laughs while also making the expectant mom feel good about her situation, have every guest come “pregnant” – men and women. A simple bed pillow rolled up and tied around the waist with an oversized shirt will do the job. While this is fun for an all-girl shower, it is even a better theme for a coed shower.

BABY TOYS

Rather than baby clothing, have each guests bring a special baby toy that could be used in the child’s first three years of life. The variety will be wonderful and the cost savings to the parents huge. Not only is this baby shower theme excellent for a first baby but it also works very well for a second or third baby, as well as adopted children.

MEMORIES

For a special baby shower, create one filled with memories. In this case, each guest would bring a gift made in or representing the year the baby is born. For example, one guest might create a scrapbook with newspaper and magazine articles, another guest might bring a new toy developed that year, and another guest a picture frame with the year as part of the design.

BABY’S FIRST

With this theme, each family member or friend would choose something to represent the baby\’s first big event. As an example, a pewter fork and spoon for the first solid food, a pair of baby shoes for the first attempts of walking, a tooth fairy box for the first lost tooth, a silk or satin case for a lock of hair from the first haircut, or perhaps a cake gift certificate for his or her first birthday.

NURSERY TIME

If the theme of the baby’s nursery is known, the shower could be specific to the decorations of that room. For instance, if the nursery were done in Walt Disney, then lamps, blankets, sheet, bibs, sleepers, diaper bag, and so on, all focusing on Disney would be on the gift list.

NAMING A BABY

For a fun baby shower filled with laughter and some very interesting names, create a theme around naming the baby. Throughout the day or evening, the guests will be asked to wear nametags of the name for a boy and girl they like best.

In addition, each guest will be given an envelope with anywhere from five to nine letters, chosen at random. Their mission, if they choose to accept it, is to unscramble the letters to come up with a baby name. This theme is wonderful and creates a light environment and some very strange names.

If the weather is expected to be nice and there is adequate room outdoors, set up a tropical oasis, complete with lights strung up outside, floating candles in the pool, Tiki torches, Hawaiian leis, and so on. Have beach music playing in the background and for food, serve ham, fresh fruit, barbecue, fruit punch, etc. This provides a relaxing environment for the expectant couple as they prepare for the big day.

AROUND THE CLOCK

For this baby shower theme, each guest would be assigned a gift that would be used at a specific time of day. For example, 7:00 a.m. could be a baby bottle, 8:00 a.m., burping pads, 9:00 a.m., baby food and spoon, 1:00 p.m. baby blanket for naptime, 5:00 p.m., bib and so on.

LIBRARY TIME

In this case, every guest would be asked to bring a book for the baby, ranging from those appropriate for six month to three years of age. Since books are so affordable and the variety so great, guests could bring one book, three books, or a book along with another gift.

SAFETY FIRST

With this baby shower theme, each of the items brought would be things to support child safety. This might include a non-slip bathtub, warm hooded bath towels to keep the little one warm, cabinet and drawer stops, power outlet plugs, soft toys, etc.

SPRINKLE SHOWER

If the expectant couple will have more than one shower, this would be an excellent option. For this theme, rather than guests buying large items, they would bring a sprinkling of small items that are used on a daily basis.

As an example, this would include things like shampoo, powder, diapers, baby wipes, lotion, socks, pacifiers, diaper cream, and so on. Mothers are always running out of supplies. With this theme, she would have a nice supply for months while enjoying the convenience and cost savings.

As you can see, when it comes to baby shower themes, the possibilities are limitless. As mentioned briefly, the most important factor to make any baby shower a success is to create a treasured memory. Yes, the shower is for the baby but it is also for the parents to share in their joy and help them celebrate the miracle of birth or adoption.

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Cathy is the Owner of Baby Shower Moments and the author of Baby Shower Moments A to Z Guide. If you are looking for baby shower ideas pay Cathy a visit.

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