How to Plan a Baby Shower on a Budget

The average baby shower costs between $1,000 and $3,000, but you can throw a genuinely lovely one for $300–500 if you're strategic. The secret isn't cutting corners — it's knowing where your money actually matters.

Where the Money Goes

Here's a typical budget breakdown:

• Venue: 30% — The biggest single expense, and the easiest to eliminate entirely.
• Food & drinks: 25% — The thing guests will actually remember (or complain about).
• Decorations: 20% — This is where overspending happens most. Restraint pays off.
• Favors & games: 15% — Keep favors simple or skip them. Nobody needs a custom candle.
• Invitations: 10% — Go digital. It's 2026. Nobody is judging.

The Big Wins: Where to Save

Venue (Save $200–1,000)

• Home: A living room, backyard, or patio is the #1 venue for baby showers and it's free. You don't need a rented space for 25 people.
• Park pavilion: $0–75 to reserve in most cities. Beautiful backdrop, plenty of space, natural lighting for photos.
• Community room: Church halls, apartment clubhouses, library meeting rooms — often $50–150.
• Restaurant private room: Some restaurants offer private dining at no extra charge (you just pay for food). Ask around.

Food (Save $100–500)

• Brunch over dinner: Brunch food is cheaper, easier to prep, and people eat less. Quiche, fruit, pastries, and mimosas is a complete spread for $8–12 per person.
• Potluck-style: The host provides the main dish and cake; guests bring a side. This is totally normal and most people prefer bringing food to buying a gift.
• Costco is your friend: A Costco sheet cake ($20–40) tastes great and feeds 40 people. Their veggie platters, fruit trays, and croissant packs are crowd-tested.

Decorations (Save $50–200)

• Less is more: A cohesive color scheme with 3 colors beats a room crammed with every decoration from Party City. Pick cream, sage, and white — done.
• Grocery store flowers: A $15 Trader Joe's bouquet in a mason jar beats a $60 florist arrangement. Buy 3–4 bouquets and split them into smaller arrangements.
• Balloons: A simple balloon garland kit ($15–25 on Amazon) makes a huge visual impact. One arch > twenty random balloons.
• Printables: Etsy has gorgeous printable banners, signs, and game cards for $3–8. Print at home or at FedEx.

Where to Splurge

If you're going to spend money anywhere, spend it here:

• Food quality: Good food makes a shower. Mediocre food is all anyone remembers. Spend on one impressive item — a beautiful cake, a charcuterie board, or a DIY mimosa bar.
• One statement decoration: A gorgeous floral backdrop, a custom neon sign, or a beautiful balloon arch. One focal point > scattered decorations everywhere.
• Comfortable seating: If it's at home, borrow extra chairs. People will sit for 2+ hours. This matters more than table centerpieces.

Sample Budget: $400 Shower for 25 Guests

• Venue (home): $0
• Food (brunch potluck + host provides quiche and drinks): $150
• Cake (Costco or homemade): $30
• Decorations (balloon arch + flowers + printables): $60
• Drinks (mimosa bar — champagne + juice): $50
• Games + prizes: $40
• Paper goods (plates, napkins, cups): $30
• Invitations (digital — Canva or Paperless Post): $0–40
• Total: $360–400