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10 Adorable Ideas for Throwing a Baby Shower on a Budget

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10 Adorable Ideas for Throwing a Baby Shower on a Budget
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Hosting an in-person baby shower can be shockingly expensive. For a guest list of 50 people, the average cost ranges from $1,000 to $1,500. Luckily there are ways to cut down on certain expenses like food, venue rental fees, and decorations. Here are some of my favorite tips to help you throw a baby shower on a budget based on my personal experience.

How to Throw a Baby Shower on a Budget

A few months ago I helped organize a baby shower for my older sister. Here’s everything I learned about how to throw a baby shower on a budget. 

1. Choose an Affordable Venue 

Choose an Affordable Venue
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If you’re trying to throw a baby shower on a budget, it’s important to control your venue rental costs. Event spaces can cost a thousand dollars even for relatively short timeframes. We ended up throwing my sister’s shower at a restaurant, but if we could do it over again, we’d probably host it at one of our houses. Buying some extra tables and chairs would’ve been cheaper than renting out a venue. 

But if your guest list is too long for an at-home shower, consider affordable alternatives like hosting it at a park or local community center. Churches and organizations like the Elks Lodge and YMCA often have affordable event spaces. Conference rooms at hotels and community centers at apartments can also be reasonably priced. 

2. Pick a Low-Key Theme

Pick a Low-Key Theme
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One of the keys to throwing a baby shower on a budget is choosing a low-key theme. My sister’s baby shower was right before Christmas, so we went with a blue and white color scheme and used puns like “Santa Baby” to personalize the event. Picking something fun yet easy to pull off will help you stick to your budget. I’m partial to this bee theme, which allows you to play with adorable puns like “Who will this baby bee?”

3. DIY Decorations 

DIY Decorations
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Making your own decorations (or recruiting friends and family to help) is one of the best ways to save money on your baby shower. Paying several hundred dollars for balloon arch and floral arrangements is out of the question when you’re on a tight budget. 

But luckily you can accomplish a similar look for less by putting together this DIY balloon arch kit and making your own paper flowers. These faux bouquets can be given to guests as gifts or saved as decor for the baby’s nursery, making them even more special than regular flowers. 

Another affordable decoration we used at my sister’s shower was a set of paper blocks that spelled out “baby.” It was easy to put together but made a big visual impact in the space because it was so tall. Wooden signs and banners can also help you jazz up any venue without spending a fortune. There are even all-in-one baby shower kits with everything you need to transform your party space, from garland to balloons to crepe pom poms. 

4. Make Your Own Food 

Make Your Own Food
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Making your own food is a great way to save on your baby shower and allows you to guarantee the quality. We’ve all heard horror stories about bad food or caterers bailing last minute. But what if you still want the elegant presentation you associate with catering? Keeping food hot can be the biggest challenge. 

We recommend chafing dishes, but a set of four can cost over $100. If that is over budget, fear not, we found this great disposable set that comes with everything you need. From sterno heat cans to serving ware and covers, getting your food to your guests will be a breeze. 

Another important piece that caterers often supply is the plates and cutlery for your guests. Fortunately, there are some really high-quality disposable options that won’t break the bank. This navy blue set comes with 50 settings of cutlery and two plates and is also available in white or pink. 

Finally, we recommend a quality napkin. While you might not want to deal with the hassle or cost of keeping enough cloth napkins, finesse napkins can be a fantastic alternative. Finesse napkins are made of aerated paper that feels just like cloth without the cost. This set of 200 is only $0.15 per piece. 

5. Play Simple Party Games 

Play Simple Party Games
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A lot of baby shower games can be played without having to buy anything, such as “Don’t Say Baby.” But if you don’t want to go the DIY route we recommend looking at some inexpensive sets. From baby-themed scratch-off cards to trivia and word searches, there are many inexpensive yet entertaining activity packs available. 

6. Create a Signature Mocktail 

Create a Signature Mocktail
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My sister’s baby shower had a cash bar for guests, but we didn’t want to leave our special guests out. So we created a mocktail for our mom-to-be so she could celebrate with refreshments. 

We kept things simple by mixing cranberry blood orange juice with sparkling water. But you could also buy a mocktail mixer like this lemon & basil lavender blend, or go with a canned non-alcoholic beverage. Serve it in baby-themed cups to add a special touch.  

7. Set Up a Crafting Station 

Set Up a Crafting Station
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The crafting station that we set up at my sister’s baby shower was a big hit, especially with the kids in attendance. Guests were able to decorate wooden baby blocks and either take them home or leave them for the baby’s nursery. But you can also find affordable bib and onesie decorating kits to help guests unleash their creativity! 

8. Budget-Friendly Invitations

Invitations
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Between design and printing, custom invitations can cost an arm and a leg. Fortunately, there are some really nice DIY kits available on Amazon, such as this floral invitation set. These kits have spaces to write in the location, date, and time of your shower, and even come with envelopes. If you don’t like flowers, you can find other designs that match your color scheme and theme better. 

Another option is using services like Paperless Post or Evites to send digital invitations. They’re light on your wallet and the planet, making them a win-win.

9. Choose Affordable Party Favors

Choose Affordable Party Favors
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It’s always nice to give out a party favor that guests can remember the event by. We decided to hand out scratch-off lottery tickets in these fun holders that say “Baby is so lucky to have you.” But you can also find other affordable options like these baby-themed votive candles. The idea is that guests will light the candle on the day the baby is born and make a special wish for the child while blowing it out. 

10. Consider a Virtual Shower 

Consider a Virtual Shower
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Unfortunately, many of our family members live across the country and couldn’t make it to my sister’s shower. To ensure they were included, we held a virtual baby shower as well as an in-person event. However, a virtual shower is a great alternative if you’re on a strict budget and can’t afford all the party trimmings. 
These baby shower invitations are designed for virtual events. You can customize them with your address so guests know where to send presents and include the link to your Zoom meeting space. You can still play games and open gifts at your virtual shower, allowing distant family and friends to come together and celebrate the arrival of your little one.

How to Make a Diaper Bouquet

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Having a baby can be expensive, especially when it comes to all of the diapers you need to buy.  In the first few months after baby comes home, you might change the baby’s diapers 10 to 12 times a day!  All of those diaper changes mean you’ll likely go through at least 2,000 diapers in the first year!  Some people try to help offset that cost for new parents by giving diapers at the baby shower.  One fun way to do that is to also make the diapers decorative.  If you’re hosting a baby shower and want a fun but practical centerpiece, here’s how to make a diaper bouquet.

Making the bouquet is not that expensive.  Plus, it’s practical and will be much appreciated by the mom to be.

How to Create a Diaper Bouquet

Supplies for the Diaper Bouquet

To make the bouquet, you’ll need the following supplies:

  • 12 Disposable Diapers,
  • 12 Skewers,
  • Tulle,
  • Rubber Bands
  • A Glass Vase
  • Ribbon for a Bow

You may also want the following additional supplies:

  • Tissue Paper,
  • Fabric such as a Receiving Blanket,
  • Small Baby Supplies like Pacifiers, Rattles, Baby Mitts, etc.

How to Make a Diaper Bouquet

There are a few simple steps to make the bouquet:

Step One – Make the Diaper Flower

Take the diaper and roll it into a tube.

Step Two – Add the Diaper Stem

While still holding the diaper roll in your hand, gently insert a skewer in the center.  Then, wrap a rubber band snuggly around the diaper roll, about one inch from the bottom where the skewer is inserted.  Repeat the process until all diapers are on a skewer.

Step Three – Fill the Vase

How to Create a Diaper Bouquet

Photo by Filip Kowalski on Unsplash

Decide what you want at the bottom of the vase.  Some people cover the outside of the vase with fabric (ideally a receiving blanket so the mom will also have that to reuse with baby) and a bow.  Then they don’t have to fill the inside of the vase with anything since it isn’t visible.

Other people fill the inside of the vase with tulle.

Still others fill the inside of the vase with baby items the new mom will need like pacifiers, rattles, etc.

Another idea would be to use clean, small rocks, especially if the diaper bouquet will be used in a baby shower as the centerpiece and you want it to be stable.  If you’re not sure which way you want to go, Etsy has plenty of sample bouquets you can get ideas from.

Step Four – Arrange the Diaper Flowers in the Vase

Put all of the skewered flowers carefully into the vase.

Step Five – Fill Out the Bouquet

Next, decide what you want to finish filling out the diaper flower bouquet.  Some people buy fake flowers in either pink or blue, depending on the sex of the baby, to arrange among the diaper flowers.  Some people also use fake greenery to add a pop of color.

Other people use tulle the color of the baby’s sex and weave it in and out of the diaper flowers to enlarge the diaper bouquet.  The choice is yours.

Final Thoughts

Diaper bouquets are the perfect center piece for the tables at a baby shower.  Not only are they adorable, but they’re also practical.  The mom-to-be will love to have the pretty decorations as well as a stash of diapers when the new baby arrives.

Read More

5 Free Printable Baby Shower Games,

How to Make the Most of Your Baby Registry

The Best (and Worst) Baby Shower Gifts

 

5 Homemade Baby Food Hacks

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If you're just getting started in the world of DIY baby food, here are some homemade baby food hacks that will help you get started.I once saw a hilarious depiction of the five types of moms you meet: The PTA mom, Parenting Expert, Crunchy Mom, Hipster Mom, and (my favorite) Hot Mess Mom (see the video below). Despite my best efforts, I identify with the Hot Mess Mom racing to the meeting with stains on her shirt and yesterday’s hairdo going in every direction – which is why you need to know these homemade baby food hacks I’m going to share AREN’T just for the uber-crunchy, hipster, always-put-together moms.

You and me, on our worst days, can pull these DIY hacks off, mama. I guarantee it.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOQViEZOwGk]

5 Homemade Baby Food Hacks

When my daughter was born in 2013, we were slightly broke. We let go of my full-time income and benefits after my transition to a part-time position, and our health insurance plan went through the roof.

My husband supported us while I supplemented our income doing childcare, consignment sales, and eventually, launched a career from home as a freelance writer. Throughout that journey, frugal living became a mandate in our home. When I began researching ways to cut costs with an infant, I realized even a “Hot Mess Mom” like me (which, I’m convinced we’re all a hot mess on any given day – which makes us fabulous) could start doing DIY hacks in my home.

Baby food was a huge win. Besides breastfeeding for a full year, making homemade baby food was probably the largest money saver we unearthed (cloth diapers are also a great way to save money – but we rented our home and didn’t want to ruin the landlord’s washing machine…).

Here are five ways you can hack your way into the homemade baby food scene:

1. Don’t rush.

I’m no pediatrician, so please don’t assume this will be the case for you, but when the doctor says to start feeding your child solids when she’s six months old, you may do well to wait. Babies have their own timeline, and as long as they’re receiving full meals via breast milk or formula, they have the nutrients they need before their first birthday. “Food before one is just for fun,” as they say.

You could save tons of money by simply following your baby’s lead instead of forcing her to eat solids too early. When my son spit out every morsel of baby food I offered at six months, I got the hint to chill out. He was in the 98th percentile for height and weight entirely from consuming breast milk and refused solids until he was 11 months old.

The doctor’s only concern after I explained my son’s lack of interest was that he continue learning his motor movements with a spoon or fork. So I gave him plastic ware to tinker with in his high chair during our meals, and he loved it.

Every baby is different, though. When my daughter turned six months old, she watched my plate of food like a shark. I introduced her to solids shortly after that and she devoured them, happily.

Don’t feel the pressure to force your baby to eat solids if he’s not digging it, yet.

2. Start with an easy “superfood.”

Making homemade baby food feels like a huge undertaking at first with cooking, pureeing, freezing, and labeling everything. It can, however, begin more simply.

Try some superfoods that are basically ready to eat, like a banana, avocado, or peach. You don’t have to start with peeling, gutting, and broiling a gigantic butternut squash (although, once you’ve gotten your feet wet, it’s extremely healthy for your baby and not as harrowing as it sounds!).

3. Introduce one new food at a time.

To avoid the risk of allergies, it’s wisest to only introduce your baby to one new food at a time. You may think Tiger needs more variety and that you aren’t being kind by feeding him any other solids except softened carrots, but he’s doing fine.

Babies’ taste buds are developing and each new flavor, no matter how bland, is a vibrant experience to them.

4. You don’t have to use the fancy, expensive equipment.

Sure, companies have produced the perfect gizmos for homemade baby food hacks, but you don’t have to have them. Go ahead and register for a brand new Ninja or Magic Bullet, as well as baby food freezer trays that come with a lid.

If, however, you don’t receive them or don’t have the money to buy them right now, your existing blender, some ice cube trays, tin foil and a Sharpie did the trick for me.

5. DIY when it makes sense.

I started to get pretty good at making all sorts of baby food, but I finally reached my limit when it came to snack pouches. If you browse your grocery store’s baby food aisle, you’ll find a huge selection of pouches that are often organic with two to four healthy ingredients in puree form. The pouch is designed to be mess-free, can be stored anywhere before it’s opened, and exposes children to healthy foods they might not otherwise eat. All for $1 to $2 each. With coupons, I can easily get each pouch for less

The pouch is designed to be mess-free, can be stored anywhere before it’s opened, and exposes children to healthy foods they might not otherwise eat. All for $1 to $2 each. With coupons, I can easily get each pouch for less then $1.50.

The thing is, you can do all of that from home if you want. You can buy reusable pouches that look extremely challenging to clean, as well as those unique ingredients like organic purple carrot or amaranth.

Then, you can cook and puree each one individually and fill your snack pouches with any combination you want.

I need a nap just from typing all of that. For a $1, it’s worth it for me to simply buy the snack pouch (sorry, environment).

Do the DIY thing when it makes sense. Don’t beat yourself up if your friend serves her family home-grown, organic rutabaga, kale and goat cheese for every meal. Start where you can and remember: Fed is best. Simple as that.

What are some homemade baby food hacks you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments below!

Image Credit: thesuccess (MorgueFile)

5 Ways to Save Money on Diapers Using Amazon

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If you're already a fan of online shopping, then here are some great ways to save money on diapers using Amazon.Every parent knows having a child drastically changes your finances. One of the largest expenses to enter the picture is diapers. It’s a fixed expense for the first three years of a child’s life, right? So, how can we save money on diapers?

The list is long. I wrote a post about this earlier called “How to Save Money on Diapers.” That would be a good place to head once you’re done here.

Since there was more to say after writing that first article, I decided to write a follow-up post specifically talking about Amazon.

5 Ways to Save Money on Diapers Using Amazon

I’m not saying you should only shop at Amazon for your diapers. I actually buy mostly off brand diapers in bulk at places like Target or Costco. That’s just how I do my shopping.

If you’re a pretty active online shopper looking to save money on diapers, then give these tips a try.

1. Subscribe & Save

No Prime membership required. All you do is sign up for Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program and choose from their selection of products. If there is something you need regularly, like paper towels or diapers, then subscribe. They’ll show up on your doorstep on the selected date saving you up to 15% off each time.

2. CamelCamelCamel.com

Want to know when diapers are at their lowest market price? Head over to CamelCamelCamel.com to find out. Enter the name of the product and look at its track record of the last year. That’ll help you determine when it’s best to shop next.

3. Price Tracker App

Do you prefer shopping on your mobile device? Save money on diapers by using the Price Tracker App. If you have Amazon’s store app already on your phone, then you have the Price Check feature within that app. That is a second method you could use to save money on your phone.

4. SnagShout.com

Find deep discounts on Amazon products on SnagShout.com. I first described SnagShout as a great resource when you’re searching for frugal Christmas gifts (read the full article here). But SnagShout can also be great for everyday items that aren’t quite as exciting but cost just as much green stuff in your wallet.

A.K.A. diapers.

Up until October 2016, SnagShout users were required to leave a review on Amazon in exchange for receiving the deep discounts on products. However, the policy was revised to reflect Amazon’s choice to make it illegal to require anyone to leave a review.

So, now you simply need to check out SnagShout’s merchandise, find the kids & baby section and see if there are any cloth diapers or nursing covers or other gems up for grabs.

5. Register for an Amazon baby registry.

If you’re having a baby shower, then consider registering on Amazon. Some perks include: free 90-day returns, millions of products from which to choose, 15% off Completion Discount on eligible items for Prime members.

Plus, people have the option of giving Amazon gift cards. Combine those with the 15% off through Subscribe & Save and you’ll get a bunch of diapers for not a bunch of money.

Have you ever tried to save money on diapers online? What’s one thing that worked for you?

Image Credit: Janko Ferlic (UnSplash)

How to Make the Most of Your Baby Registry

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Ideas for what to list on your baby shower registryOne of the most exciting things about having a new baby is preparing for their arrival. Suddenly, you have to prepare your home, as well as yourself and for family, for an extra person. The best tool that new parents have at their disposal is the baby registry.

Whether you have been looking forward to this moment since childhood or find it a tacky practice, a baby registry is an excellent way to get the things you need. People want to give you gifts, whether you like it or not. Think of a baby registry as if all the people who will buy you gifts got together and decided to get things that matched, things you wanted, and just enough of what you need.

A baby registry can be a lot of fun, but if you fill it with impractical things, you will get less of what you actually need. Here are some tips to make the most of your baby registry:

Figure out what you’ll actually need

There are lots of adorable and completely impractical things for sale in the baby aisle. These are things that you and your partner can buy the baby yourselves.

Furniture

You will need a place for the baby to sleep, for example. Don’t forget crib sheets and bumper sets. You will also need a car seat (you often can’t leave the hospital without one) and a safe place to set down your baby during the day.

Clothing

Only register for the bare minimum. Some people will not buy off of your registry. Those people will buy you clothes. If you register for as many clothes as you’ll actually need, you’ll end up with a lot more than you need.

Diapers

This includes wipes, diaper cream and other diapering aides. Decide on a brand, and register for a couple bags of each size.

Food

Whether you plan to breast feed or to bottle feed, you will need some stuff. Bottles, nipples and formula are basic for bottle-feeding, and breast feedings moms might need a pump and storage containers. Once the baby is used to eating solids, Hipp baby food and similar products are also something to look out for.

Start Researching Early

You’ll want to have your baby shower a month or longer before you are due. You’ll want to give your guests at least four weeks to buy a gift. And it might take you a month to decide on all the brands you want. So you should start this process as early into your pregnancy as possible.

When deciding on what store to register at, there are several things to keep in mind. You want a store that is accessible not only to you but to your loved ones as well. Online shopping is handy as well. A large chain store might be your best bet if your family is spread out.

Talk to Other People

Ask for suggestions

A pregnant woman is inundated with “helpful” tips by nearly every other woman on the planet. It becomes hard to keep track of who suggested what, but try to steer these conversations towards what you should register for. Fellow moms will help you remember the little things that you might not realize you need: like a bottle brush or gas relief medication.

Tell People

The whole purpose of having a registry is to tell people what you need for the baby. So you have to make sure you tell the people where it is! Have family and friends spread the word for you, post it on social media networks, and add the information to your baby shower invites.