There seems to be this span of years in your life when every time you turn around, one of your friends is either getting engaged or having a baby. Speaking from someone who is deep in the trenches of this, it can get expensive FAST. Just in the month of February, I’ve helped host two baby showers and one wedding shower. So, here are some of the best tips on how to cut corners without showing it that I've earned.

The Location

Sometimes, it seems like we don’t have a house big enough for a shower. When determining location, you just have to go with what you have. There’s usually no need for renting a big space, especially if you’re having a drop in shower. People expect to not be all in one place at the same time, so use what you have and try to have extra seating available. Just make sure your guest of honor has a place to sit and you’re good to go!

Bridal Shower Food Ideas

For our shower, we did a simple brunch. We were expecting around 30 people so we planned food accordingly. Each person brought enough food to feed 15 people. We had homemade cinnamon rolls, breakfast casserole, fruit and powdered, chocolate and glazed mini donuts. The donuts were a favorite of the mommy to be and were one of her big cravings, so we added those for a personal touch. We had punch and water to drink and we were done! I would suggest looking in your pantry and refrigerator to see what you have. I made homemade cinnamon rolls and ended up having everything I needed on hand, except cream cheese. You would be surprised what you can make at home to save money! Plus, they were delicious.

What's a Hostess Gift?

Shockingly, the Millennial generation has rarely heard of a hostess gift. Each time I host a shower with friends my age, I suggest a hostess gift and no one has any idea what it is. A hostess gift is a gift where all the hosts go in together and combine money to get the guest of honor a bigger, better or more expensive gift than what they could do alone. For example, for this recent shower, the hostesses went in together and got the mommy a mattress for her baby’s crib. The hostess gift also takes some of the burden off those throwing the showers, who are already investing money into the shower.

Here are a few other tips that will help you throw a more budget friendly shower:

• Decorations – Blend tissue paper flowers with real flowers. Choose flowers that are full such as hydrangeas and baby’s breath. One small arrangement in a bowl or a vase on the food table can be beautifully simple! See our tutorial on How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers.
• Continue reading "Baby Shower on a Dime" »