Baby Showers Don't Have to be Expensive

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Everyone loves a good party! And a baby shower is another excuse to throw a big party. Though with the economy in a downturn, there are people who are worried about having a fun shower without breaking the bank. So I've been thinking of some great tips for a budget baby shower, that doesn't look so budget tight. What else would you add to the list?

Baby showers are a right of passage in pregnancy. They can be a great source of fun, too. The problem is that so many people have started to believe that a baby shower needs to cost a lot of money. The truth is that baby showers are designed to celebrate the pregnant mom-to-be and her baby. It's a gathering of friends and family to show support. Here are some ideas to have a great shower - without breaking the bank!

1. Reuse Decorations
   If you happen to have some decorations saved from another shower, reuse them! Or pull out some strings of Christmas lights and hang them around the party room - they spice up any occasion. You can also use baby items as decorations, either yours or some from friends. Think kid books, baby bath lotions, stuffed animals, etc. These small things can really help set the tone and don't have to be overpowering to be effective.
2. Eat off plates.
   I know it sounds crazy, but consider using your real plates instead of disposable plates. If you have a set of nice dishes, pull those out. If the thought of doing dishes really turns you off consider budget paper plates. That would be colored paper plates that don't have specific baby shower themes. You can find these at the grocery, discount party stores and even the dollar store.
3. Buy in bulk.
   For food consider going to your local bulk food store. Here you can get a large selection for less. Think a huge bag of veggies and dip for appetizers. Many also have bags of candy or nuts to set out for munchies. My personal favorite is in the freezer aisle: frozen mini cream puffs and eclairs. Either way buying in bulk is likely to save you money.
4. Bake the cake!
   Baking a cake doesn't have to be difficult. You can simply bake a long sheet cake in your own oven. Once it's frosted you can add some pre-made designed pieces of candy (like you'd purchase for a kid's birthday) or go for a simple style. For simple yet elegant, you can also make cupcakes. A nice cupcake sprinkled with colored sugar is very attractive. You can even arrange these in decorative format, like spelling out the word baby in cupcakes as a center piece.
5. Guest Gifts for Party Games
   It's nice to give small gifts to the winners of baby shower games. These don't have to break the budget at all. Consider getting them at the dollar store. Even when you purchase gift bags and tissue, you're only spending $7 plus tax. You can even skip the gift bags and simply use the tissue paper and some old string or ribbon from your home. Dollar stores typically have some candles, nice bath stuff or picture frames.
6. Baby gifts on a budget.
   If you'd like to give the mother-to-be something beyond the baby shower, which is a present in and of itself, consider inexpensive options. Coupons for babysitting, a gift basket of baby goodies from the dollar store, the promise of a meal after the baby arrives - these are all good ideas for budget baby shower gifts.
7. Save money on the invitations.
   Consider using a service like Evite to send electronic invitations to your guests who have email. This saves on postage as well as the actual invitation an time. It's also a handy way to manage your guest list. What if someone doesn't have email? Drop them a nice note in the mail with a printed version of the online invitation and a note to call in their RSVP. 

 Baby Shower Gifts at Amazon:

   

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Lesbians can enjoy Baby Showers Too

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I don't think it's going to come as a surprise to anyone that lesbians don't experience too many unplanned pregnancies.  As such, might I recommend that you women take a page from my first friend set of expectant moms and plan to have your final trimester fall during the Super Bowl.

Lesbians can find all sorts of reasons to miss a baby shower.  "I am in the first 6 months of a relationship," or "I am cleaning the grout in my bathroom this weekend," or "I have a softball game."  However, lesbians don't miss the Super Bowl.  Even bad lesbians like me who thought Tim Tebow was in the Super Bowl.  oops.

We knew this baby was coming, but when someone mentioned the words, "baby shower," we all kind of recoiled like someone had told us we had to go in for colonoscopies.  I know nothing about prams, strollers, breast pumps, or the difference between a 2 month old and an 18 month old, really.  In fact, at one point during the party, I leaned over to someone and said, "Do babies sleep on their sides, backs, or stomachs now?"  I also told the story of how when I was 11, I accidentally threw a young child into a moving ceiling fan.  I was tossing him up and catching him like you see parents do, but failed to account for the low ceilings.  Whatever, I was 11.  And the kid was totally fine.  Nonetheless, the sharing of this childhood story immediately exempted me from babysitting duty.  Phew!  Only supervised visits for Aunt Katherine.

In the shower planning emails, it was also made abundantly clear that we would not be playing the usual cutesy games that the ladies do at showers...like eating mashed up chocolate out of a diaper and saying, "ooooh!  Baby made a stinky!"  So our game and entertainment captains, Bobbi and Flo, set to work scouring the internet for baby shower games for men, loosely interpreted to mean 'lesbians.'  I assure you it was a rollicking good time, but I will let you judge for yourself.  We are coming of age as parents, my friends.  Learn from this, and reproduce what we have created here.  Brilliance.

Unique Gifts for the Mom-to-be

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Unique Gifts for the Mom-to-be

Large Department Stores gift registries are where most people go to purchase baby shower presents, but family and friends may prefer to give a unique baby present to the mum-to-be that is not found in a registry. Even better is the unique shower gift that would be a special treat the new mum might not buy herself.

If the search for a perfect shower gift has become impossible, here are some of the most unusual and best presents ideas.

Maid Service or Cleaning Service Makes a Great Unusual Baby Shower Gift

When the new bundle of joy arrives, who has any time to clean the house? Nearly all cleaning services will provide a one-time cleaning for the new mum that would be a brilliant help to her. If paying for maid service or house cleaning is too expensive, consider having friends and family provide maid service for the first month as part of a joint shower gift.

Catering or a Personal Chef for the First few weeks Can Be a Help to the New mum

Cooking healthy meals becomes another impossible task with a newborn. Some caterers will deliver one or more meals for the new family after junior comes and this would be a great unusual shower present for that special mum-to-be. If money is tight, why not be the organizer and have friends and family sign up to bring meals to the family for the first weeks after junior arrives? Be sure to check with the new mum to see if there are any food allergies in the family.

A Unique Gift for a Baby Shower is to Hire a Birth Doula

Birth doulas are an unusual but marvelous shower surprise for an expectant mother who would not be able to afford one on her own or as a special treat. Doulas provide information and support to the expectant parents before, during and after birth. Various studies show the benefit of using a doula and surveys of new mothers indicate that the doula is usually the most valued member of the birthing team. Fees for doula services vary, often by area and experience level.

Why Not Pay for a Lactation Consultation for the Breastfeeding Mom?

Moms who plan to breastfeed rarely get off to nursing without having a few questions or concerns. A unusual shower present for an expectant mother is to pay for a breastfeeding consultation. The best time to arrange for a consultation is usually in the first week or two after the birth. Fees for a certified lactation consultant also range.

Arranging for a Postpartum Doula is a Unique Baby Shower Gift

Another can't live without helper for the mother-to-be after baby comes is the postpartum doula. In addition to breastfeeding help, postpartum doulas often provide assistance with baby care, household organization and may even assist with the care of junior at night. Postpartum doulas often charge by the hour and fees can range depending on the services provided.

What about a Day at the Spa for the New Mum?

A special treat for the new mother that she probably won't think to give herself is a day at the spa. She will enjoy a facial or a pedicure/manicure combination. A massage would be another much-appreciated and unique way to make the mom's baby shower unique. Most spas will offer gift certificates for all of their services so that mom-to-be can schedule her appointment when it is most convenient.

Baby shower presents do not have to be boring. Why not give the new mum a unique gift that will make her feel special and loved?


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