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Baby
Shower On a Budget |
by:
Cathy
Cripps |
ON
A BUDGET
Just because people are on a tight budget
does not mean the baby
shower cannot be fun. For this, the
guests would all be asked to pick up unique
gifts from thrift stores, garage sales,
antique stores, estate sales, or consignment
shops. 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. 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.
©2004 Babyshowermoments.com,
All rights Reserved
About the Author
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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