Throwing showers on a budget???

[ferrytale]

I have 2 showers I am helping to plan...and am having a hard time trying to find a place for them. The problem is that all of us chipping in do not have a lot of extra $$ to put out, and between finding a place to hold it, food, favors, decorations, etc, things add up.
There are a couple of nice places that I have been too that are free or only require a deposit you get back at the end, BUT require you to live in those communities - and none of us do.
Some of the halls are SO expensive to rent, and unfortunately, I have the biggest house but it will be way to cramped.
I just need a large room with tables & chairs, nothing fancy, just clean and allows decorations and food to be brought in...is that too much to ask?
Anyone have any inexpensive ideas??? One is bridal, one is baby, the baby shower it will definitely be too cold to have outside.

 

[zarvgirl]

What about a church Hall?

 

[Bren's Mom]

Knights of Columbus/Elks/Moose Lodges/VFW halls...those places are generally inexpensive to rent. If either can be outside look for pavilions to rent at a state or local park.

 

[micheleq]

A few years ago, I threw a friend a baby shower (no one in her family one either side wanted to) and we had a small gathering at my house of just friends (12-15 women). We had a "just desserts" party, so the food cost was minimal.

Good luck. Don't be afraid to tell the bride-to-be or mom-to-be if your budget is restricted. I doubt that anyone would want you to go into debt for their shower. If you have to trim the guest lists to accomodate someone's house, then so be it. People need to understand these things, and good friends/family members do understand.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I did my sister in law's baby shower this past april, and for decorations I got onsies and put the babies name on an hug as a banner, made a diaper cake as a center piece for the room, and made the cake to be a center piece for the food table. For other little things I had pink kisses that i got from the card store and made pink chocolates from molds you can get at craft store for a couple dollars. For foods we had chips and dip, veggie tray, chocolate dipped strawberries, and nuts. For drinks we had punch, tea, water, and coffee. My favorite part was using the my gifts to her as decorations. I'll see if I can find the pictures and I'll post them for you. As far as location, what about a resturant that has a banquet room, or a church fellowship hall. I know our church doesn't charge anything you just have to a member of the church be the host.

 

[bettymae1121]

I'm at an age where all of my friends are popping out babies, I have at least two showers a year for the past few years. With one exception, all of them have been in the mother-to-be's home (the exception was a friend who's condo complex had a party room residents could "rent" for the day free of charge).

Even though some of the homes were small, we made it work. When the first babies started coming in my circle of friends, we decided that it was easier to have the showers in the mother's home, so that she wouldn't have to lug all the presents home after the party!!! And of course, there is no rental fee. A few catered trays of pasta, a cake, and some veggie trays complete the food, soda and water for drinks, a few party favors and we're good to go! The mother-to-be's friends/relatives still "host" the party and are still in charge of everything, so the guest of honor can still rest and relax, and a few friends stay behind after to party to help with clean up.

 

[Justsyd2]

Your local community center should have inexpensive rooms to rent out. I wouldn't skimp on the food, favors, or cake, but you should be able to save on the room rental!

 

[virginiamama]

My favorite shower was held for me at my Mom's home (aka the Grandma) and soup, salad, and ham biscuits were served, along with cake. Two of the hostesses made the pots of soup, so that was their contribution. Another host brought the salad, someone else brought the ham biscuits, and someone else brought the cake. We used baby blankets to decorate the food and gift tables. So simple and nobody has to be totally stressed out or take on the whole event.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

As someone suggested many churches will let you use rooms for free. I would start there. As someone else said, have it at your home. Yes it will be crowded. Put in as many chairs as possible. Everyone does not need to sit down.

Re-think your idea of what a shower is. YOU determine the food. It does not have to be a meal. Women love desserts. State on the invitation it is for dessert and coffee. (Just so no one shows up starving.)

When someone says, "Can I bring something?" Say YES! Write down the dessert they will bring.

Decorations can be a total waste of time and money with the majority of stuff being tossed at the end. Balloons are cute and low in cost. Tie them to little packages wrapped in baby paper and call it a day.

Games. IF, and only IF you want to do these, do them. NO prizes are needed. NONE! No one needs any extra little "junkers" to toss away or sit on a shelf.... IF you feel the need for prizes give candy bars or chocolate kisses tied up with blue and pink ribbon.

Favors. Again, please NO. We do not need these!

If someone insists on anything, be it a specific decoration, food.... say, "That would be lovely, how about if YOU take care of that."

Do not say, "We can't afford that," or "That's not in our budget." Instead say, "Our family has $50 we can put towards this shower." Be firm. IF the prices start to go up, because someone else wants to add things add loudly, "Oh that sounds lovely, but really we can only put $50 towards the shower. I wouldn't want YOU to pay all that extra money."

 

[MSSANDRA]

We always use the church. VERY low cost to free. If you need to do it at home do a drop in. Less people at one time.

Keep decorations very simple. Use the food table as your focus. A pretty cake or fruit tray make fine decorations.

Keep food cost down by keeping it SIMPLE. Cake, mints, nuts, pickles, and punch are fine.

I agree to set your budget limit and stick too it. VERY easy to go way overboard.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I like the park idea if the weather is nice. You mentioned that you found some places, but that you have to be a resident of the community- is there a way that you can have the mom-to-be or grandma-to-be have their name as the "renter"? Maybe you already tried that.

I agree to the idea of when people offer to bring something be ready to go with what they can help you with. And make simple things like a large salad (chinese chicken salad or something that you can make in bulk), and then just have finger foods/fruit and simple cupcakes or something.

I took Sandra Lee's idea (host on food network) and did a baby shower where I covered the tables with cheap fabric I found instead of buying/renting tablecloths. Also ask your friends/neighbors/family if they have any decorations from showers they have thrown- recycling is great and they will never know!

 

[mjkacmom]

We always use the church. VERY low cost to free. If you need to do it at home do a drop in. Less people at one time.

Keep decorations very simple. Use the food table as your focus. A pretty cake or fruit tray make fine decorations.

Keep food cost down by keeping it SIMPLE. Cake, mints, nuts, pickles, and punch are fine.

I agree to set your budget limit and stick too it. VERY easy to go way overboard.

It depends upon where the OP lives. I understand that food like this would be fine in the south, but here in the NYC metro area, it would be weird. We never serve mints and nuts, and pickles are for bbq's. We also don't serve punch.

Even though I live in NJ, I requested simple showers at my parents' house, with salads, catered sandwiches, some quiche, finger food (most showers here are at restaurants, with full meals served).

 

[tommya60]

I threw a shower for a friends daughter this past August, I did a tea--so desserts, appetizers, punch and water. And I did it in our home, so no rental fees. Everyone had a great time, younger guests sat on the floor, no problems.

By the way, Target is having a baby clearance, and there are coupons on their website for Gerber in case you want onesies or sleepers.