Pregnancy is one of life’s greatest joys, not just for the parents but for everyone involved. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and close family friends all want to share in the joy of bringing a new life into the world. One of the best ways to do this is by throwing a memorable baby shower for the momma-to-be. However, this is easier said than done.
You have to plan the event, create a guest list, and, most importantly, pick a venue. Sure, you can absolutely do things old school and have the baby shower in your home. But why not try something fun? There are so many creative ideas for places to have a baby shower, you and your guests will never forget!
How Much Does a Babyshower Cost?
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Before you go out scouting for a good venue, you need to figure out your budget first. Overall, when hosting a baby shower, most people will spend anywhere between $100‒$1,000. But keep in mind that the exact amount hinges on several factors.
1. Venue
The first thing you have to look at when planning a baby shower budget is your venue. If you want to organize an at-home party or a gathering at your friends’ house, then your venue is free. But if your goal is to impress the mom-to-be and the guests, then you will want to rent.
Most community spaces cost anywhere between $100‒$200 to rent, depending on their size and the amount of time you’re looking to rent them for.
2. Decorations
Decorations shouldn’t cost you much, especially if you go for a more minimalist look for the party. However, depending on the number of guests, you’ll still be looking at anywhere between $30‒$200 for table covers, balloons, party favors, games, etc.
3. The Number of Guests
The number of invitees is what will ultimately determine how much your shower ends up costing. The more people you invite, the more money you’ll have to spend on decorations, food, and a big venue to host them all. If the expecting mom has a big family, and your budget can handle them all, go for it.
However, if you can’t afford to splurge, you can still share the joys of the future momma’s pregnancy with an intimate circle of her closest family and friends.
4. Party Favors and Game Prizes
Traditionally, baby showers involve party favors and prizes guests can win if they participate in the party games. The kind of games and favors you pick will determine how much money you’ll spend.
For example, if you go with something simple like a box of chocolates or a funny hat, then you’ll be looking at no more than $5‒$10 per person. However, if you decide to up the ante with some picture frames, custom tea, or coffee kits, you’re looking at $10‒$30 per person.
5. The Food You Serve
When it comes to food, two things determine how much money you’ll spend. One is, as mentioned, the number of guests you invite. The second, and arguably more important factor, is the type of food.
Most people serve cheese and crackers, finger sandwiches, and fruit platters at baby showers which usually cost no more than $5‒$10 per person. Yet if you’re fishing for some quality smoked salmon canapes and shrimp cocktails, be prepared to shell out $30‒$50 per guest.
Who Typically Pays for a Baby Shower?
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All these mounting costs may make you wonder—who pays for the baby shower? The answer is that it depends.
A lot of mommas-to-be don’t like the idea of someone else hosting their baby shower, no matter how much they trust them. Therefore, it has become increasingly more popular for moms to host their own baby shower.
This can be a fantastic option, since it gives them total control over how the event will turn out. However, it does have a few downsides, namely the stress and cost of planning a large party. Therefore, it’s much more common for expecting moms to let family or friends organize the party for them.
Traditionally, the person who offered to throw the party will be the one who covers the expenses. This is a lovely gesture since it spares the new mom the work and stress involved in party planning. Plus, it’s also a great way to show how much you love and appreciate her and her little miracle.
16 Places to Have a Babyshower
Alright, so the future momma put you in charge of her baby shower. You’ve already figured out the basics, like budget, a guest list, the party favors, and a food menu. All that’s missing is a venue to host this magical event. Lucky for you, there is no shortage of places to choose from!
Depending on the new mom’s preferences, you can go with either a free place or a venue you can rent. Both options are a good idea, regardless of what your budget looks like.
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Free Places
If money is currently tight, then you’ll want to cut back on spending by going with a free venue. This is always a smart choice. All the money you save can go into paying for the food, the decorations, and the party favors that are going to make this event into something the new momma will remember!
However, don’t think that free means boring. There are plenty of creative places to have a baby shower.
1. At Home
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Alright, hosting a baby shower in your home isn’t exactly new or innovative. However, there’s a reason so many people do it—it just works! For one, it’s much easier to plan. Since it’s your house, you can do whatever you want to make it party-ready.
For example, if the new momma is a fan of honey, you can organize a cute Momma-to-Bee baby shower theme. Fill your house with bee and honey-themed decorations, appetizers, and gifts to make her experience all the sweeter.
However, if the future momma is a sci-fi movie buff, you can always transform your house into a spaceship. Think hanging stars, lots of glitter, metallic gray tablecloths, and cookies shaped like aliens or flying saucers. There truly is no limit to what you can do in the comfort of your home!
2. At Another Friend’s or Relative’s House
If your home is short on space, then one of the best places to have a baby shower is another friend’s or relative’s house. Consult with the future mom’s loved ones to see if any of them would be willing to let you use their home to host the party. If you’re planning a large event, then it may be best to approach people with homes big enough to accommodate everyone.
Just like hosting the party in your home, hosting it at someone else’s gives you a reasonable amount of freedom when it comes to the theme and decorations. The difference is that you’ll have an extra pair of hands to help you along!
3. Online
The recent pandemic has completely changed how people interact, including how they host parties. Since social distancing rules meant large gatherings were off the table, a lot of people hosted their baby showers online. While you may raise your eyebrows at this, an online baby shower has a lot of potentials.
For one, you get to save a ton of money on decorations and food. You can set up an online baby registry, so guests can buy gifts for the momma-to-be and watch her open them on stream. You can also play a whole host of fun games while you’re on a call together. Truth be told, this isn’t exactly the most exciting way to share such an important life event. However, given the circumstances, it’s still a good option.
4. Come and Go Baby Shower
A come-and-go baby shower doesn’t technically refer to a venue. Rather it refers to how you’ll organize the party itself. For example, most people host come-and-go baby showers in their homes, or a friend or relative’s house. Instead of having many people come at the same time, guests can drop in, stay for a while, and then leave.
Organizing the shower like this is perfect if you have a smaller living space. Moreover, it’s also a good alternative to an online baby shower, if you’re worried about Covid restriction. However, keep in mind that people constantly coming and going means there won’t be much time for socializing or party games.
5. The Local Park
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Is the momma-to-be an outdoorsy type? Then why not take advantage of her love of nature with a baby shower at your local park! It’s a beautiful, healthy, and totally free venue for a spring or summer-time party!
What’s more, it’s an excellent option if you’re inviting kids to the gathering since they’ll have plenty of room to play. Simply grab a blanket, some good food, and enjoy a nice picnic on the grass, while laughter and happiness surround you. However, be sure to alert your city about the event, since an upfront notice may be required for hosting parties in public spaces.
6. A Garden
So the future mom is a nature lover. However, she doesn’t want her party to be in a public space. In that case, you can’t go wrong with a nice backyard or private garden. Think about it—you get all the benefits of a beautiful setting without having to worry about strangers crashing your event. If your own home doesn’t have a garden, you can always ask a friend or family member to let you use theirs for a day.
7. The Beach
So the mom-to-be is a nature lover, but a party at the park doesn’t sound good to her at the moment. Maybe what she’s craving is a nice, tropical outing at the beach. In that case, grab some beach towels, sunscreen, and head down to the shore.
If you don’t feel like getting sand everywhere, you can either bring some chairs and tables or rent them on the spot. However, just like with the park, you should first check whether your local authorities allow parties on the beach.
8. A Church
Is the mom-to-be a spiritual person? If the answer is yes, then her church is hands down one of the best places to host a baby shower. It has plenty of space for a large group of people and an excellent atmosphere for such a blessed event.
For the most part, churches are usually free to use if you’re a member. However, if you aren’t, then you’ll most likely have to talk to the church head about renting space there.
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Places to Rent
Alright, so you have some extra money saved on the side, and you decided to splurge it on a venue for your friend’s special event! In that case, you’ll be delighted to hear that there are so many beautiful places you can rent to make this party into the magical affair you want it to be.
However, keep in mind that if you want to rent a place, you will have to do so in advance. If we’re talking about a large gathering, then you should be booking a month or two in advance. Even if the party ends up being small, you will still need to reserve a table ahead of time, to make sure everything goes smoothly.
1. A Restaurant
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What’s the most obvious place to host a party? A restaurant, of course! It’s one of the easiest places to have a baby shower, especially if you don’t want to stress about the food or the decorations.
Simply choose the future momma’s favorite locale and get to booking. If you’re having a small-get-together, then one large table should be enough. However, if you had something bigger in mind, most restaurants have a large banquet hall you can rent for the day at fairly affordable prices.
2. A Reception Venue
If your baby shower theme is extra fancy, then a simple restaurant won’t cut it. In that case, you may want to consider renting a reception venue. These places are designed to host large weddings. Consequently, they come fully equipped with all the necessary amenities for your baby shower as well. It’s the ultimate way to save money on decorations, while still hosting an event to remember!
3. Hotel
One of the problems that frequently crops up when hosting baby showers is what to do with guests who are coming from out of town. Many of them will need accommodations if their drive back home is very long. One of the best ways to resolve this is to host the baby shower at a hotel.
Firstly, most hotels have large banquet halls that are perfect for large parties. Not only that, but they have rooms where out-of-town guests can spend the night.
4. Country Club
Alright, now we’re getting to the really good stuff. Country clubs are one of the fanciest places to have a baby shower. They have a luxurious atmosphere, they’re impeccably decorated, and come with a whole host of other perks like catering or a bar. Sometimes, they’ll even give guests access to a golf course!
The only downside of country club baby showers is the price tag. This venue can cost between $200‒$500 to rent. That is a pretty hefty amount. However, if you have money to burn, you might as well use it for something wonderful.
5. Tea Room
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If your budget can’t handle a country club, but you still want the baby shower to be high-end, consider renting a tea room. Tea houses strike the perfect balance between quaint, cozy, and fancy, which is ideal if you’re hosting an intimate baby shower. And the best part is, you can take advantage of all the healthy drinks and finger foods they have to offer while you celebrate.
6. Museum
The previous entries are nice, but they still lack that uniqueness you’re looking for in your baby shower. In that case, why not choose a museum as your party venue? Just imagine being surrounded by incredible art pieces while you, the guests, and the future mom have a blast trading gifts and discussing possible baby names.
However, be sure to check if the museum is available to rent. Also, ask them if they’re able to provide the chairs, tables, and other necessary amenities for your party.
7. Library
Maybe the mom-to-be isn’t a big fan of art. Maybe her passion is the written word. If that’s the case, can you think of a better venue than your local library? Libraries are one of the most unique places to have a baby shower.
They have a calm, intimate ambiance which is perfect for the future mom to destress and enjoy a smaller gathering. Not only that, but many old libraries have some stunning architecture, like wooden door frames and intricate stonework. Can you think of a more welcoming space for such a happy event?
8. A Farm
When you think of baby showers, the last thing that comes to mind is a farm. However, you’d be surprised to learn that farms make one of the best party venues you can rent. First, they have a lot of space, which is ideal if your gathering includes a lot of people.
Secondly, they give you access to an indoor and outdoor space, as well as lots of animals. If your guests are bringing their kids along, then the little ones will have plenty of entertainment to keep them occupied while the adults socialize.
Lastly, there’s the ambiance. A classic red barn immediately evokes warm images of close-knit families, which is exactly the kind of atmosphere you need for a baby shower.
