I recently hosted a baby shower for my friend and came up with some creative and inexpensive ideas for baby shower favors. Throwing a baby shower is really fun and can be a great time to get those creative juices flowing. But, if you're like most people, you probably have a limited budget. I definitely had limited resources but didn't want the baby shower to reflect that.
One of the ways I saved big was by making my own baby shower favors. When I looked at different options for favors I could purchase, the cost added up quickly. Most items I liked cost around two dollars per person. With twenty guests that's about forty dollars just on favors. I would rather spend that money on a gift for the baby. With the help of friends and family, here are some of the ideas we came up with:
1. Scented bath salts - There are lots of easy recipes online for making bath salts. You only need a few ingredients which are usually: Epsom salt, baking soda (optional), and scented oil (found at health food stores). You just have to mix these ingredients together and you are set.
2. Fizzy bath bombs - These are a little different than bath salts and less common. When put in a bath, the ingredients react to each other and fizz up in the bath. It makes bath time a little more special. It asks for a couple more ingredients than bath salts, but is also very easy to make. With a simple search online, you will be able to find some easy recipes.
3. Candy and chocolates - This super simple gift can be customized to match the party's theme. If you decide on candy bars, make it more unique with a custom-made wrapper. This is as simple as printing a design off your computer and wrapping it around the candy bar.
4. Pregnancy picture of the honored mom - If the mom gets pregnancy pictures taken prior to the event, it would be nice to give each guest a wallet sized picture. Since most of the guests will be friends and family, this will be very special. You could also put it in a magnetic picture frame so that it can be displayed proudly on their refrigerators.
5. Homemade cookies with recipe - This one is always a crowd pleaser and easy to do. If you have a favorite cookie recipe, now is your time to use it.
6. Packet of seeds with a tiny flower pot - For spring baby showers this would make a really cute favor. You don't have to go so far as to put potting soil in, and you can avoid a lot of mess and extra hassle by letting the guests do that in their own home. If you want to personalize the flower pots, you can use acrylic paint to paint words such as "love", "happiness", "joy", or whatever comes to your mind.
Favors are usually very simple, but when you present them in a unique way it will make them more special. For example, if I was giving out little candies, I would wrap them in tulle using a color-coordinated ribbon to tie them up. To package my bath salts, I used a clear plastic bag tied off with a ribbon. Then I placed a sprig of lavender under the ribbon. If you don't mind spending a little more money, you can be more creative with the containers by using cheap baby bottles, baby food jars or a decorative box.
I would also recommend attaching a small thank-you not to each favor. It doesn't have to be long; one or two sentences are fine. Print them on colored paper to add some character and you're set. Whatever you decide to do for baby shower favors, don't be afraid to use your creativity.
