Getting Real With Shadra Bruce
Throwing a fantastic baby shower can quickly get expensive if you’re not careful. Don’t trick yourself into thinking that the event is all about how much you spend on it. It’s all about celebrating your friends and family and, of course, the baby on the way. If you want to throw a great shower that everyone can enjoy— and won’t break the bank— try hosting an afternoon fete. Your food service can be limited to scrumptious snacks instead of serving a meal and you can eschew alcohol. Since the mom-to-be can’t drink, it makes sense to keep the party dry.
If your focus is on the mom-to-be (as it should be), consider that the later she is in her pregnancy, the more uncomfortable she might be. Hosting an afternoon party, starting between 1 and 3 p.m., will keep the festivities from lasting too long. The last thing you want to do is make a party feel more like an obligation. Start by planning games and favors. You can get great deals on Party Pail baby shower favors and have them chosen and delivered well in advance of the party. Postcards can make adorable invitations and are cheaper both to buy and to mail. Mockup a menu and check with the lady of honor. Be sure she’s not sensitive to certain smells or foods before you include them. You don’t have to publish the menu, but you do need to indicate what guests can expect.
For an afternoon party, you have a great freedom of choice when it comes to refreshments. Light hors d’oeuvres, delicious desserts and refreshing mock-tails are perfect (and inexpensive) options that are sure to please even the toughest critics. If you don’t have fine china serving ware, ask around. Plenty of your friends or family are sure to have upscale service items that they rarely use and will likely loan to you. Beautiful presentation can make the most frugal spread feel luxurious, and it only costs you a little bit of time and ingenuity.
For some inexpensive menu items that will look good, be easy to prepare, easy to eat and taste great look no further. Here’s a few of our favorites:
Beverages
Hot tea, either brewed by the pot or an offering of tea bags, is both frugal and fancy. Be sure to have a low caffeine or no caffeine option ready for the lady of honor and any other pregnant or nursing guests.
Be sure to have water on hand as well. A great way to add some flair is to infuse water with some cut fruit. Citrus fruits work especially well and make for a beautiful presentation and great taste.
Mock-tails, like this Berry Spritzer, are fun, delicious and refreshing. Who needs wine when you’re sipping on something so delicious?
Food
Be sure to choose food items that can be made at least a few hours, if not a day or two, in advance. If you’re not tremendously confident in the kitchen, you’ll want to limit yourself to one complicated recipe at most. Be sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare items and don’t try to juggle making too many dishes at once! If you’re attempting anything ambitious, have a backup plan. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do, you’ll still have a successful party on your hands.
Apple crisps or tarts are great and simple treats that you can make year-round. Shortbread cookies pair well with hot beverages. You can also dip them in chocolate to make something store-bought seem homemade. Fruits and vegetable trays are simple and inexpensive— especially when you prepare them yourself. If strawberries are in season, try making these fabulous cream filled strawberries from the Joy of Baking. They’re simple and show stopping.
Have you hosted a baby shower on a budget recently? What dishes worked for you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
