Baby Shower Place/cost...

My cousin threw my shower and she had it at another friend of mines house, because it was big enough to hold a party... I would ask her where she wants to have it, and if she knew of someone she is close enough to that has a big enough house... My friend whose house it was at didn't have to do much, although she did do some decorations cause she likes that thing, so there was no cost to her, my cousin did the made some snacks(very cheap) and we had homemade mini cupcakes that were decorated in appropriate colors...all cheap things....I wouldn't have expected her to rent a place and pay for it....

Do you already have a guest list? Is it friend-only, or family, too?

I had told a college friend that I would love to have a baby shower for her whenever she got pregnant, and right after she found out she was expecting one of her very good high school friends immediately volunteered to do the shower. However, she was awesome enough to recruit me to help along with my friends' sister (it was a friend/family shower), so we were all able to help out proportionately. There is nothing wrong with being honest that you cannot fully fund the shower (especially if you did not offer to host it), but if you feel you need to, see if you can enlist one or two other people who can and want to help you out as co-hosts.

We had this friends' shower in a nice, enclosed park lodge (it was yucky-weather season) and we all pitched in for decorations and family and friends all signed up for food. Her aunt is a cake decorator and made a cake and cupcakes. You could ask friends, co-workers, and family if they have any baby shower items, like decorations, as they get used once, stay cute, and are perfectly fine to re-use (if they fit your chosen "theme").

A park shelter or lodge might be cheaper than a restaurant, but you should call and check prices. A park would let you be as thrifty as you like for food and drinks and take as much time as you want, whereas a restaurant would probably be more limited for time and might require minimum food purchases, but I am not sure.

Anyway, I would send out a quick email or note to a few "top" friends on the list asking them if there are any areas they would like to help you out with in order to throw your friend an awesome shower. Every little bit helps, and it really is a big committment for one person to host one that large. I don't think I even know that many people closely. :)

Oh, just another thought--do you or one of your friends' family members go to a church with a meeting or fellowship room you could use? That would be less expensive, possibly free.

I would ask your church. If you dont have one you might try a few in the area that you live. My shower was a surprise, I did not plan to have one due to my dad was very ill at the time, anyway they talked to my work and my sisters and work friends surprised me.. So just brain storm with a couple others on your friends list. You never know what someone might know or be a member of :) good luck

Many of our local banks have "community rooms" that you can use for free or for a very small fee. They usually have kitchenettes as well. Call around and see if that is the case in your area. Doesn't she have family members that will be attending? Assign them each a dish and/or responsiblility (decorations/paper goods/party games). Showers can be really simple and inexpensive but still lovely. Real dollar stores are great for the decorations/paper goods. Keep the food simple like little sandwiches made on dinner rolls, a fruit salad, punch and a cake. This all should definitely not fall on you...many people are probably willing to help (especially relatives), you just need to ask once you get the guest list.

Do you know any of the other invitees to find out if they would be willing to volunteer their home if you do all the organization? Ask whoever "volunteered" you to help since your house isn't big enough. It's the least they can do. Good luck!

Do you go to church? I hosted my sister's baby shower in my church's fellowship hall. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who has a church that has a hall you can use. As for food, in my area we have a restaurant store (much like a BJ's or Sam's club) and I bought food from there. If I recall the estimated amount of money I invested in the shower was around $200.00 but that included decorations (I made my sister a diaper cake), the cake I had made from Publix, an additional gift for my sister and the baby, prizes for a couple of games played (my sister didn't want a lot of games). Perhaps you could get your friend's family on board to assist (think, "delegation") with certain things...like the friend's mom could be in charge of the getting the gifts for however many games you plan on having, maybe another family member wants to select the cake (and pay for it). Honestly, I thought planning a shower would be a breeze but I found it to be a little stressful because I was doing all the work. If you can get someone to help you, that would take some pressure off of you. Beware that not everyone will R.S.V.P. and some may show up even though they did not R.S.V.P. I had this happen with my sister's shower. It was thoroughly annoying because I had set up tables and chairs for all the guests I knew were coming until surprise, surprise, others (who never called to say they were coming or not) showed up. I had a small group for my sister (about 15).

You might check with the zoo! A lot of city zoos will let you host an event in a covered area at a low cost or no cost. And it would be a fun theme for a baby shower

Ask the people if you can use their home or church. If they are members, many local churches let them use the fellowship hall free. You just have to clean up afterwards. Plenty of tables and chairs are set up .

If you have any Rec Centers in your area they usually have rooms and minimal rental costs.