I love a good baby shower! The cute little desserts, the sweet décor, and the radiant mom-to-be—it’s truly magical. However, if you are the hostess, you may feel a little pressure and joy…after all, you want mom to feel loved and celebrated!
Plus, thanks to the rise of Pinterest and Instagram, it can feel like baby showers are mini-weddings or something. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to have all the décor and fun a baby shower requires at a fraction of the cost. My favorite secret weapon for events like this?
The dollar store.
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Dollar Store Baby Shower Ideas
Dollar Tree may not seem like the best place to shop for a baby shower at first glance, but I assure you it is!
You can replicate or create everything from décor to baby shower prizes with a little effort and creativity – and for a fraction of the cost.
Here are some of my favorite no-fail dollar store baby shower ideas in every category for a fantastic baby shower on a budget.
Ideas for Cheap Baby Shower Décor from the Dollar Store
One of the easiest ways to save money is to utilize these dollar store baby shower ideas to decorate. It’s completely possible to decorate a space on a small budget—just try a few (or all!) of the ideas below.
Make a diaper cake
So this type of cake isn’t edible, but it’s practically guaranteed to be a mom’s favorite kind! Plus, it will serve a dual purpose of a gift and a pretty piece of DIY baby shower décor! The dollar store sells discounted diapers, and newborns go through them so quickly that there’s never a season when extra diapers are needed more. Grab a pack of diapers and some ribbon at the nearest dollar store, and get to work!
There are some great tutorials for a DIY diaper cake online, but the basic premise is to tightly roll each individual diaper and secure it with a rubber band. Then, group a bunch together and secure it with an extra-large rubber band. Then, take a wide ribbon and tie it around the bundle to hide the rubber bands. Many people like to do this with 3-4 layers of the “cake,” which can be made by making the circumference of each bundle smaller than the last.
Add some flowers
Every dollar store carries vases and cups—grab several and place them throughout to create space for flower arrangements. There are usually faux florals available there as well, but you could also pick up some fresh florals elsewhere if you prefer. To save money on fresh flowers, here is a dollar store baby shower idea – create a rustic filler by gathering branches outside and spray painting them.
Stock up on balloons
You’d be hard-pressed to find a party supply that is as affordable and high impact as balloons. If you are trying to throw a baby shower for cheap, stock up on balloons at the dollar store and learn how to make a cute balloon garland or two. (I know the image above says “one” but image if it said “baby”!)
Try putting one behind the food table as a high-impact décor piece or on a blank wall to create a photo-op wall. Many stores will fill up your helium balloons as long as their isn’t a shortage. Use pink or blue to let guests know whether it’s a baby girl or baby boy! We have SO many cute DIY balloon ideas for baby showers here!
Purchase a centerpiece
If you don’t feel like making center pieces, or if you want to add a few more items, grab a pre-made dollar store baby shower decoration piece.
They will usually come in pink or blue with a corresponding “it’s a girl” or “it’s a boy” message. This is a great baby shower idea without too much extra added cost.
Related: Gifts you should REALLY Buy for a New Baby
Decorate with streamers and banners
Another high-impact dollar store baby shower idea is to stock up on streamers to decorate with. You can create a fun fringe around the food table in contrasting colors or twist complementary colors together and loop them from the ceiling.
Related: How to Have a Baby on a Budget
How to Feed People with Dollar Store Baby Shower Ideas
Yes, you really can feed people on a budget! I recommend planning a baby shower in between meal times so you can simply serve snacks or finger foods rather than an entire meal. Here is what to serve and how to make it all look cute. Almost everything can be found at local dollar stores in your area.
Set up a candy bar
Grab some dollar store containers with a lid and fill them with candy – the look of a candy buffet can be really elevated by using bold colored containers (and in your baby shower theme colors of course!)
You should be able to find a lot of candy options at the dollar store, as well as a variety of jars. You can leave them as-is for an elegant, clean look or search online for a free printable that can make it personalized.
Stock up on chips and dips
Whether you want tortilla chips with salsa or pretzel sticks with spinach dip, the dollar store has plenty of both.
One easy dollar store baby shower idea is to grab various chips and dips, along with some plastic bowls. Pour chips out of the bag and into a bowl to make everything look nice.
You can kick a chips and dip buffet up a notch by making a couple hot dips. Spinach dip and buffalo chicken dip are my personal favorites. Add a bowl of cold salsa and you’re set!
Offer up a popcorn bar
Another fun dollar-store baby shower idea is to make a popcorn bar. Simply grab some popcorn at the dollar store and microwave it ahead of time. Then, pour it into a large bowl with a scoop and let guests choose from toppings such as marshmallows, chocolate drizzle, salt, cheese, or spices.
We have plenty of baby shower finger food ideas here if the idea of a buffet style lunch appeals to you!
Related: How to Choose a Baby Name
Dollar Store Baby Shower Games
Let’s talk entertainment.
Many people dread baby shower games, but others (looking at you, competitive people!) live for them. If you want to include them, here are some ways you can do so cheaply – with items from the dollar store. These are inexpensive ways to keep guests entertained during the shower.
(If you hate baby shower games as much as I do, check out our full list of baby shower activities that are not games!)
Play guess the number
Grab a large jar or vase and fill it with mom’s favorite candy (M&Ms and Skittles are good choices!), and let each guest write down on a sheet how many candies are in the jar. The winner gets a prize, and mom can have the candy—win-win!
Play guess the baby item
You can get many common baby items from the dollar store. Put at least ten common, useful baby items inside a paper bag (things like a bib, teething ring, rattle, baby bottles, pacifier, baby socks, diaper etc).
Give each guest a pen and paper before passing the bag around. Without looking, each guest should stick a hand inside the bag and identify as many items as possible. Once everyone has had a turn, find out who had the most correct answers. I actually think this is one of the more fun cheap baby shower games that don’t suck!
Play Don’t say ‘BABY’
All you need for this is a pack of diaper pins / safety pins or clothespins from the dollar store.
As each guest arrives, give them a pin to clip on their shirt. Explain that they can’t say ‘BABY’ for the duration of the shower (or until the game ends). If anyone hears someone else saying ‘BABY’, she can steal the rule breaker’s pin.
At the end of the game, the person with the most pins wins a gift.
Play How Big is Mom’s Belly?
All you need for this is a pack of clothespins from the dollar store. As guests arrive, give them a clothespin to clip on their shirt. Explain that they can’t say ‘BABY’ for the shower duration (or until the game ends). If anyone hears someone else saying ‘BABY’, she can steal the rule breaker’s clothespin. At the end of the game, the person with the most pins wins a gift.
Hold a Diaper Raffle
Have your guests bring diapers as part of their gift- and hold a diaper raffle. The guest that brings the most diapers wins a great gift. Ideas are gift cards, or some of the ideas below!
Related: Best Gifts for a New Mom
Dollar store baby shower prizes
We have a whole list of baby shower prizes here, but many of those don’t come from the dollar store – the following prize ideas do!
Put a ribbon on it
Make affordable prizes by choosing your favorite dollar store items and tieing a bow around them. A bow makes everything festive!
If it is a small item, grab a few of them and put them in mason jars, then tie a ribbon around them to spruce it up a bit! You can also use cellophane bags as gift bags! These items make a great prize or party favor at the end of the shower.
Cute mugs filled with Candy
There are plenty of cute dollar store mugs, and if you don’t trust dollar store candy, you can get THAT pretty cheap at Walmart or Target. Decorate dessert tables with these as well!
A “manicure” kit
Ok, I’m making up a fancier name for a bottle of nail polish and a pretty nail file in one of those cute gauze bags. Just be sure to get a good brand name of polish – I’ve seen O.P.I and Sally Hansen at the Dollarama, so I know it can be done. You could even add a set of foam toe separators!
What would I skip as far as prizes from the dollar store for a baby shower? Bath products. I have received several bath products from the dollar store as baby shower prizes… and I honestly didn’t use them. I’m pretty picky about my bath products, and the dollar store products just aren’t for me!
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, these party planning tips and tricks for the Dollar Store make for the perfect celebration. Your party guests will be impressed and they don’t have to know that you didn’t break the bank.
Related:
See? So many great dollar store baby shower ideas to choose from! Which one is your favorite? Or do you have any fun ones to add?
