Being put in charge of planning a baby shower for a family member or a friend comes with quite a bit of responsibility. While baby shower organizing is super fun, it can be very stressful, too. You want everything to be perfect, including those favors. Baby shower favors have been around for ages. It’s one of those traditions that started when baby showers became a thing back in the late 40s and early 50s. Like birthday party favors, those cute little gifts handed to guests on the way out are a way of saying thank you for coming.
Baby shower favors have come a long way over the decades, especially in recent years. Social media sites like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok have made posting those amazing baby shower favors noteworthy. Sure, you can draw inspiration from those posts, but the problem with making or buying baby shower favors usually is the price tag.
For some of us craft-challenged people, the thought of putting together baby shower favors can be daunting. Then, there’s the fact that despite the time, effort, and money that goes into baby shower favors, many of them end up in the trash. We’ve all be guilty of tossing favors shortly after leaving the baby shower. So, if you’re on the hunt for baby shower favors guests will actually use and not toss, we have budget-friendly ideas that won’t disappoint.
Baby shower favors
Just like putting together party favors for your child’s birthday party, baby shower favors should be something relatively simple that guests will keep and not throw away. A baby shower favor is a thank you gift for coming that most guests don’t take much notice of.
The tradition is a thoughtful one, but the favor doesn’t have to be especially expensive or big. When thinking about baby shower favors, try to come up with small parting gifts that are edible or ones the guests or someone in their family can use. Here are some fun baby shower favor ideas that won’t break the bank or get tossed.
Cookies
A sweet treat is a tasty way to end any baby shower. It’s also a baby shower favor guests will definitely appreciate. Head to your local bakery, order baby shower cookies online, or bake your own if you have the time. Have the cookies individually wrapped and tied off with a ribbon. Guests can take the cookies to go and enjoy a yummy treat later or pass it along to a family member. Either way, someone will eat it.
Plants
Houseplants have become all the rage and are actually a healthy addition to any home. While not everyone has a green thumb, succulents are relatively low maintenance. A succulent in a cute pot makes for a unique baby shower favor guests can place on a windowsill at home or on a desk in the office. You can purchase succulents in bulk online and they are a budget-friendly option.
Mugs
If you have kids in the house, you know things break. A coffee or tea mug always comes in handy at the home or office and is a baby shower favor people will use. Look for mugs in bulk online. You can also fill the mugs with chocolate kisses for an added treat. These will most certainly not go to waste.
Water bottles
A water bottle is another great baby shower favor idea guests will appreciate. With sports, school, and work, water bottles are always in hot demand around the house. Water bottles are available online in bulk in an assortment of fun colors. Give the water bottle as is or dress up with candy inside.
Cozy socks
Who doesn’t enjoy snuggling up on the couch or under the covers with a cozy pair of socks on? A thoughtful baby shower favor that keeps on giving every time it gets used is a pair of snuggly socks. A pair of chenille socks is a perfect baby shower favor if the shower is during the winter. You can also go seasonal with socks depending on the time of year of the shower. Think holiday-themed socks for a December baby shower.
Mittens
Like warm socks, mittens tend to disappear when it’s time to use them. If you’re hosting a winter shower, mittens or gloves are another baby shower favor that keeps on giving. It’s easy to find mittens and gloves online in bulk at reasonable prices.
DIY candy jars
An easy and inexpensive baby shower party favor idea is to make your own candy jars. Fill 4-ounce Mason jars with M&M’s or Hershey kisses for a yummy and simple do-it-yourself baby shower favor. Dress up each Mason jar with ribbons in the shower’s color scheme. Once your guests or their family members eat the candies, they have a Mason jar to use in the house.
DIY candy boxes
Another budget-friendly baby shower favor idea is to make your own candy boxes. Take small cardboard candy boxes and assemble each one. Fill with candy or other treats. Then tie each box securely closed with ribbons matching the shower’s color theme.
Cake pop rattles
If you have the time and love to bake, cake pop rattles make for an adorable and tasty baby shower party favor. The Cake Blog has a do-it-yourself recipe to create cake pop rattles for all your shower guests to take home. For those of us who aren’t creative bakers, you can order cake pop rattles from Esty or a local bakery.
Other inexpensive baby shower party favor ideas
If you’re looking for other baby shower party favors that are simple and budget-friendly, try these.
- Popcorn in Mason jars
- Flavored honey jars
- Chocolate lollipops
- Oreo sprinkle pops
- Flavored tea bags in Mason jars
- Go seasonal (small pumpkins for fall or snowflake ornaments in winter)
More simple baby shower favors
Still not inspired. Well, here are a few more baby shower favors that won’t break the bank or end up tossed in the trash.
Fresh fruit
This is a super easy baby shower favor. Fill little paper bags or containers with seasonal fruit. Think apples for a September shower or blueberries for a summer baby shower. Even if the guest doesn’t like that particular fruit, someone in their family might.
Pie or cake slices
Another way to send home a sweet treat is by buying pies or cakes to cut up. Then, place an individual slice into a sealable container. Top off with a ribbon or bow in the baby shower’s color them.
Loofas
A loofa can be a budget-friendly gift guests will get some use out of. Loofas can be purchased in bulk and individually wrapped, which is a big time saver.
Skip personalized baby shower favors
Personalized baby shower favors are one trend that’s a waste of money. People are less likely to use a baby shower favor like a water bottle or mug that has a name and date on it. No one is going to take a mug to the office that has “Susie’s Baby Shower” written on it.
Even something useful, like coasters, is likely to get shoved in the junk drawer if they say, “Oh Baby.” So, resist the temptation to personalize the favors. Personalized baby favors typically end up pushed to the back of a cabinet or thrown away, which wastes money that is better spent on something else.
Where to shop for baby shower favors
Now that you know what baby shower party favors are the perfect pick for the special celebration you’re planning, you’ll need to figure out where to shop for them. Amazon is a great option when shopping for baby shower favors because you can do it from the convenience and comfort of your home. If you’re short on time, head to Amazon to order baby shower favors like cuddly socks and mittens. It’s a huge time and money saver and with Amazon Prime, you won’t have to wait long for it to arrive.
Other places to buy baby shower favors in bulk include Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart. Avoid party places, since the price tags on baby shower favors there will always be higher. When it’s time to dress up the favors in gift bags or with pretty ribbon, head to dollar stores like Dollar Tree or Dollar General, as well as the local mom-and-pop dollar stores in and around your community. There isn’t any need to go overboard on packaging the baby shower party favors. Remember, simple is always better.
Showers of happiness
Giving favors as a parting thank you gift to shower guests is a long-standing baby shower tradition. Baby shower favors don’t have to be extravagant or expensive. There are plenty of inexpensive baby shower favor ideas shower guests will like and actually use. Like birthday party favors, many baby shower favors get discarded. We’ve all done it and felt bad about it. It’s worse when you’re the one putting out the money that’s getting wasted.
So, keep your baby shower favors simple. Edible items like cookies or cake pop rattles are always a hit. Try to avoid personalizing a travel cup or mug with a name or date. People are less likely to use a baby shower favor with a date or cutesy saying on it. With these budget-friendly baby shower favor ideas, you’re sure to find something the parents-to-be and the guests will enjoy.
