Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

9 inexpensive baby shower favors people will actually like

Baby shower party favors guests will use

The first baby showers were held in the years following World War II. All the fun traditions like games and those baby shower favors started in the late 40s and early 50s to celebrate moms-to-be. Think of a baby shower favor as a thank you from the mom-to-be for the gift and for helping her celebrate and get ready for the baby’s arrival.

For the shower host, baby shower favors can be a source of stress. Coming up with baby shower favor ideas isn’t easy, especially if the shower host isn’t especially creative. Then there’s also the problem of cost. Coming up with inexpensive baby shower favor ideas people will like and use isn’t easy. There’s nothing worse than coming up with an awesome baby shower favor and then finding out later most guests tossed it. Not only does it mean you wasted your valuable time, but your money, too. Don’t stress over baby shower favors. We’ve got 10 budget-friendly baby shower favor ideas guests will enjoy.

Baby shower party favors on a table

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 can use. A baby shower favor is a thank you gift for coming that most guests really don’t care about.

The tradition has been around for decades and is a thoughtful one. 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.

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 or order baby shower cookies online. Have the cookies individually wrapped and tied off with a ribbon. The 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 that 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 choice.

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. Resist the temptation to have the mugs printed with the shower date or a cute saying. People are more likely to use the mug if it’s plain. Look for mugs in bulk online. You can fill also the mugs with chocolate kisses for an added treat.

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 online in bulk in an assortment of fun colors. Guests are less likely to use the water bottle if it’s personalized with a saying or the mom-to-be’s name. Instead, place some candies or the cute saying inside the water bottle on a decorative notecard.

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 for the 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 assembly each one. Fill with candy or other treats. Then tie each box securely closed with ribbons matching the shower’s 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.

Happy parents-to-be at couples baby shower

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)

Popcorn jar baby shower favors

Showers of happiness

Giving baby shower 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. 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 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.

Editors' Recommendations

7 charming ideas for a Christmas pregnancy announcement
Ho! Ho! Ho! We've got Christmas pregnancy announcement ideas for you
Baby bump wrapped up like a Christmas present

The news a baby is on the way is beyond exciting. While traditionally, most couples wait until the second trimester before announcing the news far and wide, most expectant parents want to share the news with family and close friends right away.

Thanks to social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok, spreading a pregnancy announcement is certainly a lot easier than back in the day. Friends and family can find out quickly with just the click of a button, and then the congratulations start rolling in through post comments, texts, and telephone calls.

Read more
8 easy homemade Christmas ornaments kids can make and hang on the tree
Not crafty? Don't worry! These homemade Christmas ornaments are easy to make
Mom-and daughter making Christmas ornaments

There’s something magical about making memories around Christmas time, especially for families. Capturing the festivities in a special and exciting way are fantastic opportunities for moms, dads, and kids to use kid-centered crafts to spark new traditions that can become time-honored ones... perhaps even carrying on through the years into the next set of branches on the family tree.

Handmade ornaments that the kids paint, color, or create and then carefully place on the family Christmas tree are true keepsakes that continue to bring light and joy each Christmas season. You can give these homemade Christmas ornaments to the kids when they're grown and have their own trees to decorate. So grab your hot glue gun, pompoms, festive glitter sticks, beads, and your artistic spirit. Have Yuletide tunes playing in the background and get in the spirit of the holidays by creating some handcrafted Christmas tree ornaments together.

Read more
6 holiday crafts for toddlers that are easy for tiny hands
Make keepsakes this year with these simple holiday crafts for toddlers
Mom and toddler doing holiday crafts

Craft activities are so important for toddlers because they can help develop fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the small muscles in the fingers and hands. Developing these skills early on makes tasks like writing, cutting, zippering, tying shoes, and more much easier when kids head to preschool.

The holiday season is the ideal time to put together some fun crafts to keep those little hands busy and work those fine motor skills. Holiday crafts for toddlers should be age-appropriate and hands-on with a bit of guidance from parents.

Read more