Did you know that the average baby shower now costs over $500 and takes weeks to plan? That is just wild! I remember planning my sister’s shower and feeling completely overwhelmed by the “Instagram-perfect” pressure. But here is the truth: sometimes less really is more. You don’t need a professional event planner to throw a beautiful celebration. In this guide, I’m walking you through 7 baby shower ideas simple enough for anyone to pull off. We are talking about low-effort, high-impact themes that focus on connection rather than perfection. Let’s make this day special, stress-free, and totally unforgettable!
1.Host a Cozy “Books for Baby” Literary Brunch
I have to be honest with you, the first time I tried to host a baby shower, it was a total disaster. I tried to do way too much, and by the time the guests arrived, I was sweating through my shirt and the cake pops were melting. It wasn’t pretty. That is why I am obsessed with 7 baby shower ideas simple enough to actually enjoy, and the “Books for Baby” theme is hands down my favorite.
It takes the pressure off everyone. Seriously, who actually likes buying greeting cards? They cost like six dollars now and just end up in the trash.
Why This Theme Saves Your Sanity
The concept is super straightforward. You ask guests to bring a favorite children’s book instead of a card. That is it. That is the big hook. When I did this for my sister, we ended up with this amazing library for my nephew before he was even born.
You don’t need to overthink it. I put a little note in the invite that said, “One small request that won’t be hard, please bring a book instead of a card.” It rhymes, it’s cute, and people loved it.
Decorating with What You Own
Here is where you save big bucks on a budget friendly baby shower. The books are the decoration.
I didn’t buy a single balloon for this party. I just went to my own bookshelf and the local thrift store. I found vintage copies of The Giving Tree and Corduroy.
- Stack ’em up: I made little piles of books on the tables to use as centerpieces.
- Add some flowers: I bought two bouquets of baby’s breath from the grocery store and stuck sprigs in mason jars next to the books.
- Table runners: I used brown butcher paper as table runners. It looked rustic and cool, not cheap.
It looked like a minimalist baby shower you’d see on Pinterest, but it cost me maybe $30 in decor. A mistake I made early on was thinking I needed “baby” specific decor. You don’t. Old books smell great and look nostalgic.
The Brunch Menu Hack
If you are looking for brunch baby shower menu ideas, keep it cold. Cooking hot food while hosting is a trap. I learned that lesson when I burned a quiche while trying to take coats.
For the literary brunch, I served:
- Yogurt Parfait Bar: Bowls of yogurt, granola, and berries. Guests serve themselves.
- “Storybook” Sandwiches: Just simple chicken salad on croissants.
- Store-bought pastries: I took them out of the plastic and put them on a nice platter. No one knew the difference.
- Tea and Coffee: Crucial for a morning party.
The Built-in Activity
The best part about this theme is that you don’t have to force people to play awkward games. I hate those games where you taste baby food. Yuck.
Instead, we set up a little table with sharpies and bookplates (stickers). Guests wrote their messages to the baby inside the cover of the book they brought. It serves as a book themed baby shower guest book.
My sister still reads those books to her son three years later. She tells me it’s the most useful gift she got. So, if you are scanning through 7 baby shower ideas simple and stress-free, this one is the winner. It focuses on the future and reading, which as a teacher, I obviously love!
2.Create a “Little Cutie” Citrus Celebration
If you are planning a shower in the dead of winter or the middle of summer, this theme works wonders. I threw a “Little Cutie” shower for my cousin last year, and it was probably the cheapest party I have ever organized. But looking at the photos, you would never guess.
The whole idea plays on the “Cutie” brand of mandarin oranges. You know, those little easy-peel ones that I pack in my lunch every single day? They are the star of the show.
Decor That You Can Eat
When I say simple, I mean it. For decorations, I went to the grocery store, not the party store. I bought five big bags of clementines.
- Centerpieces: I filled tall clear glass vases with whole oranges. The bright orange color pops against a white tablecloth like you wouldn’t believe. It looks like high-end summer baby shower themes but costs pennies.
- Greenery: I didn’t pay a florist. I went into my backyard and clipped some green leaves from a bush. I tucked the greenery in between the oranges on the table.
- The Sign: I printed a simple sign on my home printer that said “A Little Cutie is on the Way!” and put it in a cheap frame.
The best part? After the party, I didn’t have to store a bunch of plastic decorations in my garage. I just ate the oranges for the next two weeks.
The “Squeeze the Day” Menu
Since we are going with citrus, the drink menu writes itself. I set up a Mimosa Bar, which is a classic for afternoon tea baby shower vibes but more relaxed.
- Juices: Orange juice, grapefruit juice, and blood orange juice (if you can find it—the color is amazing).
- Bubbly: Champagne for the guests and sparkling cider or lemon-lime soda for the mama-to-be.
- The Cake: I bought a plain white cake from the bakery and put fresh orange slices on top. It looked fancy, but I didn’t bake a thing.
The Easiest Party Favor Ever
I always struggle with baby shower party favors. I feel bad giving people knick-knacks they don’t want. For this shower, I put a big basket of clementines by the door with a sign that said “Thanks for celebrating our Little Cutie! Take one for the road.”
People actually took them! It was a healthy snack for the ride home. This idea proves that 7 baby shower ideas simple and affordable can actually be better than the expensive ones. It was fresh, colorful, and totally stress-free.
3.Throw a Relaxed Backyard BBQ “BaBy-Q”
Let’s be real for a second. Traditional baby showers can be a little stiff. I have been to so many where everyone sits in a circle watching the mom open gifts for two hours while sipping warm punch. It gets boring. That is why the “BaBy-Q” is taking over 2026. It is hands down my favorite coed baby shower theme.
I helped throw one of these for my neighbor last summer, and it was so much fun because it felt like a regular hangout, not a formal event. The guys actually wanted to be there!
The “No-Fuss” Menu
If you are looking for baby shower food ideas on a budget, you cannot beat a BBQ. You don’t need a caterer. You just need a grill master (usually a willing grandpa or uncle).
We kept the menu super classic:
- The Main Event: Burgers and hot dogs. Simple. We labeled the sliders “Baby Burgers” just to be cute.
- Sides: I made a huge bowl of potato salad and bought bags of chips. We also sliced up a big watermelon.
- Drinks: We filled a wheelbarrow with ice and tossed in beers, sodas, and water bottles. It looked rustic and cool, and I didn’t have to wash a single glass.
Decoration? Done.
The best thing about outdoor baby shower themes is that nature does the heavy lifting. You don’t need balloon arches if you have trees.
- Tablecloths: We bought those cheap red and white checkered plastic tablecloths. When the party was over, we just rolled them up with the trash inside and threw them away. Easy cleanup is a must for me.
- Lighting: As the sun went down, we turned on some string lights. It instantly made the backyard look magical.
- Jars: We used mason jars for silverware.
Forget the Cheesy Games
Since this was a baby bbq theme, we skipped the “guess the baby food” games. Instead, we just set up lawn games. We played cornhole and ladder toss. It was so much more relaxed. The guests mingled and laughed instead of being forced to participate in organized fun.
If you want a low-stress option that works for guys and girls, this is it. It’s cheap, it’s fun, and nobody leaves hungry.
4.Organize a Sweet “Donut Grow Up” Dessert Bar
I love a good pun, and “Donut Grow Up” is just the cutest theme for a baby shower. I suggested this for a friend who was having her second baby (we call that a “sprinkle”) and didn’t want a big fuss. She was tired and just wanted to see her friends without the stress of a big event.
The Timing Hack
Here is the trick to making this work: put the time on the invitation as 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Why? Because nobody expects a full lunch or dinner at 2 PM. This means you don’t have to cook lasagna or order expensive catering. You just serve sugar! It cuts your food budget in half instantly.
The “Donut Wall”
You have probably seen those cool donut walls on social media. They look fancy, but they are actually super easy to make.
- DIY It: We went to the hardware store and bought a piece of pegboard for about $10. We painted it white and stuck some wooden dowels in the holes.
- Hang the Donuts: We hung glazed donuts on the pegs. It acted as the food and the backdrop for photos. It was a huge hit.
- No Wall? No Problem: If you aren’t handy with tools, just stack the donuts on cake stands in a pyramid shape. It still looks impressive.
Coffee and Milk
Since you are serving sweets, you need something to wash it down. We set up a simple coffee station for the adults.
- Milk Bar: We bought little glass bottles and filled them with milk. We added cute striped paper straws. It looked adorable and went perfectly with the donuts.
- Toppings: Put out some sprinkles and whipped cream for the coffee.
Skip the Cake
With this theme, you don’t even need to order a custom cake. The donuts are the cake! This is one of those 7 baby shower ideas simple enough that you can set it up in an hour. We used pastel baby shower decorations like balloons and napkins to match the frosting on the donuts. It was sweet, short, and very easy to clean up.
5.Plan a “Pajama Party” Pancake Breakfast
I remember when I was eight months pregnant with my youngest. The thought of squeezing into a nice dress and putting on heels made me want to cry. Seriously. That is why I think this idea is genius. It puts the mom-to-be’s comfort first.
We did this for a friend last winter, and everyone said it was the most relaxing shower they had ever been to.
The Dress Code
The rule is simple: wear your pajamas.
I put it right on the invitation: “Come comfy! PJs required.” You should have seen the relief on everyone’s faces when they walked in wearing flannel pants and slippers instead of tight dresses. It instantly breaks the ice. Everyone is just more relaxed when they are comfortable.
The Breakfast Bar
Who doesn’t love breakfast for lunch? We set up a big pancake and waffle station in the kitchen.
- The Base: I made a huge batch of pancake batter and had a waffle iron going.
- The Toppings: This is where you make it look special. I put out bowls of fresh strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, and whipped cream.
- Syrup: We had three different kinds of syrup. It’s a small touch, but it felt fancy.
It’s way cheaper than a caterer, and honestly, pancakes taste better than those rubbery chicken breasts you get at banquet halls.
Cozy “Bedhead” Vibes
For indoor baby shower ideas, you want to make the space feel warm. We didn’t use tables and chairs. Instead, we pulled all the cushions off the couch and put them on the floor. We added big fluffy blankets everywhere.
It looked like a giant adult fort. We played soft music and just sat around talking. We didn’t even play games. We just popped in a funny movie in the background (I think it was Father of the Bride) and laughed.
If you want 7 baby shower ideas simple and cozy, this is the one. It feels like a sleepover with your best friends, but you get to go home and sleep in your own bed afterwards.
6.Arrange a Minimalist “Greenery & Gold” Luncheon
Sometimes, you just want a shower that doesn’t look like a cartoon exploded. I helped plan a shower for a work friend who is very shy. She hated the idea of bright pinks and blues. She just wanted something calm. That is where the “Greenery & Gold” theme comes in.
It looks like something out of a magazine, but it is actually the easiest minimalist baby shower to set up.
The Trader Joe’s Flower Hack
You do not need a florist for this. I promise. On the morning of the party, I went to Trader Joe’s (you could go to any grocery store) and bought five bunches of eucalyptus. It cost me maybe $20.
- The Runner: I just laid the branches down the center of the table. No vases, no arranging. Just lay them down flat. It smells amazing and looks very chic.
- The Gold: I bought gold paper plates and gold plastic silverware online.
- Candles: I added some white candles in between the leaves.
That was it. It looked so elegant, and I set the whole table in ten minutes.
The “Anti-Cooking” Menu
For this kind of luncheon, you want the food to look fresh and light. But I didn’t want to spend all day chopping vegetables.
- The Main: We ordered a big tray of wraps and sandwiches from a nice local deli.
- The Trick: The secret is to take them out of the plastic catering trays. We put the sandwiches on white ceramic platters. Suddenly, they looked homemade and fancy.
- Sides: We served a big green salad with pears and walnuts.
A Calm Vibe
This theme is great for a gender neutral baby shower. It isn’t overly “boy” or “girl.” It just feels like a nice lunch with friends. We didn’t play any loud games. We just ate, opened gifts, and talked.
If you are looking for 7 baby shower ideas simple enough to do without stress, this is the classy option. It proves you don’t need streamers to make a room look celebratory.
Here is the final idea! This one is a lifesaver because it takes care of the entertainment and gives the new mom a ton of clothes.
7.Set Up a DIY Onesie Decorating Station
I love a party where I have something to do with my hands. Standing around making small talk can be awkward for some people (me included!). That is why the DIY Onesie Station is one of my top 7 baby shower ideas simple and creative.
I did this for my sister-in-law, and she ended up with custom outfits for the baby’s first year. It was so cute seeing what everyone came up with.
The Supplies List
You don’t need to be an artist to pull this off. I bought everything online in one big order.
- The Canvas: Buy packs of plain white onesies. Make sure you get different sizes (0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.) so the baby has clothes as they grow.
- The Tools: Fabric markers are the easiest option. They are less messy than paint. If you want to get fancy, get some iron-on patches.
- Stencils: I bought some cheap stencils of animals and letters. This helps the people who say “I’m not creative” feel more confident.
The Setup
I covered a long folding table with butcher paper (again, easy cleanup!). I put the markers in cups in the middle of the table.
We hung a little clothesline against the wall. As people finished their onesies, we used clothespins to hang them up. It acted as the cutest baby shower backdrop ideas could ask for. It was colorful and fun to look at.
Clean Snacks Only
Since people are using their hands to draw, you have to be smart about the food.
- Skip the Wings: Do not serve messy food like buffalo wings or ribs. You don’t want grease stains on the baby clothes!
- Go Dry: I put out bowls of pretzels, popcorn, and veggie sticks.
- Drinks: We stuck to bottles and cans to keep spills to a minimum.
This idea is perfect for a last minute baby shower ideas list because you can grab the supplies at a craft store the morning of the party. Plus, every time the mom puts the baby in one of those onesies, she thinks of the person who made it.
Conclusion
I really hope these ideas help you take a deep breath and relax. Planning a baby shower doesn’t need to be a huge production that drains your bank account. Honestly, the mom-to-be isn’t going to remember the fancy napkins or the expensive centerpiece. She is going to remember that her friends and family showed up to love on her and her baby.
Whether you go with the simple book brunch or the chill backyard BBQ, just remember that the best parties are the ones where people actually feel comfortable. So, pick one of these 7 baby shower ideas simple and fun, and just roll with it. You’ve got this!
Did you find this list helpful? Please save this article to your “Party Planning” board on Pinterest so you can find it later!
