Baby shower lunch food ideas
25 Perfect Baby Shower Food Ideas on a Budget – Instacart
Throwing a fun, memorable party to celebrate the new arrival in your life doesn’t have to break the bank. You can decorate a party or backyard and prepare a tasty menu affordably without compromising on quality—it just takes planning. If you’re stuck and don’t know where to start, these baby shower food ideas on a budget will get the ball rolling.
How to throw a baby shower on a budget
Before we get into baby shower food ideas, these are our cost-cutting tips for throwing a wonderful baby shower on a budget.
1. Don’t host at mealtimes
If you host a baby shower at mealtimes, you’ll have to serve full meals, which can be expensive. Instead, throw your baby shower between meals, so you can serve only appetizers and sweet snacks. 2 p.m. is a popular time for these events.
2. Keep a pared-down guest list
On average, guests eat around 5 pieces of food at baby showers. The more people you invite, the costlier the event will be.
3. Ask guests to bring food or drinks
If you still want a full party but can’t afford to feed everyone, ask your guests to bring over food or drinks. It will be a baby-shower-meets-potluck type of event, which can be a lot of fun.
4. Choose local, seasonal ingredients
The cheapest food for a baby shower is the one that’s local and in season. Research what fresh produce is cheapest, then come up with recipes using those ingredients.
Following a themed menu can help you pinch pennies. For example, if you’re using chicken for 1 appetizer, make sure to include it in another snack. This way, you don’t have to buy as many ingredients and end up saving money.
6. Ditch the fully stocked bar
Choose just 1 or 2 drinks to serve—preferably non-alcoholic for baby showers. No need to keep a handful of spirits and mixers on hand.
7. Make your own decorations
DIY the décor using things you already have at home. Visiting a thrift store can also help you throw a stylish baby shower for cheap.
Affordable appetizers for a baby shower
Plate up these tasty, budget-friendly appetizers for your guests.
1. Ham and cheese sliders
Ham and cheese sliders are simple, easy to make, and affordable.
2. Pulled pork buns
Pulled pork sliders are also a popular snack for baby showers. Don’t skip out on the barbecue sauce.
3. Turkey cheddar hot pinwheels
With pre-made pizza dough, deli turkey slices, and cheddar cheese, you can make this comforting finger food.
4. Tomato and broccoli mini quiches
Quiches are sophisticated but surprisingly cheap to make. For this version, use ripe sliced tomatoes and broccoli florets for the filling.
5. Hummus and roasted veg toast
Spread homemade or storebought hummus on toasted bread and top with an assortment of roasted veggies.
6. Build-your-own chili
If you’re looking for a more filling snack, chili is the way to go. Let your guests add their own toppings.
7.
Potato skins with baconHollowed-out baked potatoes, bacon, and sour cream make the perfect appetizer. It’s easy to eat and packed with flavor.
8. Summer pasta salad
For something lighter, serve individual portions of pasta salad. Toss fusilli and whatever veggies are in season in olive oil and a pinch of salt.
9. Deep-fried pickles
Pickles are a popular satisfying snack among many moms-to-be. Set out a plate of deep-fried pickles with ranch dressing on the side.
10. Babies in a blanket
Give pigs in a blanket a twist. Wrap the dough around the sausage so it looks like a swaddled baby and add chocolate sprinkles for the eyes.
11. Grape jelly wieners
Toss smokies in a grape jelly and ketchup mixture, then serve on toothpicks.
12. Barbecue meatballs
Another hearty appetizer, meatballs doused in barbecue sauce are a crowd-pleaser.
13. Tater tot casserole
Tater tot casserole is pretty inexpensive to make.
Use a blend of affordable cheeses to take this comfort food to the next level.
14. Chicken salad sandwiches
Spread chicken salad on soft white sandwich bread and serve with an olive and a toothpick on top.
15. Pesto chicken tea sandwiches
Grilled chicken and basil pesto is another great combination. Cut the sandwiches into quarters so they’re easier to eat.
16. Hamburger meat empanadas
Pie crust and hamburger meat can be turned into delicious empanadas. Salsa makes for a great dipping sauce.
17. Cheese pizza bites
Make finger food pizza bites using a cupcake tin, pizza dough, pizza sauce, and shredded cheese.
Cheap desserts and treats for baby showers
What’s a party without something sweet? These cheap recipes for a baby shower will satisfy your sweet tooth without going over budget.
1. Gendered rice crispy treats
Rice crispy treats are cheap to make. They only call for margarine, marshmallows, and puffed rice.
Add red or blue food dye for a gendered twist.
2. Carrot cupcakes
Not into gender-themed desserts? You will probably love carrot cupcakes. Making your own is cheaper than getting it from the store—and surprisingly easy!
3. Fruit on a skewer
Pierce a skewer through pieces of fruit for a healthy snack. Grapes, banana, strawberry, apple—whatever is in season.
4. Caramel apples
In the fall, when apples are abundant, caramel apple slices hit the spot.
5. Waffle bites
Waffle mix is inexpensive, so why not make waffle bites? Cut a waffle into fourths and top with fruits, caramel, or chocolate.
6. Decorated sugar cookies
Take sugar cookies to the next level by decorating them. All you’ll need is icing, food dye, and a piping bag.
7. Ice cream sundaes
Sundaes are perfect for summer baby showers. Choose 1 ice cream flavor and let your guests pick their toppings—pretzels, caramel drizzle, and chocolate chips are just some of the options.
8. S’mores bar
Set up a s’mores bar for a DIY dessert. You’ll need graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. Don’t forget skewers and a few candles.
Save time and money with a little help from a friend
You probably have a clearer picture of what you’ll serve at your budget-friendly baby shower, right? Now comes the fun part: creating invites, making a playlist, and decorating the space. What’s not so fun is doing the grocery runs—but, fortunately, you can leave that to Instacart. Order everything you need with just a few clicks and focus on the party. You may also want to check out current deals from our retailers.
Grab it now on Instacart:
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37 Crowd-Pleasing Baby Shower Food Ideas
Planning a baby shower is lots of fun, especially when it comes to brainstorming food ideas. Whether you’re looking for food ideas that match your chosen baby shower theme or you’re just looking for quick, easy, and flavorful options that everyone will love, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our 37 baby shower food ideas, including savories, sweets, and thirst-quenching drinks.
9 Tips and Ideas for Planning a Baby Shower Menu
When planning a baby shower, you can be as creative as you like with the food ideas, but it’s also important to consider some practical aspects.
As the host, you’ll have a lot to take care of, including decorating the venue, so it’s good to plan food that is quick to make and easy to serve and eat.
Here are some tips to help you think about the types of food to choose, how to serve it, and more:
Savory Baby Shower Food Ideas
Whether you plan on having only finger foods or an entire menu at the baby shower, here are some ideas for the savory food:
Baby Shower Dessert Table Food Ideas
Besides having a baby shower cake as a centerpiece, you may want to have a dessert table with an assortment of other sweet offerings. Here are some ideas for crowd-pleasing sweets and desserts:
Drinks
Beyond serving the usual wine spritzer or sparkling wine at the baby shower, consider some alcohol-free drinks, like mocktails, punch, and homemade sodas:
The Bottom Line
You’ll no doubt have lots of fun planning and serving the food for the mom-to-be’s baby shower.
If you’ve decided to prepare most of the food, round up some of the mom-to-be’s friends and family to help. Make it easier on yourself by using some store-bought elements, too. You could also make some of what’s on offer but ask each guest to bring a small plate to share.
Set up food and dessert tables so that guests can serve themselves buffet style, and stick to foods that aren’t too messy to eat while standing up and mingling.
If you have a set theme, you can tie the food into the theme by using colored frosting, or by piping lettering onto foods like “Oh, Baby!” Cookie cutters are your friend! Cut everything from brownies to sandwiches into shapes that match the theme. You can also connect the food and drinks to the theme based on the colors you choose for the straws, napkins, and cupcake liners.
Having a chocolate fondue fountain or a soda bar can create an interactive element that guests will love.
Have fun with it! Your options are endless, and you might find you really get into it once you get started.
And, always remember, no matter what food and drinks you serve, your guests — especially the guest of honor — will really appreciate your efforts and thoughtfulness.
While you’re here, check out our baby shower checklist to double-check that you’ve covered everything for the upcoming event.
Baby shower menu ideas everyone will love
Baby showers are social events, so naturally they often include snacks or meals. When it comes to these one-on-one events, everything from eateries to brunch and dinner menus is fair game. Choose the menu that best suits the mom-to-be, shower theme, and your guests.
Mini Menu
The idea behind the Mini Menu is to serve appetizers, appetizers or tapas where people can choose between small snacks at stations in the room. Since babies are mini versions of adults, the theme works with any shower. Offer small plates, cocktail napkins, and small appetizer forks to match the theme. For this appetizer-only menu, serve five to ten small appetizers at stations like these, which include nine appetizers and a drink.
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Big Flavor Station
Italian starters are perfect for mini menus because they taste familiar. Thanks to these products, guests get great taste in a small portable snack.
- The Italian bruschetta recipe includes several ingredients such as tomatoes and balsamic vinegar piled on top of a small piece of bread. Look for fresh tomatoes and mozzarella from local farms or artisans at the farmers' market to enhance the flavor. If you're looking for a low-carb option, skip the bread and place the bruschetta on top of a thick slice of mozzarella. nine0010
- Another quick and elegant snack - prosciutto and figs. All you need are three ingredients and a few toothpicks to make these twisted pieces. If you can't get figs, try kumquats or apricots instead.
- Try a mini kebab with meatballs in a pot and a slice of mozzarella cheese for a real Italian taste.
Meatballs are hearty but incredibly easy to take off.
Hearty Meal Station
If you're looking for a hearty meal, try snacks with meat or protein. nine0003
- Crab Cake Recipes is an easy seafood variant of Crab Cake Recipes. Make mini versions that guests can grab and eat in one go.
- Make a batch of croquettes from Basic Croquette Recipe, which are similar to crab cakes in that they contain beef and breadcrumbs. Since you're shaping the croquettes by hand, you can make them more like meatballs and poke them with toothpicks for an easy mini snack.
- If you want something light, try Shrimp Cocktail Recipe. It always pleases the audience and requires almost no effort.
Offer a variety of dipping sauces at this station, such as barbecue sauce, horseradish, ketchup.
Easy Fare
Make this table your lighter and simpler appetizer table with 2 easy sandwich options like Meatless Sandwich Recipes and 3 Delicious Chicken Salad Recipes.
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- Make a regular sandwich and cut it into four equal squares to make them miniature.
- Swap white bread for whole grain or whole grain bread for a healthier sandwich.
- Pair these with simple salad skewers made from grape tomatoes, a folded bibb lettuce leaf and a small piece of cheese on a toothpick. Drizzle skewers with your favorite salad dressing or serve them as dips.
Dessert station
No baby shower is complete without a delicious and delicious dessert.
- Get creative with chocolate covered strawberries by painting white chocolate pink or blue before dipping strawberries.
- If you're looking for a less sweet dessert, dip strawberries with yogurt instead of white chocolate.
- Serve with decorative mini cupcakes for the perfect tiny dessert.
Beverage station
Fill the decorative metal basket with ice and mini water bottles for easy drinking. Create custom punch bowls by filling Mason Mini Jars with the classic Baby Shower Punch Recipe.
Cut a hole in the lid of each jar large enough to fit straws in and decorate with cute striped or polka dot designer straws.
Vegetarian Family Menu
Take advantage of the friendly atmosphere of vegetarian food and serve it in the family dining room. Place plates with each dish in the center of the tables for guests to pass them around. Guests are sure to talk about food choices that may be outside of their comfort zone. Garnish dishes or plates with fresh herbs or chopped fruits and vegetables that go with the taste of the food. Thin slices of lemon or pepper look great around the edge of the plate. nine0003
Main courses
The options offered ensure that all guests have a good experience.
- Since not all guests are likely to be vegetarians, choose a main course with familiar ingredients, such as Low Fat Snack Recipes. Filled with peppers, onions, cream cheese and spices like cumin, these quesadillas are easy to make and easy to eat. Make them even healthier by using whole wheat tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
nine0010 - Pair quesadillas with 3 recipes for vegan salad wraps filled with the flavor of a quinoa sweet potato wrap. Baked sweet potatoes, quinoa, and avocado are the protagonists of these delicious lettuce-wrapped dishes. These wraps use the same spices as the quesadillas, so they're great for those who want to try both main courses. You can substitute rice or other grains for quinoa to make it more popular.
Choose side dishes that pair well with bold main courses.
- Since the main courses contain a lot of flavor and some heat, one of the great side dishes is the Oven-Baked Vegan Enchilada Casserole Recipe with the Oven-Baked Enchilada Vegan Casserole Recipe. Mix black beans, mangoes, corn, and tomatoes with hot rice for a fragrant and warm taste. If you can't find a mango, try pineapple instead. nine0010
- For a cold refreshing drink, try How to Make a Pickled Vegetable Salad to Surprise the Table from How to Make a Pickled Vegetable Salad to Surprise the Table .
Raw artichokes, zucchini, onions, peppers, and cauliflower get a flavor boost when marinated in a simple honey mustard marinade. For a more satisfying taste, add marinated tofu or diced cold cheese like mozzarella. Choose the vegetables you like or those that are seasonally grown near you. nine0010 - Egg-free banana bread recipe, tips and tricks for successful baking your menu in a simple way Egg-free banana bread recipe, tips and tricks for baking success. Try one of the many egg substitutes, such as vegetable oil or fruit puree. Most people will not be able to distinguish this recipe from the classic, so even those who do not like adventure love it.
Dessert
Finish off your meal with a themed cake or cupcakes made with the Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe for sweet food. Using ingredients like almond milk, vinegar, coffee, and applesauce, you can make a delicious vegan cake. Decorate the cake in your own theme and your guests won't even know it's vegan. nine0003
Beverages
Vegetarian menus must include water as one of the main drinks.
You can also file How to Make Lemon Juice Lemonade (and Its Benefits) from Real Lemons. This menu works best with the old-fashioned version. Pour a pitcher on each table and make it festive by adding ice cubes with individual pieces of soft fruit like raspberries or strawberries frozen inside.
Multicultural buffet menu
If your future parents are multicultural or the theme of the soul is something earthy like geography or a map, a menu inspired by multiculturalism will do. Serve this menu like a classic buffet so guests don't feel compelled to try everything. Add tiny cocktail flags to each dish to signify their origin. Use serving utensils, plates and tablecloths inspired by the artistic styles of different cultures to complete the look. nine0003
Main courses
When choosing main courses, try to choose those that can be widely popular.
- Bring out Indian culture with this easy 3 chicken curry recipe. While curry powder may be a new flavor for some, this simple soup-like recipe includes mostly basic ingredients like chicken, onion, and garlic.
Serve with a bread variant such as naan for an authentic feel. nine0010 - Give your guests a completely different taste with this slow-cooked carnitas recipe inspired by Mexican culture. This shredded pork is perfect for making your own burrito bar, where guests can fill a corn or flour tortilla with carnitas and toppings like salsa, tomato and lettuce. Add chili peppers or jalapeno peppers to the fire and replace the pork shoulder with whatever chopped one you prefer.
Parties
Choose sides with rice or pasta.
- Add a twist to a traditional side dish when you cook Prawn Fried Rice Style Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe. This side takes white rice to the next level with the addition of spicy sausage.
- Get a taste of Egyptian culture with a simple recipe How to make falafel . Mashed chickpeas with various spices are shaped into flattened balls and fried to make this delicious dish. Trade chickpeas for beans for a more authentic dish. nine0010
- Complete your suggestions with an easy noodle dish called Yakisoba Recipe.
This Japanese dish mixes shredded carrots and cabbage with wheat flour noodles to make a dish that most people enjoy. If you can't find wheat flour noodles, try ramen noodles or even spaghetti noodles.
Desserts
Ditch the traditional baby cake or cupcakes and replace them with fun, light dessert layers.
- Easy French dessert recipe is Napoleon which includes layers of puff pastry and pastry cream.
- Serve a similar alternative to Greek Baklava recipes. The chocolate version includes layers of phyllo dough and a chocolate-pecan mixture drizzled with chocolate icing.
Beverages
Keep the theme multicultural by serving tea and coffee from around the world. Add a cold, refreshing drink, such as the non-alcoholic Irish Rose Cocktail. This simple version uses carbonated water and fruit juices to make a delicious drink. nine0003
Choices for everyone
The perfect baby shower menu includes options to suit a variety of tastes.
Whenever possible, pair the menu theme with a shower theme or some aspect of a new parent's life for a cohesive event.
5 ideas for the perfect baby shower
Organize Baby Shower (or Baby Shower) is a great idea to get together with friends and family and share those pregnant moments. In addition, you can share impressions and experiences and receive gifts that will come in handy when your child arrives. Not forgetting that planning a party will help you temporarily park everything related to delivery or typical problems of pregnant women .
Anything related to the party will allow you to have fun, whether it's finding the best ideas, suggestions, making your own parts, eating, etc. In addition, you can rely on the help of friends and share these wonderful moments with them before motherhood . If you're planning a baby shower, don't miss out on these ideas to help you organize the perfect event.
Index
- 1 ideal children's shower
- 1.1 invitation
- 1.2 snacks
- 1.3 Drinks
- 1.4 Souvenir details
- 1.5 Subscribed book
Children's shower - one of the best opportunities for creativity, as you can choose the desired topic and embody her in all the elements of the party. In addition, you have many options when preparing invitations, meals or details for all your guests. Then we will leave you some ideas that you can use as inspiration organize your perfect party.
Invitations
Prepare baby shower invitations at home. From simple materials, you can make original and very cheap invitations. You only need colored cardboard, you can choose the color of the party theme. Cut out any baby shape, small footprint, baby silhouette, diaper, etc. that you like best.
You just have to add party details and distribute invitations to your friends and family.
Snacks
Seize the opportunity to serve healthy snacks to all your guests. You yourself are in a period when you must take care of your health to the maximum, so you can take the opportunity to serve delicious healthy and tasty food . Here are some ideas:
- Healthy Skewers : You have hundreds of possibilities, you just need to buy wooden skewers and decorate them to your liking. You can glue small pieces of hashi tape in the shape of a flag or whatever shape you like best. Shashlik can be anything, you can mix fruits, vegetables, feta cheese, both raw and fried .
- Vegetable Crudite : Chopped with sticks assorted vegetables, carrots, celery, cucumbers, etc. Prepare bowls with assorted dipping creams Chickpea hummus with red pepper, guacamole and whatever you want.
Beverages
You can't drink alcohol and the party is for your baby and for yourself, so baby shower must be free of alcoholic drinks.
But that doesn't mean you have to serve unappealing drinks, quite the contrary. You can get creative and make non-alcoholic cocktails in colors chosen to match the theme of the party. You can use fruit juices or sparkling water as a base, add red fruits, grenadine, pineapple chunks and coconut water, etc. The combinations are endless. nine0003
Souvenir parts
Your guests will come to your baby shower to celebrate the arrival of your baby, they will bring you gifts and you will have a special time. To remember this party for a long time, you can give your friends a small part . Here is a very simple and inexpensive idea:
- Small jar of marmalade : You can also prepare to make them healthier. Tie a small satin ribbon of your chosen party color to the lid, add your child's name tag and the date of the party.
Signature book
You can also leave a signature book to Your guests leave a small dedication to your baby .
