What is the best food for a baby shower

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.

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 bacon

Hollowed-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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what to cook for a 10 year birthday

How much do children need to be happy? To spend a wonderful holiday, the most anticipated of all, with family and close friends, and even in such a way that it will be remembered for a long time. And caring parents will help in this - for this they need to prepare in advance and carefully plan everything. On the eve of a child's birthday, especially such a round date as 10 years old, every mother wonders, so what to cook on the table? And if you decide to celebrate this event at home, then the tips of the Zatusim resource will be useful to you. nine0003

Contents

What you need to know when choosing meals

Setting up a table for a 10-year-old child's birthday is, of course, easier than for younger children, for whom the list of food is limited. But it is still important to choose fresh and high-quality ingredients for cooking.

Try not to use extravagant foods and recipes when composing the menu, especially if you are not sure that your child and guests will want to eat it.

It is best to choose food familiar to your baby, but prepared in a special way. nine0003

By nature, we tend to separate food, and in children this is especially pronounced. Therefore, the simpler the treats are, the more the guys will like them.

Choose less fatty foods and try not to use frying when cooking, because tasty food can be prepared correctly and be healthy.

If other children were invited to the birthday party, it would not be superfluous to ask mothers about the presence of allergic reactions or other restrictions on products. nine0003

Another important aspect is safety. Keeping track of active children in the heat of the holiday is not easy, so make sure your food and table are as safe as possible.

Children are very fond of fresh fruits and vegetables - when serving them, make sure that the treats are well washed and, if possible, pitted.

Avoid fish with bones, complex sandwiches, spicy foods, and foods with strong allergens.

Fish dishes should be discarded, because even after a thorough check, small bones may remain, and if someone chokes, the holiday may be completely ruined. And not all children like to eat fish. nine0003

Children's birthday menu options

Chicken dishes are a great option for a hot dish - most children have a positive attitude towards it.

Battered baked legs will definitely appeal to 10-year-olds - they are tasty and easy to eat with your hands. This treat is easy to prepare and can be fun to decorate with paper tassels.

Give preference to simple salads that can be put into bowls. Arrange the filling in shortbread baskets or tartlets. nine0003

It is much more interesting for children to treat themselves to such snacks than to sit in front of a plate full of heavy salads.

Make small sandwiches with homemade pork, cheese or pâté. But it is better to avoid smoked meats and sausages.

An excellent solution for a festive table are various canapes decorated on skewers - such a treat will definitely be eaten.

Avoid the abundance of store-bought sweets and candies, many delicious desserts can be prepared at home. nine0003

The birthday menu for a 10-year-old girl can be varied with all kinds of fruit and berry jellies, mousses. Milkshakes and chocolate puddings also make great table decorations.

It is better to replace carbonated drinks with natural juices and fruit drinks. The time of bottled cola and forfeit on the tables is over, and every mother who cares about the health of her children is able to prepare delicious and healthy drinks.

Cooking meals that children love

Almost any healthy dish can be transformed into a children's menu for 10-year-old guests. But there are treats that children especially like. We will include them in our menu.

Snacks, sandwiches and canapes

Small snack sandwiches and canapes make a great menu item for a 10 year old's birthday. Make small sandwiches. The ideal size is 5x5 cm, so they are much more convenient to eat.

Products can be cut into various shapes (stars, circles, fish) using cutters and put on skewers. It is desirable that the skewers are not very sharp, which will exclude injuries. nine0003

You can string anything on skewers: fruits, vegetables, cheese, cold cuts, bread. Alternate colors - so the appetizer will look much more interesting.

Even more recipes in the material 7 sandwiches that are impossible to resist.

If the party is outdoors or in the woods around a campfire, prepare covered sandwiches - burgers and sandwiches delight children.

Homemade pizza for a birthday

For a 10 year anniversary, a girl or a boy can have pizza. Children simply adore it, and will prefer it to many other dishes. nine0003

This Italian open pie can be both the main treat on the table and a small snack. It all depends on the filling you choose and how you serve it.

You can bake one large pizza or make small portioned treats.

The golden rule of baby food is the simpler the better. Therefore, chicken, cheese, pickled cucumbers, tomato sauce are perfect as ingredients for pizza.

Do not overload it with olives or onions - children often do not eat these foods. nine0003

Homemade lemonade

Cooling drinks are indispensable in summer. This is where homemade lemonade comes in handy.

To make lemonade you will need:

water;
lemon;
sugar.

The proportions of the ingredients are arbitrary. Usually, juice and zest of 1 lemon is enough for 1 liter of water. But everything will depend on the size and freshness, acidity of the fruit. Add sugar to taste as well. For 3 liters of drink, 1 glass of granulated sugar is consumed. nine0003

Wash the lemon thoroughly and scald it with boiling water. Remove the zest from the citrus on a grater.

Squeeze out all the juice, then strain to remove the pits.

Boil water and add zest and sugar. Continue to boil the drink for another 10 minutes.

Cool the syrup and pour in the squeezed lemon juice.

Lemonade is ready! Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Berry smoothie

You will need 1 kilogram of ripe strawberries. You can use wild strawberries or wild strawberries, or other berries that are in season. nine0003

To make a delicious smoothie, mix 2 cups of juice (fruit drink), berries, melon pieces, banana in a tall bowl.

Beat the resulting mixture well with a blender until smooth.
Pour into tall glasses and garnish with fruit. This drink will be a great addition to any appetizer or dessert.

Interesting recipes with the use of berries in the material Dishes of gooseberries and raspberries on the festive table.

10th birthday cakes

What birthday is complete without a cake - its appearance almost always becomes the culmination of the holiday.

Of course, mothers always have a choice - to order a birthday cake for a 10-year-old boy in a pastry shop or bake it at home on their own.

If you have free time, the second option is preferable, as you will know exactly what ingredients the cake for children is made from.

The rules for the safety of components and the preparation of a cake for the 1st anniversary of the baby remain relevant for the first anniversary. nine0003

In addition, there are recipes for amazingly delicious and easy-to-prepare treats, from classic cakes to funky gingerbread, desserts, cupcakes, muffins.

No-Bake Jelly Cake

Even if you don't have experience with complex pastries, making a jelly cake is easy. In addition, there is a place for creative experiments and the embodiment of the most incredible ideas.

For cooking you will need:

butter;
shortbread biscuits;
cinnamon;
fruits;
gelatin;
chocolate;
heavy cream;
curd mass;
powdered sugar.

Prepare butter, cookies and cinnamon for the base. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and tamp in a detachable cake mold. We send it to the freezer for 15-20 minutes.

For the next jelly layer, you can choose any filler - fruits, berries, chocolate. The most beautiful cake will turn out if you combine several layers. nine0003

Prepare the gelatin mixture according to the instructions on the package, add melted chocolate and heavy cream - 200 ml. Stir and send to simmer over low heat, not bringing to a boil.

In a blender, mix 200 g of the curd mass with the prepared chocolate mixture and add 50 g of powdered sugar. Put it on the base of the cake and send it to harden in the cold.

At this time, prepare the next layer.

Add berry juice, chopped fruits and berries to the new gelatin mixture. Let it brew a little and fill it with the first layer after it has hardened. nine0003

You can combine the number of layers and their content as you wish. Decorate the cake to your taste - with fresh berries or almond flakes, chocolate chips or marzipan figurines.

A 10 year old girl's birthday cake can be not only a delicious treat, but also a great activity for your child.

Involve the young birthday girl in the cooking process, giving her the freedom to be creative.

Such joint chores on the eve of the holiday will definitely please girls and even some boys. nine0003

Festive table setting

It is important to remember that children are not adults who are ready to sit at the table for hours on end.

Most likely, the holiday will not do without competitions and games, where only at intervals the kids will run up to the table and have something to eat and chew on the go. Try to create comfortable conditions for them.

Unbreakable plastic dishes will help out, small portions of food that are convenient to take from the table. nine0003

Drinking cups can be inscribed with guest names, resealable cocktail and smoothie bottles with straws.

Treats can be decorated in the shape of animals or cartoon characters. Fruits and vegetables are fun to cut with the help of special kitchen utensils.

Summing up, let's highlight the main points that must be taken into account when compiling a children's birthday menu:

Think over the dishes for the birthday of a 10-year-old child in advance. nine0110
Avoid complicated recipes and extravagant ingredients.
It is better to serve familiar foods, but prepared in an original way.
Homemade pizza will be a great treat for a 10 year old child's birthday.
Use less store-bought sweets - delicious desserts can and should be prepared at home.
Carbonated drinks are easy to replace with fruit drinks, compotes or juices.
Try the delicious no-bake cake. nine0110

Beautifully set the table and dishes, then your child and guests will definitely be satisfied.

Video: children's holiday menu

What and how to prepare for a children's holiday is shown in detail in the video:

Shower gel versus soap: which is better?

Should I shower with gel or soap? What cleanses the skin more effectively and does not harm the skin? Roskachestvo figured out the better to wash in the shower.

Specialists of the non-profit consumer organization "Which?" recommend choosing shower gels: most often (but not always) moisturizing ingredients are added to them, while ordinary hand soap can dry the skin. However, it all depends on the specific composition of a particular soap or product and, most importantly, on the characteristics of the skin! nine0003

Anna Trushina

dermatologist at the Ogni Olympus clinic

– In principle, the form of the detergent is not so important: there are excellent “soft” soaps for atopic skin and at the same time very drying shower gels. So it's not worth focusing on it. For the most part, it's just a matter of convenience, who likes what more. nine0003

Are shower gel and soap really necessary?

There is an opinion that the skin should be washed with detergents at least once a day. In fact, healthy skin does not need it.

One of the main tasks of our skin is to protect the body from harmful external influences, chemicals, microorganisms, allergens. To successfully cope with it, our skin must have a sufficient amount of internal moisture, that is, not be overdried. To maintain the protective functions of the skin and the level of moisture, there is a protective lipid film and a certain microbiome on the surface of the skin. Excessive hygiene, frequent use of detergents for the skin leads to the destruction of the lipid layer and imbalance of microflora, the skin loses moisture and becomes more sensitive to allergens and more vulnerable to pathogenic microorganisms from the environment (inflammation may appear on the skin, for example, various rashes). nine0003

Therefore, every day it is not necessary to use a detergent; warm water is enough for a daily shower. It is impossible to give clear recommendations on how often you need to wash with shower gel or soap, it all depends on personal preferences and skin characteristics (someone has it, for example, very oily). Some people need a shower with a product once or twice a week, while others are fine with using gel or soap even less often.

Should you avoid any ingredients in shower gels and soaps? nine0141

On the Internet, you can find many recommendations to avoid in the composition of various surfactants (SLS, SLES, ALES), preservatives (methylparaben, propylparaben) and other components. But Anna Trushina emphasizes that for people with normal, not irritated and not too sensitive skin, there is no direct ban on the above components, especially if the shower gel is not used daily.

At the same time, more delicate surfactants, such as Betaine, are really used in products for sensitive and dry skin. However, for the mass market, manufacturers often use a more aggressive set of surfactants. nine0003

Which product to choose if you have dry and sensitive skin?

So, when choosing a product, you need to focus on the characteristics of your skin. For example, those who are sensitive and/or prone to dryness are best suited with neutral pH products. So, you can use syndetes (synthetic detergents) or cold cream soaps. For those who hear such names for the first time, we will clarify that these funds need to be looked for in pharmacies. They will indicate that it is a syndeth or cold cream. But it is undesirable to choose products with strong fragrances for sensitive skin (you can determine this by too strong a smell, as well as listing a large number of different essential oils and extracts in the composition). nine0003

For oily skin, products with salicylic acid (Salicylic acid), AHA acids (these are water-soluble fruit acids) are suitable. Usually they are labeled as AHAs on the label.

In the presence of skin rashes (dermatitis, eczema, acne, psoriasis, etc.), it is advisable to discuss care tactics with a dermatologist: depending on the severity of the skin process, stage, and treatment, the features of care may change.

Definitely, everyone should avoid scrubs and hard washcloths: in addition to the fact that they can dry out the skin, they also damage it mechanically, provoking the appearance of multiple micro abrasions on the surface.