Listen, I’ve been to way too many baby showers where the decorations looked expensive but felt…cold. You know what I mean? Like someone ordered a Pinterest board from Amazon and called it a day. When my sister got pregnant last year, I decided to create something different – decorations that felt personal, looked amazing, and didn’t drain my bank account.
Here’s what I learned: DIY baby shower decorations aren’t just about saving money (though that’s a massive bonus). They’re about creating memories. Every time I see the photo garland we made, I remember laughing with my mom as we sorted through old pictures. That’s the magic you can’t buy.
These 20 ideas are budget-friendly, beginner-approved, and genuinely beautiful. Most take under an hour to create, and you’ll probably have half the supplies already. Let’s make your baby shower unforgettable without the stress or the massive price tag.
How These Decorations Transform Your Celebration
Before we dive into the specific ideas, let’s talk about what makes DIY decorations special. They’re not just cheaper (though saving $200+ is pretty amazing). They’re conversation starters. They’re photo backdrops that tell a story. And honestly? They’re way more fun to create than you’d think.
I’ve organized these ideas from easiest to most impressive, so you can choose based on your time and confidence level. Most require basic supplies you can grab at any craft store or dollar store. No fancy equipment needed.
1. Tissue Paper Pom-Pom Clouds
These are criminally easy to make and look absolutely magical. I made twelve in about two hours while binge-watching my favorite show. The secret? Don’t skimp on the tissue paper layers – use at least eight sheets per pom-pom. They’ll look fuller and photograph better.
Hang them at different heights above your gift table or dessert station. Use fishing line so they look like they’re floating. Your guests will ask where you bought them, and you’ll get to say you made them yourself. That never gets old.
2. Mason Jar Centerpiece Station
Mason jars are your best friend for budget decorating. I bought a case of twelve for $8, and they’ve been used for three different events already. Wrap them in burlap, add a ribbon, drop in some fresh or silk flowers, and boom – you’ve got centerpieces that cost about $2 each instead of $15.
Pro tip: Mix heights by turning some jars upside down as pedestals. It creates visual interest without buying expensive risers. Fill them with pink lemonade and add paper straws for dual-purpose decoration and refreshment.
3. Photo Timeline Garland
This one makes people cry. In a good way. Print out ultrasound pictures, pregnancy milestone photos, and childhood pictures of both parents. Hang them chronologically on twine with mini clothespins. It takes maybe thirty minutes and costs less than $10, but it’s the decoration everyone will remember.
Place it somewhere guests naturally gather – near the food table or above the gift area. People will spend ages looking at it, sharing stories, and taking photos. It’s not just decoration; it’s a conversation catalyst.
4. Balloon Arch Without the Frame
Forget expensive balloon arch kits. Seriously. Use command hooks and fishing line instead. Blow up balloons in different sizes (this is key for that organic look), and cluster them along the fishing line. Add greenery from your yard or dollar store eucalyptus, and you’ve got an Instagram-worthy backdrop for under $20.
The irregular sizing makes it look intentionally artistic rather than DIY. I watched a YouTube tutorial once, and now I’m the designated balloon arch person in my friend group. It’s easier than it looks, I promise.
5. Diaper Cake Centerpiece
Here’s where function meets decoration. Stack diapers in tiers, secure with ribbon, and decorate with small toys or baby items. It looks fancy on your main table during the shower, then the mom-to-be actually uses everything afterward. Zero waste, maximum impact.
I’ve made these for five different showers, and each time I get better at making them stable. The trick is using a paper towel roll as your center support. Slide it through the middle, and your tiers won’t shift or collapse mid-party.
6. Book-Themed Advice Cards
Instead of generic advice cards, cut cardstock into bookmark shapes and have guests write parenting advice as “chapters” for the baby’s story. It’s creative, meaningful, and costs maybe $3 for supplies. Put them in a pretty basket with pens, and display them on a vintage book stack.
The mom-to-be gets a beautiful collection of advice she’ll actually save and read later. Unlike those generic cards that end up in a drawer and forgotten, these become keepsakes. I still have mine from my shower three years ago.
7. Paper Fan Backdrop
Paper fans (the accordion-folded circles) create a massive visual impact for minimal cost and effort. Buy them in coordinating colors, hang them on the wall in a cluster, and suddenly you have a professional-looking photo backdrop. I found a pack of twelve assorted sizes for $12 on Amazon.
Hang them behind your main table or create a designated photo area. They’re lightweight, so command strips work perfectly, and you can reuse them for birthday parties later. My daughter’s first birthday party used the same fans in different colors.
8. Onesie Garland Banner
Buy plain white baby onesies (the small preemie size is perfect and cheap), and set up a decorating station. Guests write messages, draw pictures, or create designs with fabric markers. Then hang them on twine as decoration during the party. Afterward, the mom gets a whole wardrobe of personalized baby clothes.
This doubles as entertainment and decoration. Guests love having something to do with their hands, and it creates community. We did this at my shower, and watching my grandmother’s generation interact with my friends while decorating onesies was priceless.
9. Eucalyptus Table Runner
Eucalyptus from the grocery store floral section costs about $4 per bunch, and you need maybe four bunches for a six-foot table. Lay it down the center of your table, weave in some ribbon or fairy lights, and scatter tea lights. It looks expensive, smells amazing, and photographs beautifully.
The natural, organic vibe is so in right now. It works for rustic themes, boho themes, or elegant themes. Plus, the scent is subtle and refreshing – way better than artificial room spray. Guests always ask about it, and it’s satisfying to say it costs less than most floral arrangements.
10. Chalkboard Countdown Sign
A small chalkboard from the craft store ($5) becomes a personalized countdown sign. Write the baby’s name, due date, or a sweet message. Lean it on an easel or hang it near the entrance. It’s a welcoming touch that sets the theme immediately.
What I love about chalkboard signs is their flexibility. You can update the message easily if plans change, or use it for different occasions. I’ve used mine for three different parties by simply changing what’s written. That’s budget decorating done right.
11. Floating Flower Installation
Hang paper or silk flowers from the ceiling at different heights using clear fishing line. It creates this magical garden effect that’s perfect for spring or garden-themed showers. The flowers catch light beautifully and create dimension in your space.
I made paper flowers from coffee filters and watercolors for my sister’s shower. Cost? Maybe $8 total. Time? A fun afternoon with my mom. Value? Priceless. Plus, we got to keep them afterward, and my sister has them in her nursery now.
12. Candy Bar Display Station
Glass jars filled with color-coordinated candy serve as both decoration and a treat station. Choose candies in your color scheme – pinks, blues, whites, silvers – and let guests fill small bags to take home. The jars themselves become a beautiful table decoration.
Here’s my pro tip: buy candy from the bulk section at your grocery store instead of pre-packaged bags. You’ll save money and can customize amounts. I spent about $25 on candy that looked like $100 worth of carefully curated sweets. Labels on the jars (printed at home) make it look professional.
13. Book Stack Centerpiece Bases
Stack classic children’s books (borrow from the library or thrift store finds) and top with small floral arrangements or candles. It’s themed, functional, and adds height variation to your tables. Plus, it subtly encourages guests to think about reading to the baby.
I love this because it serves multiple purposes. It’s decoration, it adds height, and it sparks conversations about favorite childhood books. After the shower, the mom-to-be can actually use the books for the nursery. That’s the kind of efficient decorating that makes my budget-conscious heart happy.
14. Fabric Bunting Triangle Garland
Cut triangles from coordinating fabric scraps, fold over twine or ribbon, and stitch or glue in place. This costs next to nothing if you have fabric scraps or old clothes to repurpose, and it looks charming and handmade in the best way.
The beauty of fabric bunting is its versatility. It works for literally any theme based on your fabric choices. Florals for garden themes, gingham for country themes, or solid pastels for modern minimalist. I’ve made four different ones now, and each took about an hour while watching TV.
15. Tulle-Wrapped Ceiling Treatment
Tulle is ridiculously cheap (like $2 per roll), and you can create a dramatic ceiling canopy by draping it from a center point. Add battery-operated fairy lights, and suddenly your room looks like a fairy tale. This works especially well for girls’ baby showers.
The effect is dramatic, but the installation is simple. Use a ceiling hook or even a Command hook if your ceiling allows it. Twist several colors of tulle together before draping for a more professional look. This was the hero decoration at my friend’s shower – everyone thought she hired a decorator.
16. Potted Herb Garden Favors
Small pots of basil, mint, or rosemary serve as living decorations during the party and practical favors afterward. Paint simple designs on terra cotta pots, plant inexpensive herbs, and add tags that say “Watch Me Grow” or the baby’s name.
This is sustainable decorating at its finest. Nothing gets thrown away, guests take home something useful, and the plants add life and color to your space during the party. I bought 20 small pots and herb starts for about $30, and guests still tell me they’re using their herbs months later.
17. Origami Crane Mobile
Fold origami cranes in coordinating colors and hang them from an embroidery hoop with fishing line at different lengths. It’s meditative to make, costs almost nothing, and creates a beautiful mobile that can transition to nursery decor afterward.
My friend made 50 cranes while on maternity leave with her first child, and we hung them at her second baby’s shower. The symbolism of cranes (representing hope and wishes) made it extra meaningful. Guests added written wishes to some of the cranes before hanging, which was a sweet interactive element.
18. Polaroid Guest Book Alternative
Set up an instant camera station where guests take photos and add them to a decorated mat or album with messages. It’s interactive entertainment during the party and creates a unique keepsake afterward. The Polaroid photos scattered around also serve as charming decoration elements.
I borrowed an instant camera, but you could also print phone photos on an instant printer. Set up a simple backdrop (remember those paper fans from earlier?), provide props, and let guests go wild. The candid moments captured this way are usually better than formal photographer shots.
19. Lemonade Stand Beverage Station
A dedicated beverage station becomes decoration when you style it properly. Use a large beverage dispenser, add fresh fruit or herbs, create a hand-lettered sign, and arrange cups aesthetically. It keeps guests hydrated while looking Instagram-worthy.
The trick is thinking beyond basic function. Add height with crates or books, incorporate florals or greenery, and make your sign special. I’ve done this for three parties now with different beverages (lemonade, iced tea, fruit water), and it’s always a conversation piece.
20. Memory Jar Time Capsule Station
A large glass jar labeled “Wishes for Baby” where guests write hopes, advice, or predictions for the baby’s future. Decorate the jar itself, provide pretty paper and pens, and it becomes both an activity and decoration. The mom-to-be keeps all these wishes to read later or share with her child someday.
This was hands-down the most meaningful decoration at my shower. Reading those wishes during hard newborn nights reminded me I had a community of support. Some were funny, some were touching, but all of them mattered. Plus, it costs maybe $5 for a jar and nice cardstock.
Bringing It All Together
Here’s what nobody tells you about DIY decorations: you don’t need to do all 20 of these. Pick five that resonate with your style and timeline. Mix a couple of quick projects with one or two that take more time. The combination of easy and impressive is what makes people think you spent way more time and money than you actually did.
I usually choose three main focal points (like the balloon arch, table runner, and photo backdrop), then add simpler touches (pom-poms, mason jar centerpieces, garlands) to tie everything together. This strategy keeps you from getting overwhelmed while still creating a cohesive, beautiful space.
Remember, the best decoration at any baby shower is the love and excitement in the room. These DIY projects just help set the stage for those memories. They give people something to talk about, interact with, and appreciate. But at the end of the day, it’s the celebration itself that matters most.
Save this article, pick your favorites, and start with just one or two projects. You’ll be amazed at what you can create with a little time, minimal budget, and a willingness to try. And when guests compliment your decorations? Feel free to share that you made them yourself. That’s the victory lap you’ve earned.
Want more baby shower inspiration and family celebration ideas? Visit BondedByFamily.com for creative, budget-friendly ways to celebrate life’s special moments without the stress or massive expense.