Baby Shower Budget Calculator
Plan a baby shower budget from the guest count, food, decorations, venue and favors — with the all-in cost per guest so you can adjust the list.
How it works
Total = guests × (food + favor) + venue + decorations + cake & games
Shower costs, like most party budgets, divide into per-guest items (food and favors) and fixed items (venue, decorations, cake and games) that do not move with the list. Because the fixed block is spread across everyone, the cost per guest falls as the list grows — hosting 30 people is rarely 50% more expensive than hosting 20. Knowing the per-guest food-and-favor figure tells you the real marginal cost of each extra invite.
Worked example
For 20 guests at $12 of food and a $5 favor each, variable costs are $340. Add $150 venue, $80 decorations and $90 cake and games ($320 fixed) and the total is $660 — about $33 per guest.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baby shower cost?
A modest at-home shower can run $200–$400, while a catered venue event for 25–30 guests often reaches $700–$1,500. Food and the venue are the largest drivers.
Who traditionally pays for the baby shower?
Traditionally the host — often a close friend or relative rather than the parents — covers the shower. Costs are increasingly shared among several hosts, which this budget can be split across.
How can I keep the shower affordable?
Hosting at home removes the venue cost, which is usually the biggest fixed item, and simple favors or a dessert-only menu cut the per-guest figure. Adjust the inputs to see which change moves the total most.
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Educational estimate, not financial advice.