OK, ladies, I really need your frugal help. I am helping host a "princess" baby shower. I have about $50 to spend. I have a chocolate fountain w/ chocolate already, so that's taken care of. I've thought to buy a white plastic table cloth w/ alot of pink touille on top. I'm going to make sugar cookies in the shape of crowns. I am responsible for all the food except the cake & mints. It's not a disney princess theme, just princess. I'm going to hit the thrift stores and see what I can find also, but any ideas as to what to look for would be great

I've discovered that different parts of the country have different expectations for showers. Do you need a sit down meal, finger food, snacks?
Check the archives of Like Merchant Ships. Meredith does a lot of this kind of entertaining on a thrift budget.

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~Jeweled

We're having it at 2:00 in the afternoon, so finger foods. Nothing too filling.

I would think you would be fine with cookies, cake, maybe some mints. If you want more, I would do veggies and dip or cheese and crackers.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Are you responsible for invites and favors too? If you make your own invites (either on the computer or stamping) that could cut down on costs. Making favors is also easy. Some favors I've seen done nicely and cost effectively are candy in baby food jars, pink or blue candy in bags and decorated candles.

My sister is doing the invites & some kind of candle gift. I am in charge of food & decor.

I would hit the dollar store for decorations. You can easily get table cloths and ballons, plus paper plates and utensils(come on you know you aren't going to want to clean up and do actual dishes afterward, lol). Also grab a few flavored cracker boxes there too. How many people are you inviting? I would suggest going to sams club and buy some chips and a bag of premade frozen meatballs. Get your crockpot out and some bbq sauce. Throw the frozen meatballs in with bbq sauce and let it cook. Really easy.

I've got plenty more ideas.....

I just thought about drinks for you. This we have had at a few receptions and man is it good:

get a half gallon of the cheapest sherbert ice cream you can find
a 2 liter bottle of 7 up
fruit punch

I believe you only use half of the sherbert ice cream with the 7 up and fruit punch. Feel free to add more of the sherbert to your liking. It is really good!

Or the cheapest option.... WATER!

This is our stand by tried and true punch recipe!! My 18 yr old niece wants to "help" with the shower, so this is her job. We'll see how responsible she is