Goodbye, Trinkets: Thoughtful Alternatives to Baby Shower Favors

Baby shower favors have been a sweet tradition for a long time — but let’s be honest: most guests don’t really need another mini candle, bag of potpourri, or keychain floating around their house.

If you’re planning a baby shower and wondering if you have to do favors (spoiler alert: you don’t!), you’re in the right place.

There are so many fun, creative ways to show your guests you appreciate them without handing out traditional favors — and many of them end up feeling even more thoughtful and memorable.

Today, I’m sharing 10 awesome alternatives to baby shower favors that will make your guests smile, help you stay on budget, and keep the focus right where it should be — on celebrating your new little one!

🍼 Why More Baby Showers Are Skipping Favors

These days, more parents-to-be are choosing to skip traditional baby shower favors — and honestly, it just makes sense!

Instead of sending guests home with a tiny candle or mini lotion they might not even use, showers are focusing more on creating fun, meaningful memories.

It’s more budget-friendly, better for the environment, and honestly, more fun to focus on the celebration itself instead of stuffing little gift bags.

10 Fun Alternatives to Baby Shower Favors

1. Dessert Bar or To-Go Treats

Because who doesn’t love a sweet treat?

Instead of sending guests home with a trinket, send them off with dessert!

Set up a dessert table with cookies, mini cupcakes, cake pops, or candy, and provide little to-go bags or boxes.

Guests can fill a bag with their favorites and enjoy a sweet treat later.

✨ Extra Touch: Add a cute sign that says something like, “A Sweet Ending to a Sweet Day!” or “Thanks for making today so sweet!”

2. Photo Booth with Instant Prints

Create memories, not clutter.

A DIY photo booth is always a crowd-pleaser. Set up a cute backdrop, add some playful props (baby bottles, onesies, fun signs like “Team Boy” or “Team Girl”), and have an instant camera on hand.

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Guests can snap pictures and take home a printed photo from the shower.

✨ Extra Touch: Buy little photo frames from the dollar store so guests can display their pic at home!

3. Plant Station

Let love (and greenery) grow.

Set up a table with mini succulents, tiny potted herbs, or packets of flower seeds.

Let guests pick one if they want — no pressure, no extra waste.
Plants feel fresh, meaningful, and last way longer than a favor bag.

✨ Extra Touch: Add little plant stakes with messages like “Watch Me Grow” or “Thanks for Helping Our Family Bloom.”

4. Group Activity Keepsake

Something meaningful for you, created by them.

Instead of favors, invite guests to contribute to a special keepsake. Ideas include:

• Signing a children’s book with sweet notes
  
• Decorating onesies with fabric markers
  
• Writing a message on quilt squares
  
• Creating a fingerprint tree for the nursery

✨ Extra Touch: Pick something that ties into your shower theme (like ocean-themed onesies for an under-the-sea shower)!

5. Thank You Notes After the Shower

A personal thank-you beats a candle any day.

Instead of handing out favors during the shower, send a heartfelt thank you note after.

You can even tuck in a photo from the party if you used a photo booth!
It’s thoughtful, simple, and way more memorable than another mini soap bar.

✨ Extra Touch: Handwrite a little personal memory from the shower or something funny that happened — guests will love it.

6. Fun Group Experience

Make the event itself the takeaway.

If your shower is smaller, cap off the party with a fun activity like:

• A DIY spa bar (make your own sugar scrub or bath salts)
  
• A cookie decorating table
  
• A mini painting party
  
• A mocktail mixing station

The shared experience will feel way more meaningful than any little trinket could.

✨ Extra Touch: Play some upbeat music and hand out aprons or recipe cards to tie it all together.

7. Specialty Drinks or DIY Mocktail Bar

Sip, mix, and celebrate.

Create a DIY mocktail bar with fun ingredients — think fruity syrups, sparkling water, fresh fruit, cute paper straws.

Guests can create their own signature drinks during the party — no favor bag necessary.

✨ Extra Touch: Name the mocktails something baby-themed like “Baby Bubbles” or “Mom-osa Magic.”

8. Build-Your-Own Snack Mix Station

Tasty, easy, and always a win.

Set up a snack bar with options like:

• Pretzels
  
• Chocolate chips
  
• Mini marshmallows
  
• Dried fruit
  
• Nuts

Give guests little bags or containers so they can build a custom snack mix to take home.

✨ Extra Touch: Add a sign that says, “Thanks for popping by!” — it ties in perfectly with popcorn or trail mix bars.

9. Mini Pampering Station

A little self-care goes a long way.

Offer guests a mini “pampering” pick-me-up.

Set up a small table with goodies like lip balm, sheet masks, mini lotions, or bath bombs — and let guests choose one if they want.

✨ Extra Touch: Display everything in cute baskets or vintage trays so it feels like a boutique experience.

10. Custom Temporary Tattoos

Fun, silly, and unforgettable.

Order custom temporary tattoos that fit your baby shower theme — like tiny baby bottles, footprints, or fun phrases like “Team Baby [Last Name]” or “Mama’s Crew.”

Set up a little “Tattoo Station” where guests can apply them during the party. It’s way more fun than another candle — and it gives everyone something to laugh about!

✨ Extra Touch: Have a little mirror and a water sponge ready to help guests apply them easily.

🍼 How to Let Guests Know There Won’t Be Favors

Worried someone might wonder where the favor table is? You don’t need to make a big announcement — just add a small, sweet sign somewhere noticeable.

One cute idea: place a sign on the dessert table or near the exit that says:

“Your presence is the sweetest gift! Thank you for celebrating Baby [Name] with us.”

It keeps the vibe happy and grateful without making anyone feel like they’re missing out.

🍼 Fun Baby Shower Themes That Pair Perfectly with Favor Alternatives

If you’re wondering how to tie everything together, here are a few fun matches:

• Plant Station → Garden Party Baby Shower 🌸
• Photo Booth → Vintage Tea Party Baby Shower 📸
• Dessert Bar or Snack Station → Sweet Little One Baby Shower 🍭
• Mocktail Bar → Mom-osa Brunch Baby Shower 🍹
• Temporary Tattoos → Boho Baby Shower 🌼
• Mini Spa Station → Mommy-to-Be Spa Day Shower 🛁

Choosing a favor alternative that matches your theme makes it feel even more intentional — not like you “forgot” favors.

🍼 Easy Mini Favor Ideas If You Still Want to Offer Something Tiny

If you still want guests to leave with a little something but don’t want to go the full traditional favor route, here are a few low-effort ideas:

• A wrapped gourmet cookie
• A small honey jar or jam jar
• A cute bubble bottle
• A mini candle (in a universally loved scent like vanilla or lavender)
• A small potted succulent or flower

These options are still simple, budget-friendly, and clutter-free — perfect if you want to strike a balance!

✨ choose the right baby shower favors for you

Baby showers are meant to be joyful, not stressful.

You don’t need to give out favors to make guests feel appreciated — sweet treats, fun memories, and meaningful experiences will always mean more than another random trinket.

Whether they leave with a snack, a cute photo, or just a heart full of love, your guests will remember your baby shower as a beautiful, happy day — favor or no favor. 💛

🍼 FAQ: Can You Really Skip Favors at a Baby Shower?

Absolutely! Baby showers are about celebrating the parents-to-be and the new little one on the way — not about sending guests home with stuff.

A fun memory, a sweet treat, or a simple thank you is all you need to make your guests feel loved and appreciated.

🍼 Save It for Later!

Planning your baby shower? Save these favor alternatives for later!