What about doing a backyard BBQ for the shower if co-Ed to keep the cost down? We did coed as my BIL, FIL, and father wanted to be there but not many guys came. Hamburgers hotdogs chips are all cheap and easy. The guys can cook and hang out outside and whoever wants to come in for gifts can. Saves the women from having to even worry about food too. Also cupcakes can keep the cost down compared to a cake too (a cake recipe will make 36 cupcakes and only a 28 serving cake on average).

We are having a diaper party for my hubby and his friends so the guys can come out.  That way the expense won't be on the people throwing me a shower since we are gonna pay for the food and drinks.

There is no man in my life, friend, relative, or husband who would actually WANT to attend a baby shower, so I'm pretty sure they're all pretty happy I never had a co-ed one😊

Can you pitch in with the cost to keep the guest light higher? I think you should invite the people you truly want to celebrate rather than focus on the number of gifts you'll receive.

I'd have it all its easier to cut out alcohol expenses and make finger foods or have it at a time of day where everyone isn't eating a meal... Like after lunch and before dinner...plus not everyone you invite may be able to make it anyway so you never know how many people will show up. Idk how many people you have to invite but me and my sister are having our together since we are 3 weeks apart so we will have 100 people to invite everyone can bring their own alcohol if they wish and its at 3 pm but we are having a ton of food and a bon fire at night and both men and women. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money to throw a party. And no one should expect you to or you wouldn't have a shower with gifts in the first place. You do what you want to do... Not what your parents tell you they "think" is best

Mine is this weekend, my mom had originally wanted to have men and women, I did not want that but didn't mention it to her. A couple days later she changed her mind and now it's women only, I'm so happy. I prefer something smaller and it's still 50 people!!!

My husband enjoyed being at ours and some of the guys got together to get him a special dad gift...a signal cannon (yes it works). He had a lot of fun and enjoyed it even though mine was a more traditional shower with games (women at church threw it). I would suggest not doing many games at a coed one and a lot of women who aren't moms don't like the games anyways. 

Personally, I'm into the traditional women only. But that's just me!  Maybe your hubby can have his own cookout with his buddies to celebrate the baby? 

Diaper shower all the way!