Whether you're a bridesmaid or a guest, you don't have to spend a lot of money throwing a shower. Use these easy tips from iVillage members.

• Go to a warehouse club and buy in bulk. You can make pasta, meatballs, sausage and peppers, all very cheap.
  
  
• Not every bride likes or needs favors for a shower. One option is to buy lace and potpourri, tie them together with a bow and make sachets. This is a nice keepsake.
  
  
• If you think the bride would enjoy it, why not throw a potluck shower. It's easy for guests to make their favorite dish (make sure you coordinate the menu!). A twist on the theme would be to have people bring the food in a dish the bride can keep, such as cake boxes, fruit bowls and so on. Just pop them in the dishwasher while everyone is playing games and visiting after eating, and they'll be ready when she leaves.
  
  
• Throw a "tea" instead of a traditional luncheon, with finger sandwiches, a nice dessert, mints and nuts. It's simple, inexpensive and quite elegant.
  
  
• Dress up a regular boxed cake mix with this trick: Use 1 1/2 recipes so the cake has three layers. Spread mocha icing between the layers and a regular chocolate frosting on the outside. Then add a little shortening to the rest of the frosting and pipe a pretty edge around the bottom. Now for the big "trick": Decorate the top of the cake with edible flowers, such as purple pansies, from the produce section of the grocery store. It looks impressive and professional.