Ushering in the new addition to the family is usually not complete without throwing a baby shower, a classic tradition in Americana and other cultures as well. Traditionally, a baby shower is a "girls only" event, often hosted by the baby's godmother, but today baby showers can be hosted by any friend or relative of the mother-to-be, and can be attended by whomever the host wishes to invite. The main motive behind throwing a baby shower is to surprise the would-be mum with a gaggle of gifts, may they be baby toys, clothes or layette items, and these days, gift cheques for baby specialty stores or other practical items. A wish list these days is not symbolic anymore of improper decorum for these events, as parents are free to list down items they would need for their baby but may not quite be able to afford.
It is believed that baby showers got their start in America, a tradition fairly recent but time-honored nonetheless. The theme would usually be casual, and would be held in the afternoon or during tea time, and would have the usual smattering of parlour games, friendly chit-chat and non-alcoholic beverages served to the guests. If you wish to test your organizational skills, you can organize a potluck shower and have each guest bring one gift and one food item each, or if you have a larger budget, you can opt for a baby shower with full catering. Party games, if the host chooses to have them, generally center around the general theme of the baby and pregnancy, ranging from themed versions traditional games like charades to activities such as guessing the circumference of the pregnant guest-of-honor.
A lot of parents are naturally predisposed to feeling excited over an upcoming baby shower, but certain cultures believe that celebrating a birth before it happens is bad karma, or that such celebrations are meant to be kept within the immediate family. This is important, because you may have friends of different cultures or nationalities who would decline such an event - don't be offended if that is the case. In other cases, the mother-to-be may have multiple showers! They can have one with their mates at work, and another one with mates since childhood and family members. Also, there are women who prefer having a baby shower for their first child only - other women would not mind one every time they usher in a new addition.
Baby showers are not bound by rigid traditions to the same extent as weddings and other life events, so don't be surprised if a new friend's baby shower is nothing like the last one you attended.
There is really no "wrong" way to throw a baby shower, so if you have been charged with hosting a shower for a friend or relative, it's an "anything goes" affair (so long as you have the guest of honor's stamp of approval for your plans!).
It is believed that baby showers got their start in America, a tradition fairly recent but time-honored nonetheless. The theme would usually be casual, and would be held in the afternoon or during tea time, and would have the usual smattering of parlour games, friendly chit-chat and non-alcoholic beverages served to the guests. If you wish to test your organizational skills, you can organize a potluck shower and have each guest bring one gift and one food item each, or if you have a larger budget, you can opt for a baby shower with full catering. Party games, if the host chooses to have them, generally center around the general theme of the baby and pregnancy, ranging from themed versions traditional games like charades to activities such as guessing the circumference of the pregnant guest-of-honor.
A lot of parents are naturally predisposed to feeling excited over an upcoming baby shower, but certain cultures believe that celebrating a birth before it happens is bad karma, or that such celebrations are meant to be kept within the immediate family. This is important, because you may have friends of different cultures or nationalities who would decline such an event - don't be offended if that is the case. In other cases, the mother-to-be may have multiple showers! They can have one with their mates at work, and another one with mates since childhood and family members. Also, there are women who prefer having a baby shower for their first child only - other women would not mind one every time they usher in a new addition.
Baby showers are not bound by rigid traditions to the same extent as weddings and other life events, so don't be surprised if a new friend's baby shower is nothing like the last one you attended.
There is really no "wrong" way to throw a baby shower, so if you have been charged with hosting a shower for a friend or relative, it's an "anything goes" affair (so long as you have the guest of honor's stamp of approval for your plans!).
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