Baby Showers – Then and Now

Baby showers can be a lot of fun for the mother-to-be and her friends. It is a chance for them to celebrate the new life and to “shower” the mother-to-be with love and gifts. Since time immemorial, every culture has had ways of celebrating the beginning of a pregnancy.

It used to be that gifts were given to the mother after the baby was born. It was often just an afternoon tea party for the mother and her close female relatives. The gifts she would receive would be generally handmade and almost always very practical. Generally they would have a shower only for the first baby in a family, the one that first make the “mother-to-be” into a mother. And there would usually be just one party given for that baby.

Modern Baby Showers

Now, not only are baby showers often given for subsequent children joining the family, but the mother is often “showered” more than once, by various groups: work, church, relatives, etc. They are often planned to include both men and women the pregnant couple knows. It can be very sophisticated and elegant, or is can be much more casual.

Showers today usually only last a few hours and are often held at a restaurant or someone’s home. The shower is often held prior to the birth by a month or two, which is usually early enough even if the baby decides to come a bit early. This extra time gives the mother time to exchange duplicate gifts and buy anything else she feels she still needs but didn’t get at the shower.

Usually there will be food of some sort at the baby shower, either just snacks or complete meals. There is also generally a cake – which is often the centerpiece on the table; it can be a simple sheet cakes, or something much more unique and elaborate. There are many ideas available for creative cakes that tie in perfectly with the theme of the baby shower. It is a good idea to choose a theme and plan for the cake at the same time, before announcing the details of the shower to the mother and guests. This way, the host can be sure they have a cake that ties in well with their theme and isn’t struggling at the last minute to find a suitable cake.

Hosting a baby shower doesn’t have to be expensive, as the budget can dictate where and how the party will be held. A more expensive event does not mean that the mother-to-be is more loved, or that it will be more fun. A shower can be a lot of fun without being expensive if you are having a theme that can tie the party together. While some scoff at games being “silly”, they can be great for breaking the ice among people who may not know each other and can also help the various generations relate more to one another. Besides, when else is playing silly games socially acceptable? Enjoy planning and attending the baby shower, and remember that the memories are the important part.