It has always been practice to throw a baby shower to usher in the upcoming birth of a new child to a friend or family member. Nowadays anybody, male or female alike, can come to a baby shower as long as they are invited, and anybody related or close to the child's mother can host the event - this is in mild contrast to the tradition of these events being exclusively for the distaff side. Generally, a baby shower would be organized with the ulterior motive of giving the would-be mother a variety of different gifts as a surprise present, may they be diapers, toys or clothes for the new addition, or gift certificates to popular children's or baby stores.
The tradition of baby showers is believed to have started across the sea as a part of popular American culture. A baby shower is usually a relatively casual event, held in the afternoon or early evening, often with refreshments provided and sometimes party games held as well. While fully catered baby showers are not uncommon, a more widely-practiced type of shower would be the potluck shower, where each guest brings not just a gift, but unique foodstuffs as well. Parlor games would usually be twists on the usual games played at wholesome gatherings, centering on the expectant mum and her new addition to the family - these could include baby-themed charades, or having guests guess the circumference of the pregnant guest-of-honor's belly.
Baby showers are a relatively recent tradition, generally credited as having their start in the US. A baby shower is usually designed with a casual theme in mind and can be held from the early afternoon to the early evening, with wholesome refreshments for everybody and party games to sometimes add some amusement to the event. It is not uncommon to have a potluck shower, where guests each bring a food item along with a gift, although fully catered showers are also quite common. It would be basically up to the host as to what party games are to be held, may they be guessing games (where guests try to figure out how large in terms of circumference is the belly of the pregnant "star" of the event), to simple spins on common party games, such as charades with pregnancy or motherhood-related themes.
There are certain cultures that do not quite agree with the concept of a baby shower, some because they consider it to be bad luck to celebrate a baby's birth before the fact, others because they believe only immediate family should be celebrating these affairs. Maintain an even keel and don't feel bad just because somebody, usually of a different upbringing or cultural background, declines your offer to throw her a baby shower. Conversely, an expectant mom may choose to have multiple showers. They could have one to be kept within the family and immediate circle of friends, and another to be celebrated with co-workers. There are women who celebrate the birth of every child with a baby shower, while others do it only for their first baby.
So baulk not if asked to host a baby shower for a relative or a friend or a work mate, because as long as she gives her thumbs-up to whatever you are planning for the event, you can carry out these plans and guarantee a great time for everybody involved!
The tradition of baby showers is believed to have started across the sea as a part of popular American culture. A baby shower is usually a relatively casual event, held in the afternoon or early evening, often with refreshments provided and sometimes party games held as well. While fully catered baby showers are not uncommon, a more widely-practiced type of shower would be the potluck shower, where each guest brings not just a gift, but unique foodstuffs as well. Parlor games would usually be twists on the usual games played at wholesome gatherings, centering on the expectant mum and her new addition to the family - these could include baby-themed charades, or having guests guess the circumference of the pregnant guest-of-honor's belly.
Baby showers are a relatively recent tradition, generally credited as having their start in the US. A baby shower is usually designed with a casual theme in mind and can be held from the early afternoon to the early evening, with wholesome refreshments for everybody and party games to sometimes add some amusement to the event. It is not uncommon to have a potluck shower, where guests each bring a food item along with a gift, although fully catered showers are also quite common. It would be basically up to the host as to what party games are to be held, may they be guessing games (where guests try to figure out how large in terms of circumference is the belly of the pregnant "star" of the event), to simple spins on common party games, such as charades with pregnancy or motherhood-related themes.
There are certain cultures that do not quite agree with the concept of a baby shower, some because they consider it to be bad luck to celebrate a baby's birth before the fact, others because they believe only immediate family should be celebrating these affairs. Maintain an even keel and don't feel bad just because somebody, usually of a different upbringing or cultural background, declines your offer to throw her a baby shower. Conversely, an expectant mom may choose to have multiple showers. They could have one to be kept within the family and immediate circle of friends, and another to be celebrated with co-workers. There are women who celebrate the birth of every child with a baby shower, while others do it only for their first baby.
So baulk not if asked to host a baby shower for a relative or a friend or a work mate, because as long as she gives her thumbs-up to whatever you are planning for the event, you can carry out these plans and guarantee a great time for everybody involved!
