Baby shower

A baby shower is a party in which parents or expectant parents receive gifts for their newborn or expected child. The term therefore has more in common with the concept of a bridal shower than it does with other connotations of showering, especially that of washing babies. By convention, a baby shower is intended to help parents get items that they need for their baby, such as baby clothes. It is a popular tradition in the United States and in other cultures, often influenced by American culture or mediaFact|date=April 2008. In some countries this party is not celebrated until the baby is born.

Traditions and trends

In the past few decades, baby showers have become more common Fact|date=June 2008, as families become bigger and as each child receives more individual attention. Traditionally, a baby shower is held only for the mother-to-be, and only women attend. However, in recent times, men are also starting to participate in a couples baby showers.

In the United States, many people choose to have baby showers for both parents, and some people have a men-only shower. Fact|date=April 2007 In the Jewish tradition, nothing may be bought for the baby before it is born, though some American Jews today do not subscribe to that tradition.

In the United Kingdom and France and other European countries, baby showers are a new phenomenon, recently imported from the United States. Malika Dalamal, a fashion writer for The Daily Telegraph, notes that a few UK businesses are now starting to respond to this opportunity, but others have not heard of this American custom. [http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/malikadalamal/july06/babyshower.htm] . In some countries some shops provide Newborn Lists, where the parents select the gifts that they need for the baby, to avoid duplicate or unnecessary presents.

Baby showers are increasingly popular in Africa, Asia and Latin America, but are "women-only" social gatherings. Among Hindus in India, religious rituals resembling modern baby showers are held during the seventh month of pregnancy. In earlier times it was a function which was organized and attended by women only, but in recent years, due to India's level of western influence, both genders are often included.

Traditionally, baby showers were given only for the family's first child, but over time, it has become more common to hold them for subsequent or adopted children Fact|date=June 2008. Even when a shower is held for only the first child, it is not uncommon for a parent to have more than one baby shower, such as one with friends and another with co-workers.

While there are no set guidelines for what constitutes a baby shower, there are some traditional activities that are common at baby showers Fact|date=June 2008. Traditionally, the shower is given for the expected parent(s) by someone else as opposed to the parent(s) hosting it. Usually, the mother's maid of honor, or bridesmaids at her wedding, hosts this final event into motherhood for their bride. There are favors, gifts, and games all coordinated by the host(s). Invitations are sent out, by the organizers, on behalf of the Mother/Parents. Just like how it traditionally is at a bridal shower. Because the party centers on gift-giving, the baby shower is generally arranged by a close friend. There is no set rule for when or where showers are to be held and the party can thus be held at a variety of places and at various times. It is common for the host to provide baby-themed games during the shower. In some regions, it is common to give party favors, small gifts for the guests. Baby showers, like bridal showers and bachelorette parties, are becoming open to new ideas, concepts, themes, games, and changes in etiquette. For instance, once it was unacceptable in America for guests to rub the expectant mother's tummy. Beginning in the 1970s, however, if permitted by the mother and if asked politely, "tummy-rubbing" is now a baby shower event Fact|date=June 2008.

There is great variance in practices and themes of baby showers. Some people prefer to hold showers after the birth of the baby. Some believe that giving gifts before the baby is born can bring bad luck. Others believe that the concept of celebrating a coming child is a private family event or does not mandate a party at all.

Activities

Some classic activities at baby showers include:

*Baby shower bingo.
*Guess the birth date or guess the sex.
*Guess the expectant mother's girth: guests cut pieces of ribbon, yarn, or toilet paper to a length they believe matches the mother-to-be's tummy circumference. Another similar game is tying a string around her abdomen, and if it breaks for one person, it's expected she or he's the next new parent.
*Guess the baby food flavor: guests have to taste-test several flavors of baby food and try to identify them.
*Other games include a diaper throw game, and the diapers have candies or chocolate stuff.
*Opening the gifts in front of the guests.
*Serving cake, though any type of food or beverage might be served.

Terms

*Grandma's shower refers to a shower at which people bring items for the grandparents to keep at their house, such as a collapsible crib and a changing pad.
*Diaper shower refers to a small-scale baby shower, generally for subsequent children, when the parents don't need as many items.

See also

* Baptism

External links

* [http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/malikadalamal/july06/babyshower.htm Baby shower blues] , from The Daily Telegraph (U. K.)
* [http://yogayogini.com/PRE%20natal.html Hindu Ritual]