Baby Showers – Do You Agree with Them?
Baby Showers seem to becoming more and more popular. Yet, I am not so sure they are a good idea.
I have been invited to three baby showers over the last 2 years. I had never heard of them before this and wondered what they were. I was intrigued.
They were both full of women baring gifts for the unborn baby. The mother to be had made a buffet for the guests to nibble on whilst we all mingled. We then had to sit down and play games such as Baby Bingo; this used baby related words instead of the traditional numbers i.e. rattle; cot, teat etc and the winner won a box of chocolates. Another game was for each of the guests to cut a piece of string to the length we thought would wrap around mothers bump. The closest won a small gift.
I suppose they were fun and something different to do. But I cannot help but wonder if it is all done just for the gifts. Traditionally a baby shower was only done for the first child, I mean, the ‘parents to be’ would then have all they needed for subsequent children wouldn’t they? So another baby shower would not be necessary. Yet they seem to be more and more popular. You may come to the conclusion that I am just being grumpy and mean…No! I don’t believe I am. I have discussed this with others and they seem to feel the same. 
To be honest, I would rather wait until the baby is born before I buy a nice little gift. Then I can choose pink or blue, something girlie or male. Also, I feel it may be tempting fate buying gifts before baby is born. What if something goes wrong, heaven forbid. There will be all these baby gifts to remind the parents of their lost child.
This is why, when I have been to the showers I do not take a gift with me, but promise ‘mum to be ‘ that I will buy something nice once the baby arrives. They always seem to be happy with this and I feel happier too. Especially when a happy healthy baby arrives and I have the chance to give something pink or blue.
There is nothing more beautiful that the birth of a newborn baby. How special it is to hold your child in your arms for the first time, to look at their sweet face and realise just how precious they are. To be able to visit the new parents and their special bundle and offer them a gift at that time is a blessing in itself and worth waiting that little extra time for.
Edith – Out NOW on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007S9Q3YI
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Published in: Entertaining
Ixodoi | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
Baby Showers are very popular here, and I really don’t like it. When I was pregnant I always told everyone – I don’t want any gifts before the baby is born safe and sound. Only then I make a party and people are invited to come – see the baby and be happy with us (if they want to bring gifts – they are welcome but it isn’t a must).
Now I always promised the future mothers that about 2 weeks after the birth (after they’ll have time to relax and understand what they really need) – I’ll talk to them – find out what they really need – and give it to them as a gift. Most of them are very happy with this strategy.
momofplenty | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
I agree with you.
CHIPMUNK | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
It has become popular over the years and not much into such an event
Paul Kurt | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
I agree with you one time to say hi to the new born them you have what you need for other children.
all around gifts and not the little soul i think.
Lisa Marie Mottert | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
Totally agree:)
Nice article and colorful pictures:)
Edyta N. Tehrani | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
I agree with you too. It is way better to have a little baby welcoming party after she/he is born instead of baby shower. This would be not only the opportunity for family and friends to bless the little one with nore meanningful gifts, but also for them to share the joy with the parents, and I don’t think men should be kept out of this.
Edyta N. Tehrani | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
I also think that if the parents are not making a welcoming baby party, it is a good gesture anyway to bring the gift when you visit the family of the new baby for the first time after he/she is born. It is a custom in the culture I come from, so there is no need for baby showers.
Safa | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
I agree. Its much better to wait till the baby arrives. Only then will you be able to give the appropriate gift.
lauralu | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
These are a custom in Canada, I like to have them for the first baby and usually we know the sex of the child these days,
it may be better to wait until after though
Erin Miller | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
I agree with you and if I ever have a child I do not want a baby shower. I will take the gifts for the child though and only the first child lol.
yes me | Apr 17, 2012 | Reply
They have them here in Scotland too cheers
Christina Noll | Apr 18, 2012 | Reply
I don’t mind them for first time moms late in pregnancy
Martin Kloess | Apr 22, 2012 | Reply
i’m a guy
Lynn Hollis | Apr 23, 2012 | Reply
I like them, especially for first time moms. All that baby gear can get expensive. But I like your suggestion to wait until after baby arrives.
Xakousti | Apr 23, 2012 | Reply
I think its great for first time moms to help out with all the stuff they will need, bassinets, strollers, clothes..etc…Really, I think its a nice time for close family & friends….but If its for baby #2 and on, thats where it gets out of hand. Thanks for sharing..nice pics!
jeepers | Apr 23, 2012 | Reply
hmmm… inspiring now I know why in every new baby birth we need to prepare.. thanks for sharing this
smcopywrite | Apr 25, 2012 | Reply
a baby shower is being done for baby gifts for the most part. if you are not bringing a gift, why would you attend a baby shower? does this make you feel uncomfortable? i do agree if you have any misgivings about baby number 2 or 3, dont attend.
this is a shower for the new mom to be to offer her and the baby gifts. i am certain that just like everything else these have changed and went over the top.
however, you can have whatever type of shower you want. if you dont want gifts and simply a celebration of the upcoming birth of your baby, have a nice cookout and invite family and friends.
above all else i want to thank you for sharing a difficult point that many people have voiced out loud to me before and writing a wonderful article on the subject.
ArgyrwEva | May 22, 2012 | Reply
I think you are right! By the way, it’s not popular in my country.
Judy Sheldon | May 31, 2012 | Reply
I just threw a baby shower for my baby boy and his wife as they were soon having their first. It was just a month before the arrival and helped tremendously as they had very little to get started with. I was grateful to my church for allowing me to hold it in our church basement and my friends for helping me prepare a banquet. It was great. Friends and family had a ball playing the many games I came up with, winning prize and feasting. Many took home food and gifts as well. I have a wonderful collection of photos for an album and each guest wrote their favorite words of advice for the new parents. We live in a very crazy and busy world and sometimes people do not have time to remember all the things they would like to do. This way they knew a month before hand we were having the shower and the baby would be a girl. It has been a blast for all of us, and a huge blessing for my kids. Next time I would not volunteer to do so much.
Judy Sheldon | May 31, 2012 | Reply
Should say winning prizes – sorry for the typo, and we had it unisex, which was a first for me. It was almost like a family reunion, only better, cause we had friends too!!
Chris Bailie | Aug 2, 2012 | Reply
Interesting article, thank you.
Kristie Claar | Aug 4, 2012 | Reply
Great share! I had two baby shower’s but only because of my mom – the second one I put on the invitations no big items needed and for my 3rd I refused, but my Sister-In-Law insisted on a Welcome to the World shower for my son.
jennyreeve | Aug 4, 2012 | Reply
Thank you all for your lovely comments, I do appreciate it.
jennifer eiffel01 | Oct 17, 2012 | Reply
It depends. If the couple is poor and it is their first baby and they may not be able to get everything they need, I am all for a shower. My godmothers daughter did not want a shower because she had a husband who made a great living and she could afford to buy what she wanted. MY godmothers other daughter had a shower because she would have had to spend a fortune on baby items because she was pregnant with triplets!
In the United States almost everybody has a baby shower. They usually go to a store and pick out what they want then tell the store and the store keeps records and the invitation tells you what store and you have your choice of what to buy when something is bought the store takes it off the registry.
jennyreeve | Nov 8, 2012 | Reply
Thank you Pattiann. I love to read everyones comments.