When did Baby Showers Begin?

1. Do you think baby showers are a new idea?

Actually, there is evidence that baby showers originated in Roman times when women gathered together to hand loom and sew stuff for the new baby. The real beginning of the modern event began after World War II. With record numbers of weddings, young couples began starting their families. The war turned everything topsy turvy with soldiers bringing home. war brides and couples settling in places that the spouse had been stationed far from home. So when a new baby was born, often the young couple was living far away from family.

Thus the the baby shower became a way to celebrate each new child's arrival and help the new family acquire the necessities.  Similar to a birthday party, the baby shower became a way to celebrate a unique occasion among the new mother's family and friends. Baby shower favors, baby shower games, and baby shower cakes all became a tradition for the celebration.

The typical guest list expanded as well, from a small circle of close family and friends to a wide selection of women (and later men) from the expectant mother's circle.Since many women work up to the month of baby's birth, they may decide to have one baby shower for intimate friends and family, and another, separate baby shower for coworkers or acquaintances. The advantages of this are obvious, and not just for the double amount of baby shower gifts the new mother might receive. Holding the separate baby showers enables the mother to devote equal social time to the different areas of her life, allowing everyone the chance to participate in the expressing their joy and good wishes.

Years ago, baby showers were exclusively women's events. Hosted in the daytime, they usually revolved around lunch or breakfast. Now, that men are involved in all aspects of baby care and birth classes,many events are for the couple. They can still be a luncheon or brunch, but the celebration can also be elaborate cocktail parties and dinners with imaginative themes. The cake becomes the centerpiece and often the sex of the newborn is revealed when the cake is cut and the color of the slices are either pink or blue.

Baby Shower Games for Couples:

1. Don't say BABY. Prize for last person to use the word.
2. Each couple takes turn feeding each other baby food blind folded.
3. Bob for nipples in a tub.
4. Drink a cocktail or beer in a baby bottle as fast as you can.

Opening the baby gifts are still popular and the new mother to be can enjoy being the center of attention when she unwraps her presents. The popularity of the gift registry is also a modern invention. The registry allows the mom to request her dream gift list in a way that seems appropriate rather than greedy. Often friends will chip in to buy the big items like bedding or strollers. 

If the baby's sex is a secret buy gender neutral outfits and blankets. White is always popular and colors like yellow and green are o.k. The new unisex colors are brown , gray or orange. When the baby is born, any of these colors like really cool with pink for a girl or blue for a boy. Many couples find out the sex of the baby and your gift can be more specific. If you know the baby's name , the best baby gift is a personalized baby shower gift. If you have no other clue, the safest gift is a basket of books. Board books are always in style and a baby can never have too many books.