Blog

What a shower ! And not in the pejorative term often used by the teachers to castigate their unruly students ! No, I’m talking baby showers and the lengths mums-to-be and their family and friends go to to create the best baby shower party ever.

The term shower is assumed to mean the expectant mum is “showered” with gifts but it may have derived its name from a tradition in the 1800’s called a bridal shower where presents were placed inside a parasol which when opened would shower the bride-to-be with gifts.

The modern tradition of a baby shower party originated in the US and as ever the UK follows suit, slightly behind the curve, but now embracing the event big time. Baby showers provide a lucrative commercial market with retailers offering everything from balloons, banners, decorations and tableware for shower celebrations.

The baby shower is usually held at the home of mum-to-be or their family with games and afternoon tea provided by the hosts and gifts by the guests. If the sex of the baby is known, the party is often colour themed with everything from table arrangements to pink or blue cupcakes. It is an opportunity for family and friends to come together to celebrate the impending birth of a baby and offer support to the mum-to-be in the final months of her pregnancy. Traditionally baby shower parties were only held for the first child, but now the majority of expectant mums host one for all their subsequent children - only fair - and what’s not to like about an excuse to party.

Games are usually played at baby shower parties too – they can be bought relatively cheaply or designed and crafted at home. Lots of games can be organised with very little expense and may only require a piece of paper and a pen but can generate lots of laughs. Mummy food cravings is a great ice breaker if friends from different sides of the family have not met before. The guests have to guess what mum-to-be craves openly or secretly ! Or guess the name of the baby with a prize going to the winner once the announcement has been made – which could be a few weeks away !

The Baby Bump Balloon game is a classic with guests divided into two teams each with a balloon which they have to blow up and put under their jumper in sequence and then again in sequence pop each one, with the winning team the first to finish.

Or how about the Blindfold Nappy Challenge. Two teams, two dolls each wearing a nappy and a blindfold. Each baby shower guest has to remove the nappy and replace it blindfold, great fun !

Or finally the Bobbing for Dummies games just like Hallowe’en bob apple with guests placing their hands behind their back and using their mouths to fish dummies out of bowls of water.

Food can be as easy or as elaborate as the hosts choose – if you’re on a budget, make your own sandwiches, sausage rolls and mini quiche for savouries and go to town on the cakes. Make your own cupcakes or buy ready made sponge cakes and decorate with icing piping relevant messages on top. A spectacular cake can be created very easily with a Victoria sponge, home made or bought, surrounded by a circle of Matchmakers and filled with soft fruits. Add marshmallows or strawberries dipped in chocolate and jars of sweet such as Gummie Bears and Haribou. Offer no or low alcohol prosecco or the real thing for those guests who are not restricting their alcohol intake.

Guests typically bring small gifts for the expectant parent. Typical gifts related to babies include nappies, blankets, clothes, and toys and traditionally gifts are opened during the party; sometimes the host will make a game of opening gifts.

Although baby showers are relatively new, other celebrations and rituals associated with pregnancy and childbirth are ancient and enduring. In ancient Egypt, rituals relating to the birth of a child took place after the event itself while in India a pregnancy ritual has been followed for centuries held in the 7th or 8th month. The mother-to-be is showered with dry fruits, sweets and other gifts to help the baby's growth and music is played to ‘please’ the baby's ears. The ritual prays for a healthy baby and mother, as well as a happy delivery and motherhood.

The ancient Greeks also celebrated pregnancy after the birth, with a shout (oloyge) after the labour had ended, to indicate that "peace had arrived while in medieval Europe, due to the risk of a mother dying in childbirth, priests would often visit women during labour so they could confess their sins. In Victorian times gifts were usually hand-made, but the grandmother would give silver, such as a spoon, mug, or porringer.

Some traditions continue to this day, others, such as baby showers are relatively new and may eventually evolve themselves. Whatever mum-to-be decides to do for her first or successive baby shower parties, the emphasis is all about having fun while friends and family come together to support her. One word of advice though for expectant mums  - don’t leave the baby shower too late, as it won’t allow you much time to organise the event, plus the excitement could bring on the labour!