Origins Of The Baby Shower

A Baby Shower is a way of celebrating the pending birth of a baby by giving gifts to the expectant mother (or the parents together) at a party. This is largely an American custom, and although mothers in the UK and Europe are often ‘showered’ with gifts, this is typically after the baby is born and is often associated with the baby’s Christening.

The origins of the baby shower, as with many modern customs, lie in the ancient world, ancient Egypt and ancient Greece. Although neither had baby showers as we know them they did celebrate childbirth. Historians believe they have found evidence of rituals pertaining to pregnancy and birth and although we’ll never know the details, it seems the celebrations took place after child had been safely delivered.

In ancient Greece all that attended the Mother’s confinement made an aloyge or strident noise; on either the fifth or seventh day the baby was welcomed into the household in a ceremony called Amphidromia where the father would walk round the hearth several times and on the tenth day the mother returned to her place in society, marked by a meal attended by friends and family. Mothers would dedicate gifts to the birth-goddess Eileithya, such as dresses, girdles and things associated to birth. For many women of that time, giving birth was the only way to gain recognition in a man’s world.

The Baby Shower as we know it started at the end of World War II and may be a result of the Baby Boom. Traditionally, only female friends of the expectant mother were invited. They were expected to share their wisdom and experience of childbirth with the new mother.
Because it revolves around the giving of gifts, the baby shower was usually hosted and arranged by a close friend rather than a family member as it was thought to be the height of bad manners to ask for gifts on behalf of close relative.

However times have changed and whereas early baby showers consisted of ‘showering’ the mother and her new baby with gifts the trend has turned full circle and the celebration is now held at least a month before the baby is due. The shower is usually organized by a close friend, but these days can be organized by almost anyone (other than the mother to be or her mother) and is usually held at home. A small meal is traditional, usually based on cake and finger foods. Other differences are that earlier festivities were limited to ladies only, where not even family was invited; now all members of both ‘expectant’ families as well as friends can attend. In some cases mothers-to-be will attend multiple showers arranged by different friends.

The party host must know the likes and dislikes of the Mom-to-be and must make sure that she is comfortable with both the chosen games and theme. Among the most popular baby shower themes are ‘Princess’ and ‘Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice’ for a baby girl, and ‘Sailboats’ and ‘Little Sport’ for a baby boy. Unisex baby shower themes like ‘Winnie the Pooh’, ‘Stork’, ‘Rubber Ducky’, ‘Safari’, ‘Cupcake Baby’ and ‘Family Tree’ are high in popularity too. There are also games all arranged around the theme of the party.

Baby showers continue to be a much loved tradition in the USA and are growing in popularity. Originally held to celebrate the expected birth of the first child only, Mothers-to-be now often enjoy a ‘shower’ for each impending birth.

By: Valentina Kaltchev

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