Baby Showers. Essential Pampering or Unnecessary Extravagance?
by Stacy D Price
Along with "Baby Boomers" came the format of the baby shower as we know it today. Along the way, baby showers have morphed from women's only events occurring after the baby's birth into somewhat elaborate and often extravagant parties held before the baby is born. This raises the question of whether baby showers are caring essential functions to celebrate the impending birth and to bestow helpful and practical gifts on the parents to be, or whether they are now too, a product of our conspicuous consuming society.
Baby showers were originally held for first born children after their birth. There were a few reasons for the yester year baby shower. One was to provide the mother with some company while she was confined to her home. Another was to view the baby. Lastly, it gave friends and family the opportunity to provide the first time parents with practical gifts to help care for the newborn.
Baby showers for some, have now become spectacular events with color codes, themes and party favors for the guests. You can now hire baby shower planners, much the way you can with wedding planners. While these can be great ways to distract the mother to be from the discomfort of the impending birth, is a huge event really necessary?
Do we really need a lavish party like Tori Spelling's Tupperware sponsored event that featured a color theme of chocolate brown and blue to match the color of the nursery? Or, Britney Spears Moroccan themed baby shower where guests walked barefoot amongst hundreds of strewn rose petals and feasted on North African inspired foods, lit by hundreds of candles in a silk tent?
Most women who have experienced pregnancy would agree that it is certainly lovely to enjoy a little pampering before the birth of their child. Swollen feet, weight gain, and stretch marks can be forgotten for a few hours with the distracting presence of close friends and family. For those with budgetary constraints, a simple afternoon tea can be transformed into a simple and elegant baby shower. If money is tight, allow a close friend to host the venue.
For those lucky women where there is plenty of cash, a generous friend, or as in Tori's case, a willing sponsor, the sky is the limit.
Fun themes needn't cost a lot of cash. Popular ideas include baby colors, or can also tie in with the future baby's name, if known in advance. For example, Jennifer Garner's baby shower had a purple theme as she knew she was going to call her baby Violet.
Contemporary baby showers now often include men for a total party atmosphere. This can be nice for the father to be who is feeling a little excluded from the impending delivery. Perhaps a baby shower for the mum and a males only event for the dad? For the sake of the partnership, we would suggest something a little tamer than a bachelor's party. Most pregnant women are very sensitive and the thought of any bad behavior will reduce the majority of them to tears. This is certainly an occasion where a little sensitivity will go a long way.
Baby showers can be a great way to get together with friends before the distractions of dirty diapers, feeding and sleepless nights. Whether the gifts are simple and practical, or ostentatiously extravagant is personal choice.
Every pregnant mum deserves some kind of dedicated event. Baby showers need not be overly commercialized to show the close bonds of friends and family.
About the Author
Get more information regarding gift ideas.
|
