Baby Showers

From Giftypedia

[edit] History

Historians do not know how the baby shower originated, but many agree that it has its roots in ancient Rome and Egypt. People were presented with various gifts for their newborn babies.

The modern era of the baby shower emerged around the time of post World War II baby-boom in America. Showers in the past occurred after the birth of the child. Many times, part of the baby shower involved presenting the new child. Thanks to modern technology, the gender of the child is not the mystery that it used to be. So now, a baby shower can be thrown early in preparation for the baby’s arrival without worrying about buying the wrong clothes. As a result, the baby shower has evolved into the celebration of the pregnancy rather than the actual birth itself.

Originally, many of the gifts were handmade. Clothing, blankets, and even food items were provided as gifts for the new family.

Traditionally, the guests at a baby shower included the mother and other female family members and friends. However, as baby shower traditions evolved, co-ed showers have become popular, where the guest list could include the expectant father, his father, the expectant mother's father, along with other male family members and friends. Traditional baby showers are still popular, but many expectant parents are celebrating their new addition with alternative baby showers.