I love this time of year when Spring is on its way. The days are getting longer and warmer, there are buds on the trees, flowers are popping up and lambs are beginning to appear. It feels like everything is coming to life after the winter.
It’s not only Spring that we are celebrating as there’s also a number of new arrivals appearing in our world as we are eagerly awaiting several of our friends’ new babies in the next few months. And what better way to mark these momentous milestones than with a baby shower (or a ‘sprinkle’ in the case of some of those second time round mothers) for the pending or recent birth.
Whilst we may think that the popularity of baby showers is fairly recent and influenced by American trends, the act of welcoming a new baby has actually been around for centuries in lots of different countries (although the ceremonies from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece might not have been quite in the format we are used to nowadays!)
In years gone by, pregnant women were not often seen in public. So in Victorian times ladies had teas to celebrate and gifts were showered upon the new mother after the baby’s birth (perhaps at their christening). It was after the Second World War, during the baby boom era, that baby showers (as we know them today) started to appear. After the hardships of rationing, these parties acted as a way to prepare women for the next chapter of their life and provided gifts to reduce expenses for expectant parents.
Historically, gifts presented at baby showers would have been handmade (or silver from grandparents). Perhaps the first gifts to be bought to a baby shower were in fact gold, frankincense and myrrh! Traditionally, a layette would have been a collection of clothes, bedding, toiletries and other baby care products for a new born.
Some alternative gift ideas (as suggested by mums with the benefit of some experience) include:
- stain removing detergent (powder, spray, liquid – there’ll be lots of stains!)
- teething granules (camomile remedy to soothe and calm when those dreaded teeth start coming through)
- children’s medicine (for relief from pain and fever)
- antiseptic healing cream (for nappy rash and pretty good on your own spots too!)
- muslins (for mopping up, covering up, holding on to or laying on)
- cloth sling (to carry the baby but be hands free)
- breast pads (to avoid any leaks on your clothes)
- cocoa butter (to lather yourself in to help with stretch marks and smells of chocolate – bliss!)
- Sophie the Giraffe (those teeth have so much to answer for!)
- Nick Cope CDs (not your average children’s music – these are catchy, cool, sing-a-long classics that never grate even on a long journey)
- liquid iron and vitamin supplement (for some extra energy for a new mum)
- porridge oats (great for producing milk)
- pampering products for mum (like bubble bath and hand cream for any precious moments to relax)
- clothes for when the baby gets bigger (they’ll be inundated with the smaller stuff and don’t stay really little for very long. Plus remember to buy for the appropriate season for when the baby will fit that age clothing)
As well as showering the mother to be with gifts, tips and anecdotes, baby showers can include fun games and are now also being used as a way to reveal the gender of the baby. Surprise cakes, confetti filled balloons and scratch cards can be cut, popped or removed to reveal a pink or blue centre.
We are looking forward to the arrival of Spring and the announcements from our friends soon. All the best to you if you’re expecting.
Take a look at our baby shower Pinterest board if you’re looking for party inspiration to welcome your little one in to the world with pastels, polka dots, parasols and patisserie.
