Perhaps you have heard of the term baby shower but are still wondering what it is. In this post, we will try to enlighten you about the concept of a baby shower and when and how this event is typically held.
A baby shower is a party held for expectant or new mothers. Here in Denmark, the baby shower is a relatively new tradition, but it seems to be something that is here to stay - more and more people have started to know about it, and many have begun to hold the so-called 'showers'.
Before having a baby, the waiting time can be long for many. You are in anticipation and waiting for the birth and how life will be with a newborn. Therefore, it can be really nice to receive visits from family and friends, where you talk about the upcoming time and about life with a little baby. This event is called a baby shower.
The event at home has become a really cozy event where the expectant parents receive gifts or money as help and support for their upcoming baby. In the USA, the baby shower only had the purpose of helping the expectant parents financially with gifts and money. Here, the expectant parents were 'drowned' in gifts - hence the word 'shower'. Here in Denmark, the event is more known as a cozy and festive occasion that creates joy, warmth, and expectations for the upcoming baby.
The event can be held in several ways. Some hold a baby shower as a surprise party for the mother, where she is only delighted and surprised by her acquaintances and receives some baby-related gifts such as baby monitors and baby toys. Other times, the event is held as a friend/cozy event where the expectant mother has been involved in the planning and has a cozy day with her friends before the birth.
Origin
The tradition of baby showers originates from the USA - this may not come as a surprise to you :) Therefore, the event also has an American name. Baby showers have become world-famous and spread, among other things, through TV series like Sex and the City, social media, and much more. Following the tradition, the event is held only for the mother and her friends. So it is a true 'girls' event'. Often, baby showers are organized by the expectant mother's friends, colleagues, or family members. However, it has become more and more normal here at home for the expectant mother to plan all or part of the festive occasion herself.
Baby Shower - when?
The event can be held both at the arrival of the first, second, and third child - there are no 'rules' or norms for this. Along with the party, there is often a theme for the baby shower. If you know the baby's gender at the time of the baby shower, you can, for example, set the table with plates, cups, flowers, etc. in fine pastel pink colors for a girl. If you want to go all out, you can find pink candy in the pick-and-mix section, make pink icing, and toppings for the cakes - only your imagination sets the limits.
