Why every mum-to-be should have a baby shower
By Ally Atkins
We all know the ‘how’ of throwing a baby shower but it’s easy to forget the importance of ‘why’ a new mum should have one.
The term baby shower generates a fairly specific set of images to many people. To some it involves an afternoon filled with over-the-top themed decorations, themed food, themed games and baby-talk; this is the legacy of the stereotypical American baby shower.
Becoming pregnant has to be the most life-changing event of all. While we’re familiar with celebrating the key birthdays, engagements, marriages, retirements and even divorces, pregnancy isn’t usually on the radar. In Britain we have gatherings once the baby arrives so all friends and relatives have the chance to have a peek and pass on messages of congratulations. However, this focus is on the arrival of the baby. What about the mum?
My own insight, and one that suits us rather self-aware Brits, is to curb the over-the-top themed décor – we all know less is more. We prefer to get a gaggle of girlfriends together and indulge in an afternoon of delicious finger foods, champagne, alcohol free cocktails, laughter in abundance and plenty of advice for mummy-to-be. After all, a baby shower is a celebration and should be for the mother as much as the baby. It’s akin to a hen night but with less alcohol; a rallying of the troops, all the girls together with tips and advice about what is in store.
Of course, you can’t forget that baby showers are fun! They all have that in common but, rather than focusing on over-the-top themes and embarrassing games, move the emphasis to showing the mum-to-be she has a support network and give all the tips and advice you can think of. Make a fuss of her, because it’s all going to be about the child from here on in!
So, how do you go about throwing a very British baby shower? Decorations are important but think about the pregnant mother’s tastes – vintage tableware is becoming very popular along with a few baby themed balloons and the odd banner or pieces of bunting adorning the walls. Mix flowers, butterflies, pastel colours and shabby chic in with the baby theme. This breaks it up and creates a well-designed party space to get the girls together. The Ultimate Baby Shower doesn’t just focus on the well-known baby themes, we have purposefully sourced a wide range of elegant girlie themes to mix and match to create a stylish room.
Games don’t need to be the sole focus and they certainly don’t need to be woefully embarrassing – as so many are. Baby trivia is a great ice breaker to encourage guests to mingle and laugh together;
another popular game involves baby scan photos and a list of baby parts to identify, which is much harder than you may imagine. Perhaps the most important is the advice cards. Every new mummy should have a set of advice cards from her close friends and relatives. They are there for her to refer to at any time and some favours to call in would never go amiss….
Think about the food you want to offer; canapés, a buffet or the ever-popular afternoon tea is important and provides a natural break. Champagne and / or alcohol free cocktails create a refined table setting. Position all the favours (thank you gifts) for guests to see and admire before they take them home.
What about the baby gifts? A stereotypical baby shower does tend to have too much emphasis on the gifts, which can be off-putting. Many people prefer to give the gifts after baby has arrived and this tends to suit us more superstitious Brits. If this is preferred then put a note on the invitation that you’re having a ‘mummy shower’ and gifts are not necessary. Saying that, some parents-to-be do need help preparing for a new baby. In this case it may be a good idea to create a gift list, which we offer at The Ultimate Baby Shower. It doesn’t need to involve hugely expensive items but getting the essentials together before baby arrives can be a great start and a tremendous help.
Finally, to the guests – I’ve read a number of articles lately about men being invited to baby showers and the fact that couples baby showers are becoming the in-thing. I have to say I disagree with that and judging by other reactions I’d say the men are not too keen either! It is customary for the new dad to wet the baby’s head after the birth and celebrate with his friends in his own way.
Remember, the baby shower is about celebrating the mum and nobody can do this better than her girlfriends. It’s about creating a support network, which will be there long after the little addition arrives.
The Ultimate Baby Shower is the UK’s premier specialist baby events organiser offering bespoke baby showers with a quintessentially British feel at your home or at one of the exclusive partner venues. The Ultimate Baby Shower team also provides hand-picked essentials, gifts and accessories to suit the individual mum’s needs. See http://www.theultimatebabyshower.co.uk.
