A baby shower is a celebration associated with pregnancy and childbirth that is both ancient and enduring. Like other rites of passage associated with significant transitional events such as coming of age and marriage baby showers function as a type of initiation into, and a construction of, a new state of being--in this case, “motherhood.”
It is customary when a family welcomes a new child into their home that family and friends shower them with gifts to help them on their way and make the new responsibility of parenthood a little bit easier and add more joy to one of the most celebratory events in a couples life.
I days of old it was customary that a family received one shower for their first child and that was it. But a new trend that has become more popular in recent decades is for a family to have a shower for each pregnancy. Many people frown upon this and see it as an act of greed while other cultures love the idea and see childbirth as an occasion that should be celebrated repeatedly rejoicing with the proud parents to be.
How does your family welcome little bundles of joy? Are you more traditional in celebrating the birth of the premier child only or do you commemorate subsequent births with as much joy and happiness and gift giving as the first? Are baby showers held prior to birth or do you wait until the child has been born so family and friends can surround the new one with love upon their arrival? Share your thoughts with us, we would love to hear what it on your mind.
Swank Soiree
Swank Soiree
