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Diapers, and rocking chairs and gliders, oh my! The modern baby shower has become the time and place to literally shower new moms (and sometimes dads) with the many things they’ll need to welcome a newborn into the world. But baby showers didn’t start out that way. In fact, the first baby showers looked remarkably different than they do today.
Here are 6 Fun Facts About These Festivities:
Fact #1 – Birth celebrations are as old as—well—birth.
Ancient people definitely did not throw baby showers as we know them today, but they did recognize that the birth of a child was a life-changing event that deserved recognition. During the days of pyramids and togas, new moms were often sequestered for a certain number of days after birth because it was believed childbirth was an “impure” process.
Although mom was hidden away, that didn’t stop family and friends from celebrating. Ancient Greeks would shout after the birth to signify peace. Ten days later, loved ones would have a special meal for mom. And, in a twist on the celebrations of today, the new mom was the one who gave out gifts—most likely gifts of thanksgiving to the birth goddess. Temple visits and, sometimes, festivals were also to honor birth in ancient times. Babies may have received their names during some ancient festivals.
Fact #2 – Religious ceremonies were the primary celebration during the Middle Ages.
For centuries, baptism, a religious ceremony welcoming a newborn into Christianity, was the central newborn celebration. It frequently took place the day after the child was born, however mom typically did not attend because she would have been sequestered for 40 days to prevent her from exposing others to the “impurity” of childbirth. The stars of the show at a baptism—other than that cute little newborn, of course—were the godparents. Although these spiritual tutors often gave gifts, instead of rocking chairs and gliders godparents often gave pricey silver spoons.
Fact #3 – Renaissance starts to recognize moms-to-be.
It was only during the Renaissance, the time of Shakespeare and Michelangelo that new moms started to get the goodies. Family and friends rewarded expectant moms with clothes, food, paintings, and other gifts. One of the top items on the gift-giving list was a wooden tray decorated with well wishes for mom and the growing family. The tray was typically used to carry food and gifts to the new mom.
Fact #4 – Victorians give birth to a more modern baby shower.
The Victorians were notoriously prudish about the body—in fact, it was considered bad taste for an expecting mom to appear in public or even admit to the fact that she was pregnant. That didn’t stop family and friends from throwing a party for mom. After the baby was born, friends frequently hosted a Victorian tea party in honor of the new mother. By the early 1900s the tea party had transformed into a celebration more like the showers we throw today. The most popular gifts were handmade, and grandmothers often gave gifts of silver.
Fact #5 – Modern showers celebrate and pamper the new mom—and, sometimes, dad.
By the middle of the 1900s, baby showers became a way to help the growing family with the financial burden of a new baby. The new mom was showered with many of the same gifts we give today, including clothes, diapers, sleepers, and bathing items.
Fast forward to the 2000s. Modern baby showers are now thrown by friends or family members of the expectant couple. The shower hostess generally plans the menu as well as party favors, games, and other entertainment. Planners also often choose a theme to carry through the party. It can be a gender-based theme, such as a princess motif for a girl, or it might be based on items the mom needs, such as a diaper shower. Although there’s almost no limit to modern baby shower planning, it also can create more stress on the planner. And although old-fashioned showers were definitely girls-only affairs, modern showers can honor both of the expectant parents. Guys aren’t left off the guest list either. Grandpa’s-to-be, future uncles, and dad’s friends might all celebrate the upcoming birth alongside the ladies.
Gift giving has changed as well. Baby shower registries guide guests to the gifts the new mom really needs such as rocking chairs and gliders, or something she really wants, like a shopping cart cover with pink and purple polka dots. Sometimes the party is geared toward a theme that ties into items the new family desperately needs, such as clothes for a specific gender. Big-ticket items are popular, too, with relatives or friends sometimes splitting the cost.
Fact #6 – Baby celebrations will continue to be part of our lives.
Humans have been partying for babies probably for as long as humans have been having babies—which is why it’s very likely that we’ll continue to celebrate those little bundles of joy for as long as society is around. But, how will baby showers change over the years? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure: we’ll continue to find ways to honor expecting moms.
As the publisher of EveryDayRockingChairs.com, Kimberly Aardal loves to review and write about gliders of all types, whether it’s a dutailier baby glider or a cherry glider and ottoman. She resides in Colorado where she enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and decorating. You can often find her relaxing in her favorite rocking chair.
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