Baby Showers, An Evolving Tradition

Nowadays, baby showers include men,  which led to a departing from the old school baby showers of times passed. Being a man, I rarely go to baby showers. Not if I can help it. On those rare occassions that I did, I found nothing at all relating to babies but instead found discussions relating to camera brands and models, off-color jokes, lots of drinks and nibbleables, music, and again, discussions of the pros and cons of different day care centers and kindergarten schools.

In the mid-1900's a typical baby shower would only have women in them. Each guest was responsible for an item or items needed in the party. These items consisted of balloons and streamers, eating utensils, and various knick knacks that are used for party games. Other things to bring to a shower were gifts relating directly to the baby like diapers, crib mattresses, baby clothes and bottles.

Baby shower parties excelled in games. One can find some of the wierdest party games in baby showers designed solely for the laughing spectator. There were blindfolds, a spoon and cotton balls on the floor which you had to pick up using only the spoons. With hands behind their back, they could not feel around or peek for the cotton balls.

Another game they typically played during those times was a variation on the memory game. The hostess would roll out a cart with a tray covered with a diaper. The hostess would lift the cloth, ask the guests to study the contents of the tray for thirty seconds, cover the tray and have everyone write down everything they remember seeing. The woman who remembers the most items wins the prize.

The paper plate was a signficant object in a baby shower. As the expectant mother of honor is busy opening gifts, someone would remove the ribbons from the pile of discarded wrapping paper. Then they would attach them to the underside of a paper plate, flip the plate over and run another ribbon through it then tie it to the expectant mother's head

The culmination of the event would be the recording of the expectant mother's reaction to the gifts. Words listed down like, "Ohhh, it's just what I wanted!" or "Look how big it is!" and "It's so soft and beautiful, makes me want to squeeze it" would cause a wave of titters, giggles and shrieks of laughter through the room. This activity is also done at bridal showers where the mood for ribald, off color stuff is more conducive to the event.