Much is being said these days about the super luxurious party that the Duchess of Sussex gave in New York to celebrate the birth of her first child, along with her friends.
This type of celebration is called 'baby shower' and it is celebrated all over the world to welcome the new baby, with food, gifts, games and much more. We tell you how to organize it to be unforgettable, but without leaving a fortune.
What is a baby shower?
Neither more nor less than a party celebrating the arrival of the baby. It is usually done when there is little left to be born (usually after seven months of pregnancy), but any time is good, even after the birth of the child.
It is usually organized by the friends of the pregnant woman but it is increasingly common to start as an initiative of the future mother, especially in Spain, where this American tradition is not yet deeply rooted.
In Babies and more, it's on its way! What to buy for your baby's arrivalWhere does the idea come from?
It may seem to us that it is a relatively recent custom, but the truth is that it already existed in ancient times: it was the way in which the pregnant woman received advice and wisdom from the most expert mothers in the community.
- It's known that and to the women of the Egyptian, Roman and Greek empiresThey celebrated the arrival of a baby offering gifts to the mother. It was a family meeting that took place after birth, since then there was a lot of mortality in pregnancy and childbirth.
As then all that had to do with the care of children was the responsibility of the mothers, in these meetings only women met, a tradition that has arrived until today, although it is also true that more and more men are incorporated into the babies shower
The women gave the new baby clothes made by themselves, useful in their first months of life (blankets, shoes and clothes), but also food to help new parents.
In the XVIII century It was a way for important families to present their new member in society. The party used to be held ten days after birth the baby, since before, both the child and the mother spent the days in a room away from the rest to protect the health of the newborn.
In the XIX century, in full Victorian era, it was frowned upon to show the pregnancy, so the mother gathered her friends around a tea table already with the baby in her arms.
After the Second World War It became very popular in the United States as a way to help parents.
This party has been imported to other countries, especially Latin Americans, although the custom is spread all over the world: 'diaper party' in Argentina, 'basket tea' in Costa Rica, 'Cha de baby' in Brazil ...
In China, for example, the baby shower is celebrated at four weeks of the baby's life. It is a way to celebrate the success of pregnancy and to welcome the baby. The followers of the Hindu religion, however, organize it during pregnancy, and not after.
Nine keys to hit
1. The guests
Although traditionally it was a party only for friends of the mother, where they talked about diapers, bottles and other baby care, now everyone comes.
Although Prince Harry of England stayed at home attending official matters and let Meghan receive advice and gifts from her friends, the truth is that there is a tendency for parents to also participate in this baby party.
2. Invitations
The friends who organize the baby shower (or the parents themselves) usually invite about 20-25 close friends.
The tendency is to design a virtual invitation with the place, day, time and theme of the party, and send it via email, at least three weeks in advance. Although if you want to be more traditional, you can order a print shop and put them in the mailbox. But it does not usually offset the expense, since they are very few guests.
If the organizers are the parents themselves, it is closer to make handwritten cards and hand deliver them to the guests, to show that they are special.
3. The place of the celebration
It is clear that everything will depend on the budget. You can do it in a big way, in a luxury hotel like the Duchess of Sussex (something unlikely), opt for a reserved in a more familiar restaurant, or even do it at home if they are few guests.
In fact, in the United States it is very common for each guest to bring a dish prepared by him (potluck parties), so you can also opt for this alternative. The important thing is to show your friends that you want to share your happiness with them, because they are very special. And for that you don't need big waste.
4. Food: what you can not miss
Pixabay The most traditional thing is to set up a buffet table and let each one serve whatever he wants. No need to include designer dishes, much less.
What the baby shower should have is a sweet table that has jelly beans, cupcakes and a special cake with the baby's name if it is already known. You can do it yourself or order it to specialized sites. There are real cute!
And of course don't forget the drinks to toast for the next family member and that has to include some non-alcoholic option for the future mom.
6. Decoration
Without a doubt, one of the fundamental points of the party. It will depend on the available space (since it is not the same to do it in a garden than in the living room of the house, which also does not stand out precisely because of its breadth.
It is usual that the color of the ornaments and motifs allude to the sex of the baby (if known) and that it even includes balloons or hanging ornaments with his name. But better to stop gender stereotypes and opt for the tones that attract the most.
One tip: the simpler the decoration, the more elegant and better it will work. Do not forget to include some detail 'themed baby' (pacifiers, bottles, bears ...), to give a fun touch to the festive atmosphere.
7. Games
Since the men have joined the baby's welcome celebration, the party has won in fun.
The games related to motherhood and baby are the most anticipated moments in all baby showers and they include all the guests included, of course, future parents.
Ideas can come from the organizers, although suggestions from all guests are welcome. An advance:
Simulate a pregnancy. Guests can put a balloon on their bellies and try to tie their shoelaces or even play Twister. Mom doesn't need the balloon, of course. And whoever breaks less balloons wins.
Guess riddle. Prepare a list of questions about the future mom and ask the guests to give their answers. They are then compared with the mother's real responses.
Like a baby. Try to take a bottle without using your hands. The one who gets it before wins.
How tall is the mother's gut. It is very common to have to cut both roll of toilet paper and diameter is believed to have its belly. It is clear that whoever comes closest wins.
Boy or girl? Parents can reveal their child's sex or name at their welcome party. They can ask their friends to write their options on paper and find out at the same time. Or even that there were possibilities of naming parents, when there is nothing decided yet.
In Babies and more Nine very creative ideas to announce the sex of your baby- A memory for the future baby. Each guest can write a dedication for the newborn in a body or write wishes for the little one and store them in a box. Mom won't read them until she has her baby in her arms.
8. Gifts
Of course they are not mandatory, although they remain a tradition. Of course, who organizes the party can promote 'a birth list', with gifts already chosen (as in the wedding lists) and that are already available in many specialized establishments.
But it is still customary to leave the election to the guests, since with one detail it is enough: the important thing is their assistance.
It is normal to discover them at the party itself, although you can follow Meghan Markle's steps and not open them until you are in the company of the baby's father.
What is not known is whether the former protagonist of the series 'Suits', gave her guests a souvenir detail of the party, like an allegorical figure, a little box with candies inside, a 'fake' pacifier with the baby's name ... and with a small card or engraving that remembers the day.
9. The photos
It is important to decide who will be responsible for immortalizing the most endearing and fun moments of the party. Although you can hire a professional photographer, surely among the attendees there is someone who has a good hand with the camera and can take care of the photos. Remember that that day you have to enjoy, not be camera in hand!
One last tip: If you feel like sharing your joy for the birth of your child with your friends, but you don't have time (or desire) to organize a baby shower, you can always hire an event organizer, who will take care of everything so that you just enjoy . This is what Meghan Markle did at an intimate party, organized by her best friend and wedding planner Jessica Mulroney
Photos | iStock
