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A baby shower is a party in which expectant parents receive gifts for their expected child. By convention, a baby shower is intended to help parents get items that they need for their baby, such as baby clothes. more...

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It is a fairly recent tradition in the United States and in other cultures influenced by American culture or media.

Traditions and trends

In the past few decades, baby showers have become more common, as families become smaller and as each child receives more individual attention. Traditionally, a baby shower is held only for the mother-to-be, and only women attend. In the United States and Europe, many people choose to have baby showers for both parents, and some people have a men-only shower. Minority groups in the US, such as African Americans, and Native American groups also have baby showers but might include an emphasis on their cultural heritage, such as employing rituals from tribal-ancestral African and Native American traditions, respectively. In the Jewish tradition, nothing may be bought for the baby before it is born, though many American Jews today do not subscribe to that tradition.

Baby showers are increasingly popular in Africa, Asia and Latin America, but are "women-only" social gatherings. This is especially true in the Middle East, where social mores prohibit casual contact of the opposite sexes, and in undeveloped countries that are not greatly influenced by American or western culture. Among Hindus in India, religious rituals resembling modern baby showers are held during the seventh month of pregnancy. In earlier times it was a function which was organized and attended by women only, but in recent years, due to India's level of western influence, both genders are often included.

Traditionally, baby showers were given only for the family's first child, but over time, it has become more common to hold them for subsequent or adopted children. Even when a shower is held for only the first child, it is not uncommon for a parent to have more than one baby shower, such as one with friends and another with co-workers.

While there are no set guidelines for what constitutes a baby shower, there are some traditional activities that are common at baby showers. As it is considered improper for a family member to host the party because the event centers on gift-giving, the baby shower is generally arranged by a close friend or relative. Often, showers are held during lunch or as afternoon tea parties. It is common for the host to provide baby-themed games during the shower. In some regions, it is common to give party favors, small gifts for the guests. Baby showers, like bridal showers and bachelorette parties, are becoming open to new ideas, concepts, themes, games, and changes in etiquette. For instance, once it was unacceptable in America for guests to rub the expectant mother's tummy. Beginning in the 1970s, however, if permitted by the mother and if asked politely, "tummy-rubbing" is now a baby shower event.

Read more at Wikipedia.org