Baby Shower - what is it? Description, traditions and interesting facts. Babi Shauer - holiday on the eve of childbirth

In the American culture, an unusual tradition called Baby Shower was widely spread. What is this and how do they celebrate this event that is not entirely understandable to the Russian people?

Holiday waiting

In Russia, it is not customary to give pregnant women children's things, since the baby has not been born yet and in the old way people are afraid to "jinx" the happiness of the future mother. In the United States of America, however, women "in position" are absolutely free from such superstitions, and each with trembling waits for its own unique holiday - Baby Shower. What is it and when is it celebrated? It's simple: when the pregnancy reaches the age of 32-35 weeks, relatives, colleagues and friends of the future mother roll up a party in her honor. "Baby Schauer" is a triumph of hope, family happiness and sincere maternal love for the child who has not yet appeared. Traditionally, guests bring with them a wide variety of gifts, starting with ordinary pacifier and ending with exclusive designer booties.

Organizing time

Previously it was considered indecent when the holiday was arranged by the future mother or her husband. The surrounding people might have the impression that the family is begging for gifts for the baby. Over time, the etiquette of the festival has changed significantly, and now no one pays much attention to the personality and status of the organizer. It can be a pregnant woman herself, her husband, a relative, a family friend, and even a colleague. The main thing is to prepare a party with a great mood.

When to celebrate?

Initially, "Babi Shauer" could be celebrated on any day after confirmation of successful conception. However, most expectant mothers try to appoint a celebration for later periods of pregnancy in order to be completely sure: everything will go well. In addition, at 30-39 weeks, many women are tired of sitting in the four walls of their home, wearing a noticeably heavy stomach and suffering many other inconveniences associated with the approach of delivery. A friendly party is a great way to distract and chat with friends on the already favorite topic of children and caring for them. And, of course, a future mother with a big belly is a traditional symbol of the holiday itself.

It is important not only to think over the date of the celebration in advance, but also to warn the guests about your plans. Perhaps, some of them will have to adjust their own schedule of cases. If you want to see future grandparents at the festival, they also need to be invited in advance.

If you just recently found out what the Baby Shower means and wanted to have your own party, pay attention: it is not necessary to spend it just before the birth. Traditional "Baby Schauer" is often satisfied with the birth of a child, when the gender of the baby is known and all the concerns associated with childbirth remain in the past.

Where to celebrate?

Before counting the total number of guests, think about where you would like to host a party. Ideally, it should be a good friend's house or a specially booked room. It is unfair to organize a celebration in the house of the future mother: she will once again worry about the condition of the apartment before the arrival of guests, and after the holiday she will have to put things in order. If, on the other hand, it is more convenient for a pregnant woman to receive friends at home, the organizer should ensure that after the departure of the majority of guests, several friends remain to help the hero of the celebration with cleaning and washing dishes.

What to do?

Not everyone in Russia is familiar with the concept of Baby Shower. What is it: just a memorable date or a day in which it is customary to do something unusual? Take into account the following features:

• More often, the holiday "Baby Sauer" has a specific theme, which corresponds to the whole environment: the decor of the room, treats, souvenirs to guests. If you have no idea what theme you can combine all aspects of the party, choose an interesting character from children's fairy tales or folklore. It is not forbidden to use the style of modern popular cartoons (take at least "Pig Pig" or the domestic animated series "Masha and the Bear").
• Depending on the time of the celebration, you will have to think over the appropriate treat. Plan the menu based on the budget and the degree of the holiday's officiality.
• What to do on Baby Shower? Baby Schauer in the US always implies the participation of invited guests in some ridiculous, but very funny and fascinating games. If your guests are serious and impressive adults who are unlikely to be captivated by casual games and contests, come up with purely creative or simply touching assignments. Examples you will find below.
• Traditionally, guests are not allowed to go home empty-handed. The organizer of the holiday necessarily invents some unusual gift, which everyone can take with him in memory of the celebration. It can be a beautiful deciduous plant planted in a coffee mug, a specially made refrigerator magnet with a memorable inscription, a baby bottle with hand lotion instead of milk or a piece of scented soap wrapped in a flannel shred like a diaper. The souvenir should not be expensive, because the main thing is a memory.

Practical entertainment

Useful Baby Shower - what does it mean? It is understood that the organizer will devise such entertainments for the guests, as a result of which the invited ones will make a practical and necessary thing for the little chap himself. The simplest version of this task is the invention of a unique design for children's clothing. In advance, buy a few white or light T-shirts and body, as well as a few pieces of cardboard that can be put under the fabric for more convenience. Buy special paints for textiles, making sure that they are non-toxic and suitable for decorating children's clothing. Lay out things on the tables and invite guests in turn to go to every little soccer ball and add some color or pattern of a picture from himself. Instead of clothes it is possible to decorate in such a way a sheet for a crib - or to replace drawings with written messages. It would be nice to prepare in advance things of different sizes - so good wishes and funny images will remain with the child for several years ahead.

Precious book

Ideally, the Baby Shower party always includes leaving wishes to the future mother and baby. A great way to keep pleasant memories and warm emotions is to compose a unique children's book, the design and content of which completely depend on the guests. Prepare in advance an empty base book, glue pencils, ribbons, sequins, various pens, markers and crayons. Suitable and any other materials for needlework and scrapbooking. Let each guest make one page for his own taste, writing warm wishes and decorating lines with bright ink, pearl drops and shiny stickers. Such a gift to future parents and the baby will be simply priceless.

Alternative option

Instead of a book, you can arrange a photo album. Obtain an old Polaroid or similar camera and take a photo of everyone present. Let them sign each of their photos, using a wide white bar under the displayed image. It is not necessary to leave wishes of happiness and health - you can just write a short message to the kid so that he can read it when he grows up.

Regards

What kind of holiday is the Baby Shower, if no one exchanges warm words? Invent your own ways to inspire invitees to leave wishes or pleasant communication. For example, you can order an unusual bouquet from the florist or a whole composition of various colors - and offer guests to choose one that can be taken home. A little later, ask friends and relatives to count the petals on the chosen inflorescence - how many petals there are, so many useful tips for educating the child or about life in general, the guest should give the future mother.

Take a piece of paper and write on them numbers from 1 to 18 (numbers can be repeated if there are more guests). Roll the leaves inscription inward and play "forfeits" between invited friends and family members. The number that falls in the "phantom", means the age of the baby. Let each write a letter to the youngster, which he will read at the appropriate age. If the figure "5" falls, then the guest will need to write a pleasant and useful message to a five-year-old boy or girl.

If you have to personally organize for someone (and perhaps yourself) a traditional Baby Shower, ideas can be taken from English sources - or you can come up with contests and entertainments yourself. How about a joint collection of a temporary capsule in the form of a three-liter jar with interesting things? Or the left wishes on the back of big pieces of special children's puzzle? Be creative and you can spend an unforgettable party in the best traditions of the classic Baby Shower.