Baby Shower Etiquette

Baby Shower Etiquette

Baby Shower Etiquette has changed a bit over the years but there are some things that have stayed the same. Today on the Charming Chick blog we will address some of the most commonly asked Baby Shower Etiquette questions -- but first we'll examine a little bit of the history and the purpose of a baby shower.

Baby showers actually date back to ancient times. Of course they weren't really anything that we think of today. They were a lot less of a "party" and more or a "ritual"  -- or right of passage. Sometimes it involved going to a temple to dispose of the after birth, or to witness a baby naming ceremony. Through the years these rituals evolved into other rituals where mothers could share their experience and perhaps items that their children had outgrown, with the new mothers. Today we typically throw baby showers before the baby is born, but long ago it was customary to wait until after the infants birth -- sometimes a month or more. Today baby showers are generally filled with food, fun and games. Mothers-to-Be and their little bundles are "showered" with gifts from loving friends and family!

Though etiquette has become a little more relaxed over the years but some people hold tight to the old traditions. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked baby shower etiquette questions.

Q. Who should host a baby shower.

A. Baby showers are usually given by close friends of the mother-to-be. A long standing rule of baby shower etiquette is that it looks "greedy" if the soon-to-be grandmother or other close family member hosts the shower. Some folks still hold firm to this rule, however, etiquette rules have relaxed a bit and mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, etc. have been known to host baby showers. The mother-to-be should not host her own shower however.

Q. Who pays for the costs associated with the baby shower?

A. Baby shower etiquette typically states that the person hosting the baby shower pays for everything needed for the party. However, there is nothing wrong with a group of friends getting together to host and share the responsibility and the cost.

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Q. When should the baby shower be held?

A. Baby showers are usually held about 2-3 months before the estimated due date but they can honestly be held anytime. If the parents-to-be are finding out the gender and will be sharing the news with others, it's fun to wait until that announcement so guests can purchase gifts related to that gender -- but it's certainly not necessary.

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Q. If this isn't a first child (i.e. 2nd, 3rd, 4th), should a baby shower still be given?

A. The general rule of etiquette is...no, if it's not a first child there should not be another shower given. However, baby shower etiquette rules have relaxed a bit in recent years and it is not uncommon for people to have a celebration for each child. They are sometimes called "Sprinkles" or "Diaper Showers" These are intended to give the mother-to-be items that she may not have left over from her previous children. Also, if there is a big gap (5 years or more) between children, it's a child in a new relationship, you have moved and have a new set of friends, then it is common to have another baby shower.

Be sure to visit our Baby Shower Planning Ideas board on Pinterest for LOTS of great inspiration!!