for: Baby Shower (The Office) A baby shower party is a popular way to celebrate the future event of a child birth. Parent to be receive gifts for their newborn or expected child in the USA. The party is intended to help parents get items that they need for their baby, such as baby clothes. This is well-known tradition in the United States. In other countries and cultures expectant mothers and impending births are celebrated in various ways.

Traditions and trends

Traditonally, a baby shower is held only for the mother-to-be and only women attend. However, recently men are also starting to participate in a couple's baby shower.

Many people choose to have baby showers for both parents, and some people have a men-only shower. In Jewish tradition, a celebration and gift reception is held only after the birth of a child. Though some American Jews may be the exception regarding this tradition.

In countries like UK, France and other European countries, baby showers are a new phenomenon, recently imported from the United States. Malika Dalamal, a fashion writer for The Daily Telegraph, notes that a few UK businesses are now starting to respond to this opportunity. In some countries some shops provide Newborn Lists, where the parents select the gifts that they need for the baby, to avoid duplicate or unnecessary presents.

Baby showers are increasingly popular in Africa, Asia and Latin America, but are still "women-only" social gatherings. Among Hindus in India, religious rituals resembling Western 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 the western influence in India, both genders are often present.

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.Fact: date=June 2008 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 established guidelines for what constitutes a baby shower, there are some traditional activities that are common at baby showers.Fact: date=June 2008 Traditionally, the shower is given for the expected parent(s) by someone else as opposed to the parent(s) hosting it. Usually, the mother's maid of honour, or bridesmaids at her wedding, hosts this final event into motherhood for their bride. There are favours, gifts, and games all coordinated by the host(s). Invitations are sent out, by the organizers, on behalf of the Mother/Parents, just like at a traditional bridal shower. Because the party centres on gift-giving, the baby shower is generally arranged by a close friend. There is no set rule for when or where showers are to be held and the party can thus be held at a variety of places and at various times. It is common for the host to provide baby-themed games during the shower. In some regions, it is common to give party favours, small gifts for the guests. Baby showers, like bridal showers and bachelorette parties, are more 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.Fact: date=June 2008