In some countries, a baby shower is a way to celebrate the expected or delivered birth of a child by presenting gifts to the mother at a party, whereas other cultures host a baby shower to celebrate the transformation of a woman into a mother. The event has different names in different cultures.
Baby shower as a term is relatively new, but the celebrations and rituals associated with pregnancy and childbirth are both ancient and enduring.[8]
Ancient India: Baby shower in India has been followed since the vedic ages, in an event called seemantha held in the 6th or 8th month, the mother to be is showered with dry fruits, sweets grams and other gifts that help the baby's growth. A musical event to please the baby's ears is the highlight of the ritual, it was common knowledge that the baby's ears would start functioning within the womb - a scientifically proven belief.
Seemantha is a ritual to pray for a healthy baby and a mother, a happy delivery and motherhood.
Ancient Egypt: Ancient Egyptians did not hold baby showers as we know them today, they did observe rituals associated with birth and pregnancy.
Ancient Greece: Ancient Greeks celebrated pregnancy after the birth of the child.
Middle Ages: Childbirth was associated with not only great physical danger but spiritual danger as well.
Renaissance: Childbirth was an almost mystical event, and mothers-to-be would often be surrounded with references to the Annunciation to encourage and celebrate her.
Victorian Era: Is the predecessor to modern-day baby shower. A Victorian woman would keep her pregnancy a secret as long as possible and would not appear in public due to cultural definitions of proper behavior.
Modern Era: The modern baby shower started after WWII during the baby boom era and evolved with the consumer ideology of 1950s and 1960s. In other words, and served an economic function by providing the mother-to-be with material goods that lessened the financial burden of infant care.
Twenty-First Century: Several important changes associated with technology. Invitations, traditionally mailed, now are often emailed in elaborate graphically designed invitations. In addition, baby shower participants may attempt to identify baby parts on an ultrasound as a game, or even hold virtual baby showers.
Baby showers for fathers
Some baby showers are directed at the future father. These may be more oriented towards drinking beer, watching sports, fishing, or playing video games. The primary nature of these gifts is diapers and/or diaper-related items. The organization of the diaper party is typically done by the friends of the father-to-be as a way of helping to prepare for the coming child. These parties may be held at local pubs/bars, a friend's house, or the soon-to-be grandfather's house.