The tradition of the modern baby shower started after WWII during the baby boom era. Baby showers are a fun way to welcome a new baby and help an expectant mother gather what is needed to take care of a newborn baby. The baby shower is a gift-giving party where the guests “shower” the mother or mother-to-be with gifts. Baby showers are usually given four to six weeks before the baby’s due date. This helps the soon-to-be parents know what they will need to purchase in order to be prepared for the birth. Baby Showers can also be given after the baby is born.

Baby clothes, baby care items, crib linens, and crib toys or accessories are popular baby shower gifts. Often friends or family members will pool their funds to buy a larger baby gift, such as a stroller or car seat. Baby gift registries can be a great help in selecting a baby shower gift. While gift registry information should not be listed or included on the baby shower invitation, enclosing it on a separate sheet of paper is now considered acceptable. Buying a baby shower gift from the baby gift registry is a convenient way to get a gift that you know the parents will need and love.