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Editor’s Note: Do you know someone for whom it is
extremely hard to buy gifts? The Gift Gal can help! Drop her a short note describing the recipient and his/her interests and hobbies. The Gift Gal will tap into The Gift Suggestion Databank™ for a solution to your gifting dilemma. Send questions via e-mail to:
Giftgal01@aol.com
Dear Gift Gal:
Is it proper to throw a shower for a mother who is having her second baby? If so, who should host the shower?
The Gift Gal responds:
Showers were traditionally held for first-time mothers only. It was assumed that a second-time mother already had sufficient clothes and baby equipment. However, this steadfast rule is gradually changing, along with the symbolism behind baby showers. In the past, showers were given to help alleviate the high cost of having the first baby. Today, many people believe that every baby should be celebrated with a party.
There are several reasons why a second baby shower is appropriate. If it’s been more than five years since the first child was born, older baby equipment may not meet current safety standards. Or perhaps the mother has already given away the baby clothes and equipment. Finally, showers are sometimes given when the sex of the second baby is different from that of the first, since the new baby may require some gender-specific clothing.
Showers for second babies are definitely becoming more commonplace. In fact, a poll conducted by the
Babycenter.com website showed that 62% of responding moms attended a shower in honor of their second baby.
Hosting rules are also evolving. Traditionally only non-relatives (co-workers, neighbors, close friends) hosted the event. However, more mothers and sisters are getting into the act. Under these relaxed rules, the only person who should not host the shower is the mother herself!
If you decide to host a shower for a second-time mom, consider deviating from traditional pink and blue color schemes or themes like baby bottles or booties. Unless it’s been a number of years since her first baby, the mom-to-be may not need more cute baby outfits. Instead, consider some of these practical and creative themes:
Book shower (everyone brings their favorite children’s book for the baby’s library);
Casserole shower (everyone brings a precooked and frozen dinner which can be heated after the baby arrives, when neither mom nor dad feeling like cooking);
IOU Shower (everyone brings homemade certificates to help mom with cleaning, babysitting, laundry, etc. after the baby is born.);
Diaper and baby food shower (everyone brings diapers, diaper wipes and baby food);
Pampered mom shower (everyone brings gifts to pamper mom, like bubble bath, fancy soaps, a nicely scented candle, relaxing music, some herbal tea and a new mug, etc.)
In short, today’s more lenient etiquette makes it acceptable to celebrate any birth, whether or not it’s a mother’s first. And there are many creative ways to do so!
Reprinted by permission from The Creative Gift Giver Newsletter, Winter 2002. |
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