TRADITIONS

The Origin of Baby Showers

Baby Showers are an offshoot of bridal showers, the first of which dates back to 300 years ago.

The father of a Dutch woman disapproved of her engagement to a poor man and refused to giver her a dowry. Her female friends and relatives decided she should not be punished for choosing to marry for love rather than money, so they "showered" her with things to help her set up her home.

Baby showers evolved from this practice but did not truly come into vogue until after World War II and the subsequent baby boom.

At first, baby showers were held after the baby was born, but as modern medicine improved and there was less of a health risk to mother and baby, it became more common to host these events one to two months before the birth.

Some cultures still opt to wait until after the baby is born. In Judaism, for example, it is considered bad luck to bring baby things into the house before the arrival of the baby.