Earthy and Expecting: Showered with baby shower ideas - YorkBlog

One of the best parts of pregnancy is getting to be the guest of honor at a party thrown for you by the people who love you. While the details of my own upcoming shower are mostly shrouded in secrecy, I can?t help but have baby showers on the brain, especially since creating my gift registries.

Pinterest isn?t helping. My bestie has created a baby shower board loaded with ideas I just love, and inspired by a few items from my registry.

But the thing is, there are so many different types of showers nowadays that planning one must be just as fun as attending.

Here are a few non-traditional shower themes that I came across in my web-travels:

The Couples Shower and/or the Man-Shower

Dads need shower presents, too. Photo courtesy of Amazon.

No longer is a baby shower just for women. Many are choosing to include the father and male family members in their baby celebrations. And why not? More than ever, expectant fathers seem to want roles more important than merely nursery-painter, hospital-driver and hand-holder.

And studies show that babies are actually healthier when dads are more involved from pregnancy onward. I applaud all fathers who not only want to support their partners, but share in the pregnancy and birth experience as well. There are more resources to assist them now than ever before, from books to blogs to websites to support groups.

Couples showers typically dial down the girly decorations and forgo some of the cutesy games of traditional baby showers. Dad doesn?t want to wear a hat made of gift ribbons and bows (does anyone really want to wear the hat?). But having the couple open their presents together is a great idea: what dad won?t feel some of the pressure lifted by seeing all that free baby gear?

Make sure to invite his brothers, friends and co-workers, and recognize that this means more than doubling the food and beverage offerings. If you want to plan activities, they should be couple-centric. Consider asking each guest to bring a loved children?s book in lieu of a card, and to inscribe books with specific reasons why the couple will make great parents.

If you can?t give up the idea of a traditional, women-only shower, you can still involve the father by throwing him a separate man-shower. Have the other dads in his life, including both grandfathers, take him out and terrify him with tell him their daddy stories over brews and a game (try to avoid that annoying ?last hurrah? vibe). Or, have them contribute gift cards to home improvement stores and offer their help with home repairs and nursery construction.

The moral of this story is, pregnancy doesn?t happen to just women. Involving dads-to-be can strengthen the couple?s relationship and cement an early bond with the baby.

The Earth Mother/Spiritual Shower

When browsing the web for other earthy perspectives on pregnancy, I came across a word I?d never heard before: Blessingway. It?s a Navajo term, often repurposed by pagans, which might not be everyone?s cup of herbal tea, but it?s a beautiful concept.

The blessingway, or any earth-spiritual-themed shower, focuses on the ritual aspect of pregnancy and birth. The women involved celebrate the new life by spending time with the mother, offering words of wisdom, support and love. Activities may include each guest writing a birth blessing to the mother, a personalized wish for the remainder of her pregnancy, delivery, first days as a mother and so on. Crafts such as knitting are a communal and practical activity ? baby blankets and clothing begun at the blessingway can be finished at home and sent to the new family later.

This is so cool. Photo courtesy of flickr user Henna by Heather ? Mehndi in Boston / Providence M.

Just how earthy is the expectant mom in your life? Consider inviting a henna artist to your blessingway to decorate her with non-toxic henna ink. What a unique way to ?bless? that gorgeous belly!

Pamper mom with aromatherapeutic lotions and oils, such as those from Earth Mama Angel Baby, which offers gift baskets and boxes full of mostly organic herbal products safe for use during pregnancy.

Gifts opened at a blessingway should be limited to those of a handmade or personally meaningful nature, due to the spiritual rather than commercial focus. Gifts purchased from registries may be sent home with parents.

Lastly, have each guest take a small scented candle as a favor as she leaves. When mama goes into labor, use a phone tree so everyone can burn their candles and channel the positive energy and love generated at the blessingway as the new baby arrives. These activities function much like prayer and meditation in other, more traditional or religious-themed gatherings.

The Home Spa Shower

Yes, please!

There is a certain amount of pampering of the expectant mom at almost any shower, but this spa-themed shower takes the proverbial cake. A home spa shower brings spa professionals to the party to provide massages, facials, manicures and pedicures for all involved.

Hostesses on a budget will want to limit the number of guests, so perhaps this shower idea is best reserved as a secondary option. Have it a month or two after the main shower, strictly for family and mom?s best friend. Besides, the closer to the delivery date, the more likely she needs the extra attention. A gift basket of the products used is a nice touch, or go the extra mile and reserve some post-delivery massage time in the form of a gift certificate.

More shower ideas can be found here, but really, how can you go wrong with any of these?

Source: http://www.yorkblog.com/smart/2012/10/18/earthy-and-expecting-showered-with-baby-shower-ideas/

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