A baby shower is a celebration of upcoming motherhood where family and friends gather to bless the expecting mother and welcome the unborn child.
In India the celebration is typically held in the 7th to 9th month of pregnancy and goes by different names across the country like ‘Godh Bharai Rasam’ in the north, ‘Dohale Jevan’ in Maharashtra, ‘Seemantham’ in the south and ‘Valai Kappu’ in Tamil Nadu.
Traditionally, the ceremony involves sacred rituals meant for the safety and prosperity of the mother and the child. Today, many families blend tradition and modern culture to plan baby shower celebrations involving decoration, cakes, photography and games.
No wonder, gifting forms an essential part of a baby shower. People shower the parents-to-be with gifts of wide variety which primarily fall under 3 categories –
- Practical gifts – Useful during the last leg of pregnancy, delivery, postpartum and the newborn stage
- Auspicious gifts – Meant to bestow the mother and child with protection and prosperity
- Psychological support – To help the mother stay happy, relaxed and prepared
I have categorised my recommendations based on these categories separately for the mother and baby.
Our recommendations
Baby shower gifts for the mother
Practical gifts for the mother
Pregnancy is very demanding on a mother’s body which needs constant support, nourishment and recovery post delivery.
- Body care set – It is a great gift to pamper mothers who are on the lookout for soothing products that nourish the baby bump (since the skin around it tends to get stretched).
Tip – Prefer brands that make products that are labelled safe for pregnancy. Orimii is a brand that makes body care products specifically for pregnant women.
- Pregnancy pillow – A pillow designed specifically for pregnant women can provide great comfort. It supports the baby bump and aligns the spine which helps improve sleep quality.
- Nourishing snacks – Hampers containing dry fruits, trail mixes and high-protein items like lightly roasted makhana provide much-needed nourishment to an expecting mother while also helping her manage her cravings.
Tip – You can also add homemade laddoos made from dates, nuts and ghee to add a homemade touch to the hamper.
Emotional support gifts for the mother
Pregnancy can be not only physically exhausting but can also be mentally challenging, especially if the couple are expecting their first child. Gifts that help the couple, especially the mother, deal with the stress around pregnancy can make the journey smooth which is essential for both her and the baby
- Parenting books – Presence of adults in the house, especially mother and mother-in-law can be helpful during this journey as the wisdom from their experience becomes a valuable source of guidance. At the same time, it’s important for the new parents to educate themselves about pregnancy, postpartum and parenting as it will relieve their stress around these topics to a large extent.
- Scrapbook – You can add to the joy of the expecting couple by giving them a scrapbook where they can document their entire journey. It gives them the chance to freeze happy moments in time and they can come back to those whenever they want.
Tip – This is a very good gift for new-age parents who click thousands of photos of their newborn. A scrapbook helps them preserve the best ones in one place.
- Postpartum wellness voucher – A mother deserves every chance to feel relaxed as days can become hectic after baby delivery. A spa voucher can give her short but a much-needed break and make her feel instantly relaxed.
- Kindle – The last leg of pregnancy can become monotonous especially for expecting women told to rest. If the expecting mother is a reader, Kindle or a Kindle Unlimited subscription can be a great gift to keep her days filled with reading her favourite books.
Auspicious gifts for the mother
These are spiritual gifts that are a part of the Indian traditions for ages.
- Saree/shawl – It’s custom to give women an elegant saree or a shawl on a special occasion and pregnancy is one of the most important milestones of a woman’s life.
- Jewellery – It’s also tradition for the family to give a gold coin or jewellery to the expecting mother. Depending on your budget, you can gift jewellery pieces like pendant, chain, bracelet or ring as they sit well with today’s minimal look aesthetic.
- Family heirloom – A baby shower is a great occasion to pass down family heirlooms, especially if the couple is expecting their first child.
Baby shower gifts for the baby
Practical gifts for the baby
- Gender neutral baby clothing – Babies need a lot of clothes as they keep outgrowing their current ones. Unlike the west, parents in India don’t know their child’s gender until birth. Gender neutral clothing made from cotton is a common but useful gift.
Tip – don’t give newborn sizes as babies outgrow them very fast. Gift sizes suitable for a 3-6 month old.
- Baby diaper bag – A bag to keep all baby essentials in once place comes handy especially during travel.
- Developmental toys – The initial few years are formative for the child, thus providing great potential for learning. Parents are starting to focus on their child’s growth even when they are playing with the help of toys that are designed to promote learning.
Tips – Look for toys labelled child safe with features like non-toxic material, round edges and large enough size to avoid swallowing.
- Bath essentials – A baby’s skin is sensitive and parents are always on the lookout for products specifically designed for babies that help clean while also nourishing the skin. Brands like Aveeno and Cetaphil have a dedicated baby bath product line that are widely trusted by parents.
- Baby carrier – Babies grow fast but their need to be close to their parents, especially their mother, remains. However, it can be very exhausting and sometimes painful to carry them in arms over an extended duration. A baby carrier solves this problem by helping the parent carry the baby easily.
- Swaddle/Muslin blanket – Just like clothes, new parents need a lot of blankets and they tend to get dirty very quickly. Soft muslin blankets are a good gift to meet this need.
Auspicious gifts for the baby
- Silver jewellery – It is tradition to give babies a silver bowl & spoon, anklet, coin or a bracelet. Silver carries great significance because of its cooling and antimicrobial properties. It is also believed that silver wards off negative energies and brings good fortune.
- Nazar protection charm – Depending on culture, new parents can be wary of ‘nazar’ on their newborn. A charm can be a great gift as just like silver, it is believed to ward off negative energies.
Tip – A family’s belief about nazar charm depends on their cultural background which should be taken into consideration before gifting one
How to choose the best gift
The choice depends on your relationship with the couple and your budget. You can fall in any of these 4 categories –
- Close family
- Distant relatives
- Friends
- Colleagues
Traditionally, the close family gives the gifts mentioned under the ‘Auspicious’ category as a part of the spiritual ceremony and they are usually high budget gifts.
Distant relatives, friends and colleagues can lean towards more practical gifts which are relatively budget friendly.
Avoid these gifts
- Unsafe toys – Such toys carry the risk of swallowing, physical harm or toxicity.
- Baby food – Babies are not given solids for the initial 6 months, and even later parents are very selective about what they feed their baby.
- Large items like crib and stroller – Parents can be very selective about these large purchases. If you want to give a crib or a stroller, ask the couple if they would be okay with it and whether they have any specific requirements in mind.
Conclusion
Baby showers mark a significant transition for the expecting couple and the family at large. It is also an important gifting occasion which means it’s worth choosing a gift that stands out. With the help of our guide, make sure your gift is either something the parents will actually use and thank you for or it’s memorable for the times to come.
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