Articles
Handmade and unique baby shower gifts
I have always considered attending any sort of shower (baby or wedding) a part of female torture (other things include panty hose, pointy shoes, cramps, and child birth). Making small talk with the guest of honors miserable cousin over little tiny cucumber tea sandwiches while I begin to sweat in my panty hose and my toes scream in agony over my choice of pointy shoes is just not my idea of fun on a perfectly nice Saturday afternoon.
Once all of the tea sandwiches and potato salad has been consumed it is on to the opening of the presents. We all sit and act attentive as the soon-too-be new mom opens each gift slowly and deliberately. We ooh and ahh over each tiny onsie and burp cloth and act surprised as we think back to the registry we used to shop for our “unique” baby shower gifts.
The big box stores have made it all too easy to rush in the morning of a baby shower and quickly grab whatever is left on the registry and run to the shower. They have morphed the baby shower from a beautiful rite of passage in which women share in the beauty and joy of child rearing to a panicked trip down the aisles of Babies R’ Us. While I appreciate that new parents need many practical gifts like cribs and highchairs, the tradition of giving handcrafted gifts to new babies should not be forgotten.
Handcrafted baby shower gifts will become a treasured heirloom that will be enjoyed by both mom and baby. If you are planning a shower for a friend, consider making it a handcrafted shower where you ask all of the guests to bring at least one handcrafted gift. Examples of handcrafted gifts can include a poem, painting, a knit blanket or baby sweater, handmade clothes, or anything your imagination can dream up! Since everyone’s creativity is different you can suggest that guests can purchase handmade gifts as well.
Opening handmade gifts is fun and exciting. You will be amazed at all of the hidden talents your friends and family have! Between gifts ask the guests to share bits of wisdom and advice on childbirth, child rearing and any other gifts of knowledge for the new mom. Showers should be a time for women to celebrate the wonders and joys of womanhood!
