While a lot of people love baby showers for the cute decorations, the community, the games, and of course, the presents, not everyone is on the same page and that should be respected. Perhaps you are the type of person who has always hated attending baby showers — and certainly don’t want to attend your own. Whatever the reason, read on for some alternative baby shower ideas — after all, baby showers are not the only way to celebrate a new baby.
Not everyone wants a baby shower
While it could be that you just don’t like baby showers, sometimes people have other valid reasons for opting out of a baby shower. You might have time constraints, health reasons, or prefer minimalism and don’t need a bunch of things.
Plus, there are plenty of cultures that do not believe in throwing baby showers. For example, it’s considered back luck in Japan to celebrate before the baby is born. They celebrate after with an Oshichiya, a baby naming ceremony that’s an intimate gathering with food and gifts.
Baby sprinkles, sip and sees, and other small gatherings
Additional activities you can do instead
However, if it’s the actual shower itself that is not to your taste, thankfully there are other ways to celebrate an expectant mother!
5) A day of overindulgence
Who doesn’t like to be pampered? “We have done spa/nail days, cooking classes, tastings, a getaway with a resort pool, activities like bojagi (traditional Korean wrapping cloth) or bouquet/wreath making,” suggested Park.
Some of Park’s clients’ friends have pooled money they would have spent on the shower for a makeover and maternity shoot. Another client had a session at a music studio where the mama and friends recorded singing not only songs to the baby — but also songs for themselves to enjoy.
6) Reuse, reduce, recycle
The baby industry is huge and some people want to be more minimalist as well as reduce their carbon footprint. “I’ve seen people request used or regifted items so as not to support the ridiculousness of the baby industry,” writer Minna Dubin told Mom.com.
7) Donating to families in need
For expectant parents who may not need any gifts for themselves or their baby, they can choose to have guests donate to pregnancy centers, foster family resource rooms, orphanages, or local women’s shelters. If you are meeting in person, you can also make time to create clean birth kits for women who don’t have access to certain resources.
